This year's PMA Medicine Week Celebrations has just been concluded successfully with a fete at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Hotel. Dr. Jose Sabili, PMA Governor for Rizal and all component presidents coordinated the affair. All these would not have been possible without the able participation of all the Component Societies nationwide. The NCR served as the hub of all the activities.

This year's Medicine Week Celebration started on September 22, 2002 (Sunday) with a Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Rizal Monument followed by a Motorcade coordinated by Dr. Rebecca Deduyo, PMA Governor for Central Tagalog Chapter. This was followed by a Mass at the San Juan de Dios Hospital Chapel officiated by Fr. Dr. Manny Perez, UP-PGH Chaplain.(c/o APMA, ably led by Mrs. Jenny Donato). The Opening Ceremonies was led by the MANILA MEDICAL SOCIETY at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, coordinated by Dr. Marciano Uy, PMA Governor for Manila. Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honor was Dr. Conrado Banzon, PMA Chair for the Committee on Legislation, who spoke about the PMA stand on the proposed Malpractice Act of 2002. Commentaries from various physicians lasted unto the late afternoon.

The week-long Free Clinics and Lay Fora aimed at LAY EDUCATION and PATIENT EMPOWERMENT, was from September 23 to 27, 2002.

On Day 1 September 23, 2002 (Monday)"Anak Ko, Anak ng Inang Kalikasan"
Advocacy: Earth-Saving Day

Specialty: Pediatrics

Dr. Metodio Palaypay of MMS lectured on Environmental Sanitation and Solid Waste Management both at the PMA Auditorium and at the MMS Taft Avenue Bldg. QC MS also conducted lay fora on Nutrition and Dengue Awareness by Dr. Verdades Pena Linga and Mr. Tony J. San Agustin

Free Clinics in Pediatrics were ably conducted by the Quezon City Medical Society, Caloocan Medical Society, Valenzuela Medical Society

At the MMS M de la Fuente Bldg, Dr. E. Milo, 3rd District President together with Drs. Z. Maranan, Esec, Fontanilla dewormed and treated hundreds of pediatric patients. In the afternoon, Atty. Crispin Castillo (AMMS President) and the Auxilliary of the Manila Medical Society (Mrs. Fontanilla, Bulalacao, del Rosario, etc) conducted a nutrition and feeding program among the mothers and fed them with hot soup nutritionally prepared by the Barangay Council under the leadership of their Barangay Captain, Mrs. Len Fernandez. Dr. M. Calimag, MMS President and Mrs. Jenny Donata, APMA President and Dr. T. Castillo past PMA Governor for Manila attended the affair.

At the MMS Taft Avenue Bldg. Drs. Lou and Asuncion Hipolito conducted the free clinics in PM.

Day 2 September 24, 2002 (Tuesday)"Dugong Buhay, Dugtong Buhay"
Advocacy: Heart and Blood Preservation Day - Blood-letting

Specialty: Adult Medicine

Quezon City Medical Society, San Pablo Medical Society and Laguna Medical Society conducted the free clinics at the PMA Compound

Lay Fora: AIDs and Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Blood Donation - Shattering the Myths by Ma. Mystica Flodalyn T. Bautista.

At the MMS M de la Fuente Bldg. activities undertaken included BP Screening, Cholesterol Screening, ECG determination. Drs. M. Calimag, Milo, Maranan, Fontanilla, Esec and D. Lerma treated hypertensive patients. Dr. LaO interpreted the ECG.

At the MMS Taft Ave. Bldg, the Fourth District Chapter under Dr. C. Silverio conducted a lay fora in AM. Dr. B. Ong of the Second District conducted free clinics in PM

Day 3 September 25, 2002 (Wednesday)"Kita Ko, Kutis Mong Makinis"
Advocacy: Sight Saving Day and Skin Saving Day

Specialties: Ophthalmology and Dermatology

Free Clinics were conducted by the Manila Medical Society, Marikina Valley Medical Society, Angeles City Medical Society, and the Ophthalmology Residents of the East Avenue Medical Center.

Dr. M. Calimag conducted a lay fora on Common Eye Diseases.

At the MMS M de la Fuente Bldg, the Third District Chapter through its "Pagkalinga sa Mata" Project and through the efforts of the Ophthalmology Residents of the Hospital of the Infant Jesus conducted Cataract Operations on 7 indigent patients. Other patients with eye complaints were examined and screened.

Dr. Lou Hipolito, President of First District and a dermatologist conducted the Free Clinics in Dermatology at the MMS Taft Avenue Bldg.

Day 4 September 26, 2002 (Thursday)"Nasaan na ang Calcium ni Lolo"
Advocacy: Senior Citizens Day

Specialty: Geriatrics

Free Clinics were done by the Muntinglupa Medical Society, San Juan Medical Society, Rizal Medical Society, Philippine Gerontology Society, Philippine Osteoporosis Society
Lay Fora: Osteoporosis by Dr. Eugene Bacorro and Rheumatism

At the MMS M de la Fuente Bldg. a lecture on adult nutrition and a feeding program among the elderly was conducted c/o Abbott laboratories. Drs. Nenita Co and Manny Fontanilla conducted the free clinics.

SPECIAL EVENT: The Senior Physician's Night was held at the Casino Filipino in Tagaytay City. It was a very well-organized affair ably handled by Dr. Martin Cabrera, PMA Governor for Southern Tagalog with the support of all component presidents, Drs. Marius Moran, Oscar Tinio, Edwin Gonzaga, etc. Senior physician- delegates coming from Manila, Quezon City, Rizal and all chapters of Southern Tagalog(STAMP)graced the occassion. Medallions were given to all senior physicians 60 years old and above.
Sponsor:

Day 5 September 27, 2002 (Friday)"May Kanser si Tatay, May Kanser si Nanay"
Advocacy: Cancer Awareness

Specialties: Oncology, Gynecology, Surgery

Free Clinics were done by the Pasay- Paranaque Medical Society, Bulacan Medical Society, Makati Medical Society, Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine Society of Pathology
Activities: Breast Examination, Paps Smear, Digital Rectal Examination
Lay Fora: Self-Breast Examination, Digital Rectal Examination

Dr. M. Calimag conducted a lay fora on SELF-BREAST EXAMINATION both at the PMA and at the MMS M de la Fuente Bldg.

Dr. Lady Hernandez-Niverba did the Paps Smears at the MMS M de la Fuente. Dr. Carmecita Gotauco read the results which yielded positive results in three patients.

SPECIAL EVENTS:Leadership Seminar at UNILAB Bayanihan Hall;
During the APMA Physicians' Night at the Quezon City Sports Club, Dr. Placido P. Calimag, Jr. of the Manila Medical Society was chosen as one of the TOPICS Awardee. Other awardees were Drs. Romeo P. Andaya of Laguna, Dr.Filipina S. Villa of Bukidnon, Dr. Robert Tolentino of Benguet, Dr. Inesita A. Jovonillo of Isabela. Mrs. Janet Garcia was TOPICS Organizing Chair for APMA.
Sponsor: Biofemme

Day 6 September 28, 2002 (Saturday)"Ang Kalusugan ay Kayamanan"
Advocacy: Physical Fitness
SPECIAL EVENTS:Fun Run at the PICC c/o Dr. Josefino Adiao, president of Pasay-Paranaque Medical Society;
Basketball Clinic at the PMA Grounds, North EDSA.
Partners: Pediatrica and many more...

During the CLOSING CEREMONIES at the MANILA HOTEL c/o Rizal Medical Society Guests of Honor were the Hon. Secretary of Health Dr. Manuel Dayrit; Hon. Cong. Dr. Macias and Hon. Cong. Delangalen. Keynote Speaker was Mr. Ejercito, President of UNILAB. He spoke on the prevailing climate in the Philippine drug industry.

Some joined in the singing and some in the dancing. One thing is certain though, everybody just had a good time! Yhew...that was a long week indeed, low bat na... (M.P. Calimag, MD, President of Manila Medical Society and Over-all Chair, PMA National Celebration of Medicine Week 2002)

MMS spearheads PMA Celebration of Medicine Week

PMA Officers and Board of Governors during the Wreath-laying Ceremonies	with Dr.G. Fernandez, PMA President and M. Calimag, Over-all Chair at the Rizal Park
At the San Juan de Dios Hospital	...for the Mass
Free Clinics manned by Component Societies	Dr. M. Calimag of MMS
Ophtha residents of East Avenue Hospital	Indigents benefit from free Medicines and Services

Dr. Eugene Bacorro lectures on Osteoporosis

Senior physicians honored with medallions at awarding ceremonies during

...the Senior Physician's Night at Tagaytay Casino

Leadership seminar at the UNILAB Bayanihan Hall

Dr. Placido Calimag Jr.,is one of the	...TOPICS Awardee for 2002
Pediatrica conducts a...	...basketball clinic at the PMA
Closing ceremonies were held at the Manila Hotel...	...guests were Drs. Dayrit, Cong. Delangalen and Cong. Macias