President’s Message
Greetings!
I am deeply honored to be given the opportunity to lead and serve our Alumni Association. The previous officers namely Past President Dr. Brandon D. Ericta, his Board of Trustees and entire Executive Committee have done a tremendous job in keeping the torch of the Alumni burning.
Hence, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to them for a mission successfully accomplished. As their successors, it is my hope that we, the current officers, can live up to their standards, emulate them as well as urpass their achievements. Recently, our Association has taken another step forward with the election of a new set of officers. This signified a new beginning which brings forth transformation and the birth of novel ideas. Coupled with this move is accepting and embracing challenges that lie ahead in the next three years. It is for this reason that we will need your help and participation.
Our membership is diverse because it is a blend of both senior and youthful generations – a collaboration that reflects wisdom and idealism. I believe it is composed of enthusiastic, hardworking and committed members.
We have a plethora of experts whose knowledge and talents can be put to good use. Therefore, I encourage each of you to increase your engagement with us as we embark and explore new horizons. These shall relate to fellowship outreach programs and professional growth from a holistic perspective.
To my co-alumni who belong to the younger crop, I challenge you to come out of your chrysalis, spread your wings proudly and be proactively involved for eventually, you shall take over the cudgels of steering this Association.
Let us reach out to one another, rekindle ties which have been lost through time and build lifelong relationships. We can journey together as a family and as a team as we continue to nurture our organization to meet our goals in fulfillment of our mission.
I chose the path to dream big and aim high. I enjoin you to walk with me in this endeavor to bring Cardinal Santos Medical Center Pediatric Alumni Association to the realm of recognition and success.
ROSEMARIE V. SERRANO, MD
Greetings!

Hence, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to them for a mission successfully accomplished. As their successors, it is my hope that we, the current officers, can live up to their standards, emulate them as well as urpass their achievements. Recently, our Association has taken another step forward with the election of a new set of officers. This signified a new beginning which brings forth transformation and the birth of novel ideas. Coupled with this move is accepting and embracing challenges that lie ahead in the next three years. It is for this reason that we will need your help and participation.
Our membership is diverse because it is a blend of both senior and youthful generations – a collaboration that reflects wisdom and idealism. I believe it is composed of enthusiastic, hardworking and committed members.
We have a plethora of experts whose knowledge and talents can be put to good use. Therefore, I encourage each of you to increase your engagement with us as we embark and explore new horizons. These shall relate to fellowship outreach programs and professional growth from a holistic perspective.
To my co-alumni who belong to the younger crop, I challenge you to come out of your chrysalis, spread your wings proudly and be proactively involved for eventually, you shall take over the cudgels of steering this Association.
Let us reach out to one another, rekindle ties which have been lost through time and build lifelong relationships. We can journey together as a family and as a team as we continue to nurture our organization to meet our goals in fulfillment of our mission.
I chose the path to dream big and aim high. I enjoin you to walk with me in this endeavor to bring Cardinal Santos Medical Center Pediatric Alumni Association to the realm of recognition and success.
ROSEMARIE V. SERRANO, MD
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7TH DEMETRIO L. AFRICA LECTURE
by Dr. Odette Nebre-Lising
It is the time of the year when we honor one of the pillars of the CSMC Department of Pediatrics. The 7th Demetrio L. Africa Annual Lecture was held last August 1, 2014 at CSMC Assembly Hall with guest speaker Mr. Bernard Marquez who talked about Emotional Literacy.
The event was attended by our distinguished birthday celebrant, Dr. Africa, his family, friends, and colleagues from Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Delos Santos Medical Center, F.I.R.S.T. Inc., and Philippine Pediatric Society. The program was led by Drs. Cynthia Clemente and Edwin Rodriguez. Dr. Naval Rivas gave the Invocation and led the National Anthem.
Dr. Joseph Regalado gave the heartwarming opening remarks and spoke about our beloved “Tatay.” Drs. Marichu De Chavez and Wiwi Gunawan serenaded our celebrant with their own version of Way Back Into Love. Before the event came to an end, Dr. Rosemarie Serrano, the CSMC PAA President gave her closing remarks.
It was an afternoon of thanksgiving for our mentor, for all the hard work and sacrifice he has done for the department and every resident who has been under his training. We love you Tatay!
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BEING A CHAIRMAN AND BEYOND
By: Dr. Josy Naty Venturina & Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza
Dr. Maria Rosario Gamus-Te graduated from her residency training in Cardinal Santos Medical Center in 1978. After which she served as a supervisory fellow of the department for another year and a half. Having spent much time with the department, she naturally looked forward to focusing and spending more time for herself, her family, and private practice.
Since 1981, Dr. Te had to portray many roles. She was a wife to Dr. Camilo Te, an orthopedic surgeon; a mom to her five children: Camilo, Jr., Adrian, Michael, Lorenzo, and Vincent; and, a grandma to Caitlin, Adriana, and Angelo. Gardening, going to the mall and spending time with her sister were things she enjoyed doing when she was not busy at home or at the hospi- tal. She was fairly content and happy with this routine. Holding a position in the department and taking on addi- tional responsibilities not even once crossed her mind. Yet, God had a different agenda.
In 2009, Dr. Te became the first alumna to be elected as chairman of the Depart- ment of Pediatrics of CSMC.
When asked why she cried upon hearing the news, she simply said, “I didn’t like it!” She knew what sacrifices and responsibilities of being a chairman entailed. And despite the shocking rev- elation, Dr. Te embraced this new challenge with open arms for the love of the department.
During her 7 years as chairman, Dr. Te managed to handle all the administrative issues and challenges of the department with much passion and grace. Being a chairman not only allowed her to grow more as an individual, but also enabled her to put into practice the values and principles she lives by. Respect for others and professionalism, she says, were the foundation values that sustained her to fulfill this role. Among her various accomplishments, upgrading the accreditation of our residency training program to Level 2 is what she is most proud of.
Although her children are all grown up and do not need direct supervision any longer, Dr. Te has made it a point to always put her family as her first priority. Despite her busy schedule at the hospital, setting her priorities right allowed her to put a balance with her duties at the hospital and at home. As she has learned from one of her mentors, “every one is expendable” –she can ask someone else to fill in for her and delegate tasks so she can attend to more important matters and make no compromises.
As her term of being a chairman draws to a close, Dr. Te says that the journey in the fewest words was challenging yet fulfilling. Although her family is proud of what she has accomplished, she is now more than eager to go back to her previous routine: spending more time with them, frequent visits to the province and of course, shopping at 168.
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NEW ALUMNI SUBSPECIALISTS
By Dr. Josy Naty Venturina
About 13% of the alumni of the Pediatric Residency Training Program of Cardinal Santos Medical Center took post residency subspecialty training. Since 2011, seven of our alumni became new subspecialists in the different fields of pediatrics. Here are some updates.
Dr. Jonalyn Tan-Ang took Pediatric Neurology at UST from 2008-2010. She also took Clinical Neurophysiology at the same institution in 2011 and Sleep Medicine in UCLA Sleep Disorders Center and Laboratory in 2012. She is currently an active staff member in our institution
and is also affiliated with UST, Lung Center of the Philippines and Chinese General Hospital.
Dr. Jo-Anne Mayor-Luna graduated last December 2011 in Neonatology at UST. She
recently passed the diplomate examination given July this year. She is now practicing parttime in Caloocan and Bulacan. She is affiliated with Malvar, Nodado and Grace General Hospitals and is an NRP instructor for UST.
Dr. Mary Kristine Belen-Ciabal, a Pediatric Rheumatologist, graduated from UP-PGH in
2011. She is currently practicing in Laguna and affiliated with Marian Hospital Sta. Rosa, Health
Serve Los Baños Community General Hospital and San Pablo City Medical Center. She is also
a visiting consultant at the Makati Medical Center.
Dr. Maria Tricia Subido is now a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist. She graduated from PCMC in 2012 and is now a diplomate of the PIDSP. She is an active staff in our institution and also holds the position of Medical Specialist III at RITM, where she heads the Animal Bite Treatment Center and Emergency Unit. She is also the head of the section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Pedia ICC at the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center and a visiting consultant at Asian Hospital and Medical Center.
Dr. Maria Cristina Santiago is a graduate of Pediatric Pulmonology at St. Luke’s Medical Center in January 2013. Currently, she is a medical examiner at St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic. She is planning to take the diplomate examination in pulmonology next year.
Dr. Eric Tan took his training in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in 2012 and Children’s Emergency in 2013 at the National University Hospital in Singapore. He is currently practicing in Taguig City and is affiliated in St. Clare’s Medical Center and Medical Center of Taguig City. He is also a Pediatric ER consultant at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. He is planning to complete his training in Children’s Emergency at the Philippine General Hospital.
Last year, yours truly completed the fellowship training in Pediatric Pulmonology at PCMC & is currently a diplomate of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists who is also an active staff member in our institution and Delos Santos Medical Center; a visiting consultant at PCMC & Lung Center of the Philippines; currently holding clinic at the MyHealth Clinic Shangri-la Plaza Mall.
We have three graduates currently taking up fellowship training at PCMC. They are Dr. Renee Ghayne Saulog -Katigbak (2nd year Neuro-Developmental Pediatrics), Dr. Katrina Ortega (2nd year Hematology and Oncology), and Dr. Julia Mae Yulde-Cruz (1st year Adolescent Medicine).
Dr. Deanne Carla N. De Mesa is now taking up basic course in Health Professions Education and eventually plans to shift to masteral degree.
Indeed, a wide rage of opportunities may come after residency training. And with the outstanding
mentorship in the Pediatric Residency Training Program of CSMC, each alumni is bound to excel
in the field of their choice.
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2014 CSMC PAA BUSINESS MEETING
by Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza
The annual CSMC Pediatric Alumni Association meeting was held last April 8, 2014 at the Leyte Room of Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Manila. There were a good number of attendees. One of whom was Dr. Dolores Gloriani, an alumna who has long been based in the United States and was very much missed. We were also fortunate to have Dr. Demetrio Africa join us.
To start the meeting proper, Dr. Brandon Ericta, the outgoing CSMC PAA President, gave a summary of his accomplishments and future plans for the Association. Dr. Angel Moral- Mendoza presented the 2013 Treasurer’s Report on Dr. Conchita Go’s behalf.
Nominations for new officers were done and announced to the rest of the body.
President: Dr. Rosemarie Serrano
Vice President: Dr. Dolores Bustamante
Secretary: Dr. Sheila Rodriguez
Assistant Secretary: Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia
COMMITTEE HEADS & MEMBERS
COMMUNITY:
Dr. Justina Pangilinan
Cochair: Dr. Josy Naty Venturina
Members : Dr. Jocelyn Lee-Ngo / Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang
WAYS & MEANS:
Dr. Janet. Panagsagan
Co-chair: Dr. Eduardo Borja
Members: Dr. Edna Ruth Santiago / Dr. Joseph Regalado
Dr. Resurrecion Acop / Dr. Joy Ty-Sy / Dr. Aura Pasco-Mendoza
ACADEMICS, EXTERNAL:
Dr. Dolores Bustamante
Vice Chair: Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza
Members: Dr. Maria Caridad Donato
Dr. Jocelyn Lee
Dr. Jennifer Serrano
ACADEMICS, INTERNAL:
Dr. Beverly Jane Chua
Member: Dr. Deanne Carla De Mesa
SOCIALS:
Dr. Cynthia Marissa Clemente
Co- Chair: Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia
Dr. Leny Lyn Lopez-Evangelista
Dr. Froilan Vicente Vinuya
Dr. Dolores Raquel Sta. Ines
COMELEC:
Dr. Brandon Ericta
Members: Dr. Sheila Rodriguez / Dr. Teldy Ley –Ch
Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang
Dr. Justiina Pangilinan
PUBLICATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS:
Dr. Maria Patricia Ludan
Co chair (Publications): Dr. Odette Nebre-Lising
Co chair (Communications): Dr. Consuelo Teodoro
Members: Dr. Josy Naty Venturina
Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza
MEMBERSHIP:
Dr. Sheila Rodriguez
Co-Chair: Dr. Karen Ann Lim
Members: Dr. Audrey Vaneza Tan-Ang
Dr. Maria Caridad Donato
SCHOLARSHIP:
Dr. Maria Naval Rivas
Co-Chair: Dr. Brandon Ericta
Members: Dr. Wilfredo Mejia / Dr. Froilan Vicente Vin
BY-LAWS & AMENDMENTS:
Dr. Edwin Rodriguez
Towards the end of the meeting, Dr . Maria Naval Rivas invited a financial manager from Manulife who gave a short lecture on the various options available for the association to invest its funds in.
The room was indeed filled with lively chitchat, laughter, and fun. Great company and good food was a guaranteed formula to send us all home with big smiles on our faces.
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By: Dr. Veronica Cruz-Garcia |
Zumba is a dance fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto
Perez during the 1990s and is one of the latest fitness crazes. It involves dance and aerobic elements
incorporating cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, cha -cha, reggaeton, soca, samba, hip hop, tango and martial arts.
Zumba sessions are typically about an hour long and taught by instructors licensed by an organization called Zumba Academy. The exercises include music with fast and slow rhythms, as well as resistance training. It is for everyone of all ages! Skills are not required.. only requirements are the love for dance, music, and the willingness to try something new.
Last August 8, 2014, some members of the CSMC PAA got together at the CSMC Assembly Hall to try out Zumba together. Another Zumba session will be held on September 5 and September 12, 2014 at 4:30 PM, after the CSMC Pediatric Department's Friday Conference at the Assembly Hall. All members of the department and alumni association are invited to attend. The activity aims to reconnect our members while keeping fit and having fun.
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MILESTONES:
It is with great honor that last August 15, 2014, esteemed members of the Department of Pediatrics were recipients of the CSMC Ruby Awards. The Awardees were chosen in accordance to their exemplary contribution and the practice of the CSMC "Core Values" that positively and significantly contributed to the continuous success and improvement of all the stakeholders.
ADDITIONAL MILESTONES
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Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia
By: Dr. Angel Moral-Mendoza & Dr. Jona Naty Venturina
Last April 2013, the 2013 Task force on pCAP of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists [PAPP], launched the latest update in the evaluation and management of pediatric community acquired pneumonia. This document presented revisions on several recommendations based on recent evidence from local and foreign literature.
The 12 clinical questions from the 2004 Clinical Practice Guideline in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia, and 2008 Update in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Community Acquired Pneumonia, were retained.
This new document stated that the presence of pneumonia may be considered even without a chest radiograph in a patient presenting with cough and/or respiratory difficulty plus any of the following predictors of radiographic pneumonia namely tachypnea as defined by World Health Organization [WHO] in a patient aged 3 months to 5 years; or fever at any age ; or oxygen saturation less than or equal to 92% at room air at any age in the absence of any co-existing illness (neurologic, musculoskeletal, or cardiac condition) that may potentially affect oxygenation.
In the previous publications, the risk classification for pneumonia-related mortality was divided into minimal, low, moderate and high risk. The revised guideline included the PAPP (pCAP A,B,C,D), PHIC (Pneumonia I and II) and WHO (Nonsevere, Severe, and Very Severe) classifications.
It is emphasized in this guideline that chest x-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin, or blood culture should not be routinely requested to determine appropriateness of antibiotic usage. Chest x-ray may be requested only to rule out pneumonia-related complications or pulmonary conditions simulating pneumonia and should not be routinely requested to predict end-of-treatment clinical outcome.
For patients classified as pCAP C, oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry or arterial blood gas determination should be done to assess gas exchange. Gram stain and/or culture and sensitivity of pleural fluid if present should be done to determine etiology.
Amoxicillin [40-50 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for at most 7 days] remains to be the drug of choice for a patient who has been classified as pCAP A or pCAP B and who has not received any previous antibiotic. On the other hand, for a patient who has been classified as pCAP C requiring hospitalization and has not received any previous antibiotic, and has completed the primary immunization against Haemophilus influenzae type b [Hib], penicillin G [100,000 units/kg/day in 4 divided doses] administered as monotherapy should be administered. While for those who has not completed the primary immunization or immunization status unknown against Hib, ampicillin [100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses] administered as monotherapy can be initially given. For patients above15 years of age, a parenteral non- antipseudomonal β-lactam (β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination (BLIC), cephalosporin or carbapenem] + extended macrolide [azithromycin or clarithromycin], or a parenteral non-antipseudomonal β-lactam [β-lactam/ β- lactamase inhibitor combination(BLIC], cephalosporin or carbapenem] + respiratory fluoroquinolones [levofloxacin or moxifloxacin] administered as combination therapy may be given.
Cough preparation, elemental zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D and chest physiotherapy should not be routinely given during the course of illness as they have not been shown to be beneficial. For patients with pCAP C, oxygen and hydration should be administered whenever applicable.
A bronchodilator and steroid may be administered only in the presence of wheezing.
In order to prevent pneumonia, vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Influenza, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Rubeola, Varicella, and Haemophilus Influenzae type b should be given. Elemental zinc may be given for
ages 2 to 59 months for 4 to 6 months.
The PAPP Task Force on pCAP is periodically assessing the acceptability and applicability of this guideline in primary care practice. The next update will be released by 2016 during the PAPP Annual Convention. A full text of the current guideline is available free at the PAPP secretariat. Please contact 332-8855 for more details.