The Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine (PSGM) held its 9th Annual Convention with
the
theme, “MAN (Medical, Allied Professionals, Nursing) in a Symphony of Care for the Older
Person” last November 20-22, 2008 at the Mandarin Oriental Suites at the 5th Floor of the
Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.  New and classical concepts, together with a holistic
theme and a fresh new venue made for an exciting convention amidst the beginning of the
crunch of the financial climate.
No less than Sen. Edgardo Angara delivered the keynote address of the convention (see
excerpts of his speech).  Together with the PSGM President, Dr. Miguel A. Ramos Jr. and
the
overall chairman of the convention organizing committee, Dr. Eduardo R.S. Poblete, Sen.
Angara opened and ushered the participants to the exhibit area.   During the coffee break,
the board members of the PSGM sat down with Sen. Angara, discussing vital issues,
policies
and infrastructures affecting the health and wellbeing of the senior citizen and the PSGM.  
An
audio-visual tribute to the late Dr. Emmanuel T. Gatchalian Sr., considered as the father of
Geriatric Medicine in the Philippines, was presented and received by his family,
represented
by his daughter Rosario Sabido.
The scientific program for the 1st day began with a lecture on falls, including the latest fall
guidelines, by Dr. Peter Ferry from the University of Malta.  He also tackled the importance
of
a falls services in an institution caring mainly for an older person.  The next session was on
controversies in geriatric cardiology, particularly the use of statins and digoxin by Dr.
Eugenio
Reyes, head of the Heart Station of the Philippine General Hospital and Manila Doctors
Hospital.   Dr. Marian Suarez, a neurologist-geriatrician and head of the soon-to-open St.
Luke’s Medical Center-Bonifacio Global City Geriatric Center, delivered a lecture on frailty
in
the elderly.  An out-of-the-box session on geriatric dermatology, particularly the relation of
dematologic conditions with emotional and psychologic stress, was given by Dr. Erlinda
Garduño of the Geriatric Center.  Two simultaneous breakout sessions were held.  One
session dealt on bedsore care, wherein attendees were also introduced to the latest
dressings used for bedsores.  The 2nd breakout session was on pitfalls in the physical
assessment of the elderly, delivered by Dr. Marc Evans M. Abat of the Geriatric Center;
typical physical findings in the elderly were discussed together with possible diagnostic
dilemmas that may be encountered during physical assessment.
Prof. Solita “Mareng Winnie” Monsod, from the University of the Philippines School of
Economics, delivered the Dr. Emmanuel T. Gatchalian Sr. Memorial Lecture at the opening
of
the 2nd convention day.  This lecture always dealt with non-medical and often socially-
relevant topics.  For the first time, it was delivered by a resource speaker from outside the
PSGM.  A lecture on bone fragility was given by Dr. Antonio Tanchuling of the St. Luke’s
Medical Center Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.  Dr. Joel Eleazar of the
Geriatric Center gave a session on the finer points of the family conference in helping
facilitate decision-making processes.  Various matters of the PSGM were discussed in the
Business Meeting including adding more benefits for PSGM members, the change in
editorship of the PSGM Newsletter, PSGM financial matters and other future projects and
pursuits of the PSGM (see separate minutes).  The restful afternoon was heated up by a
session on sex and sexuality in the Filipino elderly by popular clinical psychologist, Dr.
Margie
Holmes.  Her topic surprisingly “aroused” the interest and elicited several queries from the
audience.  Mr. Nicamil Sanchez, a social worker from the DSWD and scholar to the Oxford
Institute of Ageing, shared his paper on the challenges faced by the family carer of the
older
person.  Another set of 2 breakout sessions were also held.  The first one was given by
Arch.
Armand Eustaquio, a previous consultant in various government and private agencies and
currently with the Department of Energy, regarding elderly-friendly environment
modification.  
Mr. Rodolfo Sto. Domingo, a private orthotist trained in the US, lectured on the currently
available assistive devices and footware.

The last day of the convention was again highlighted by exceptional topics.  Mr. Raymund
Grixti, a practice development nurse from the University of Malta and Zammit Clap Hospital,
discussed the different aspects of the nurse working with the elderly, from clinical practice,
to
teaching and policy making.  Dr. Mario Esquillo, head of the Oral Medicine Department at
the
Delos Santos Medical Center discussed the often-ignored topic of oral health for the
elderly.  
Carla Krishan Cuadro, consultant speech pathologist from St. Luke’s Medical Center,
discussed swallowing problems in the elderly.  Dr. Doris Camagay, consultant of the
Geriatric
Center, facilitated a session on financial planning for the elderly.  Her speaker for mortuary
services was unavoidably indisposed due to health reasons.  The afternoon session was
highlighted by the Geria KNB? Quiz Show for the attendees sponsored by Aldritz and
hosted
by Dr. Sophia Tanicala and Ms. Mai Varanal.  Contestants answered various trivia
questions
and the overall winner took home a brand new Asus EEEPC netbook PC.

Mandarin Oriental Suites, formally opened last March 2008, served as the venue and
caterer
for the convention and was chosen for its proximity and easy accessibility, the excellent
quality, quantity and presentation of the menu, and the elegance of the amenities needed
for
the convention.

Suffice it to say, the Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine once again proved that it is the
premier multispecialty organization in delivering quality health care for the older person and
the 9th Annual Convention is another high note it its unwavering concierto.
Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine
CONVENTION 2008
9TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Mark Evans Abat, MD
Center for Healthy Aging
The Medical City