By Maria Clariza Santos, MD, Overall Chair of the 6th Annual Convention

Last September 7 to 10, 2025, the Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine successfully held its 6th Annual Convention at EDSA Shangri-La with the theme “Bridging Global Guidelines to Local Practice”. The event featured a thoughtfully crafted scientific program by the Scientific Committee, led by Chair Dr. Frances Alexandra Sapinoso, which balanced the latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutics in hematology with real-world clinical and practical applications. Both international and local experts came together to share new knowledge through diverse formats and platforms.

The College conducted its annual Blood Transfusion and Chemotherapy Administration or BTCA Workshop for nurses on September 7, 2025, in partnership with the Philippine Oncology Nurses Association (PONA). For the first time since its inception, the workshop was held for an entire day – featuring morning didactics and afternoon hands-on sessions. Simultaneously, the annual Research Forum provided a venue for trainees to present their research work, followed by the preconvention lectures in the afternoon. 

The Opening Ceremonies on September 8 formally marked the start of the convention. Eleven (11) hematology fellowship graduates who successfully passed the board examinations were inducted as new Diplomates of the College. The oath-taking was led by Honorable Efren C. Laxamana, Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, and witnessed by the Vice President of the Philippine College of Physicians, Dr. Maaliddin B. Biruar, by PCHTM President Dr. Flordeluna Z. Mesina, and by the Chair of the Philippine Specialty Board of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PSBHTM) Dr. Manolito Libongco. Our newly inducted Diplomates are:

Dr. Roski Alexis Arrabaca

Dr. Nicole Andrick Callejas

Dr. Adelina Daan

Dr. Sharlene Dizon

Dr. Reynaldo Espinoza

Dr. Camille Gorospe

Dr. Mary Anne Lorraine Kua

Dr. Ana Margarita Natividad

Dr. Nina Ricci Sampana

Dr. Kerry Kate Wang-Sy

Dr. Rowel David Yap

The Opening Ceremonies concluded with two highlights: the ribbon cutting and opening of Exhibits, and the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PCHTM and the Blood Cancer Alliance of the Philippines (BCAP), an umbrella organization of support groups for patients with hematologic malignancies. This landmark partnership marks the beginning of collaborative advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness, strengthening patient support systems, and improving outcomes for Filipinos affected by blood cancers.

PCHTM was represented by President Dr. Flordeluna Mesina, Vice President Dr. Clariza Santos, and Immediate Past President Dr. Jasmin Igama. The patient organizations were represented by Mr. Jheric Delos Angeles, convenor of BCAP; Mr. Mitchell Duran, Executive Director of EPCALM;  Mr. Michael Alzona, Board Member of MyeSPEAK Philippines; Ms. Lenie Rose Veronilla, Co-Founder of Kanser sa Adolescents and Young Adults; and Ms. Anna Dominica Tapel of Lymphoma Awareness Philippines. 

Day 1 also marked a special milestone for the Annual Convention, as PCHTM through an educational grant from the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), dedicated this day to Transfusion Medicine sessions. The PCHTM-ISBT collaboration began with a Keynote Lecture by Dr. Idaleswati Nor Mohamed, a distinguished Consultant in Transfusion Medicine at the National Blood Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, delivered as part of the Opening Ceremonies. In the afternoon, Dr. Satoshi Yasumura from Japan and Professor Lacey Johnson of Australia joined our local experts Dr. Ma. Angelina Mirasol, Dr. Preeti Prerna Vaswani, Dr. Rosalyn Valerie Cortes-Villanueva, and Dr. Camille Ariadne Tanchanco, Dr. Harry Gabuat, Dr. Marielle Lois Manuel, Dr. Joy Ann De Castro and Dr. Zillien Andal in presenting a rich array of transfusion-related discussions in the form of lectures, a panel discussion, and a debate. The day concluded with our traditional President’s Night, during which the PCHTM President Dr. Mesina led the celebration of the outstanding achievements and dedicated service of several members of the College, and honored the memory of members who passed away during the past fiscal year. 

The second day of the convention focused on hematologic malignancies, with updates on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by our very own Dr. Ivy Mae Escasa, followed by a lecture on primary CNS and cutaneous lymphomas by special guest speaker Dr. Frederick Lansigan, a renowned hematologist from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, USA. This was succeeded by a debate on multiple myeloma between Dr. Marjorie Rose Bravo and Dr. Teresita Dumagay, a “How I Treat” session on myelodysplastic syndrome by Founding President Dr. Rosalio Torres and Dr. Maria Regina Pelobello-De Leon, and another spirited debate on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by Dr. Jay Datukan and Dr. Jomell Julian. The day concluded with a lecture on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation delivered by Dr. Francis Lopez and Dr. Teresita Dumagay, and another “How I Treat” session on primary myelofibrosis by Dr. Flordeluna Mesina and Dr. Maureen Via Comia. The final segment of the day featured the Annual Business Meeting for the members, held simultaneously with Trainee’s Hour for the fellow-in-training. In the latter, trainees took part in discussions on post-fellowship career paths and ethical dimensions of hematology practice with guest speakers Dr. Frederick Lansigan, Professor Lacey Johnson, Dr. Graciella Gonzaga and Dr. Ricardo Batac.

Day 3 opened with a virtual lecture on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis by Dr. Luke Chen from Canada, followed by a timely lecture on patient safety in immunotherapy by our Past President Dr. Priscilla Caguioa, and a talk on artificial intelligence in patient care by Dr. Sergia Fatima Sucaldito. The afternoon sessions focused on hemostasis and thrombosis, featuring a lecture on the multiple indications of tranexamic acid by Dr. Maria Clariza Santos and a multidisciplinary panel discussion on hemophilia by distinguished guest speakers Dr. Encarnita Ampil and Dr. Charles Villamin, and our very own Dr. Clarisse May Imperial-Pascua. 

The final segments centered on ethics and palliative care, highlighting the holistic role of hematologists in patient management. Dr. Noel Pingoy and Dr. Patrick Gerard Moral delivered thought-provoking lectures on palliative care and end-of-life issues that resonated deeply with the attendees.

The convention concluded with the Fellowship Night, where the newly elected Board of Regents and the new Fellows of the College took their oaths. The College was honored to have Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, the Secretary of Health, as a Guest of Honor who delivered an inspiring message to the College members. The evening ended on a high note with a fun-filled celebration – complete with raffle, games, and dance performances specially prepared by the fellows-in-training.  

The 6th Annual Convention successfully showcased the academic excellence and collaborative spirit of the College, serving as a testament to the unwavering commitment of its members to uphold the College’s mission of promoting excellence in hematology. With renewed energy and vigor, the College looks forward to another year of meaningful initiatives, strengthened collaboration, and dedicated service to patients and the communities.