PARM-STARS Continues to Illuminate
the Path in 2023
Dr. Jacqueline M. Almeron
The Southern Tagalog Association of Rehabilitation Specialists (SATRS) or more commonly known as PARM STARS is continuing to shine bright in 2023 as it illuminates the path of Rehabilitation Medicine in the Southern Tagalog region. The year started with Rhoda Goco, MD ceaselessly highlighting the awareness on the practice of Rehabilitation Medicine, to the medical community and residents of Mindoro. She spearheaded two seminars on April 1, 2023. The first seminar was held in collaboration with the Oriental Mindoro Medical City, held at the Holy Infant Academy, Calapan City, entitled “Looking at Computer Use in a Looming Epidemic of Neck and Low Back Pain in Children.” An audience of 50 student-leader enrollees participated in the event. The second seminar was held at the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum Function Hall. The topic was on a descriptive study of data gathered from 50 Physicians of the Oriental Mindoro Medical Society. This event was participated by 38 physicians for the final weigh-in. This was the 3rd Obesity Management and Modification of Lifestyle – Joyful Monitoring of Measurements (OMMS-JMM): The “Biggest Loser Contest 3.0.”
The next activity of the year was held on April 23, 2024 at the Luxent Hotel, Timog Avenue, Quezon City. The Specialty Board of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PSB) conducted an in-person training for Rehabilitation Medicine accreditors under the mentorship and guidance of Ms. Chita Pijano. PARM STARS had 6 representatives, namely: Myrna Estrada, MD, Michael Francis Obispo, MD, Editha Dizon, MD, Anna Liza Virtucio, MD, Ma. Elena Lourdes Tan, MD, and Rose Estabillo, MD. PARM STARS extends its gratitude for the dedication of our physiatrists, as they will surely be the chapter’s guiding light in the future ensuring the quality of Rehabilitation Medicine education and practice in the academy.
The calendar year will not be complete without the 45th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week which was held from July 17 to 23, 2023. As always, PARM STARS sparkled in different areas with various activities planned, commencing with the ever-STAR Dr. Betty Dy-Mancao. She conducted a weeklong celebration of activities for all ages, from the “young ones” to the “young once”, up to the most senior patients.
PARM STARS Vice President June Ann De Vera, MD coordinated wheelchair provisions, and conducted a seminar.
Dr. Ramon Sarmiento conducted a lay forum lecture on Osteoporosis.
Another PARM STARS activity spearheaded by the beacon, Emily Cabungcal, MD joined by other STARS physiatrists, Jon Dimayuga, MD, Diane Bernal, MD, and Rochelle Malleta, MD. The program was conducted in collaboration with the People with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) of the municipalities in the province of Batangas.
In Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ryan Apuada, MD and Benjamin Mendez, MD facilitated the group consultation for the Osteoporosis group. They also spearheaded a Lay Forum on “Updates in Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Ergonomics”.
In Cavite, Leewelyne Alcala, MD, Timothy Bugayong, MD, and Kreza Ligaya, MD conducted
various lay for a as well.
Last February 28 of this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Region IV-A launched their pilot program, the “Return to Work Assistance Program” (RTWAP) to address work-related incidents and help injured workers get back on their feet through an interdisciplinary approach in the Calabarzon region. The program included a discussion of benefits ranging from medical/surgical package; return to work rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support; prognostication; salary or allowance arrangement, and a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Their aim was to get injured workers back on their feet safely because the longer an employee stays away from work, the less likely he or she will return to work. PARM STARS, with the aim to be in the forefront of this endeavor collaborated with the ECC in an online zoom lecture that was held last October 19, 2023, and entitled “ECC’s Return To Work Assistance Program and Disability Management in the Workplace”, The lecture was delivered by Division Chief Dr. Christine Marquez and Mr. Jeruz Castillo. This was attended by a total of 129 participants.
Last 2022, the PARM STARS officers envisioned a long-term project. The aim was to bridge the gap of Rehabilitation Medicine care and the challenge of Community Based Rehabilitation and Community Based Inclusive Development in the regions of the Southern Tagalog area. Post-deliberation, with the assistance of the PARM RARE President, and past PARM President Dr. Ma. Eulalia Beredo, the municipality of Mabini, Batangas was chosen as site of the flagship project. On June 28, 2023, Jacqueline Almeron, MD and Emily Cabungcal, MD had a courtesy call with the Medical Health Officer of Mabini, Batangas, Ramir Beloso, MD. And finally on November 23, 2023, to culminate the end of the year, the chapter was honored to commence “STARS Shine Inititative.” It was a whole day affair which started with a courtesy call at the Office of the Mayor of Mabini, Batangas followed by a lecture on “Introduction to Community Based Inclusive Development” by June Ann De Vera, MD. Moreover, a lecture and workshop by the Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines (CPAP) President, and guest speaker Ms. Gina Factor was delivered. The successful day culminated with a commitment setting from the Medical Health Officer, MSWDO, barangay health workers, and PDAO officers.
PARM STARS hopes to be further united to illuminate brighter in 2024 as STARS SHINE BRIGHTEST TOGETHER. Mabuhay ang STARS! Mabuhay ang PARM!
With the year coming to an end, the PARM-STARS hope to be further united to illuminate brighter in 2024
as STARS SHINE BRIGHTEST TOGETHER.
Mabuhay ang STARS!
Mabuhay ang PARM!
PARM-STARS Continues to Illuminate
the Path in 2023
Dr. Jacqueline M. Almeron
The Southern Tagalog Association of Rehabilitation Specialists or more commonly known as
PARM-STARS continue to shine bright in 2023 as they continue to forge the path of rehabilitation
medicine in the southern Tagalog region.
The year started with Dr. Rhoda Goco, ceaselessly lighting awareness on the practice of rehab
medicine, to the medical and resident community of Mindoro. She held two seminars on April 1, 2023.
The first seminar, was in collaboration with the Oriental Mindoro Medical City, held at the Holy Infant
Academy, Calapan City, entitled “Looking at Computer Use in a Looming Epidemic of Neck and Low
Back Pain in Children.” An audience of 50 student leader enrollees participated in the event. The
second seminar, was held at the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum Function Hall. The topic was on a
descriptive study of data gathered from 50 Physicians of the Oriental Mindoro Medical Society which
was participated by thirty-eight physicians for the final weigh-in.. This was their 3rd Obesity
Management and Modification of lifestyle – Joyful Monitoring of Measurements (OMMS-JMM): The
“Biggest Loser Contest 3.0.”
Next activity of the year was held April 23, at the Luxent Hotel, Timog Avenue, Quezon City.
The Specialty Board of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PSB) conducted an in-
person training for rehab accreditors under the mentorship and guidance of Miss Chita Pijano. PARM-
STARS had six representatives: Dr. Myrna Estrada, Dr. Michael Obispo, Dr. Editha Dizon, Dr. Liza
Virtucio, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Tan ans Dr. Rose Estabillo. The STARS are very much thankful to the
dedication of our doctors as they will surely be the chapter’s guiding light in the future to assure quality
of rehabilitation education and practice in the society.
The calendar year will not be complete without the 45th National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week which was held third week of July. And as always, PARM-STARS are ready to
sparkle in their different areas with various activities planned.
Starting of with the ever-STAR Dr. Betty Dy where she had a whole week of celebration
arranged – for all ages from the little ones to adults and the senior patients.
Our STARS Vice President Dr. June Ann De Vera had wheelchair provision and seminar.
Dr. Ramon Sarmiento with a lay forum lecture on Osteoporosis.
In Batangas, headed by the beacon of Dr. Emily Cabungcal together with STARS Dr. Jon
Dimayuga Dr. Diane Bernal Dr. Rochelle Malleta invited the PDAO of the municipalities in the province
of Batangas.
In Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Dr. Apuada and Dr. Benjamin Mendez facilitated the group consultation
for the Osteoporotic group and also had a Layman’s Forum on Updates in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
and Ergonomics.
In Cavite, Dr. Leewelyne Alcala, Dr. Timothy Bugayong and Dr. Kreza Ligaya, held different lay
forum lectures as well.
Last February 28 of this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its
Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Region IV-A launched their pilot program, the Return to
Work Assistance Program (RTWAP) to address work-related incidents and help injured workers back
on their feet through an interdisciplinary approach in the Calabarzon region. The program includes
benefits ranging from medical/surgical package; return to work rehabilitation, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, and psychological support; prognostication; salary or allowance arrangement and
a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Their aim was to get injured workers back on their feet safely
because the longer an employee s away from work, the less likely he or she will return to work. PARM-
STARS with the aim to be in the forefront of this endeavor collaborated with the ECC in an online zoom
lecture that was held October 19 and entitled “ECC’s Return To Work Assistance Program and
Disability Management in the Workplace” given by Division Chief Dr. Christine Marquez and Mr. Jeruz
Castillo. This was attended by a total of 129 participants.
It was around the year 2022, when the PARM-STARS officers envisioned an imposing long-term
project. The aim was to fill the gap of rehab care and the challenge of CBR/CBID in the regions of the
southern Tagalog area. After some deliberations and with the assistance of the PARM-RARE and
President Dr. Ma. Eulalia Beredo, the municipality of Mabini, Batangas was chosen as the flagship
project. On June 28, Dr. Jacqueline Almeron and Dr. Emily Cabungcal made a courtesy call to the
medical health officer of Mabini, Batangas. Dr. Ramir Beloso. And finally on November 23, 2023, to
culminate the end of the year, the chapter was happy to begin “STARS Shine Inititative..” It was a
whole day affair which started with a courtesy call made to the office of the Mayor of Mabini, followed
by a lecture of on Introduction to Community Based Inclusive Development by Dr. June Ann De Vera.
In the afternoon, a lecture and workshop by Cerebral Palsy Association President and guest speaker
Miss Gina Factor was given. The successful day culminated with a commitment setting from the
medical health officer, MSWDO, barangay health workers and PDAO officers.
With the year coming to an end, the PARM-STARS hope to be further united to illuminate brighter in 2024
as STARS SHINE BRIGHTEST TOGETHER.
Mabuhay ang STARS!
Mabuhay ang PARM!
