BRDADI:A!iT October 2011

Volume 7, Issue 2

The Philippine Society of Nephrology is a component society of the Philippine College of Physicians

PSN at 40: Rising Above the Challenge

The society's 31st annual convention was held on May 11-14, 2011 at the Edsa Shangri-la Hote l. This year 's theme was PSN at 40: Rising Above the Challenge. It was a momentous event because it marked the 40th year since PSN was established .

During the opening ceremonies the new affi liates, associates, diplomates and fel lows were presented to the public and subsequently inducted . The program was graced by the attendance of representatives from other medical societies, more than half of the 20 past presidents since 1971 , and highlighted by the presentation of PSN 's coffee table book (see related article). Special awards were presented to the following members: Dr. Benita S. Padilla (A One Award) ; Dr. Dolores D. Bonzon (Special Award for Medical Education); Dr. Francisco

E. Anacleto , Jr. , (Special Award for Research ); and Presidential Service Award to Dr. lrmingarda P. Gueco and Dr. Tyrone Francis T. Coseip.

The overall chair of the convention was then vice-president Dr. Delia V. Bayog who organized a comprehensive program which covered various updates on relevant issues in the field of nephrology. Foreign speakers included Dr. Gerard Appel , Dr. Frederick Kaskel , Dr. Zoltan Endre , and Dr. John J. Friedewald. Local graduates Dr. Joseph Bernard Africa and Dr. Vince Faustino who are both practicing in the US also shared their expertise.

The closing ceremonies was another fun-filled event which featured singing and dancing nephrologists and a game show.

WHAT'S INSIDE

PSN 31 sr Annual Convention p 1-2

Philhealth New Case Rates/ PSN Coffee Table Book p 3

2011 Kidney Month Activities I Family Day p 4-5

PSN ConCon I PNSP Map 2011 p6

Cconovncsltlrttruotnro2n0all l ~ ~

PSN Midyear Convention in Davao p 7-8

PSN at 40: RISING ABOVE THE CHALLENGE

8 BRDADI:A!iT

PHILHEALTH RELEASES NEW CASE RATES FOR SELECTED MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES

AND THE NO BALANCE BILLING POLICY By: Maaliddin B. Biruar, MD, FPCP, FPSN

Phil Health released three new circulars (011-2011 , 011 -A-2011 and 011-B-2011) on August this year setting guidelines on the new case rates for selected medical cases and new surgical procedures; and the no balance policy. These are effective on September 1, 2011 . Copies of these were circulated to all PSN members.

Important points covered by the circulars include the following: 1. New case rates and professional fees for selected medical and surgical

cases that make up 49% of total claims from preceding years are as follows:

Surgical Cases

3,000

16,000 Hemodialysis 4,000

15,000 Materni ty Care Package (MCP) 8,000

32,000 NSD Package in Level1 Hospitals 8,000

9,000 6,500

28,000 19,000

38,000 24,000

2. No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy No other fees or expenses shall be charged or paid for by the patient­member and/or their dependents above and beyond the packaged rates for the specified cases above and under any of the following instances:

• When admitted in governmentfacilities/hospitals • When claiming reimbursement for outpatient surgeries,

hemodialysis and radiotherapy performed in accredited government hospitals and all non-hospital facilities

• When availing of existing outpatient packages for TB-DOTS, Malaria, and HIV-AIDS

• Also applies to all non-hospital accredited Maternity Care Package (MCP) providers to include MCP and Newborn Care Package (NCP).

3. Additional implementing guidelines on the different cases were also detailed in the circulars including out-of-pocket spending for professional fees, reimbursement guidelines, filing of claims and specific rules per package.

I ,. . I

The PSN Coffee Table Book [JJ ;, By: Amiel C.E. De/a Cruz, MD, FPCP, FPSN <::=,.

In celebration of the 40th year of the Philippine Society of Nephrology, the society will soon be releasing the first PSN coffee table book. The much-awaited book will not only unravel the interesting and rich history of the society but will relate the challenges and struggles of the pillars of Nephrology in the Philippines in uplifting the standards of practice to its current status today.

According to the head of the coffee table book committee , Dr. Tyrone Coseip, the book was first envisioned by Dr. Benita Padilla during her presidency to serve a larger purpose, which is to celebrate the history of nephrology in the Philippines, while paying tribute to the country's senior nephrologists, especially the past presidents and officers of the society. The tedious preparation involved numerous interviews with past officers and all those who actively contributed to the recognition and upliftment of the practice of nephrology in the country, as well as researching for old photos of the these men and women and their early work and advocacies.

Looking back at the past 40 years of the PSN may seem like a daunting task, but with the help of the senior editors of the coffee table book, Drs. Libertad Rosales and Benita Padilla, and Mr. Ben Tangco who also led the preparation of the PGH Internal Medicine coffee table book, the committee had carefully put the pieces of PSN's past history together and is now ready to share their story. The book will be launched during the PSN mid-year convention this October and will definitely be one of the highlights of the event.

BRDADI:A!iT 8

2011

PSN CEV Chapter

PSN-CEV chapter kicked off its National Kidney Month celebration with a grand motorcade comprised of vehicles decked with streamers and green or yellow balloons signifying the colors of the DOH and PSN. PSN members, DOH personnel , dialysis staff and pharma ceutical representatives assembled at 530am in the parking lot of Chong Hua Medical Arts Center of that Sunday morning on June 12, 2011 and manned their more than 20 vehicles. The motorcade plied the common

8 BRDADI:A!iT

KIDNEY MC By: Anne Ang, MD, FPCP, FPSN

The highlight of kidney month celebration is The Family Day held at San Sebastian Auditorium on June 12, 2011 . This year's family day featured popular game shows, The Price is Right and Anong Kantang To? As in previous years, the organizing committee headed by Dr. Gladys Diaz made the event fun-filled and exciting for our patients and their families. The audience, who came from NCR and nearby provinces, were grouped into 6 teams. Cheering competition was won by the Cavite-Batangas team while the Anong Kantang 'To was won by the team from National Kidney and Transplant Institute. The audience was surprised by Manila Councilor Yul Servo who presented and awarded the grand showcase for The Price is Right to a transplant recipient.

traffic routes from downtown to uptown Cebu City, culminating at Acacia One Place across the Metro Ayala Mall for well­deserved breakfast of Filipino fare and coffee at the Cream&Cupz Restaurant.

Prior to the motorcade, the PSN-CEV chapter held Preventive Nephrology Seminar at the West Wing conference room of the Provincial Capitol on June 10, 2011 . The seminar held on a Friday benefitted municipal health officers from all over Cebu province. Topics included Diabetic Kidney Disease by Dr. CesarQuiza, Hypertension & the Kidneys by Dr. Juliet Noel , and Urinary

Stones by Dr. Danny Yu . There were plenty of questions which were answered during the lively open forum emceed by Dr. Vivina Chiu .

~NTH ACTIVITIES Channel 47 or Cebu Catholic TV

Network broadcasted a live television interview on June 11 , 2011 from 1 Oam to 11 am hosted by Josephine "Jojo" Laico with guest nephrologist Dr. Danny Yu and transplant surgeon Dr. Alvin Roxas. Both experts talked about the Kidney Month theme of "Bato Kong Alay, Bago Mong Buhay" and emphasized the importance of Kidney Disease awareness and ways to protect the kidneys. Dr. Danny Yu guested again on June 15 to tape an hour of one-on­one interview of the same theme with veteran host Mr. Bong Gimeno in CCTN's health promotion segment which was video­edited and replayed.

The PSN-CEV chapter is holding another Preventive Nephrology seminar on June 29, 2011 at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital to lecture to estimated 100 municipal health officers from the entire Bohol province. Lecturing on Diabetic Nephropathy would be Dr. Cesar Quiza while Dr. Julius John Serrano talks about hypertensive kidneys and Dr. John Li discuss urinary stone disease. The seminar is also in cooperation with Department of Health and credited with PMACME units.

Southern Tagalog • LAY FORUM IN STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS

By: Carlo M. Punza lan, MD

.. , -

• UP-PGH WITH STC MEDICAL MISSION

\I (

"Bato KongAiay, Bago Mong Buhay"

Every year more and more Filipinos develop kidney failure, around 120 Filipinos per million populations (PMP). This means that around 10,000 Filipinos needed replacement for their kidney function each year.

And it is very disheartening that the treatment on this disease is unaffordable to most Filipinos. Thus, as the old adage "Prevention is better than cure". The best early prevention of having kidney diseases is to avoid salty foods such as salted fish , instant noodles , seasoning fluids and canned goods.

Aside from early prevention of the disease, it is also important to increase our awareness on deceased organ donation especially with regards to the kidneys. This is for the benefit of those who are already suffering from kidney failure . In spite of years of advocacy promoting this program, there are only very few transplants performed every year from these donors. Mostly are from related donors and non­related donors. The latter is what scares us because most of them sell their organ for a higher cost not even realizing the importance of their kidneys . While deceased organ donation only relies on referrals . The hurdle to this is usually the difficulty of the families of the deceased to give their consent while the heart is till beating or the guilt when the potential donor's wishes were not known .

This is synonymous to this year 's theme for the National Kidney Month Celebration which is "Batong Alay Bago Mong Buhay". Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital 's Public Health Unit lead by Ora. Salvacion S. Macinas and Ora. Lorna Wong has lined up different advocacy activities for health workers , patients and watchers in the prevention of kidney diseases and in support of deceased organ donation in celebration of the National Kidney Month .

BICOL REGIONAL TRAINING AND TEACHING HOSPITAL

Public Health Unit- Legazpi City

National Kidney Month Advocacy Activities 2011

The Public Health Unit of BRTTH celebrated the National Kidney Month's theme "Batong Alay, Bago Mong Buhay" with different advocacy activities as follows:

In celebration of the National Kidney Month, the Public Health Unit launched with a forum for health workers on "Management and Prevention of Kidney Disease, Kidney Donation and Transplantation".

There were 31 participants from the Nursing Department mostly head nurses and supervisors. The main purpose of the forum is to increase the awareness of the nurses in preparation for their health education classes in wards and out patient department. We have invited Dr. Victor R. Colina from the Pediatrics Department and Dr. Loelyn A. Tolentino from the Medicine Department as speakers.

There was an open forum after the lecture. Possible and common questions of watchers and patients were raised. After the forum, the participants went back to their areas with additional knowledge on the management and prevention of kidney diseases.

BRDADI:A!iT 8

PSN holds Constitutional Convention

On July 30-31 another momentous and history turning event happened when some of the members gathered at the Day's Hotel in Tagaytay City for the PSN Constitutional Convention. The participants was a good mix of members from the different chapters, from all age groups, from different training institutions and included private clinicians, academicians, and administrators.

The activity started with the registration of the participants who were subsequently divided into six groups. An opening prayer was led by PSN secretary Dr. Susan Anonuevo followed by introductions delivered by past president Dr. Benjie

By: Ginger/ita Alla-Samonte, MD, FPCP. FPSN

Balmores who explained the need for the constitutional convention . After which the program facilitator gave the group house rules and explained the mechanics of the program. She elaborated on the grouping guidelines and provided tips on how the different groups will brainstorm to come up with the revisions if needed.

It was a very long night for the participants. Each group tried their best to come up with the best resolutions possible to create a fair, updated, timeless, and objective constitution that will cater to all the members' needs, answer the society's ideals and support its beliefs. What was very

PNSP MAP 2011

remarkable was the eagerness and the boldness of the different participants in airing out their ideas especially when evaluating the presentations of each group. Because the members were all brimming with ideas the time allotted for each group presentation was often exceeded . The first day ended close to midnight!

After breakfast the next day, the groups again worked with the same enthusiasm to finish their outputs. The session ended at 1 pm and the agreed revisions will be presented to the society members during the midyear convention on November.

MAKING A BIGGER DIFFERENCE, LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY "2014 in our minds ... 2019 in our sights"

The Pediatric Nephrology Society of the Philippines recently had a 2 day management action planning entitled " PNSP MAP 2011: MAKING A BIGGER DIFFERENCE LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY" 2014 in our minds ... 2019 in our sights", last June 19-20 at Bonaventure. Ortigas San Juan MM .. It was handled by no other than the founding president of PNSP. Dr. Carmelo Alfiler , MA. GILDA N. RESURRECCION , a professor of Financial Management and Mr. ROGELIO 0. MORALES, Masters in Medical Informatics. It is the aim of the MAP to revisit our goals and to redirect and place timelines to our objectives. It is very opportune because we have a new Board spearheaded by Dr. Remedios Dee Chan as

8 BRDADI:A!iT

By: Agnes Alarilla Alba, MD PNSP. PSN PPS

president, Dr. Ofelia de leon as Vice President, Ma. Rosario Cruz as Secretary, Dr. Rose Cabansag as Asst. Secretary, Dr. Norma Zamora as treasurer, Dr. Bettina Cercenia as Asst. Treasurer and the other Board Members are Dr. Agnes A. Alba , Dr. Dolores Bonzon , Dr. Sonia Gonzalez, Dr. Mike Manalaysay (Mindanao) and Dr. James Woo (Visayas).

The in itial presentations was to realign ourselves with our mother societies and thus the session was graced by Dr. Delia Bayog the president of PSN, and a message from Dr. Genesis Rivera the president of PPS. After the two day exhaustive MAP: The Governance Group aims to have a maximally-efficient administrative and fiscal

operations: A (uniquely) praiseworthy "5-star" society of trainers, researchers , clinicians, community leaders & social mobilizers , for the training and CME group is to have annual congresses and updated post residency training programs with consolidation of programs for a more efficient administration . For the research and publications group we aim for a nationally and internationally cited researches and path breaking works. For the patient care group we envision a highly visible , well implemented patient care/ corporate social responsibility program specific programs are countless but with the MAP we have created a roadmap that is clearer and guided by a vision and a mission we dearly behold.

\V\\'IE ILC0 ~i IE ({ IBJ~C li<J} 1r0

101~ ''J~ €€> €C 111fl\' A Dabawenya's 360° .Journey

By: Rodelie A. Banico, MD, FPCP, OPSN

PARTl THE PAST MANILA, 2010. I am a Dabawenya. My parents are not

native to Davao City but I grew up there, spent the first half of my life there, and solidly consider Davao City my home. I have therefore long-ago baptized myself a full-fiedged Dabawenya. However, most people I have met here in the latter half of my life have doubts about my claim. One friend even called me a balikbayan ng Davao to illustrate her skepticism.

First off, I have no Davao accent (though I am not sure what that accent sounds like). I might have had one when I was a tweener, fresh off high school, but it had gradually faded when I assimilated myself into Manila 's environs.

Second, I do not speak fiuent Visayan though in my opinion Visayan is not our local dialect. My high school Filipino teacher (who is a Manileno) called our local dialect Davao Tagalog. It is a hybrid of Visayan, Tagalog, llonggo, and tribal Davao dialects- an attestation to Davao City being a melting pot. Try as I might, I do not think I can justly describe its uniqueness. One has to hear it, speak it, and savor it to appreciate it.

Th ird, I cannot, from the top of my head , enumerate the best places to go to in Davao City. I am sorry but I cannot share in your enthusiasm when you regale me with your Davao experience (because it would seem that almost everybody has been to Davao City or has a relative in Davao City) since I most probably have not been to 80% of the places you have visited. During the two or, if I am lucky, three times a year I got to go home, I spent it just there, at home. It is therefore no mystery that I have only a vague 20% idea of what goes on in the city.

So what right do I have to christen myself a Dabawenya? The answer is simply because I choose to. When I left Davao to pursue higher education in Manila when I was 17 (wi th my brother singing Manila Girl in the background), there was no doubt in my mind that I would be going back to Davao City. The lure of the fast-paced city life of Manila did not hold me captive. It could not compare to the growing energy of Davao's economy blended wi th its relaxed atmosphere. It could not compare to the vibrance of Davao's culture and heritage which it holds on to dearly mingled with burgeoning modernization. Lastly, Manila's enticement could not endure a Dabawenya's fierce loyalty to her chosen hometown .. . and I am a testament to that.

PARI2 THE PRESENT DAVAO CITY, 2011. Having spent 16 years in Manila (with an occasional one week vacation in between), I am finally back in Davao City, this time for good. One of the goals that I have set for myself to rightfully claim without reservation my being a Dabawenya is to imbibe the sight, taste, smell , sound , and feel of Davao City by going to places that embody the essence of Davao City. As per my training, before embarking on any endeavor, no matter the dimension, research is the key. I have scoured through several sources ranging from controlled trials to expert opinions and have come up with th is hasty list of must-go-to places when in Davao City. I have categorized them into three: 1. Sight and Sound, 2. Taste and Smell , and 3. Feel and enumerated

them in no particular order. (Note: no statistical analysis was done).

1. Sight and Sound - Davao City is located in the southeastern part of Mindanao, at the head of Davao Gulf. In terms of land area, Davao City is the world's largest city (244,000 hectares). The province is composed of sandy beaches and outlying islands, agricultural plains and valleys, rainforests and swamps, and rolling hills and mountains including the Philippines' highest peak, the majestic Mount Apo, making it the idyllic location for nature exploration and adventure seeking.

A. Pearl Farm Located in a secluded slice of Sa mal Island off the

coast of Davao City, The Pearl Farm Island Resort is the best place to relax and unwind. It is about 45 minutes by boat from Davao City. This world-class private resort is aptly named as it was once a place where white, pink and gold pearls were cultured from a special breed of oysters from the Sulu Island. Amenities in the resort include the Aqua Sports Center which rents out speed boats and outrigger boats, jet skis, banana boat rides, kayaks and diving gears and the Ylang Ylang Spa that offers a wide range of beauty and health treatments.

B. Crocodile Farm and Davao Wild Water Adventure

Showcasing a state-of-the-art crocodile farming system in the Philippines, the Davao Crocodile Farm is home to 20-foot long Pangil and other crocodiles, birds, reptiles and mammals. Aside from experiencing close encounters with these animals, one can also witness a very memorable crocodile show and a cultural performance representing the different tribes in Davao City. Other attractions include the Butterfly House and Cultural Village.

White water rafting and other water sports are also promoted in this compound, which touches the mighty Davao River. The 3-hour rafting run starts at the highlands of Baguio District, fiows through the town of Calinan, and concludes at the lowlands with an estimated 30 rapids of varying degrees of difficulty. Other activities available for the more adventurous include the cliffside rappelling.

C. Philippine Eagle 111'7.•/ .tE,.,.....

Conservation Center

In the midst of the highlands of Baguio District is this center dedicated to the conservation of the very rare Philippine Eagle. Established in 1969, the Philippine Eagle Conservation Center houses 36 Philippine eagles, 18 of which were bred in captivity, and other animals including different species of birds and mammals. This center employs various methods of artificial insemination to try and save the eagle from extinction. It also offers lectures and classes on conservation including captive breeding techniques and field research. Mimicking a tropical rainforest, the center provides a peek into the country's rich forest ecosystem alongside maintaining strong educational programs on conservation.

D. Eden Nature Park Located 3,000 feet above sea level, the 80-hectare

manmade resort Eden Nature Park offers a magnificent view of the Davao Gulf and a chance to get close to nature. The park features vast gardens of herbs and organic vegetables, tropical foliage and towering pine trees. Its amenities include the amphitheater, the fiower garden, hiking trails , mountain ponds, jogging lane, organic vegetable and herb garden, prayer garden, swimming pool, fishing village, campsite and camp huts, horseback riding, playgrounds, vista kiosk, seminar vil lage and family cottages. The park also offers rope gliding and zip-line adventures for the thrill­seekers.

2. Taste and Smell - Each city boasts of its distinct flavor. Davao City is no different. Having diverse and abundant agricultural and aquatic produce, creating distinct dishes from the most basic to the most exotic is the norm.

BRDADCA!iT 8

A. JackJs Ridge If you want your food to come with lots of bonuses,

Jack's Ridge at the top of Shrine Hills is a good choice. A dining experience here is composed of reasonably priced familiar dishes plus a spectacular view of the city better appreciated at night. The restaurant specializes in local Filipino dishes like sinigang , lechon, grilled tuna , barbeque chicken, and spare ribs. Adjacent to the restaurant is Kai's, a bar featuring live bands almost nightly and Karle's Coffee Station, a lovely coffee shop. There is also a piano bar cum karaoke house nearby. Jack's Ridge also has a swimming pool, a boutique that sells native products, and provisions for overnight accommodations.

B. Ahfat Seafood Restaurant Located within Victoria Plaza Compound along J.P

Laurel Avenue, Ahfat Seafood Restaurant is well-known for serving authentic Chinese dishes at very reasonable prices. With satisfaction as its primary concern , this dining place offers guests with great-tasting dishes like Sauteed Large Scallop, Pompano with Alexander Sauce, and Taiwan Pechay wi th Garlic and Salted Fish . It also offers top-rating dishes like Spare Ribs with Taro, Prawns with Lobster .Sauce, and Minced Pork with Lettuce. The area may not be flashy or elegant but it nevertheless reflects a clean atmosphere wi thout taking the limelight from the star of the show ... the food that they serve.

C. Tiny Kitchen or any other restaurants/ cafes along Torres Avenue)

Tiny Kitchen offers arguably the best home-cooked dishes in the city. The restaurant used to be a shop known for its home-cooked delicacies such as their now-famous gourmet tuyo. It has then evolved into a popular dining place for its legendary Caldereta Espanyol, a slow cooked browned beef ribs drenched in its broth with aromatics and spices to infuse a Spanish home cooked meal. Another must­try is their Paella Va lencia which is cooked using their own secret sauce. Not to be outdone, their inspired desserts wou ld be the perfect way to end a sumptuous meal.

D. PenongJs BarbequeJ Seafood and Grill

If Bacolod has its famous chicken inasal, then Davao City has Penong's with its own version of the chicken barbecue. Known as Davao's King of the Grill, Penong's has gone a long way to be one of Davao City's most patronized local restaurants. It pioneered the rice-all-you-can craze in the city with a no frill , open air ambience for that casual dining experience. Aside from their chicken and pork barbecues, they also serve different types of seafood such as mussels and clams. Accessibility is also not a problem since Penong 's has branches in various parts of the city.

3. Feel -A visit to any place would not be complete without the obligatory pasalubong and souvenir shopping. Trademark gift items from Davao City include native products such as batik, brass, and t'nalak wears. One must also not forget the king of fruits , durian (undoubtedly unforgettable), together with the succulent pomelo, magical mangosteen, and underrated marang. Shopping is also another method of immersing oneself in the local culture through trade.

Aldevinco Shopping Center This is the largest shopping area for local crafts and

cultural products in the whole Davao region that also sells other Mindanao products and items imported from Indonesia and Malaysia via the Barter areas of Zamboanga City. The Aldevinco Shopping Center is located between two of Davao City's busiest thoroughfares, conveniently nestled at the junction of Claro M. Recto and Manuel Roxas Avenues (in front of Marco Polo Hotel). There are about 100 stores and stalls around the 8,370 square meter one level shopping area and is a souvenir shopper's paradise. A word of caution: be ready to haggle since the prices have high mark-ups hence haggling is a must.

Schedule of Activities

Day 1, October 6, 2011 (Thursday)

7:30am - 11 :30am

11:30am- 2:30pm

2:30pm -3:30pm

3:30pm - 4:15pm

4:15pm- 5:00pm

Registration

Symposium 1 (GiaxoSmithKiine)

Opening Ceremonies

Launching of the Coffeetable Book

Scientific Meeting 1

Transitional Nephrology Carmelo A. Alfiler, MD

Scientific Meeting 2

The Aging Kidneys

lrmingarda P. Gueco, MD

Day 3, October 8, 2011 (Saturday)

7:00am- 3:00pm Team Building

Pearl Farm Island Resort

Luncheon Symposium 3:

Kidney Stones

And so goes my journey ... Madayaw!

IEpoetin Beta! RecormonQ!o

Day 2, October 7, 2011 (Friday)

8:00am- 9:00am

9:00am -10:00am

1 O:OOam - 1 0:30am

10:30am -11 :30am

11 :30am- 1:30pm

1:30pm- 3:30pm

3:30pm- 6:00pm

6:00pm -12:00mn

Registration

Visit Exhibits

Scientific Meeting 3

CKD in Pregnancy

Professor Lawrence McMahon

Break

1 Scientific Meeting 4

Abdominal Compartment

Syndrome

Prof. Lawrence McMahon

Luncheon Symposium 2

(Natrapharm)

Business Meeting

Free Time

Fellowship Night

Pirates of the Caribbean Waterfront

PART3 THE FUTURE MARCO POLO HOTEL DAVAO, OCTOBER 6-8,

2011. Being a component of a well-oiled ecosystem that is Davao City, I believe that symbiosis is crucial to a harmonious relationship. It would not be right for me to bleed my beloved city dry by taking and not giving back in return. As part of my integration process, I have decided to join several organizations in the hopes that I can once again stake claim to being a Dabawenya. One such organization is the Mindanao Chapter of the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN).

The Mindanao Chapter of the PSN is composed of vibrant, resilient, and dedicated Nephrologist from different cities in Mindanao. Pooling together Nephrologists from Agusan to Zamboanga is no mean feat considering the vast expanse one has to cover, the demand on time, and the anxiety of leaving your place of practice without any other nephrologist to cover for you. Despite the insurmountable odds, the chapter, headed by Dr. Noel Vi llanueva as Chapter President, has yet again bravely taken on the challenge of spearheading the 12th Midyear Convention to be held at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao on October 6-8, 2011 with Dr. Michael Manalaysay as Overall Convention Chairperson. The theme, Nephrology: Across the Stream of Life, illustrates the evolution of the kidneys, its vulnerability to change, its fastidiousness to its function, and its fundamental role in the natural progression of our body. Together with the advancement of our kidneys, through this convention, so should our knowledge move forward.

Another step towards my pursuit of Dabawenya-dom is sharing with those na"fve to Davao City the wonders that abound within. And what better way to do this than by showcasing Davao's finest during the Midyear Convention.

The Fellowship Night will be held in another hotel, the Waterfront Hotel. As its name implies, it sits along the shore of Davao Gulf, very apt for the fellowship night's theme which is Pirates of the Caribbean. Rest assured that despite being Caribbean-inspired, the atmosphere will still most definitely be very Davao. Not one fragment of the fellowship night will be spared from Davao's bounty, from the entertainment to the food.

THE

BRDADI:A!iTER!i Maaliddin B. Biruar, MD

Agnes A. Alba, MD Gingerlita Alla-Samonte, MD

Sonny L. Antonio, MD Rodelie A. Banico, MD

Amiel Cornelio Dela Cruz, MD Edison SA Guerrero, MD

Maria Fe Vergara-Lim Dy, MD

(For comments and suggestions, E-mail us at psnmanila@gmail.com)

Invitation for Articles The Broadcasters are inviting everyone to send articles for our PSN newsletter. You may write about important activities in your place of practice, issues that you want to share, invitations for your upcoming activities, or any interesting topic that you want to be published. You may personally approach any of the broadcasters or email the PSN secretariat or send your articles to dochazel@yahoo.com.We want your voice heard so come and sharer