13/07/2025
The new Officers of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology (PSPC), Inc., were inducted on July 9, 2025. Taking over the helm is the new president Dr. Juliet J. Balderas, MD, MSPH. She aims to prioritize the implementation of the CHD registry and CCHD (Critical Congenital Heart Disease) screening network in the country, while supporting, if not, creating activities to decrease the burden of RF RHD and cardiovascular risks in Children.
The 2025-2026 Officers and Board of Directors of the PSPC are as follows:
President: Juliet J. Balderas, MD, MSPH
Vice President: Anna Marie Edvina S. Cabaero, MD
Secretary: Maria Concepcion C. Sison, MD, MAS
Treasurer: Jonnie Bote -Nunez, MD
Board Of Directors: Sheldon P. Paragas, MD
Gerry B. Acosta, MD
Immediate Past President: Maria Estrellita A. Alarcon, MD
The induction was preceded by the PHC (Philippine Heart Center) 50th Anniversary Legacy Lecture. Dr. Joseph Kado, Program Director of the Pacific RHD program, talked on “Screening program for Active Case Finding of RF RHD: Effectiveness in Controlling RHD”; while Dr. Juliet Balderas, as Program coordinator of the PHA-WHF (Philippine Heart Association-World Heart Federation) Project, on the Philippine RHD Program Control and Prevention Recommendation in Primary Care. This event was capped with the Awarding of Certificates of Proficiency to Health Care Workers Training on screening of RF-RHD using Point of Care Ultrasound, and donation of mobile handheld Lumify to the Wilberto L. Lopez (WLL) Foundation.
The new Board of trustees of the Philippine RF RHD Foundation, Inc, also took their oath of office. The foundation has been a faithful partner of PSPC and PHA in supporting and advocating scientific and lay activities towards the prevention, early recognition, and appropriate management of RF and RHD.
The following are the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for 2025-2027:
President: Blandina Trinidad F. Ferrera, MD
Vice-President: Dr. Maria Celia R. Regino, MD
Secretary: Ninfa J. Villanueva, MD, MHPEd
Treasurer: Francoise May A. Sarmiento, MD
Immediate Past President: Maria Concepcion C. Sison, MD, MAS
Trustees: Maria Ronella T. Francisco-Mallari, MD
Martha Socorro Santiago, MD
Maria Estrellita A. Alarcon, MD
Representative for Luzon: Emelita L. Rebutoc, MD
Representative for Mindanao: Sheldon P. Paragas, MD