Philippine Psychiatric Association Inc. (PPA)

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Philippine Psychiatric Association Inc. (PPA)

Official page of the Philippine Psychiatric Association The First 25 Years of the Philippine Psychiatric Association
Ma. Luz S.
(2)

Casimiro-Querubin, MD

1998 was a year of celebration, of cheers, of soul searching, of planning, of looking back and thinking ahead. This summarizes the silver anniversary year of the Philippine Psychiatric Association. The Philippine Psychiatric Association derives its roots from the Philippine Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. The organization was borne out of feelings of alienation and frus

tration from a group of psychiatrists who felt that their professional needs were not sufficiently met by the PSPN. At that time, the PSPN had three component subspecialties with varied expertise and professional needs. The birth of three separate specialty groups was a natural course of evolution. And from there the pioneering psychiatrists molded the Philippine Psychiatric Association. The primary need to create an organization more responsive to the needs of the psychiatrists provided the inertia. The first set of officers was inducted in February 1972. The PPA's founding president, Dr. Lourdes Ladrido-Ignacio was ably assisted by enthusiastic board members which included Dr. Virgilio Santiago, Dr, Baltazar Reyes, Dr. Araceli Maravilla, Dr. Rey San Pedro, Dr. Bella Balza and Dr. Sol Balein. The Philippine Medical Association approved the affiliation of the PPA in 1973. In November of the same year, the first annual convention was held at the Hyatt Hotel. The convention theme was "Psychiatry and Its Relevance to the Times". And that was how the PPA came to be. In 1974, Dr. Virgilio Santiago was elected President. He further pursued the activities of the PPA. Topics concerning the child and the family were given emphasis during the Second Annual Convention. There was a continuous need to expand the realm and breadth of psychiatry as a medical specialty straddling the social sciences as issues affecting the family and Philippine Society were discussed. The board members included Drs. Baltazar Reyes, Araceli Maravilla, Floricel Evangelista, Cecilia Villegas, Alejandro Umali, Romualdo Anselmo, Hilaria Florendo, and Eduardo Jurilla.

10/05/2026

We may not be a supermom — and that's okay.

We showed up, we loved hard, and to them, that's everything.

Happy Mother's Day! 💜
Maligayang Araw ng mga Ina!

09/05/2026

To the mother carrying the invisible load, the one struggling to rest, and the one navigating a complicated journey this Mother’s Day: we see you. This week on Mind Matters, Dr. Inch Nespral and Dr. Joan Rifareal open up a compassionate conversation about the mental health realities of motherhood. From the pressure to be "perfect" to the quiet grief of loss or infertility, we’re honoring the honest, human side of being a caregiver. No "Supermom" expectations—just a warm, safe space for every kind of mother.

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08/05/2026

📣 Join us in the South! Here’s our program line‑up for the 36th Midyear Convention & 41st Postgraduate Course!

🗓 July 29–31, 2026
📍 Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City

From Psychopharmacology breakthroughs and Geriatric Psychiatry horizons, to Child & Adolescent innovations, Community Psychiatry in action, Consultation‑Liaison partnerships, and Dynamic Psychotherapy techniques—this year’s sessions showcase psychiatry’s evolving subspecialties and their clinical impact.

✨ Don’t miss the chance to reconnect, learn, and be part of psychiatry’s frontiers.
💡 Avail of Early Bird rates until May 31, 2026!

🔗 Register now by scanning the QR code in the poster or clicking here: https://forms.gle/r1uXEJhPdgFuC3F27

25/04/2026

Matters | April 25, 2026

Kasama si Doc Joan Mae Perez-Rifareal.

24/04/2026

Good day!

Evolving Frontiers of Psychiatry: Subspecialties and Their Clinical Impact

The 36th Midyear Convention & 41st Postgraduate Course of the Philippine Psychiatric Association is here! Join us at Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City, July 29–31, 2026, as we explore the expanding subspecialties of psychiatry and their impact on clinical practice.

🔗 Register now by scanning the QR code in the poster or clicking here: https://forms.gle/r1uXEJhPdgFuC3F27

✨ Avail of Early Bird rates until May 31, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect, learn, and be part of psychiatry’s evolving frontiers!

18/04/2026

Hindi lang katawan ang inaalagaan sa cancer—kasama ang buong pagkatao.

Sa bawat test, gamutan, at paghihintay, may kasamang takot, pagod, pag-asa, at mga tanong na madalas hindi nasasabi.

Ngayong Sabado sa Mind Matters, pag-uusapan natin kung bakit ang emotional distress ay itinuturing na ‘6th vital sign’—at kung bakit mahalagang kilalanin, pakinggan, at tugunan ang pinagdadaanan ng mga pasyente, pamilya, at healthcare workers.

Samahan sina Doc Maddie Mallillin at Doc Bolet Bautista sa isang makabuluhang pag-uusap tungkol sa ginhawa, malasakit, at kung paano natin mapapalalim ang pag-aalaga sa bawat taong dumaraan sa cancer.

Hindi ka nag-iisa. May lugar para sa pag-unawa. May puwang para sa ginhawa.

16/04/2026

The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) served as clinical resources during the Senate inquiry on Child Online Safety. Representing our commitment to pediatric mental health were Dr. Ma. Bernadette Arcena (PPA CALM) and Dr. Kristine Elaine Q. Abary (Child Psychiatrist). From a psychiatric standpoint, we emphasized that protecting children on platforms like Roblox requires specific, enforceable regulations that increase accountability rather than simply restricting access.

Our Clinical Recommendations included:
Safety-by-Default: Maximally restrictive privacy settings for minor accounts upon registration.
Verifiable Gatekeeping: Robust age authentication to prevent predatory access.
Clinical Awareness: Equipping parents and clinicians to recognize "digital red flags" and behavioral shifts linked to exploitation.

We are honored to provide technical input to Sen. Risa Hontiveros and the Committee. We hope this is one of many collaborations in the future for the mental health of Filipino children

13/04/2026

As the school year concludes and preparations begin for another, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), together with the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP), reiterates its opposition to the use of social media “likes” as a basis for student grading.

Grades must reflect competency and merit, not online popularity. Linking academic evaluation to digital validation undermines integrity, violates data privacy, fosters inequity, and risks the mental health of learners.

We call on DepEd, educators, parents, and policymakers to safeguard academic standards and protect the psychosocial well-being of Filipino students.

Grades should measure learning—not likes.

**Read the full position paper below.** 👇

11/04/2026

May kaunting kirot, pero ang isip mo, nasa "worst-case scenario" na. May reassurance na mula sa doktor, pero bakit hindi pa rin mapanatag?

Hindi ito simpleng pag-aalala lang. Maaaring ito ay Illness Anxiety Disorder o Somatic Symptom Disorder—mga kundisyong totoo, mabigat, at madalas ay pilit nating itinatago.

Sa episode na ito ng Mind Matters, sasamahan tayo nina Dr. Orville Jess Pandes at Dr. Joan Mae Perez-Rifareal sa isang masinsinan at makataong pagtalakay. Hindi mo kailangang mabuhay sa takot.

Makinig sa Mind Matters: Conversations on Mental Health
pages: Radyo Magasin 1278 AM | Philippine Psychiatric Association | Veterans Memorial Medical Center

Hindi ka nag-iisa. May liwanag sa gitna ng pangamba. ♥️

07/04/2026

Expanding Horizons: 36th Midyear Convention & 41st Postgraduate Course

The landscape of mental healthcare is shifting, and our journey toward “EVOLVING FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY: SUBSPECIALTIES AND THEIR CLINICAL IMPACT" continues.

We invite all physicians, mental health advocates, and practitioners to join us in Cebu as we examine the specialized advancements and clinical breakthroughs shaping the future of Psychiatry. This is a premier opportunity to align on best practices and explore how subspecialties are directly enhancing patient care.

📍 Venue: Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Nivel Hills, Cebu City
📅 Dates: 29–31 July 2026

Secure your spot with Early Bird Rates (Until May 31, 2026):
* PPA Members in Good Standing: P6,000
* Residents\*: P5,000
* Non-PPA Members: P8,000

*\*PPA Accredited Psychiatry Training Institutions*

🔗 Registration link to follow. Stay tuned to our page for further updates. See you at the forefront of modern psychiatry in the Queen City of the South! 🏙️🌊

06/04/2026

PPA's Mental Wellness Initiative for Everyone

This initiative is a collaborative work between the Philippine Psychiatric Association and its accredited training institutions. It aims to provide accessible mental health education while showcasing the talents of our psychiatry residents, who have translated their clinical expertise into these creative and informative guides.

Is your mind racing, or are you simply feeling the weight of a busy week? Understanding the difference between Stress and Anxiety is the first step toward finding your balance.

As the first in this series, this infographic—produced in coordination with the Batangas Medical Center Department of Psychiatry — explains how to identify and manage these common experiences. Whether you are navigating external pressures or quieting internal "what if" thoughts, knowing how to respond can make all the difference.

Simple Ways to Cope:
* Prioritize: Plan and organize tasks to handle external demands.
* Breathe: Use slow, deep breaths to steady your mind.
* Connect: Talk to someone you trust and maintain a healthy routine.

We are proud to highlight our residents' dedication to making mental wellness accessible to every Filipino. Remember, help is always available.

Need support? You are not alone. Dial 1553 to reach the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline.

PPA CALM 2026

Address

Suite 1011 10th Floor Medical Plaza Ortigas Condominium San Miguel Avenue
Pasig
1600

Telephone

(+632) 635-9858

Website

http://ppa.philpsych.ph/

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