By Gynna P. Gagelonia
CLARK, ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, Jan. 13, 2024 -- Once again, two Cebu Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC) training institutions, Chong Hua Hospital and Perpetual Succour Hospital clinched the first and second prize at the PHA-PCC Midyear Convention 2024 JeoPHArdy Contest, held at the imposing SMX Convention Center in this city which is 14 kilometers away from Manila. Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center was 3rd prize.
Asean Federation of Cardiology President Dr. Alex Junia received the PHA revolving JeoPHArdy trophy from officers of the PHA National and Central Luzon Chapters during the PHA Midyear Convention Closing Rites. A past PHA National and Cebu Chapter president, Junia is based in the Queen City of the South.
In the annual PHA-PCC Convention and Scientific Meeting 2023, Cebu’s Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Perpetual Succour Hospital got the top two slots.
This year’s midyear confab Quiz Bowl winners were: Chong Hua -- Drs. Shazna Bersabal (3rd year) and Ross Anne Dela Serna (3rd year) and Doucel Oliver Year (1st year); Perpetual Succour Hospital – Drs. Elrey Inocian (2nd year). Kevin Katada (2nd year) and Louie Lim (1st year); Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center – Drs. Abigaelle Salazar (3rd year), Stephen de Castro (3rd year), Joel Andrew Cañas (2nd year).
The other Quiz Bowl participants were: Angeles University Foundation and Medical Center, Asian Hospital Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Capitol Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital, Dela Salle University Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, Makati Medical Center, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Piñas, Perpetual Help Medical Center – Binan, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center BGC, St. Luke’s Medical Center QC, Southern Philippine Medical Center, The Medical City, University of Sto. Tomas Hospital, and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
Every contestant was on a roller coaster of emotions but healthy competition and amity permeated the air.
“It has always been a stiff race, nevertheless, at the end of the day, the spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition, as well as the quest for excellence prevailed,” according to Dr. Rodney Jimenez, PHA vice president and PHA Midyear Convention 2024 chair.
The hard work of the contestants, their mentors and the organizers paid off. Consultants rooting for their mentees, illustrious and newbie cardiologists gathered at the venue was a sight to behold.
“The decades-old Quiz Bowl, is more than a traditional PHA activity, it has always been awaited, vaunted and nerve-racking but definitely rewarding for the PHA CardioFellows in Training, said PHA President Dr. Ronald Cuyco.
PHA Central Luzon President Dr. Rayzen Canono-Lim said “we are deeply honored to have been given a chance to host the PHA Midyear Convention 2024 that targets mainly our local physicians, as well as doctors from Luzon to Mindanao.”
The hosts were Drs. Jose Eduardo Duya and Michele Nieves who are
Dr. Richard Tiongco while the adjudicators were Drs. Orlando Bugarin, Helen Ong-Garccia and Lauro Abrahan IV.
PHA-PCC is the first SMX convention client to use its new additions, the vast F1, F2 and F3 function rooms. Boasting 4,000-sq. m. floor area, SMX Clark is located beside Park Inn by Radisson Clark.
