“As we serve Christ in others, let us remember in humility that we have only done our duty as His servants.”

⁃ Luke 17:10

As part of our continued commitment to serve the community, the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, National Specialty Center for Dermatology held the second half of its biannual Skin Research Foundation Medical and Surgical Mission: “LOVE, SERVE, CARE” last November 22, 2025 (Saturday) at Ilugin Elementary School, Pasig City.

The program began with a lay forum by Dr. Theabelle Celeste and Dr. Lyca Alavar, who discussed essential dermatologic care and early recognition of common skin conditions, specifically skin cancer. We were honored to have the President of the Skin Research Foundation of the Philippines, Dr. Ma. Flordeliz Abad-Casintahan, and our Department Chairperson, Dr. Ma. Cricelda Rescober-Valencia, whose presence highlighted the significance of this outreach activity. They were joined by Dr. Ma. Luisa Abad-Venida, Dr. Melanie Joy Doria-Ruiz, Dr. Elisa Rae Coo, Dr. Andrea Marie Bernales-Mendoza.

More than 350 patients received free consultations, along with dermatologic surgery procedures such as electrocautery, excision, extraction, and offered for the first time in our mission: skin biopsies. The most frequently encountered conditions included tinea infections, pediculosis, acne, and contact dermatitis.

This mission was made even more meaningful through our partnerships with The Medical City, Community Pediatrics Unit of the Institute of Pediatrics, Ilugin Elementary School, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, and the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatrics Association. We were also joined by Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residents from The Medical City, who generously provided additional consultations to our patients.

We sincerely thank our generous sponsors for their invaluable support: Dr. Deo Wong, Erlinda Abad, Dr. Menchu Liwanag, Dr. Tet Mendoza, Mirabelle, Dido and Atty. Fe Barin, Dr. Mark Casintahan, Didith and Jobet Morales, Irma Agoncillo and Joan Medina, Arthur, Cecille and Anton Rivera-Baysa, Pinky and Tante Lapuz, Raya Sunico and Emilio Ocampo, Jan and Ronald Agoncillo, Yeng Vitan, Patricia Quilala, Elise Relucio, Donna Cruz, Jay and Sharon Arnaldo.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to those who sent support via medications and in-kind: The Department of Health, Dove, BCP Pharmacy, Johnson’s & Johnson’s, Aveeno, RV Group, Brady Pharma Inc., EuroAsia Pharmaceuticals, Vexxa Lifesciences, Mega Pharmacy, Folares Pharmaceuticals, Kusum Healthcare, Torrent Pharma, Pascual Laboratories, Dra. Ma. Luisa Abad-Venida, and Tau Gamma Phi.

Together, we continue to uphold our vision of compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive dermatologic care for every Filipino community.