Scope Jan-April 2010

A bright future ahead for Philippine healthcare. Dr. Januario Veloso (5th from L) raises in triumph the certificate of accreditation given to the NKTI Dept. of Lab. Medicine. To-gether with him is (fr L to R) PAO OIC Cirila Botor, DTI Usec.Zenaida Maglaya, NKTI Lab. Manager, Dr. Romy Dy, Dr. Ivy Rosales, NKTI Quality Manager Dr. Arnold Fernandez, NKTI Exec. Dir. Dr. Enrique Ona and NKTI Deputy Exec. Dir. Dr. Ai-leen Riego-Javier.

What’s Inside?Editorial 2

QMS in Lab 3

Biosafety 4

New Fellows 6

New Diplomates 7

The Death . . . 10

The Life Project 11

Just Wondering 12

It was a milestone in Philippine healthcare history last 18 January 2010 when the NKTI (National Kidney Trans-plant Institute) Department of Laboratory Medicine was for-mally awarded its ISO 15189 accreditation by the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) of the Department of Trade and Industry. The certificates of accreditation were awarded by Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya of the Department of Trade and Industry and PAO Officer-in-charge Cirila Botor

and received by the Chairman of the NKTI Medical Laborato-ry, Dr. Januario Veloso, Quali-ty Manager Dr. Arnold Fernan-dez and Laboratory Manager, Dr. Romy Dy. The NKTI medical laboratory is the first labora-tory in the Philippines to be ISO 15189:2007 accredited. Specifically, ten sections (un-der which over 50 tests are performed) of the NKTI medi-cal lab have been accredited. NKTI’s ISO 15189 accredita-tion is in addition... see page 5

NKTI Medical Lab. Receives ISO 15189

Participants of the First Regional Assembly of the Central Lu-zon Chapter of the Philippine Society of Pathologists,Inc.

Last March 26, 2010, the idea of Dr. Gonzalo Ro-man, Jr., of forming a Local Chapter of the Philippine Society of Pathologists, Inc., was transformed into reality. The Central Luzon Chapter of PSP was born and the “First Regional Assembly and Scientific Meeting” was held at the Fortune Seafood Res-taurant in Balibago Angeles City. The chapter aims to have camaraderie and strengthen bonds between and among pathologists re-siding and practicing in Cen-tral Luzon. Though a very short notice, and unforeseen

“The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.” -Henry Ward Beecher

A New ChApter is BorN

circumstances, fifteen pa-thologists practicing from dif-ferent provinces of Central Luzon graciously attended the function namely: Dr. Po-deroso Casuela, Jr.; Dr. Lara Mae Academia-Angeles; Dr. Kathryna Ayro; Dr Victor De-Villa; Dr. Lourdes Dominguez;

Dr. Ricardo Eclarin; Dr. Ma. Theresa Enrile; Dr. Maria Angelita Gutierrez; Dr. Min-da Luz Manugid; Dr. Reme-dios Ong; Dr. Gonzalo B. Roman, Jr., Dr. Noel Santos; Dr. Edith Tria; Dr. Reynaldo Torres and Dr. Michelle Tan-glao. (cont. p. 3)

Twenty-two new dip-lomates will take their oath on this year’s annual con-vention. (see page 4)

This year’s new diplo-mates and fellows…

T h E P S P S c o P E Pag E 2

E D i To r i a L

“It’s hard work butrewarding. . . . It’s anachievement not so

much for your name inprint but for knowing

you did somethinggood for other

people.”

Mary Jane Carias-Marines, MD, DPSPEditor-in-chief

“Monuments! What are they? The very pyramidshave forgottentheir builders,or to whom theywere dedicated.Deeds,not stonesare the truemonuments of the great.”

EDITORIAL Having served as editor in chief of the Scope for a year has been one of the most fulfilling project I have ever done. Looking back, I’m grateful to Dr. Lasap-Go and Dr. Atiba-gos for their confidence in me and I’m equally grateful to the BOG for for having given me the chance to serve. Work-ing for the Scope can either be “katoxikan lang yan” or a chance to share whatever God has given, depending on how one will look at it. I chose to follow the thought of sharing my God-given talent. I do

not have the treasure to share to the society, but I have the talent (not necessarily journalism) and the time to spare. As I was solicit-ing articles, I met “two groups of people”. One group is very eager to help by contributing articles and coordinat-ing. Not all people from this group were able to submit articles because their tight schedules did not permit them to come up with articles but still I felt their en-thusiasm and the will to help. The other group was a little passive and would rather go on with

their own business than share something to the society. To the next editor-in-chief, be very thankful for the opportunity. It’s hard work but reward-ing. It’s something you can make as an exam-ple of service that you can teach your children and grandchildren. It’s an achievement not so much for your name in print but for knowing you did something good for other people. Lastly, the editor-ship of the Scope is a non-paying job and that makes it even more no-ble.

The Scope Editorial Board The articles here published do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the edito-rial board. The PSP Scope is the official publica-tion of the Philippine Society of Pathologists,

Inc. with headquarters lo-cated at PSP Building, 114 Malakas Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

Telephone: 7386814Tele-Fax: 9203192.Email: [email protected].

Correspondence, opin-ions, and inquiries may be addressed to the editor-in-chief at [email protected].

Mary Jane Carias-Marines, MD, DPSPEditor-in-chief

Maricel Regino-Ribo, MD, DPSPAssistant Editor-in-chief

Contributors:Remedios Ong, MD, DPSP

Edith S. Tria, MD, FPSPMyna Reyes, RMT

Minda Quitoriano, RMTTheresa Jane G. Cajarte

Amado O. Tandoc, MD, DPSPDr. Michelle Tanglao

J a N u a ry - a P r i L 2 0 1 0

J a N u a ry - a P r i L 2 0 1 0 N E W S

Pag E 3 T h E P S P S c o P E

A New ChApter is BorN(from p.1)

During the said event, Dr. Poderoso Casuela, Jr., generously shared his knowledge regarding Ba-salloid tumors of the skin and our friends from the laboratory industry launched their new diagnostic breakthrough regarding detection of Dengue Virus through Dengue IgA. The afternoon session was al-lotted more in getting to know each participant, and planning for the next session. Set of officers were also elected namely: Dr. Gonzalo Roman, Jr., (prac-ticing in Nueva Ecija) as President; Dr. Ricardo E. Eclarin (practicing in Olongapo) as Vice President; Dr. Remedios Ocampo-Ong (practicing in Pampan- ga) as Secretary; Dr. Ma. Theresa Enrile (practicing

in Tarlac) as Treasurer and lastly Dr. Victor De-Villa, (practicing in Tarlac) as P.R.O. The endeavor of the local chapter was successfully achieved with the cooperation of all participants and friends from the laboratory industry. The Chapter would like to take this opportu-nity to invite all the pathologists practicing and or re-siding in Central Luzon and other pathologists who would like to get out from their “toxic” daily activities to join and attend the next Central Luzon Meeting on June. Details of the next activity will be posted on the yahoo group. (by: Dr. Michelle Tanglao, MD)

In line with the Fourmula One for Health (F1) particularly on Health Service Delivery and Good Governance, the National Cen-ter for Health Facility (NCHFD) is tasked to review, revise, and update existing hospital policies, manuals standards and guide-lines. In view of this, the Manuals of Hospital Property and Supply Management, Hospital Pharmacy, Management and the Standards on Quality management System in Clinical Laboratory were updat-ed and launched last August 11, 2008. Likewise, per AO 2006-29, dated June 15, 2006, (Guidelines for Rationalizing the Health Care Delivery System based on Health Needs), the responsibility of the NCHFD is to provide technical as-

sistance in developing the rational-ization of health care facilities. Moving onwards to the suc-cessful Development and Imple-mentation of the provincial Ratio-nalization Plan Cycles the NCHFD shall undertake the provision of technical assistance in developing the rationalization of health care facilities for LGUs and other stake-holders. In view of the foregoing, the NCHFD conducted series of train-ing activities to understand and ful-ly implement standards, policies, and principles on the operations of the hospital supply and property, pharmacy and clinical laboratory to the F1 priority provinces in North-ern Luzon. The training-workshop was

held at El Cielito Inn, Baguio City last February 15-19, 2010. It was attended by chief medical technologists, chief pharmacists, and administrative officers from the different regions of the coun-try. Pathologists like, Dr. Edith Tria, Dr. Marissa Orillaza and Dr. Grace de la Calzada were invited as resource speakers to the said event. They lectured on the dif-ferent standards of the Quality Management System in the lab such as management respon-sibility, resource management, monitoring performance, quality improvement activities, informa-tion management, and environ-mental management and biosafe-ty. (Edith Tria, MD; Myrna Reyes, RMT; Minda Quitoriano, RMT)

QMS in the Clinical Laboratory

Dr. Poderoso Casuela, Jr, ( at the center) with participants of the First Scientific Meeting of the Central Luzon Chapter of PSP.

Product launching of the Dengue IgA

Biosafety and Biosecurity Crossing Borders

By: Edith S. Tria, MD, FPSP, MPA

J a N u a ry - a P r i L 2 0 1 0N E W S


During the Inaugural Symposium on Advocacy and Awareness on Biosafety and Biosecurity in Makati last March 2009, there was an overwhelming response from some participants who expressed much interest to echo this symposium in their respective institutions. PhBBA of-ficers coordinated with them so that advocacy symposia can be conducted in the regions. PhBBA plan that this symposium will highlight currents issues, radical situ-ationers on biothreat, response and biopreparedness, and the future direction towards Building local and Na-tional Partnerships for Biosafety and Biosecurity. There will be an action planning which will work on how the participants can re-echo what they will learn and will enhanced the culture of biosafety and biosecurity in their institution, developed a framework on Biosafety and Bio-security Action Plan and work to establish Biosafety Com-mittee/Program in their offices. The contact persons who would like to have this symposium in their specific work areas are as follows: 1. Dean Marilou Elago / Dr. Myrna Palahuddin An-geles: Zamboanga City 2. Dr. Angelita Ago: Bicol Regional Medical Center and Ago Medical College 3. Mr. Edgar Tanawan, Dr. Oscar Grageda, Dr. Leopoldo Vega, Mr. Sorongon: Davao City 4. Dr. Potenciano Limcangco Caraga: Regional Hospital, Surigao City 5. Dr. Sanchez and Chairman Robert Sears: Ma-nila Health Department and Rotary International Manila 6. Dr. Ricardo Eclarin / Dr. Remedios Ong: Subic Olongapo 7. Ms. Ester Realon: Palawan Provincial Hospital 8. Dr. Rachel Cadeliña: Cebu Regional Medical Center 9.Vice Mayor Dexter Dominguez and Ms. Evelyn Tria: Bataan State University 10. Dr. Fermin / Dr. Lena - Chief of Hospital: Iloilo Western Visayas Medical Center 11. Dr. Helen Yambao / Dr. Naomi Bartolome: Co-tabato Regional Center 12. Dr. Mary Jane Carias-Marines / Dr. Manuel Quirino: Baguio and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) They were informed to invite at least 200 partici-pants from agencies/groups representing health workers, students, teachers, scientists, researchers, related in-dustries/companies, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Local Gov-

ernment Units (LGUs) and defense sectors (police, mili-tary) as their target audience. The objectives of the advocacy symposium are to:1. Review the status biosafety and biosecurity in the coun-try2. Orient participants on principles, objectives and prac-tices of biosafety and biosecurity and its required infra-structure3. Identify gaps and draft follow up action points in strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices in the Philippines4. Build partnership among multi-sectoral stakeholders lo-cally and internationally So far, the dates for the advocacy symposia are still tentative. The 3 day symposia would consist of cur-rent situationer of threats / presentation scenario and case studies for day 1; interactive panel discussion and break-out sessions for day 2; and consultative meeting with dif-ferent agencies for day 3. The proposed PhBBA trainers will come from the DOH-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)/ National Center for Health Facility and Development / San Lazaro Hospital and its various centers/units, the Anti-Ter-rorism Council (ATC), University of the Philippines- Ma-nila, Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), and the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Dept of Foreign Affairs, and other foreign partners. A call to put up local chapter is encouraged to em-power the local host in setting up their own PhBBA net-work in the region. In this context, prior management is warranted to PhBBA, National Chapter, who will source out funding for this symposium and the organization of the regional local chapter.

There are eight (8) Anatomical and Clinical Pathology diplomates, six (6) Anatomical Pathology diplomates and eight (8) Clinical Pathology diplomates who will be presented to the society during the opening program. The certifying examination for Anatomical Pathology and Clinical Pathology were given last January 30, 2010 and February 6, 2010 respectively. This year, twelve new fellows have successfully completed all requirements and shall also take their oath during the opening program. Six are fellows in Anatomi-cal Pathology, four in Clinical Pathology and two in both specialties. – (Complete list of diplomates and fellows in page 6-9)

This year’s new... (from page 1)


Pag E 5T h E P S P S c o P E

NKTI Medical Lab. Receives ISO 15189(from p.1)

...in its being the first Philippine Tertiary Government Hospi-tal to be ISO 9001 certified since 2002. The NKTI has again proved that it is steadfast in its pursuit in providing high quality and world class medical healthcare to the Filipino people. The ISO 15189 is the international standard specifi-cally for medical laboratories that specifies the requirements for quality management and technical competence. The ISO 15189 accreditation not only ensures the capacity of the medical laboratory to deliver accurate and reliable test results of their patients and medical consumers but also takes into account the con-tinuing education and train-ing of medical staff that ad-ministers and performs tests. With ISO 15189 accredita-tion, both patients and health providers reap benefits.

A story of co-operation that counts Behind the success

Dr. Januario Veloso (rightmost, chairman of NKTI Medical Lab-oratory gives a tour of NKTI medical lab to DTI Usec Maglaya (3rd from L) and PAO OIC Botor (1st from L) after the awarding of ISO 15189 accreditation. In the photo, Dr. Veloso explains the Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) of NKTI that allows the delivery of high quality and quick lab results to NKTI's growing number of patrons. (Inset: Seal of Excellence. The PAO ac-creditation seal is posted on each of NKTI's medical sections that are ISO 15189 accredited).

of NKTI’s Medical Labora-tory ISO 15189 accreditation is an effective synergy of ef-forts and dedicated work from the NKTI management and medical staff, the Phil-ippine Accreditation Office and technical assistance from the EU TRTA project. With the full sup-port of the NKTI Management, the NKTI medical laboratory embarked on its quest to become ISO 15189 accredited. This pursuit for higher standards came with many challenges for the NKTI staff as they had to acquire a large amount of knowledge and skills to be able to prepare for an ISO 15189 accreditation audit, and within a very limited time at that. The hard work of NKTI was also complemented by ef-forts of PAO to become competent to accredit medical labora-tories according to the ISO 15189 standard. In doing so, PAO came up with a document on the Supplementary Require-ments for Accreditation in the Field of Medical Testing which helped the NKTI in its efforts to prepare for accreditation. Trainings on ISO 15189 for PAO assessors and clini-cal laboratories were also conducted through the TRTA (Trade Related Technical Assistance) Project of the European Union. One of the project’s main thrusts is on Standards Harmonisa-tion which includes capacity-building of PAO as the national accreditation institution. A number of NKTI medical staff also became participants to the PAO-TRTA ISO 15189 trainings including Dr. Veloso, the NKTI medical lab chairman. Dr. Ven-katesh Thuppil, accreditation expert on ISO 15189 that was tapped by the project as resource person in the trainings men-

tioned also led the PAO assessment of the NKTI laboratory.

Quality healthcare for all In her message during the awarding of the ISO 15189 accreditation to NKTI, DTI Undersecretary Maglaya under-scored two points why the government actively pursues medi-cal laboratory accreditation in the country. First is the “desire to improve the delivery of medical services and second, to promote the Philippines as a medical tourist destination”. The

second point was accentu-ated by Dr. Enrique Ona, Ex-ecutive Director of NKTI as he mentioned that being ISO 15189 accredited will “open the doors to trade and eco-nomic growth for the country as services and data gener-ated would be more readily accepted worldwide.” Dr. Januario Veloso (Rightmost), Chairman of NKTI Medical laboratory gives a tour of NKTI medical lab to DTI Usec Maglaya (3rd from L) and PAO OIC Botor (1st from L) after the award-

ing of ISO 15189 accredita-tion. In the photo, Dr. Veloso explains the Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) of NKTI that allows the delivery of high quality and quick lab re-sults to NKTI’s growing num-ber of patrons. (Inset: Seal of Excellence. The PAO accred-itation seal is posted on each

of NKTI’s medical sections that are ISO 15189 accredited).The benefits of ISO 15189 are clearly many and far-reaching. With this, DTI is optimistic that more medical laboratories will apply for PAO accreditation, and that together with NKTI as the first medical lab to be accredited and its accreditation ex-perience, they can “promote the benefits of accreditation to stakeholders, encouraging other medical laboratories to apply for accreditation ” Usec Maglaya imparts. The success of NKTI in achieving its ISO 15189 accreditation is a testament that the Philippines is capable of upgrading and meeting international standards of quality. The quest for qual-ity health care in the country does not stop but only starts with NKTI. TJC- EU-TRTA. (by: Theresa Jane G. Cajarte)

On medical lab. accreditation . . . .“….desire to improve the delivery

of medical services and to promote the Philippines as a medical tourist

destination.”


NEW Fellows 2009-2010

ANATOMIC AND CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

NeNa Salcedo-liNgayoN, Md iMelda Marie FreMiele Palacol, Md

ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY

luiSito dJ. celeStiNo, Md

giovaNNi JoSePh MartiNc. MaNguiat, Md

rayMuNdo c. SuPeña, Md.

JoNathaN Q. leviSte, Md

arleNe l. SaNtoS, Md.

dave S. taclobao, Md.


NEW Fellows 2009-2010

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

MyrNa M. eSPiritu, Md

Ma. NilePta b. liM, Md.

Marie chriStiNe F. berNardoSlMc

rayMuNd r. iNoceNciouP-Pgh

edNa May laSaP-go, Md

roberto d. Padua, Md

Farrah KriStiNe Q. FoNtillaPcMc

thoMaS JeFF c. liM Jr.uSt


NEW DIPLOMATES (2010 BOP EXAM)


leoNideS M. de veraNKti

ariStotle Peter t. leeuSt






aMado o. taNdoc iiiuP-Pgh

Michelle g. taNglaoauFMc

ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY

heidi t. aNgMMc

Frecila a. FigueroadPJgMh

leila t. SaleraMMc

NicK r. FerNaNdezdPJgMh

Michelle S. galidoMMc

Maria lourdeS l. gocoSlMc


CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

lara Mae b. acadeMia-aNgeleSuSt

cariNa r. Peralta-villaMayoruSt

JoSelito P. QuiNeSvMMc

NerilyN b. KuNNaNg-bicoJrMMc

diwata grace c. FabroS-bauSauSt

Maria tereSita z. PerillaevrMc

ray toMaS ii S. baNgcoNgNMMc

albert S. MariNwvMc



J a N u a ry - a P r i L 2 0 1 0T h o u g h T S

Pag E 1 0 T h E P S P S c o P E

For four more years of training and then, for he rest of your life, you will be subjected to Life’s inescapable sine quanon. Through stirring images and digital movies, lec-tures and modules in powerpoint and flash media player, regular scholastic exercises as both teacher and student, and perhaps–if you elect firsthand experience like your future mentors–blood, organs and excreta on your very own hands, you will see suffering, understand illness and master Death. The great Equalizer. The final frontier. It is one of this genera-tion’s breakthroughs. Our grasp of medical knowledge, albeit the tip of the iceberg, has never been clearer. We now know the interdependent biochemical pro-cesses and reactions, the pre-cise receptors and ligands, the coordinated signals and stimuli that define hypertrophy and at-rophy, metaplasia and dyspla-sia, and most critically, necrosis and apoptosis. Across the spec-trum of Death, from the sleep-like countenance of some to the horrible deformation of others, whether through inevitable se-nescence, acts of violence, or ravages of cancer and micro-organism, you will be trained to uncover microscopic secrets, sift through the disorder and rec-ognize the grand design. Who would have thought that Hayflick’s biological clock theory ticked true, or that the eukaryotic cell is an obligate symbiosis of prokaryotes, or, the more chilling re-alization that within each of our cells, like an intricate cryp-togram in our very DNA, is the code of Death? That within each chromosome, lurks the potential to transform and wreak havoc on our physiology? That our very own de-fenses can spell our doom? These are centuries of knowl-edge synthesized in the first several chapters of your basic book. In your spare time, go to the library and review old editions of your medical books. Realize how knowledge is constantly accumulated, supplemented, and even chal-lenged by newer knowledge. You are fortunate to live at an exciting crossroads between the pearls of the past and the molecular prospects of the future. Visit the museum. In the dim light, ensconced in glass containers of various shapes and sizes, behold the monsters and study the diseased structures you will deal

The Death ProgramBy: Amado O. Tandoc III, MD

with, describe and dissect for the next few years. Do not be tentative: the carnival is infinite and the only limit is your imagination. Possibilities abound that the things we eat, the things we do, the environment that surrounds us, the chemicals and compounds and energies around us, can unbalance our systems with a single submicroscopic, submolecular mistake and immortalize a single cell in our body; that immortal cell itself, ironically, the harbinger of morbidity and mortality. Read up on the oncogenes, tu-mor suppressors and protein products so far explained. Understand, that in a few more years, cures nothing short of miraculous and inexplicable diseases once dubbed as curses, will also have biochemical foundations. Do not despise death, or shun it, or scorn it, or

belittle it. Paradoxically, it is the lifeblood of the profession you have chosen, and mastery of it is the basis of the rest of those who will rely on your diagnostic expertise. Remember that Life, in as much as it is a celebration and to most, a ubiquitous com-modity, is a veritable treasure, made more precious because of its dark Siamese twin. What you shall be, if you choose to be part of the Pro-gram, is part of the pursuit of knowledge. Reflect on your pri-orities and feel free to sign up when you are prepared for the awakening of your mind’s eye. Somehow it may seem endless and fruitless, frustrating at times, rarely rewarding, difficult to di-gest, but, in time, long after you

have made your contribution to the corpulent evolution of our medical textbooks, applying everything you have learned, you will rest assured. Diagnostic endeavors within Six Sigmas is your peace of mind. An accurately elucidated histopathologic verdict is your good night’s sleep. And I know how much you yearn for sleep–the restful kind–where dreams once more are possible.

Do not despise death, or shun it, or scorn it, or belittle it. Paradoxically, it is

the lifeblood of the profession you have chosen, and mastery of it is the basis of

the rest of those who will rely on your diagnostic expertise.

J a N u a ry - a P r i L 2 0 1 0 T h o u g h T S

Pag E 1 1T h E P S P S c o P E

The Life ProjectBy: Amado O. Tandoc III, MD

Life is most probably casting an amused glance at the world, populated by these unsteady creatures, squirming in their places, toiling throughout the day, staying up at night, waiting for inspiration, continuously striving to understand the meaning of existence. Across the globe, guised as doctors and scientists trying to unlock the human genome, poets and artists creating seminal masterpieces, or priests and politi-cians preaching divine revelation–all of them pursuing es-sentially the very same things.

The meaning of Life. Truth. Understanding. Our comprehension of Life, though scientific and at the very least, founded on solid and verifiable data of generations past, is infantile at best. Despite the tremendous advances ushered in by the era of cy-togenetics, molecular diag-nostics and nanotechnology, this knowledge is but the tip of the iceberg, or maybe, more appropriately, a fetus swimming perilously in the mind’s womb. Enticing us and teasing us with its joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries, Life au-tonomously goes beyond everything we now know, beyond the reach of every-thing our predecessors have so far discovered and deserved Nobel Prizes for. It is simply right here and now, raging after countless death struggles and survival tests, mutations and adaptations in the history of the world. Our pillars in Pathology have studied the precise interactions of the molecules that define us, the biochemical cycles and reactions, the enzymes and substrates; the processes well studied and documented in our obese text books. But for all our efforts at research and experimentation, Life does not need us to understand it. It is us with the spasm, the hunger, the need: we just could not help but to look around us, to ask questions, to wonder. We need to know about Life… We need to know about ourselves… And the knowledge is getting denser, more exact, peer-re-viewed by the minute. Yet we have a long arduous way to go, considering that, if, for example, we start our discussion from the very basic Begin-ning, countless issues already arise. While it is now being promoted in Science lectures and cable television that we

are here by cosmic accident, it is really just one of several theories of “how” and “why” Life began. A significant number of Truth Seekers, convinced of the com-plexity and intelligent design of the cell, the tissue, the organ, the system and the organism, would surely argue otherwise, favoring purpose and intention over chance and pure luck. There must be some order in the achievement of the first Kreb’s cycle, the first photosynthesis, the first heart beat. Perhaps more than just being doubting Thomas’s, it is in our nature to feel a certain pride about our civilization, to feel am-bitious with our “highly evolved” crania–indeed as lords of all creation!–and substantiate our rightful place in the scheme of things, however microscopic that place is, in this impossibly colossal universe. The good thing with the current-knowledge-as-fetus meta-phor is the assumption that there is actually so much room for continued growth. The fact that we admit our immature

knowledge of how the human body works and go through all the trouble of finding out and corroborating, is in itself a positive sign, and perhaps the greatest motivation for the quest. Knowing how it works teaches us homeo-stasis and imbalance, per-mits us to treat disease and understand death, and most importantly, lets us appreci-ate what time we have left to relish the beauty of the world. If only we could take it all in within our lifetime, though,

realistically, in the midst of unsatisfied primary needs, not all of us are mentally prepared for that level just yet. There are so much more of those who wonder too about life, but on a more daily basis, in a more specific way. Those who perceive that the pursuit of knowledge, while growing more and more in scope and at the same time, becoming more and more detailed, is best reserved for and exclusive to a hermit-age of professionals adept in esoteric scientific lingo. Their curiosity about Life is dampened ironically by the troubles of everyday living. They walk around hungry yet hopeful, priori-ties realigned, looking for jobs, (sub)consciously oblivious to the unfolding wonders in petri dishes, test tubes, microwells and cell cultures throughout laboratories in Europe and the States. On restless nights, the cravings of the gut predictably pre-vail over that of the mind, of the soul. Glaring back at Life’s amused glance, they ask, how important is understanding my physiology in the context of today’s meal? Head on, they ask, will the Human Genome Project pay the rent or settle last month’s electricity bill.

Three years into the practice of Pathology I am still endlessly thrilled by the different mor-phologic patterns I encounter such that I want to share some of these. I frequently stop wonder why they have come to be named and or de-scribed as such. Let me just share a few of them to you and perhaps you may even contribute to the list. Just read on. For one have you ever wondered why Annie would be orphaned in a Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid when it is one tumor with an excellent prognosis? Or that, the sky would be starry in Burkitt’s Lympho-ma when this would be one of the more aggressive tumors in children and in adults though responds well to intensive chemotherapy. I eternally question why we would be describing Fib-rosarcomas as fish-flesh masses on gross when what is left on histological examination is a herring bone? Hello! Has anyone failed to close the gross room such that “Muning” dropped by for a sumptuous meal? Keeps me smiling to presume that Antoni A and An-toni B are not fraternal twins though both surnamed Schwan-noma. One is cellular while the other is hypo cellular with cells in a loose meshwork. . Is it not strange why koilocytes would have perinucle-ar halos when the very activity that predisposes a person to the condition that brings this about is not a holy one? Have you ever described ghost villous outlines in pla-cental tissues? Are they supposed to haunt the perpetrator of an intentional abortion? Why would I wish for a signet ring to wear on my fin-ger when I could be gone in a few months? Wonder if the beaded ribs (rachitic rosary) of children with rickets amount to the number of beads in our own Holy Rosary. (by: Remy Ong, MD, DPSP)

i cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from passing over my head, but i can keep them form building a nest in my hair.

Chinese Proverb

“Mu lawa, ang-gan ew. Tan ilansam adi si Apo Dios mu amagem.” Translation – “If it’s sinful , don’t do it. You’ll drive another nail

in the cross if you do.” MJ Carias-Marines (lesson from lolo)

“Be good to them even when they are not good to you. Be fair to them even when they are unfair to you. Put them up even

when they try to put you down. Forgive them even when they curse you. In the end it’s between you and God anyway, not you

and them.” Ydes de Vera (lesson from Mom)

“Everything is possible for a person who has faith.” MJ Abalos-Pineda (from the manual of life-the bible)

“Live your life. Do not be passive. Do not be a spectator.

Actively and irrevocably live.”Mutya Bernardo (from experience)

Quotable QuotesJust WonderingWhen we do what we can,God will do what we can’t.

Anonymous

“If you learn— teach, If you get —

give.”Maya Angelou

Medicine is like a birthstone,it can be lost;

But Pathology is like a birthmark, it lasts forever.

Jojo C

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how

soon it will be too late.Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scope Jan-April 2010

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