yPDS 2008: The Year That was

Ivan A. Singzon, MD, DPDS

I remember it was just a little over the year ago when my friends invited me to yPDS event at Discovery Suites. I was a little hesitant to attend because I thought the format would be like a round table discussion or a straight-out lecture from a dermatology consultant. I also guessed that there would not be that many people in attendance since it would be held on a week night. With these things in mind, I decided to stay home and study for my upcoming board exam. In the following days, I received phone calls from friends telling me that I missed a fun and well-attended event. They were raving at how great a speaker Mr. Francis Kong was and that the event was very stimulating and well-organized. Regretting not going, I asked my friends when and where the next event would be. When I learned that it was to be held in Fiamma, I was pleasantly surprised; it was hard to believe that a PDS activity would be held at an informal venue, a popular hangout bar. Even if I had my orals for the board exam scheduled three days later, I promised myself that I would not miss another yPDS event. The event was truly worth my while. The topics – image enhancements and wine testing – were very fresh and informative. There was crowd participation so there was not a dull moment. The food was plentiful and delicious, complementing the different kinds of wine offered. Unfortunately, I did not have any wine because my consultants did not allow me to drink, knowing I had to study in the following days. However, I did win a complete set of peel products from our gracious sponsor in a raffle which made my evening more memorable.

The third yPDS event was just as successful as the previous one. Held at CAV, it featured Mr. Anthony Pangilinan as guest speaker, who gave a very energetic and fresh talk about work-life-balance, which I found very applicable to my daily life. He entertained and captured the crowd with his witty humor. The food was sumptuous, the unique selection of hors d’oeuvres titillating to the palate, and I got the chance to drink a glass or two of the fine wine they served. It was a sight to see the PDS president, officers, and board members gathering together in a bar, drinking wine. They were mingling with us young dermatologists like we were all one big barkada. We were made more comfortable with their presence in a non-intimidating environment. Towards the end of the evening, they invited everybody for a group picture to be taken with them.

The final event of the year was held at Palacio de Maynila, a few days before the PDS convention, with Mr. Francis Kong and Mr Chinkee Tan enlightening the audience personal and private practice finance, as well as how to stretch one’s income. These were relevant topics, considering the global recession, hard economic times and the increasing price of gasoline. I have not forgotten the pearls of wisdom they shared that evening. I hope they will be invited to speak again in future yPDS events so they can impart their knowledge to new members or those who were not able to attend the past events.

Reflecting on the events of yPDS, I feel that the organizers put much thought and effort into putting it all together. I would like to congratulate them for a job well done. The events gave me the opportunity to socialize with my friends from other institutions, who I rarely get to see. I was also able to make new friends and meet more senior colleagues in the yPDS. I was very impressed by the support of Dr. Arnelfa Paliza and Dr. Francisco Rivera, and of the officers and board of directors from the PDS. The dedication and enthusiasm of each member of the core group is also noteworthy. With their leadership, I know the yPDS will continue to grow and be a venue to help young dermatologists in their clinical practice and to lead us in becoming active members of PDS. Keep up the good work. To all the young dermatologists and future members, I encourage you to attend the social events and join the yPDS yahoo groups. You will be welcomed with open arms and experience the camaraderie among the yPDS members. I look forward to more yPDS events in the future.

See you all there!