The Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center – Department of Dermatology has successfully completed its 22nd Dermatologic Surgical and Medical Mission last January 8-10, 2025 in Banaue, Ifugao.
This initiative, led by esteemed Dermatologist Dr. Ida M. Tiongco, an active faculty and consultant at the New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and an active visiting consultant of the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, reflects our department’s unwavering dedication to providing high quality medical and surgical care to our indigent highland brethren.
Dr. Tiongco, who has partnered with the Good News Clinic and Hospital (GNCH) for the past 25 years, collaborated with its current director, Dr. Carol Abayao for this year’s mission. Together with the steadfast support of GNCH’s former director, Dr. Antonio Ligot, and his wife, Sylvia Ligot, the 22nd iteration of the apolitical Dermatologic Surgical and Medical Mission commenced.
A team of distinguished Board certified Dermatologists from the Philippine Dermatological Society, including Dr. Ma. Jasmin Jamora, the current President, Dr. Ma. Encarnacion Legaspi, current Board Member, Dr. Benedicto Carpio, OMMC Dermatology Department Chair, Dr. Gina Eubanas, and Dr. Odette Alonzo, helped complete the roster. They were likewise joined by Dr. Linda Valdelleon, former Dean of the UERM – College of Medicine and Surgery, and OMMC Dermatology residents Dr. Leanna Caylao, Dr. Reinard Wilopo, Dr. Tricia Amora, Dr. Eloisa Lobo, Dr. Michael Gunawan, Dr. Leonard Cua, and Dr. Jhudielle Eusebio, and SIMC Dermatology Chief Resident Dr. Janine Lovino-Ty.
Months prior to the event, Dr. Tiongco herself meticulously prepared surgical instruments and essential medical supplies, and ensured the safe transportation of the said supplies from the United States to the Philippines. Additional medications were generously provided by the Philippine Dermatological Society.
Figure 1. The Good News Clinic and Hospital Chapel converted into a consultation area.
On the morning of January 8, 2025, the team began the mission after a lengthy but scenic 12-hour journey to Banaue, Ifugao. The hospital chapel was converted into a consultation area, the delivery room into a four-bed operating room, and the patient rooms into electrocautery stations. Over the course of two and a half days from January 8 to 10, the team managed a total of 364 patients. Meanwhile, a total of 158 dermatologic surgical procedures were performed, consisting of 84 electrosurgical procedures, 38 excisions, 7 snip excisions, 22 intralesional steroid injections, 5 skin punch biopsies, and 2 incision and drainage procedures. The surgical diagnoses included Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra, Verruca Vulgaris, Seborrheic Keratosis, Acrochordons, Sebaceous Cysts, Ganglion Cysts, Lipomas, and various Nevi. Twenty patients whose provisional diagnoses included Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis, and Melanoma had their samples sent for further dermatopathologic examination. Lastly, the most common dermatologic diagnoses during medical consultations were Pityriasis Versicolor, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Acne Vulgaris, Atopic Dermatitis and Scabies Infestation.
Figure 2. Images of the Dermatologic Surgical Team performing procedures on the patients of Banaue, Ifugao
Throughout the mission, Dr. Ida Tiongco and the volunteer Dermatologists provided an adequate venue for service learning, ensuring that the dermatologic needs of the community are met, while providing a venue where dermatologic surgical skills can be taught. Dr. Encarnacion Legaspi also shared her expertise in cosmetic procedures, particularly demonstrating techniques for repairing earlobe keloids.
During the Fellowship Night of the Banaue Medical Mission, a special moment was dedicated to celebrate the birthday of a distinguished guest volunteer, Dr. Jasmin Jamora, President of the Philippine Dermatologic Society (PDS). Amid an evening filled with camaraderie and celebration, Dr. Jamora presented two prestigious awards—the PDS Diamond Award and the PDS Award of Distinction for Humanitarian Service—to Dr. Ida Tiongco, in recognition of her more than 20 years of dedicated service in organizing dermatologic surgery and medical missions for underserved communities in Ifugao. Certificates of Appreciation were also given to Dr. Antonio and Sylvia Ligot, for their years of invaluable support to the current and previous missions.
Figure 3. Group picture to honor and celebrate Dr. Jasmin Jamora’s birthday during the Fellowship Night.
Figure 4. Awarding ceremony of the PDS Diamond Award and PDS Award of Distinction for Humanitarian Service to Dr. Ida Tiongco, and Certificate of Appreciation to, Dr. Antonio Ligot and wife, Sylvia Ligot.
This initiative was made possible through the support of Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, particularly their Department Chair Dr. Benedicto Carpio, Department Training Officer, Dr. Eileen Regalado-Morales, and the rest of the OMMC Dermatology Consultant Staff, together with generous grants from the Philippine Dermatologic Society through PDS President Dr. Jasmin Jamora and contributions from Dr. Tiongco’s friends and relatives.
Figure 5. Group picture of the 22nd Dermatologic Surgical Medical Mission Team for January 8-10, 2025
All biopsy samples from the dermatologic surgical mission in Banaue, Ifugao, led by the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center Department of Dermatology, have been meticulously documented and secured. As the team eagerly prepares for an upcoming review of the data, the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology looks forward to unveiling a comprehensive analysis to bridge clinical observations with clinicopathological and demographic insights. This upcoming analysis report hopes to shed new light on dermatologic conditions in the region, providing valuable insight for future missions. Stay tuned for the exciting findings!
Figure 6. The 22nd Dermatologic Surgical Medical Mission Team at the Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint in Banaue, Ifugao
With the success of this year’s mission, the organizers look forward to future endeavors, ensuring that more communities across the Philippines gain access to essential dermatologic care. The 22nd Dermatologic Surgical and Medical Mission Trip stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, dedication, and the shared goal of making healthcare accessible to all.