The fifth installment of a series of scientific meeting spearheaded by Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld was recently held in Singapore last November 17 to 19, 2011.

 November 17, 2011: The official opening of the Autoimmunity Congress Asia.

The Ten Topics in Lupus Asia was held at the Harbour Grand Hotel in Hong Kong, last September 24-25, 2011.  Currently on its 25th year (from the first Ten Topics in Rheumatology in London) and the 3rd Ten Topics – Asia (from the first Ten Topics in Rheumatology – Asia in Singapore), the conference focused on Lupus, with internationally renowned experts including  Prof. Graham Hughes and Dr. Michelle Petri.  The conference gave the trainees the chance to interact with the experts and gain valuable advice.  The programme director of this successful event was Prof. Lau Chak Sing (HongKong), with the dynamic leadership of Prof. Feng Pao Hsii (Singapore) who also presented the LifeTime Achievement Award in Lupus to Prof. Chen Shunle (China).

The event was well represented by the Filipinos.  Our own mentor, Prof. Sandra V. Navarra, was one of the 16 distinguished speakers.  She enlightened the audience with anti-BAFF therapy for lupus, and one of the discussants in the Challenge the Professors session.  There were 9 Filipino delegates, including 3 rheumatology fellows:  Drs. Ma. Rica Salgado, Marian Esther Galdones, and Sorrah Fiel Briones.  The fellows had worked overtime in coming up with 2 posters entitled:  Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Filipino Lupus Patients with End Stage Renal Disease and Reasons for Hospitalization of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  They also had 2 cases for oral presentation in the “Challenge the Professors” entitled:  Deep Venous Thrombosis in SLE with Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Digital Gangrene and Renal Failure in SLE following a Febrile Episode and Hypotension, which enabled exchange of clinical practices of experts across the world.

"Boogie Nights - Keep on Dancing"
Manila Polo Club, McKinley Road, Makati City
October 7, 2011
By: Zeny Estrada

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, headed by Dr. Jose Fernando Syquia held a night of fun and dancing for patients entitled “BOOGIE NIGHTS-KEEP ON DANCING – A Tribute to our Joint Replacement Patients”, which they graciously extended the invitation to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.  The goal was to show other patients that despite their arthritis,  they are capable of doing usual and fun activities – including  dancing. Participants were Elyn Centeno, Eloisa Aguinaldo, sisters Eva and Hermie Manalac, Sonia Tanate, Fedila Rosario and Zenaida Estrada. Dr. Julie Li-Yu and Ms. Carol Marasigan accompanied the RA team.

The program commenced with the warm welcome from Dr. Syquia, which was followed by messages from Drs. Iggy Agbayani, Dr. San Pedro, and Dr. Ochoa.

After the sumptuous dinner, all ears turned to Dr. Iggy Agbayani, who talked about the future plans of Advanced Orthopedics for Joint Replacement (AOJR). Prepared Dance performances from the patients, doctors and staff followed. Forgetting  their aches, pains and deformities,   they gamely danced along with the beautiful 50’s and 60’s music being played by the band. No one could resist the dance invitations of the good looking instructors; they swing, tango and boogie to the music.  
 
The patients truly rocked the event. Big smiles and laughter were seen on the patients as the event ended but no one wanted the night to end. Over-all, this activity strengthened the stand of doctors that physical conditions should not be a hindrance to live a full life!!

Rheumatoid Arthritis patients – posing gaily ... ... ... ... ... ... The attendees, with Dr. Syquia