By Ferriza Maria A. Isaguirre, MD, FPPS,FPSDBP
Head, Scientific Committee | PSDBP Silver Anniversary Biennial Convention | September 3-4, 2025
The Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (PSDBP) marked a milestone – its 25th year – with a two day 13th Silver Anniversary Biennial Convention, held last September 3 – 4, 2025 at SPACE at One Ayala, Makati City Philippines. With the theme, WOVEN IN SILVER: Trailblazing 25 Years of Developmental Pediatrics (25 Years of Advancing Child Development in the Philippines – Then, Now, and Beyond) the event brought together over a thousand multidisciplinary professionals (doctors, therapists, teachers, and psychologists), caregivers, and stakeholders united by a common thread – advancing the care and well-being of children and adults with developmental needs.
This silver celebration was not only a gathering but also a tapestry of the past, present, and future of Developmental Pediatrics in the Philippines. It reflected on milestones achieved, acknowledged the challenges of today, highlighted best practices, and envisioned future innovations, all interwoven through keynote lectures, dynamic panels, lightning talks, and heartfelt stories.
Reflecting on the Past
The convention opened with a powerful reflection on the beginnings of developmental pediatrics in the country. In the 6th Perla Santos-Ocampo Memorial Keynote lecture, Threads of Progress: The 25-Year Journey of the Filipino Developmental Pediatrician, Dr. Alexis Socorro L. Reyes revisited the inspiring journey that laid the foundation for the field. This was followed by a fireside chat on The Interwoven Roles of Developmental Pediatricians: Beyond the Clinic where leaders including Dr. Joel Lazaro, Dr. Ma. Theresa Arranz-Lim, Dr. Stella Manalo, and Dr. Lourdes Bernadette Tanchanco, moderated by Dr. Annah Rebeca Doroja, shared how developmental pediatricians have become clinicians, researchers, teachers, community mobilizers, and advocates all at once.
The day also shone a spotlight on Stitching Science: Pioneering Studies in Developmental Pediatrics, where lightning talks showcased local research that is pushing boundaries and opening doors for better understanding of child development.
Navigating the Present
From remembering the past, the program turned to the realities of the present. Dr. Bernadette Benitez’s session, Weaving the Early Childhood Programs in the Philippines highlighted updates, key components, roles, impacts, challenges, and opportunities of early childhood programs in the Philippines.
Dr. Ermenilda Avendaño then addressed the complexities of Interwoven Diagnoses: Managing Co-Morbidities in Autism Spectrum Disorder where she unpacked the nuances of ADHD, anxiety, epilepsy and the risk of diagnostic overshadowing.
The first day culminated in an energetic panel on Strategies for Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom. Dr. Edizon Fermin spoke about inclusive education as a philosophy and practice, Dr. Genevieve Rivadelo-Caballa grounded the conversation in the lived experiences of students, while Dr. Karol Mark Yee tackled the realities of public policy. Together, they painted a picture of what inclusion can look like and the work still needed to make it real in Philippine classrooms.
Beyond: Looking to the Future
Focusing on the future directions in advancing research, advocacy and policy in the practice of Developmental Pediatrics, Day 2 opened with a hybrid discussion given by Dr. Elisa Song, anchored by Dr. Lourdes Bernadette Tanchanco in their talk Whole Child Wellness in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) World that explored the impact of digitalization, nutrition, climate change, and pandemic preparedness on whole child wellness.
This was then followed by Dr. Coleen Kraft’s talk, Neural Threads: The Promise and Pitfalls of AI in Neurodevelopmental Disorders where participants wrestled with the potentials, ethical challenges and risks of artificial intelligence in practice.
A forward looking panel, Life in Transition: The Space Between No Longer and Not Yet brought together Dr. Ma. Emma Llanto, Dr. Maria Isabel Quilendrino and Dr. Joanna Herrera to discuss intervention services, post-secondary educational options and engagement for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders as they grow beyond childhood.
Lightning talks continued to enrich the program through research presentations on Day 2 alongside Ms. Ma. Rita Villalon Tapales’ session, The Science of Making Friends: Social Skills Development for Children with Special Needs and Ms. Maria Leonor Cruz-Jayme’s moving exploration of Art as a Therapeutic Tool for Self-expression, Communication and Emotional Development amongst children with special needs.
The PechaKucha STORIES segment interlaced innovative practices from different therapeutic practices namely behavioral therapy , physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy through the voices of Ms. Kathryn Mendoza, Mr. Christian Eldref Santos, Ms Anna Liza Tan-Pascual and Ms Rosemarie Benavides-Tubilla respectively.
Finally, the convention concluded with Stitching Transitions: The Journey from Pediatric to Adult Care where Mr. Kyle Joshua Lorenz Romero and Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz shared their journey – personal and family perspectives as a neurodivergent adult and a mother of an adult with special needs complemented by ‘Dr, Anthony Grecia’s insights on available services, strategies and programs for navigating the transition to adulthood.
A Silver Tapestry
Over two days, PSDBP wove together stories of past, present, and future—threads of memory, threads of challenge, and threads of hope. In celebrating 25 years of Developmental Pediatrics in the Philippines, the convention did more than look back; it created a fabric of shared vision, one that will continue to grow richer and stronger in the years ahead.