PAO 2026 Annual Congress

The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology

Mission

The Academy is the internationally-recognized specialty society of ophthalmologists in the Philippines that exists for the benefit and welfare of its members and the Filipino patients.

It aims to ensure access to quality eye care, provided by its competent, qualified members, with the help of other stakeholders, whose continued operations are favorable to the community.

The Academy commits to continuously develop its members professionally through clinical education, research and practice management, in a collegial and harmonious environment, contributing to ethical, professional and compassionate practice. It also aims to influence and produce policies and standards in the furtherance of its goals.

The Academy strives to sustain its commitment to its members and society by promoting growth of its membership and its assets, forging dynamic, relevant, current and innovative approaches to influence local, national and regional eye care.

Vision

The PAO will be the exemplary medical society, recognized locally and internationally, as the leading professional development organization committed to the provision of the highest standards of eye care.

Core Values

EXCELLENCE: We strive to continually learn & improve so that we may achieve the highest ideals of patient care.

INTEGRITY: We deal honestly and fairly with the public and with one another. We adhere to the truth at all times.

RESPECT: While we embrace each other’s differences, we value healthy interaction so that we may enrich the well being of everyone.

PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICAL CONDUCT: We uphold and subscribe to the essential tenets of our relevant codes on these subjects.

COMPASSIONATE SERVICE: We provide caring service for all sectors of society, including the marginalized and vulnerable groups.

PAO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (2026-2027)

Marie Joan V. Loy, MD

President

Raymond Nelson C. Regalado, MD

Vice President

Eleonore B. Iguban, MD

Secretary

Miriam Louella D. Fermin, MD

Treasurer

Rachel G. Anzures, MD

Lyll Karen B. Arriola, MD

Carlos Emmanoel M. Chua, MD

Rainier Victor A. Covar, MD

Carlo Antonino L. Nasol, MD

Victor Ephraime V. Paulino, MD

Cesar A. Perez, Jr., MD

Yvette Marie B. Santiago-Gatmaitan, MD

Councilors

Mary Ellen A. Sy, MD

Immediate Past President

Seated (L-R): Dr. Miriam Louella Fermin, Dr. Raymond Nelson Regalado, Dr. Marie Joan Loy, Dr. Mary Ellen Sy, Dr. Eleonore Iguban

Standing (L-R): Dr. Carlos Emmanoel Chua, Dr. Rainier Victor Covar, Dr. Cesar Perez, Jr., Dr. Lyll Karen Arriola, Dr. Yvette Marie Santiago-Gatmaitan, Dr. Rachelle Anzures, Dr. Victor Ephraime Paulino, Dr. Carlo Antonino Nasol

Chapter Societies

	President
Bicol Chapter	Elna F. Banzon, MD
Caraga Ophthalmology Society, Inc.	Reynaldo A. Villanueva, MD
Central Luzon Society of Ophthalmology	James Rommet D. Luz, MD
Central Visayas Society of Ophthalmology	Myra Vita F. Ocubillo, MD
Davao Society of Ophthalmology	Billie Jean T. Cordero, MD
Metro Manila Ophthalmology Society	Vicente Victor D. Ocampo, Jr., MD
Northeastern Luzon Chapter	Ryd Mark L. dela Cruz, MD
Northwestern Luzon Chapter	Medard J. Sahagun, MD
Northern Mindanao Society of Ophthalmology	Dino L. Camonias, MD
Ophthalmology Society of Eastern Visayas	Frances Marie Roa-Lingad, MD
Rizal Ophthalmology Society	Juan Paolo L. Delos Santos, MD
Southern Tagalog Society of Ophthalmology	Alan Gerard T. Austriaco, MD
Southwest Mindanao Society of Ophthalmology	Maria Antonette A. Cases, MD
Western Visayas Society of Ophthalmology	Marissa Doriefe I. Tubola, MD

Bicol Chapter

President

Elna F. Banzon, MD

Caraga Ophthalmology Society, Inc.

President

Reynaldo A. Villanueva, MD

Central Luzon Society of Ophthalmology

President

James Rommet D. Luz, MD

Central Visayas Society of Ophthalmology

President

Myra Vita F. Ocubillo, MD

Davao Society of Ophthalmology

President

Billie Jean T. Cordero, MD

Metro Manila Ophthalmology Society

President

Vicente Victor D. Ocampo, Jr., MD

Northeastern Luzon Chapter

President

Ryd Mark L. dela Cruz, MD

Northern Mindanao Society of Ophthalmology

President

Dino L. Camonias, MD

Northwestern Luzon Chapter

President

Medard J. Sahagun, MD

Ophthalmology Society of Eastern Visayas

President

Frances Marie Roa-Lingad, MD

Rizal Ophthalmology Society

President

Juan Paolo L. Delos Santos, MD

Southern Tagalog Society of Ophthalmology

President

Alan Gerard T. Austriaco, MD

Southwest Mindanao Society of Ophthalmology

President

Maria Antonette A. Cases, MD

Western Visayas Society of Ophthalmology

President

Marissa Doriefe I. Tubola, MD

Subspecialties Socities

	President
Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of the Philippines	Franz Marie O. Cruz, MD
Philippine Cornea Society, Inc.	Mary Ellen A. Sy, MD
Philippine Glaucoma Society	Rainier Victor A. Covar, MD
Philippine Ocular Genetics Interest Group	Manuel Benjamin B. Ibañez, MD
Philippine Ocular Inflammation Society	Pia Regina E. Galvante, MD
Philippine Ophthalmic Pathology Society	Thonnie Rose O. See, MD
Philippine Society for Low Vision Rehabilitation	Fabian Arnel A. de Jesus, MD
Philippine Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery	Benjamin Gerardo G. Cabrera, MD Carlos G. Naval, MD
Philippine Society of Ocular Oncology	Gary John V. Mercado, MD
Philippine Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc.	Mark Anthony T. Imperial, MD
Philippine Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus	Andrea Kristina M. Pajarillo, MD
Refractive Surgery Society of the Philippines	Robert Edward T. Ang, MD
Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines	Eleonore B. Iguban, MD