by Ramon Dacawi

Beauty lies not only in the eyes of the beholder; it lies in the hands of a surgeon.

Thus said mayor Mauricio Domogan in keynoting Thursday the mid-year convention of the Metro-Manila chapter of the International College of Surgeons (ICS) at the posh Baguio Country Club.

“I hope you add the RH (Reproductive Health) bill in your discussions on the theme ‘Health, Beauty and Longevity in Harmony with Nature’”, he suggested after a glance at the eye-popping topics of the two-day conference.

Even without the controversial measure now pending in Congress, there was enough fire in the topics lined up. On tap were “Female and Male Sexual Dysfunction”, “Penile Augmentation and Vaginal Tightening”, as well as “Invasive and Non-Invasive Body Sculpting” focusing on abdomino plasty (tummy tack), ultrasonic liposuction, radio frequency, and sclerotherapy.

It was “Diseases of the Prostate Gland” for males and “New Technique in Wound Closure” for surgeons, “Updates in the Initial Management of Trauma” for emergency medics and “Medico-Legal Pitfalls in the Practice of Medicine” for all in the profession.

“We are making sure that this forum will be educationally gratifying as we have meticulously crafted very interesting, hot and burning issues…,” assured convention chair, Dr. Francis Decangchon who introduced Domogan.

The theme, according to ICS Metro-Manila chapter president, Dr. Nicasio Salang, was “geared towards excellence in the practice of surgery, thus significantly improving the health and well-being of our people.”
Dr. Ernesto Acosta, ICS Philippine Section president, took the occasion to thank the membership for the team work in the Philippines’ hosting the 37th ICS World Congress that ICS president Christopher Chen noted was the most successful.

Tracing the founding of the Philippine section in 1948 through Dr. Gumersindo Garcia Sr., the medical director Mary Johnston hospital, Domogan noted “you have achieved unparalleled accomplishments” and “may you continue to fulfill a God-given task that has an impact to my life and those of other lives.”

ICS envisions “to improve the lives of patients through the development and education of our members and the advancement of the medical field”. Its missions are to “teach, research, communicate and lead”. Its goals are anchored on: explore new horizons; active participation; one world, one organizatio.”

After the doxology and the national anthem by the City Hall Choir, the surgeons renewed their vows through the ICS hymn, pledging anew to care for patients “regardless of nationality.”

To the beat of Cordillera gongs, the ICS officers and the mayor went ethnic before the convention topics began with “Power Dressing and Fashion Etiquettes” by designer Rene Salud and models Marina Benipayo and Patricia Betita.

The two-day convention opened just after BCC general manager Anthony de Leon signed with labor union president Ronald Rivera a collective bargaining agreement that ended a month of tension-filled negotiations. *(PIO Baguio City/PIA CAR