Texts by Ehcel Hurna
Photos by Angelou Mendoza
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)—University of the Philippines (UP) Manila commenced their 27th anniversary through a conference featuring the theme, “Enhancing Mental Health: Neuroscience for a Healthy Filipino Brain,” held on March 6, 2025, at the UP Bonifacio Global City.
This event was attended and participated in by leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the latest advancements in neuroscience and their implications for mental health in the Filipino community.
Speakers during the plenary sessions were Professor Emeritus Leonor Cabral-Lim and Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi, who discussed the importance of optimizing the brain health of every Filipino and shared the framework of the Philippine Neurosciences Center.
“Brain health can be improved across the life course by minimizing risk factors and enhancing protective factors—the brain’s ability to grow, build new connections, and recover or compensate for injuries,” said Cabral-Lim. According to her, a whole-of-society approach is the key to promote optimal brain health, prevent neurological disorders, and achieve optimal neurologic outcomes.
Interactive sessions were divided into three to give focus on topics such as basic brain research in the Philippines, clinical research and new treatment approaches in the Philippines, and Filipino rights to a healthy brain and mind.
The presenters for Session 1: Basic Research in the Philippines were Dr. Gregory Quirk and Dr. Rohani Cena-Navarro for “Promoting Neuroscience in the Philippines: Developing Animal Models of Mental Health Disorders,” Dr. Paul Mark Medina for “The Power of Invertebrate Models in Neuroscience Research,” Dr. Janssen Kotah for “New Genetic Approaches to Alzheimer’s Disease,” and Dr. Christian Francisco and Dr. Ana Joy Lozano for “Understanding the Neuroimmune Axis in HIV Infection: The Role of Immune Exhaustion Markers in the Pathogenesis and Future Treatment of Neurocognitive Disorder.” Dr. Ian Theodore Cabaluna served as the moderator.
Discussing for Session 2 Clinical Research and New Treatment Approaches in the Philippines were Dr. Veeda Michelle Anlacan for “Transforming Alzheimer’s Care in the Philippines: Leveraging Non Pharmacological Interventions from Standard Therapies to Immersive Gamification and Virtual Reality,” Dr. Roland Dominic Jamora for “Neuromodulation for Parkinson’s Disease and X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism,” Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz for “Genetic Epidemiology of X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism,” and Dr. Charlotte Chiong for “Hearing Loss in Neurological Disorders,” and Dr. Maria Esterlita Uy for “The First 1000 Days: Improving Brain Development During This Critical Period.” Dr. Emmanuel Estrella was this session’s moderator.
For Session 3: The Filipino Right to a Healthy Brain and Mind, Dr. Joselito Pascual presented “Addressing Stigma of Mental Disorders through Neuroscience,” Dr. Shelley Ann Dela Vega discussed “PHex: Screening for Mental Health Disorders and Substance Abuse,” and Dr. Rohani Cena-Navarro spoke on “Neuroscience for All: Increasing Education and Awareness in the Philippines.” Dr. Katherine Ann Reyes acted as the moderator.
NIH Executive Director Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz reminded that the theme of this year’s anniversary is especially significant because it plays a key role in the Filipino Brain Research Agenda for 2024. The event aligns with the campaign of the Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework for 2024-2028, which underscores the urgency of addressing mental health challenges, ensuring access to care, and integrating neuroscience research in international health policies. #
