Day 1 at the 23rd Annual Convention of the Dementia Society of the Philippines

Theme: Memory & Meaning – Honoring Lives, Weaving Connection

The theme, “Memory & Meaning: Honoring Lives, Weaving Connection,” set the tone for the day. Every session was a reminder of how dementia care is not just about managing symptoms but also about valuing the person, their story, and their relationships.

Key Highlights

• Status of dementia care in the Philippines – Eye-opening updates on how far we’ve come and the gaps we still need to address.

• Interesting topics – From new approaches in diagnosis to innovative care models, each talk added a layer of understanding and sparked important conversations.

• Networking opportunities – I had the chance to meet doctors, specialists, DSP officers, and fellow advocates who share the same passion for improving dementia care in the country.

Of course, the convention also made sure we were well taken care of—food and beverages were served all day, making the long sessions much easier to enjoy.

Looking Ahead

What excites me most is Day 2, which will focus on workshops. I’m looking forward to more hands-on learning and deeper discussions with experts and colleagues in the field.

I’ll also be posting some of the pictures I took today with the inspiring people behind DSP— The man next to me is the President of DSP Dr. Darwin Dasig ( neurologist).

— Sitting with me beside the table telling me about steps of political approach on IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY She is the Treasurer and former President of DSP Dra. Venus Serra Arian ( psychiatrist) , standing at my rightside is the Vice President of DSP Dr. Neuologist & Professor Jacqueline Dumengues,

— rest at my left are also MD Specialist whose dedication continues to strengthen dementia care and advocacy in the Philippines.