By: Pierangeli G. Vital and Windell L. Rivera
The two-day event of the PSM 44th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting was held at the Marriott Hotel Manila on 16 – 17 July 2015. This year’s theme is Microbiology: Providing Solutions in Health and Medicine and organized by the Board of Directors for FY 2014 – 2015 under the leadership of the current President, Dr. Windell L. Rivera. Scientists, microbiologists, researchers, professors, students from both the private and government sectors convened to discuss innovations, development, difficulties and solutions in the fields of Microbiology and Health.
Highlights of the convention included the Keynote Speech by DOH Undersecretary for Technical Services Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr. MD, MTM&H, and Plenary Talks from several experts namely, Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña, Dr. David Trudil, Dr. Tomoyoshi Nozaki, Dr. Kenneth W. Widmer, Dr. Tatsuya Unno, and Dr. Aldwin M. Anterola. Paper competitions, technical and poster sessions showcased various researches of the participants.
New features in this convention were the Young Researchers Grant (YRG), Meet the Experts, PSM Outstanding Microbiologist Lecture, and the Online Registration making the Society at par with international groups and meetings. Graduate students with exceptional research papers were awarded the YRG. The award was based on merit and selected students were asked to present their researches during the technical session. The OM lecture was delivered by Dr. Esperanza C. Cabrera, PSM Outstanding Microbiologist awardee (2011).
This year’s winners include the following: Glenn G. Oyong (co-authors M Bahrami, N. Jafari, MCS Tan, JE Sevilleja, EC Cabrera) (Immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic bioactivities of Berberis vulgaris on human enterocytes co-cultured with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and blockade of intimin-mediated virulence and attachment) and Fides Z. Tambalo (co-authors: JF Garcia, CD Estrellana, EI Dizon, ME Bambase Jr, FZ Tambalo) (Red pigment production by Monascus purpureus M1018 via submerged fermentation for various applications) for the best oral paper competition; Glaezel Angelique V. Torres (Molecular features and antibiogram profiles of Salmonella spp. isolated from onion leaf samples in the Philippines), Nolissa Organo (The effect of turning strategy on the yeast biodiversity of spontaneously fermenting cacao beans in 500kg box fermentation), and Ma. Raiza D. Grajo (Identification and screening for antimicrobial activity, nitrogen fixation, lipid degradation and phosphate solubilisation of bacterial isolates from Laguna Lake) for the YRG; Jortan O. Tun (co-authors: JM Robes, JR Torres, N Lacerna, MJ Cleofas, MS Flores, MA Altamia, I Forteza, MA Ammon, LA Salvador-Reyes, MG Haygood, GP Concepcion) (Synergistic anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity of compounds isolated from mollusk-associated bacteria) for the best poster paper.
During the business meeting of PSM members, the PSM President, PAM Chair, and Chapter Presidents reported on the accomplishments for their fiscal year. Also, amendments to the by-laws, code of ethics, and guidelines of regional chapters were unanimously approved by the body.
One of the most awaited events of the convention was the fellowship dinner where PSM Board of Directors, PAM officers, and Regional Chapters unveiled their talents. In 2015, the theme Disney Musical was selected for the presentations.
PSM continues to be a partner of P&G in reaching its goals. The convention was also generously sponsored by the following donors: Scharlau, TNC Everlight, Merck, 3M, Biocare Health Resources, Yana Chemodities, Macare, Biokits Phil., Inc., Blue Sky, BP Integrated, Molave Trading, MedTest, Diamed, Yakult Philippines, and Drake.
Awards were presented during the closing ceremonies. Also, new Specialist and Registered Microbiologists (administered by PAM Chair Dr. Virginia Barraquio) and new PSM members (by Dr. WL Rivera) took oath. Outgoing President Dr. Rivera turned over PSM leadership to incoming President Dr. Marian P. de Leon. New set of PSM Board of Directors for FY 2015 – 2016 also took oath during the said event.
With these, the event was evaluated to be a success, with around 300 participants coming from the academe, research institution, and industry.