History of the Philippine Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The Philippine Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PSOPRS) was founded in 1992 by Dr. Liborio M. Mangubat.
Dr. Mangubat was a revered academician and an ophthalmologist par excellence. He spent 34 years as a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila where he eventually became the department chair. He also established the Oculoplastics Section of the Department of Ophthalmology, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) after graduating from his fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Clinic. The Oculoplastics Clinic at PGH gained reputation as one of the best referral centers for eyelid disorders, malposition, tumors and lacrimal disorders.
Prior to the establishment of the PSOPRS, specialists with training in Oculoplastic and Oculofacial Surgeries comprising of ophthalmologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and plastic surgeons were under the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery (formerly Philippine Society for Plastic Aesthetic Surgery) founded in 1972 by Dr. Burgos T. Sayoc. Dr. Sayoc was an eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist and is considered the Father of Oculoplastic Surgery and Father of Cosmetic Surgery in the Philippines. He was joined by vice presidents Dr. Liborio Mangubat, Dr. Cesar Villafuerte, Sr. and Dr. Teodoro Luna representing ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, and general surgery. The other founding members were Dr. Corazon Collantes-Jose, Dr. Jesus Lizardo, Dr. Romeo Espiritu, Dr. Mario Aquino, Dr. Romeo Fajardo, Dr. Emmanuel Almeda, Dr. Clemente Sta. Romna, Dr. Teresita Tongson , Dr. Gil Fernandez, Dr. Rosauro Cabailo, Dr. Victor Montilla Pedro Enriquez, Dr. Angeles Morales – de Leon, Dr. Monina Macam, Dr. Bartolome Picornell and Dr. Jaime Capco. In 1987, Dr. Liborio Mangubat became the president of the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery. Scientific meetings were improved and there were postgraduate courses held with surgical demonstrations almost every year. The members attended international scientific meetings and courses to advance their knowledge in cosmetic surgery since there was no formal training being offered in the medical centers locally at that time.
Dr. Mangubat saw the need for a separate organization for oculoplastic surgeons and dacryologists to discuss their cases. In 1992, he founded the PSOPRS with the objective of uplifting the practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery involving the eyelids, orbits and lacrimal system. The other founding members were Dr. Prospero Tuano, Dr. Leonardo Mangubat, Dr. Reynaldo Javate, Dr. Jaime Capco, Dr. Angeles Morales-de Leon, Dr. Franklin Kleiner, Dr. Ruben Henson, Dr. Noel Chua, Dr. Victor Lopez, Dr. Robert Tan, Dr. Heidi Remulla, Dr. Jacqueline King and Dr. Timothy Tan. Dr. Liborio Mangubat served as president, Dr. Prospero Tuano as vicepresident, Dr. Leonardo Mangubat as secretary, Dr. Reynaldo Javate as treasurer, Dr. Jaime Capco as press relations officer and Drs. Angeles Morales-de Leon and Franklin Kleiner as board members. Scientific meetings were held quarterly to discuss problems and new methods of treatment in oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal surgery and other members were added.
From 1997 to 2001 Dr. Reynaldo Javate served as its second president, Dr. Leonardo Mangubat as vice president, Dr. Franklin Kleiner as secretary, Dr. Angeles Morales-de Leon as treasurer, Dr. Jaime Capco as press relations officer and Drs Prospero Tuano and Ruben Henson as board members. During the presidency of Dr. Reynaldo Javate, he founded the Asia Pacific Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (APSOPRS) and served as its founding president, Dr. Leonardo Mangubat as one of its vice presidents, Dr. Franklin Kleiner as its secretary and Dr. Angeles Morales-de Leon as one of the board members. Its mission was to create an ideal venue for oculoplasty surgeons from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss problems and new methods of treatment related to Asian eyelids.
From 2002 to 2005, Dr. Leonardo Mangubat served as the third president of the PSOPRS, Dr. Franklin Kleiner as vice president, Dr. Mary Rose Pe-Yan as secretary, Dr. Heidi Remulla as treasurer, Dr. Victor Lopez as press relations officer and Dr. Jaime Capco and Dr. Angeles Morales-de Leon as board members. Scientific meetings were held monthly with round table discussions on interesting cases from different eye institutions.
Currently, the society continues to hold regular scientific meetings and round table discussions to uphold high standard of practice, research and teaching of oculoplastic surgery in the Philippines.
Objective and Mission
The main objective and mission of the Society is to uplift the practice of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as the Subspecialty Society of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology. Including:
- To function as a non-profit professional society encouraging high professional standards among individuals with a common interest in the practice of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- To provide a venue for professional growth, lifelong learning, expertise, and skills transfer among colleagues
- To disseminate knowledge, prepare guidelines and knowledge base on the management of orbit, eyelids, and lacrimal system diseases
- To undertake linkages with international organizations involved in the practice of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- To safeguard the ethical and professional reputation of the society
A Subspecialty Society of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology
