History of Philippine Psychiatric Association

It’s a bit of a unusual circumstance how the Philippine Psychiatric Association was founded. Out of frustrated feelings and disappointment, a group of psychiatrists formed PPA for a reason that their professional demands and needs were not acknowledged by the PSPN. The PPA’s name was inspired from no other than it’s roots, the Philippine Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

It was the year 1972 when the pioneer officers were appointed. Psychiatrists’ need to have an organization that will cater to the medical practitioners’ need provoked the team to create the PPA. Dr. Lourdes Ladrido-Ignacio, who’s the PPA founding president worked together with the passionate board members that included: Dr. Rey San Pedro, Dr. Virgilio Santiago, Dr. Bella Balza, Dr. Baltazar Reyes, Dr. Sol Balein and Dr. Araceli Maravilla. It was one of the biggest achievements of PPA in the year 1973 when the Philippines Medical Association approved the confederation of this organization. Just a few months of the same year, PPA decided to hold its very first annual convention which was themed as “Psychiatry and Its Relevance of the Times. The event was held at the Hyatt Hotel. From then on, PPA climbed its way to popularity and development.

The following year after the foundation of PPA, Dr. Virgilio Santiago was elected as the organization’s president. His term was a fruitful one as he continued the legacy of PPA by pursuing activities. On the second annual convention of the organization, topics that are more inclined to family and children were tackled. The organization’s board members who helped in strengthening PPA are Drs: Eduardo Jurilla, Baltazar Reyes, Hilaria Florendo, Floricel Evangelista, Araceli Maravilla, Alejandro Umali, Cecilia Villegas and Romualdo Anselmo.

Today, the PPA still continues what it first pursued for – to cater the professional needs of every psychiatrist serving the country.