Penang, Malaysia — October 14, 2024
The Philippine delegation team during the first day of AOCMP-SEACOMP 2024, held at The Wembly - A St. Giles Hotel Penang, Malaysia.
Filipino medical physicists made waves at the recently concluded Asia-Oceania Congress of Medical Physics and Southeast Asia Congress of Medical Physics (AOCMP-SEACOMP) 2024, held from October 10-14, 2024, in Penang, Malaysia. Among the numerous participants from the Asia-Oceania and Southeast Asia regions, two Filipino medical physicists emerged victorious, taking home the prestigious award for Best Oral Presentation. John Paul Bustillo and Shalaine Tatu stood out in the Nuclear Medicine, Biology, Education, and Radiation Safety category. Tatu, currently pursuing her PhD degree at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, captivated the judges with her insightful presentation on “Validation of Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) in Generating Voxel S Values for Internal Dosimetry Calculations.” Bustillo, a PhD candidate in Medical Radiation Physics at the University of Wollongong, Australia, impressed the audience and judges with his presentation on "Additive Manufacturing Technology in Fabricating Tissue-Equivalent Materials and Dosimetry Equipment for Advanced Radiotherapy Medical Physics Applications." Despite studying abroad, both proudly represented the Philippines, emphasizing during the awards ceremony that they were carrying the flag of their homeland along with that of their affiliated university.
The Philippine delegation, consisting of 15 medical physicists, had a strong presence at the event. Eight oral presentations were accepted, showcasing the country’s growing influence in the field of medical physics. Aside from the two best oral presenters, the following Filipino medical physicists also presented their research papers: Mr. Jae Inamarga, Ms. Christine Loja, Ms. Nikkitita Magdaong, Mr. Jay Erickson Tio, and Ms. Sandy Villaruz. Notably, Christine Loja and Nikkitita Magdaong were honored with the prestigious AFOMP Travel Grant Award. This grant aims to support medical physicists from developing countries in the AFOMP region, enabling them to attend and present their work at the 24th AOCMP-SEACOMP 2024. Additionally, this award recognizes the awardees' dedication to promoting medical physics in their respective institutions and countries.
AFOMP Travel Grant Awardees from various developing countries in the Asia-Oceania Region during the AFFOMP Awards Ceremony.
The Philippines celebrated further success by winning the highly anticipated SEAFOMP Anchali Krinaschinda Quiz. The team, composed of Shalaine Tatu, Nikkitita Magdaong, and Danilo Yambao, Jr., outperformed teams from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, and Cambodia.
In another significant highlight, Raquel Espiritu was presented with the prestigious SEAFOMP Young Leaders Award during the closing ceremony, recognizing her exceptional leadership contributions
to the Filipino Medical Physics community. Espiritu has been instrumental in mentoring emerging professionals and advocating for advancements in medical physics practices in the Philippines. This honor follows last year's recognition of Mr. Ramon Carlo Cruzpero, who received the same award during the 21st SEACOMP in Lombok, Indonesia. Cruzpero's achievement set a precedent for Filipino medical physicists, showcasing the growing recognition of their contributions to the region.
The next SEACOMP will be held in Chiang Rai, Thailand, from January 24-26, 2025, and preparations are already underway. For registration and more details, you may visit https://www.seacomp2025.com. The Philippines also successfully won the bid to host SEACOMP 2026, marking a momentous return after last hosting the congress in Iloilo City seven years ago, which saw the participation of 177 local and international delegates.
The Philippine delegation’s accomplishments at the AOCMP-SEACOMP 2024 are a testament to their dedication to the continued advancement of medical physics in the Philippines. These achievements reflect the commitment of Filipino medical physicists to elevate their profession on both regional and global stages. Their success not only honors their individual efforts but hopefully will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of medical physicists in the Philippines. The younger generation of medical physicists are encouraged to actively engage in the vibrant field of medical physics, participate in events, and seek mentorship opportunities that can shape their careers. By stepping into these roles, they can become catalysts for innovation and contribute to a legacy of excellence that uplifts the entire medical physics community in the Philippines.
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