The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) was honored to attend the Philippine Society of Oncologists' (PSO) "Best of ASCO 2025" Fellowship Night, held at Rizal Park Hotel on September 19, 2025. The event, themed "HIRAYA," celebrated the power of imagination and hope in the fight against cancer.
A Legacy of Hope: The Lilia Lopez Borja PSO Most Outstanding Oncologist Award
The PCS started in 2005 to recognize the PSO Most Outstanding Oncologist of the year through Dr Lilia Lopez Borja Memorial Grant. This invaluable award is a cornerstone of our efforts to combat cancer and provide comprehensive support to those affected by the disease in the Philippines.
Dr. Lilia Lopez Borja's legacy is perpetuated through the annual PCS-sponsored PSO "Outstanding Oncologist" award, which was initiated by then PCS Board of Trustees esteemed pathologist member Dr. Generoso F. Basa of the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital and Medical Center (Dr. LL Borja was a pioneer medical oncologist at UST). This award symbolizes a profound investment in the health and well-being of the Filipino people, enabling the PCS to recognize outstanding Filipino oncologists and support their critical work in cancer advocacy and education.
The "Outstanding Oncologist" Award
The Philippine Society of Oncologists, Inc. (PSO) bestows the "Outstanding Oncologist" award to recognize medical excellence and significant contributions to the field of oncology. This prestigious honor is presented to leading physicians who have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership in the fight against cancer.
The following is a list of the distinguished awardees who have been recognized for their unwavering commitment to advancing cancer care in the Philippines:
- 1993: Dr. Luciano S. Sotto
- 1994: Dr. Bernardino M. Agustin
- 1995: Dr. George Q. Eufemio
- 1996: Dr. Deogracias B. Custodio
- 1997: Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento
- 1998: Dr. Gerna M. Limson
- 1999: Dr. Leon del Rosario Lopez
- 2000: Dr. Teodoro P. Nuguid
- 2001: Dr. Apolinario C. Tangco
- 2002: Dr. Augusto M. Manalo
- 2003: Dr. Antonio H. Villalon
- 2004: Dr. Manuel N. Borja
- 2005: Dr. Corazon A. Ngelangel
- 2006: Dr. Ma. Victoria M. Abesamis
- 2007: Dr. Alberto B. Roxas
- 2008: Dr. Francisco V. Narciso
- 2009: Dr. Rainerio S. Abad
- 2010: Dr. Gloria Cristal Luna
- 2011: Dr. Valorie F. Chan
- 2012: Dr. Cecil L. Ilava
- 2013: Dr. Aileen Riego-Javier
- 2014: Dr. Elizabeth V. Arcellana-Nuguid
- 2015: Dr. Tomas P. Maramba
- 2016: Dr. Alfredo Quintin Y. Pontejos
- 2017: Dr. Gaudencio P. Vega
- 2018-2020: --
- 2021: Dr. Samuel Ang
- 2022: Dr. Juanita Lu-Lim
- 2023: Dr. Maria Warren
- 2024: Dr. Rey De Los Reyes
- 2025: Dr. Edward Wang
2025 Recipient: Dr. Edward Wang
It was the distinct honor of Dr. Gloria Cristal-Luna, representing the Philippine Cancer Society, to present the 2025 "Outstanding Oncologist" award to Dr. Edward H.M. Wang. Given his absence, Dr. Charles Villamin, President of the Philippine Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (PMTS), delivered a heartfelt speech on his behalf. Dr. Wang’s son, Mark Wang, graciously accepted the award and a token of appreciation from the PCS.
Dr. Edward H.M. Wang's exceptional leadership, clinical expertise, and unwavering dedication to advancing cancer care in the Philippines were recognized and celebrated. Dr. Wang is a distinguished Orthopedic Oncologist and a founding member and current president of the PMTS. His contributions extend beyond clinical practice; he is also a highly respected academician and researcher.
A key highlight of his career is the establishment of the UP-Musculoskeletal Tumor (UP-MuST) Unit at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), a model for multidisciplinary cancer care in a state-subsidized setting. This unit has been instrumental in making life-saving treatments and limb-salvage surgeries accessible to countless Filipino patients, addressing a significant health inequity. His pioneering work and extensive data collection of over 3,000 musculoskeletal tumor cases at PGH have greatly advanced the understanding and treatment of these conditions in the Philippines.
Dr. Wang's commitment to improving the lives of countless patients and families truly embodies the spirit of the Lilia Lopez Borja Memorial Grant. He is a testament to how clinical excellence, combined with compassionate leadership and a passion for research, can create a lasting impact on cancer care.
