MESSAGE FROM THE PDA PRESIDENT-ELECT
& GENERAL CHAIRPERSON of the 117th PDA
ANNUAL CONVENTION & SCIENTIFIC SESSION
DR. MARIUSSE CHARS R. ESQUILLO
MSc-OMS, FPCOMS, FAAOMS, FICCDE, FPFA, FICD, FPAID
PDA President-elect & General Chair
117th PDA Annual Convention & Scientific Sessions
Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Friends,
It is with great honor and heartfelt enthusiasm that I invite you to the 117th Philippine Dental Association Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions, happening on May 11–15, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City with the theme, “PDA : Empowered”. As your PDA President-elect and General Chairperson of this milestone event, I warmly welcome each one of you to join us in this grand gathering of dental professionals, educators, students, industry partners, and advocates of oral health. Our convention will be a celebration of excellence, innovation, and unity in our profession. It will feature world-class lectures, scientific sessions, interactive workshops, exhibits, and networking opportunities that aim to empower us in delivering the highest standards of dental care to the Filipino people. More than just a scientific assembly, this convention is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing dentistry in the Philippines and strengthening the bonds that unite us as one profession with one vision.
I personally look forward to seeing you, engaging with you, and learning alongside you in this momentous event. Together, let us embrace new knowledge, celebrate our profession, and chart the future of Philippine dentistry. Together, let us show the universe that we are EMPOWERED. Welcome to the 117th PDA Annual Convention and Scientific Session!
PDA: EMPOWERED
Accdg. to Merriam Webster, being empowered is having the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself. Accdg. to Cambridge Dictionary, being empowered is having the official authority or freedom to do something.
“Empowered to Lead, Empowered to Serve” is more than a slogan. It is our shared mission — a call to elevate not only our profession, but also the quality of life of every Filipino whose smile we help protect.
EMPOWERED TO LEAD
The PDA has always been more than an association — it is a movement – a movement that brings together dental professionals from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao & even from abroad. A movement that educates, advocates, and mobilizes. When we are united, we become a force for change — whether it’s responding to national emergencies, supporting public oral health programs, or pushing forward policies that improve the dental profession and the well-being of our patients.
EMPOWERED TO SERVE
True leadership in dentistry is measured not in accolades, but in impact. As health professionals, our service to the community is not optional — it is our moral and professional duty. Meaning, Empowerment doesn’t stop at our clinics. It extends outward — to barangays, schools, evacuation centers, indigenous communities, and even prisons. Wherever there is a need, there is a Filipino dentist ready to serve. To be empowered is to take action. To be empowered is to inspire others. Together, we can make oral health a pillar of national health — not just a privilege, but a right.
Our theme “PDA: Empowered“ reflects a deep truth: that our strength lies not only in our individual expertise but in our collective action — as one dental profession, united in purpose. Let us march forward, proud of our calling and committed to our mission — empowered to lead, empowered to serve.
PDA A.Y. 2026-2027 Batch HIRAYA
The word “Hiraya” comes from old Tagalog. It means the fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
It is often used in the expression “Hiraya Manawari”, which means “May your dreams and wishes come true.”
Hiraya is a word that speaks of imagination, of aspirations that move from the heart into reality. And so, Batch Hiraya represents more than a group; it symbolizes the collective hope and future of the Philippine Dental Association.
In PDA Batch Hiraya, we find reassurance that the dreams of our pioneers will continue to flourish. They are the promise that the ideals of integrity, service, and unity will not only be preserved, but also strengthened for the years to come.
The PDA Batch Hiraya is our hope that every Filipino will one day enjoy the right to a healthy, confident smile. The dream taking shape, the vision coming alive.
May PDA Batch Hiraya always embody the meaning of its name. May their hopes bear fruit, and may their journey be a shining testament that the future of the Philippine Dental Association is indeed bright.
PDA Batch Hiraya…carry your name with pride. Live its meaning. And let the world see that the future of Philippine dentistry is in good hands. PDA Batch Hiraya…you are truly our hope.
