Dr. Luis M. Mabalingan is recognized a highly revered pediatric cardiologist, is considered one of the admired icons in the medical community. He is well known for his genuine love for children, scholastic works in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric heart disease, and published researches. It was just fitting that the Most Distinguished Fellow award—the highest and most prestigious of the annual college awards of the Philippine Heart Association—was conferred on him during the association’s recently concluded annual convention. The award is conferred to a Fellow of the college who has received any two of the college awards and is qualified to receive a third award. In lieu of the third award, the Distinguished Fellow Award is given. In 1992, he was cited by PHA as Distinguished Teacher and in 1998 as a Distinguished Scientist. The pediatric cardiologist’s 50 years of illustrious career has truly carved a niche in the medical profession and in the academe. He is noted for his strong physician-patient relationship in pediatrics, which often included a third person (the mother) and even a fourth person (the grandmother). He must be the person-in-command and most knowledgeable of the best treatment options for the patient. According to Dr. Mabilangan, “There has been a shift in the paradigm. The patient is no longer submissive. He demands to have a say in the treatment plan. The good physician listens.” He is a prolific researcher having written 54 scientific papers on various landmark studies in pediatric diseases in the Philippines. He is also a recognized authority in Rheumatic Fever and Kawasaki Disease and a most sought-after lecturer in national and international conferences. In 1991, Dr. Mabilangan co-authored the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital “Handbook of Pediatric Cardiology”, which is still being used by medical students and residents in the country. In 1992, he collaborated with national scientist Dr. Fe Del Mundo and wrote a chapter on cardiovascular diseases in “Philippine Textbook of Pediatrics and Child Health”. Dr. Mabilangan is known for his infectious dedication and work ethics in his various roles, which elevated the standards of residency and fellowship training at the UP-PGH. He taught the young pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists to be passionate and compassionate doctors. Of all the virtues that an MD must possess, Dr. Mabilangan lists compassion and empathy as most important. “A physician without compassion is in the wrong profession,” said the now retired professor, who still occasionally visits his alma mater, the UP College of Medicine.
Sex: Male
Education:
- UP College of Medicine, UP, Diliman, Quezon City, M.D., 1952
- UP College of Liberal Arts, UP Diliman, Quezon City, A.A., 1947
Field of Specialization:
Pediatric Cardiologist
Researches:
Mabilangan, L.M., (1964) Empyema thoracis in children.
Philippine Medical Association Journal Volume 40:
Mabilangan, L.M., (1964) Choledochal cyst.
Philippine Medical Association Journal Volume 40(12):
Joven, J.C., Mabilangan, L.M., Santos-Jesalva, P., (1965) Clinical trials with Baphenium hydroxy naphthoate in intestinal parasitism.
Philippine Medical Association Journal Volume 41(9):
Mabilangan, L.M., Pagtakhan, R., (1964) Occurence of beta-hemolytic streptococcil in a pediatric population a comparative study in a Philippine setting.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 13(5):
Stransky, E., Mabilangan, L.M., (1962 Ja-F) On iron-deficiency in cases of secondary polycythemia due to congenital heart disease with veno-arterial shunt.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 11:
Mabilangan, L.M., Stransky, E., lara,R., (1962) On Paget's disease with Leonbrasis ossea and hypothyreosia starting in early childhood.
Annales Pediatrici Volume 19:
Mabilangan, L.M., Pagtakhan, R.D., (1965) Electrocardiogram of normal Filipino infants in the first three days of life.
Philippine Medical Association Journal Volume 41(2):
Mabilangan, L.M., Pagtakhan, R.D., (1966) Oral pecicillin prophylacis among Filipino rheumatic children.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 15(6):
Mabilangan, L.M., Baltazar, B.S., De Los Reyes, E., (1967) Goiter in childhood.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 16(1):
Mabilangan, L.M., (1968) Hypertension in childhood.
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine Volume 6(2):
Mabilangan, L.M., (1969) Special case conference.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 15(1):
Mabilangan, L.M., Abello, V.B., (1969) Ten year survey with clinical and hemodynamic studies.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 18(1):
Mabilangan, L.M., Flor-Cruz, R.A., (1974) Congenetal heart disease in the Philippines a 20 year mortality survey.
Philippine Journal Of Pediatrics Volume 23(3):
Mabilangan, L.M., Mojica, B.A., (1974) Study on rheumatic Fever and rheumatic heart disease among 208 Filipino children.
Philippine Journal of Cardiology Volume 2(3):
Mabilangan, L.M., (1976) Clinical patterns of RF and RHD among Filipino children.
Australia Pediatrics Journal Volume 12(3:
Mabilangan, L.M., (1976) Overview of the management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Philippine Journal of Cardiology Volume 4(3):
Mabilangan, L.M., (1976 D 9) Problems of RF and RHD among children in the Philippines.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 25:
Mabilangan, L.M., Ojeda-Legarda, M.R., (1977) Mitral stenosis in Filipino children.
Philippine Journal of Cardiology Volume 5(1):
Mabilangan, L.M., Alfiler, C.A., (1977) Oral and parenteral penicillin prophylaxis among Filipino rheumatic children.
Philippine Journal of Cardiology Volume 5(1):
Mabilangan, L.M., Velmonte, M.M.,Alboliras, E.T., (1978 ) Clinical and pathologic spectrum of Takayasu's arteritis in children.
Philippine Journal of Cardiology Volume 6(4):
Mabilangan, L.M. Lu, Hung-Chi, (1979 D) Natural history of RF and RHD in the orient.
japanese Heart Journal Volume 20(3):
Mabilangan, L.M., Ortiz, E.E., (1979 D) Rheumatic fever in the very young.
Philippine Journal of Pediatrics Volume 27(3):
Papers Presented:
- RHD among Filipino children., 1st Asian Congress of Pediatrics
- Current status of RF and RHD., 8th World Congress of Cardiology, Tokyo, Japan
- Epidemiology and diagnosis of RF and RHD in the Philippines., International Conference of RF and RHD Otsu, Japan
- Streptococci prevelence in Manila in 1977., International Conference of RF and RHD otsu, Japan
Awards:
- Fellow Award, AAP, 1978
- Diplomate, PCC, 1977
- 1st Prize case Report Category, PHA, 1978
- Most Outstanding Pediatrician of the Year, PPS, 1980-1981
- 2nd Prize,Research Contest, PPS, 1980
- 1st Prize Applied Science PMA-Abbott Research, PMA-ABBOTT , 1980
- most Outstanding Consultant & Teacher , UP College of Medicine, 1974-1977
- Most Outstanding Consultant & Clinician, UP-PGH, 1976
- 1st Prize MMS Research Contest, MMS, 1964
- Most Outstanding Consultant of the Year, NCH, 1964
- Diplomate, ABP, 1957