Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery MMMHMC

05/12/2025

"Tired of feeling tired?
Do you snore at night, feel groggy in the morning, or struggle to stay awake during the day? It might be more than just fatigue... Could be OSA! 🤔
Know the signs and take control of your sleep health! Talk to your friendly ENT doctors if you're concerned about sleep apnea.
Sleep well! Live well!🌙✨

21/11/2025

The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) conducted an Ear Care Mission for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 pupils of Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School (MMMES) and Hilario Valdez Memorial Elementary School (HVMES) in Batac City on November 17, 2025, in celebration of Deaf Awareness Week.

The mission was spearheaded by Dr. James Rondal, Pediatric ENT Surgery specialist; Dr. Brian Nikoli Borleo, Laryngologist; Dr. Jennilyn Bancifra, Otologist, Neuro-Otologist, and Audiologist; and Dr. Joy Alvarez, Clinical Audiologist.

The team provided comprehensive ear care and hearing-screening services to both students and teachers.

They were joined by ENT resident physicians of MMMH&MC—Dr. John Clayton Gregorio, Dr. Christian Ortiz, Dr. Anthony Balan, and Dr. Joanne Rose Bognadon—together with Nurse Pam Encarnacion.

The activity aimed to promote proper ear hygiene, identify early hearing concerns, and deliver essential ENT services to young learners.

A total of 600 students received appropriate medical attention and ear-care services, ensuring early detection and timely management of ear and hearing conditions.

By bringing essential ENT services directly to the schools, MMMH&MC once again shows its commitment to community care—building the foundation for healthier learners and brighter tomorrows.

21/10/2025

Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Know the Signs, Save Lives

The Philippines ranks 5th worldwide in cases of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) — a type of cancer that begins in the nasopharynx (the area behind the nose and above the throat).

Watch out for warning signs:
✅ Painless lump in the neck
✅ Nasal stuffiness or bleeding
✅ Blocked ear, hearing loss, or ringing (on one side)
✅ Double vision, facial numbness, headaches

🎯 Risk factors include genetics, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, preserved foods (like salted fish), and environmental exposures (wood dust, smoke, formaldehyde).

🩺 Early detection saves lives!
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek medical consultation. NPC is treatable when caught early through proper diagnostics and treatment.

💛 Let’s spread awareness and fight NPC together!

28/09/2025

It's National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week!

Did you know that Thyroid Cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide?

Early detection saves lives and it begins with awareness. Be informed about the warning signs, understand the risk factors, and learn how we are here to help protect your health.

27/09/2025

😀

My Child Breathes Through Their Mouth—What Does It Mean?

Mouth breathing may be caused by:
🔹 Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
🔹 Allergies or chronic nasal congestion
🔹 Anatomical impairments of the nose

Chronic mouth breathing may affect sleep, facial growth, and dental health. An ENT check is recommended.

This is the official public service page of the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS).

26/09/2025

EMPOWERING PATIENTS THROUGH THYROID CANCER AWARENESS LECTURE AT MMMH&MC

In observance of the Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, an educational activity was held at the MMMHMC-OPD covered court on September 22, 2025, to raise awareness among patients about Thyroid cancer.

The session, led by Dr. Ronald Sadian, a (Head and neck surgery specialist), assisted by Dr. Louela Quimoyog, Dr. Leo Rosales, Dr. Lawrence Roi Reyes, and Dr. Joanne Bognadon ( 1st year ENT residents), emphasized the signs and symptoms of the disease, such as neck mass, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing - as well as the risk factors.

Patients were guided on simple strategies for prevention and early detection, such as regular neck self-examinations, maintaining healthy lifestyle practices, observing proper oral hygiene, and scheduling routine medical check-ups.

The activity successfully met its objective of empowering individuals with the knowledge to recognize warning signs early and seek timely consultation, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes.

19/09/2025

Congratulations Dr. Elbert Digger Q. Baloco for passing the written and oral diplomate exam given by the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. last September 2025. Your ENT and MMMH & MC family are very proud of you!

06/09/2025

The voice is an exceptional and dynamic communication mechanism, giving an individual their unique characteristic and identity. Considered as professional voice users, our beloved schoolteachers are prone to voice misuse and abuse, leading to hoarseness and phonotraumatic injuries.

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS), in partnership with the Philippine Academy of Laryngobronchoesophagology and Phoniartics and the Philippine Academy of Speech-Language Pathologists, had its Vocal Hygiene Awareness Advocacy Conference entitled “Speak Smart: A Voice Wellness Event for Educators”. Held last August 20 and September 3, 2025, a total of 75 teachers from Batac Junior College and from different DepEd schools in Batac, Ilocos Norte were fortunate to have been imparted with the importance of vocal hygiene practice for their profession.

Series of lectures and perspectives were shared by Dr Brian Nikoli Borleo, the Department’s Laryngology Section Head, together with Dr Christian Ortiz (2nd yr ORL-HNS), and Ms. Kaye Tiuseco-Pellicer, a Registered Speech Language Pathologist. The Department will continue this as part of its several advocacies.

18/08/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Joy C. Alvarez!
For winning 3rd Place in the Oral Research Presentation Competition – Professional Category held last August 15, 2025, with the study
“Implementation of a Hearing Screening Protocol for School-Aged Children in Special Education in Selected Public Schools in Ilocos Norte”

08/08/2025

FROM NEEDLEPOINT 💉 TO MILESTONE 🚀

The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery performed the first ever ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation of thyroid nodule in North Luzon last Wednesday, August 6.

This minimally invasive procedure which uses precise ethanol injections to shrink benign thyroid nodules, was performed on a patient with thyroid nodule.

This milestone is powered by the skill and dedication of Dr. Ronald Sadian along with Dr. John Clayton Gregorio and Dr. Nester James Bagasin, setting a new standard for patient care in the community.

💡Non-surgical procedure, faster recovery, less pain, no scars. This is the future of care, and it’s happening here, first at MMMH&MC!

01/08/2025

July 30, 2025
World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day

In an effort to raise awareness and improve early detection of head and neck cancer, 68 barangay health workers (BHWs) of Vintar Ilocos Norte gathered for an educational lecture led by medical specialists, Dr. Ronald Sadian, Dr. Brian Nikoli Borleo and residents Dr. John Clayton Gregorio, Dr. Anthony Balan, Dr. Leoner Rosales from the Otolaryngology Department of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. The session aimed to equip BHWs with essential knowledge to identify early signs of the disease and guide patients toward timely medical intervention.

Today we highlight the crucial role of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the early detection of head and neck cancers — diseases that often begin with silent symptoms like persistent mouth sores, hoarseness, or a neck lump.

🧠 Risk factors include to***co, alcohol, HPV infection, and poor oral hygiene — all common in the communities BHWs serve.

👩‍⚕️ As the first point of contact, BHWs can spot early signs, educate residents, and refer high-risk individuals for timely care. Early detection means better outcomes.

Let’s empower our frontline workers to protect lives — one symptom, one household at a time.


Mariano