Five Stories of Impact: Celebrating the 2026 APAO Filipino Awardees
The APAO Achievement and Distinguished Service Awards honor ophthalmologists whose dedication has advanced the field and enriched their communities. This year, we take particular pride in celebrating five outstanding Filipino awardees – one Senior Achievement Awardee, two Distinguished Service Awardees, and two Achievement Awardees – whose work has brought honor not only to their institutions, but to the country as a whole. The following tributes offer a more personal glimpse into their journeys, written by those who know them best, whether they be someone they mentored, a trusted colleague, a son, and a friend, each bearing witness to the character, commitment, and quiet impact behind their achievements.
A Trailblazer from the UST-FMS Department of Ophthalmology and UST Hospital Eye Institute
By Dr. Manuel O. Palmero
A Legacy of Vision: Honoring Dr. Mary Katherine Francia
By Dr. Noel E. Tongson
A Son’s View of a Life in Service
By Dr. Luis Miguel G. Aquino
A Seven-Star Physician: Dr. Joseph Anthony J. Tumbocon
By Dr. Victor Ephraime V. Paulino
Celebrating Dr. Karen B. Reyes: A Leader in Neuro-ophthalmology
By Dr. Maria Karina M. Montesines
PAO 2026 Midyear Convention: Vision in Gold, Elevating the Future of Eye Health


