Our History
In 2013, a landmark development in Philippine palliative and hospice nursing took place with the establishment of the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (PSHPN)—now officially registered and known as the Philippine Society of Palliative and Hospice Care Nurses (PSPHCN), Inc.—with strong support from the Philippine Cancer Society, through its Executive Director, the late Dr. Rachael Marie Rosario, and guidance from Dr. Karin Estepa-García.
Born from a shared vision to elevate the standard of dignified end-of-life care across the country, the society was founded and spearheaded by a core group of dedicated nurse leaders and advocates: Romeo Marcaida, Daniel Garcia Jr., Leandro Baluyot III, Luningning Siarez, Jose Carlo Quilaton, and Jenelyn Rualo. These pioneers and batchmates of the first End-of-Life-Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) training in 2013 each brought deep experience and active involvement in palliative and hospice nursing initiatives from various health institutions and organizations nationwide. The society’s very first educational and capacity-building initiatives were conducted in partnership with The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care, Inc., with training programs held at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center on October 6-7, 2015. These were followed by sessions at the National Center for Geriatric Health and online Basic Palliative Nursing Training in collaboration with San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. These early sessions laid the groundwork for standardized, culturally sensitive palliative care competencies tailored for Filipino nurses.
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, combined with personal endeavors and professional interests both locally and abroad, the organization became dormant—a quiet pause, yet never a loss, of the passion that brought it together.
On May 31, 2025, the PSPHCN, Inc. was reorganized, and an election of officers was held. Present during this pivotal gathering were nurses: Romeo Marcaida, Daniel Garcia Jr., Luningning Siarez, Leandro Baluyot III, Melinda Galdo, Ruthelma Tingda, Ronnie Villarosa, Ma. Luisa Infante, Romella De Leon, and Joseph Abitria, with Rudolf Cymorr Martinez serving as organizational adviser. The society attained its official legal status as a non-stock, non-profit organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration No. 2025080215986-00 on August 28, 2025, with the following founding Board of Trustees:
President: Romeo Marcaida
Vice President External: Luningning Siarez
Vice President Internal: Daniel Garcia Jr.
Secretary: Melinda Galdo
Treasurer: Jose Carlo Quilaton
The Board has since expanded its list of officers to further strengthen its reach and impact.
From these humble beginnings, PSPHCN, Inc. has grown to lead key initiatives—including the integration of palliative care training into the Gerontology and Geriatric Nurse Certification Program in partnership with the Gerontology Nurses Association of the Philippines and the Department of Health. The society has also conducted palliative care training at Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran, Bohol, and organized Paghinabi: Heart-to-Heart Conversations, a meaningful gathering of palliative nurses in Cagayan de Oro. Through its unwavering efforts and commitment to advancing palliative and hospice nursing across the country, the society was invited to the Professional Regulation Commission–Board of Nursing (PRC–BON) to present its Mission, Vision, Core Values, Plans, and Programs. In recognition of its contributions, the society was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation on August 5, 2026.
Today, PSPHCN, Inc. continues to advocate for national policy alignment while expanding its reach in community-based and institution-based palliative nursing, as well as in academia, research, and advocacy—standing firm in its mission to serve Filipino palliative nurses, retirees, and the patients and families who rely on their compassionate care.
