WELCOME MESSAGE
Delfin Darwin A. Dasig, MD, FPNA
President
Dementia Society of the Philippines
Welcome Message from the President of the Dementia Society of the Philippines (DSP)
Dear ASAD Family, Colleagues and Friends:
This year the Asian Society Against Dementia (ASAD) is coming back “home” to Manila, 20 years after its founding here in 2006. And so it is with honor, pleasure and sentiment that we welcome you as we host the 20th International Congress of ASAD on October 14 to 16 in Makati Shangri-la Hotel, in its birthplace, the City of Makati in Metropolitan Manila.
The theme for this year’s convention is”Rooted in Culture, Driven by Science: Asian Approach to Compassionate Care”. This reflects the unique crossroads in Dementia care that we are experiencing here and now in Asia: with breakthroughs in disease-modifying treatments and diagnostic biomarkers, but “rooted” in the lived experiences of patients and families. We hope to highlight our Asian perspective and approach where advances in science remain intricately woven with our deeply personal “culture” of care, with its enduring filial piety and respect for our elders.
Starting with focused workshops on Oct 14 and plenary sessions on Oct 15-16, we will learn from grounded discussions on varied topics including the application of scientific advances in our diverse ecosystem of dementia care, changing epidemiology, sociocultural dynamics of care, prevention strategies and dementia plans that are apropos in our region. Interspersed will be unique sessions that will surely engage our senses, including “Indak” our Filipino version of the multimodal approach and Therapeutic Drumming.
In line with our theme, we hope to encourage submission of numerous research work that truly embodies ASAD’s vision of continuously pushing the frontiers of science cum culture that will promote the well-being of persons with dementia.
We hope to permeate this annual gathering with our characteristic Asian hospitality and the Filipino “fiesta” spirit that will further foster camaraderie and fun among colleagues and friends.
On behalf of the Dementia Society of the Philippines, I look forward to welcoming you all here in Manila to the 2026 International Congress of ASAD.
Mabuhay!
PreCon Topics
October 14, 2026
Workshop 1: (08:am – 02:00pm)
Determining Eligibility for Lecanemab Treatment and Recognizing ARIA. In cooperation with Hi-Eisai and is recommended for clinicians, psychologists, theragnosticians, and clinical radiologists or other related allied health professionals
- Workshop 2: (02:30pm – 05:00pm)
Dance for your Brain: Improving Neurocognition through Dance and Kinesthetics (INDAK). In cooperation with Institute for Dementia Care Asia (IDCA) and is recommended for anyone interested.
Conference Topics
National Dementia Plan
Monoclonal Antibody Therapies: Challenges and Successes in Asia
Blood Biomarkers
Digital Phenotyping Updates on Epidemiology
- Dementia Risk Reduction and Prevention
Emerging Targets and Therapies in Dementia
Engaging Communities in Dementia Care
Models of HCP Dementia Education in Asia
Neuroimaging in Dementia (MRI and PET)
ORGANIZED BY
