'Filipino at Heart': Fil-Aus Medical Professionals mark 30 years of service in Australia and the Philippines

Since 1992, the Philippine-Australian Medical Association (PAMA) has been tirelessly serving communities in the Philippines through medical missions. They also support Filipino doctors in achieving the qualifications to practice in Australia, bridging healthcare and opportunity across continents.

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Key Points

• The Philippine-Australian Medical Association (PAMA) was founded on June 14, 1992, by Dr. Corazon Alvarez-Francisco.The idea began in 1990 after Dr. Francisco struggled to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams as a doctor from the Philippines.Motivated by her experience, she aimed to help fellow Filipino doctors who wished to practice in Australia.
• Among the more than 100 members of PAMA are Dr. Belinda Lorenzo, Dr. Minerva Castor, Dr. Joyce Zonaga, and filmmaker Vonne Patiag.
• Every year, the group holds fundraisers to support medical missions in the Philippines. Membership isn’t limited to healthcare professionals; many Filipino-Australians from various fields also join to provide medical aid to communities in the Philippines.

Filmmaker Vonne Patiag (left) stands with his mother (right), who inspired him to follow in his parents’ footsteps as long-time PAMA members. Encouraged by her example, Vonne began volunteering to serve Filipino communities in Australia and has since joined several medical missions in the Philippines. Credit: SBS

Members of PAMA delivered services to Filipino-Australians at the recently concluded Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Credit: SBS

Members of PAMA delivered services to Filipino-Australians at the recently concluded Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Credit: SBS

Members of PAMA delivered services to Filipino-Australians at the recently concluded Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Credit: SBS

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