The Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association: History

The history of Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association can be dated back last February 16, 2007 when a group of doctors from St. Luke’s headed by Dr. Joven R. Cuanang decided to form a support group for Tourette syndrome. The decision was even emphasized when Marlon Barnuevo, a TS advocate and a patient of Dr. Leonardo Fugoso ( head of the Movement Disorder Center of St. Luke’s) and Maria Rowena Victorino, a registered nurse- counselor and a TS advocate, were also invited to join the core- group formation on that day. All of them made a breakthrough to form the first core- group of Tourette syndrome in the Philippines.

From that day on, some of the doctors that were involved specifically Dr. Toom and Dr. Tin (neurology doctors of St. Luke’s) with Marlon and Rowena had subsequent meetings for the core groups' foundation. This led to the first ever lay forum for Tourette syndrome in the Philippines called Twitch and Shout: A Closer Look at Tourette Syndrome.

Months after, Marlon and Rowena formed the Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association. Since it’s the Philippine’s first TS organization, we want to somehow emphasize our country for finally recognizing the impact of Tourette syndrome in the Philippine setting hence putting the name Philippine first.

The group is still fresh and still on the verge of polishing everything up to maximize its purpose and benefit for those we cater to. There is a rich future ahead of us. The group has made a pioneering work and a great decision to uplift the Philippines in terms of progression of organizations that cater to medical clientele. Not only that, we are also making it a point to maximize the services for patients and families with TS by looking at a wholistic approach so that they will be helped in the best way possible.

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Tourette Syndrome has been around for more than three centuries now. Its existence was even questioned during the time when Tourette syndrome was very scarce (shortly after Dr. Tourette's death). But when doctors from New York City, USA back in the 70's documented 485 cases more of Tourette with very detailed descriptions of the people who had it, the breakthrough of interest for the disorder began eversince. And so from then on the USA have developed new studies and researches about Tourette syndrome.

The Philippines started looking after the existence of Tourette syndrome in the Philippines in 2007. Marlon and Rowena started it all. Truly our country has a lot to learn about the medical advancements of Tourette syndrome. But as what the old saying says, "It's never too late." The PTSA definitely looked at the impact of Tourette syndrome in the Philippines and eventually helped the diagnosed and those people involved with it. We have so much future ahead of us, but with your help and everybody's help we can continue building the organization and help educate the public about TS.