Dr Ellie May Villegas honored as 2026 PCP Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader Awardee
13 Oct 2026
By Edgar Christian Cuaresma,* MD, FPSMO
(Note: This article, in partnership with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, appeared in the MIMS Oncology magazine, October–November 2026 issue.)
Dr Ellie May Villegas, a distinguished medical oncologist, educator, researcher, and cancer advocate from Cebu, has been recognized as the 2026 Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader Awardee—an honor that reflects not only her excellence in medicine, but also her sustained commitment to bringing cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection closer to Filipino communities.
The PCP Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader Award recognizes physicians whose leadership and service extend beyond the walls of the hospital and into the communities they serve. For Dr Villegas, this recognition is particularly meaningful because much of her advocacy has focused on addressing one of the most important challenges in cancer care: reaching people early before cancer becomes advanced and more difficult to treat.
A graduate of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Dr Villegas completed her medical oncology fellowship training at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital, followed by clinical fellowship training at the National Cancer Center in Singapore. Over the course of her career, she has established herself as a respected clinician, researcher, educator, mentor, and leader in Philippine oncology.
Her professional leadership has included important roles in the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO)and various academic, research, and institutional initiatives. Her work has consistently emphasized evidence-based cancer care, continuing medical education, research, and the development of future generations of physicians.
Yet beyond these professional accomplishments is a strong commitment to community-based cancer advocacy.
One of Dr Villegas’ important advocacy initiatives is the Barangayan Health Forum for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Through this program, BHWs are taught about cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection, with the goal of equipping them to become effective cancer advocates within their own communities.
The approach recognizes a simple but powerful reality: Barangay Health Workers are the frontliners in our communities. They are often among the first healthcare workers whom families encounter and are uniquely positioned to bring health information directly into homes and neighborhoods.
“If we empower them with the right knowledge on cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection, we create a powerful ripple effect that reaches every household.”
This philosophy lies at the heart of Dr Villegas’ community advocacy. Rather than limiting cancer education to hospitals, medical schools, and professional conferences, she believes that knowledge must reach the barangays where it is most needed.
Through the Barangayan Health Forum, Dr Villegas and her partners work with BHWs and collaborate with local government units (LGUs) to bring cancer education and advocacy across communities. The initiative reaches beyond Cebu, with efforts extending to communities throughout the country.
Dr Villegas’ community leadership therefore complements her work as an oncologist. While her clinical practice focuses on caring for patients with cancer, her advocacy seeks to address the disease even earlier—by helping communities understand cancer, recognize its warning signs, adopt preventive practices, and seek appropriate screening and medical attention.
Her recognition as the 2026 PCP Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader is thus a fitting tribute to a career that demonstrates the broader meaning of medical service. It celebrates not only a physician who treats cancer, but a leader who works to ensure that cancer knowledge reaches people before they become patients.
Today, Dr Villegas continues her leadership in cancer care as Chief Executive Officer of Curie Oncology Cebu, Section Head of Medical Oncology at Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, and Director of the Cebu Cancer Institute at Perpetual Succour Hospital. Her continuing work in these roles reflects the same commitment that has defined her career: advancing quality cancer care while ensuring that the benefits of cancer knowledge, prevention, early detection, and treatment reach the Filipino community.
*Chair, Multimedia Committee, PSMO; Medical Oncologist, UERM Medical Center; Assistant Professor, UERM College of Medicine
(Note: This article, in partnership with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, appeared in the MIMS Oncology magazine, October–November 2026 issue.)
Dr Ellie May Villegas, a distinguished medical oncologist, educator, researcher, and cancer advocate from Cebu, has been recognized as the 2026 Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader Awardee—an honor that reflects not only her excellence in medicine, but also her sustained commitment to bringing cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection closer to Filipino communities.
The PCP Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader Award recognizes physicians whose leadership and service extend beyond the walls of the hospital and into the communities they serve. For Dr Villegas, this recognition is particularly meaningful because much of her advocacy has focused on addressing one of the most important challenges in cancer care: reaching people early before cancer becomes advanced and more difficult to treat.
A graduate of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Dr Villegas completed her medical oncology fellowship training at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital, followed by clinical fellowship training at the National Cancer Center in Singapore. Over the course of her career, she has established herself as a respected clinician, researcher, educator, mentor, and leader in Philippine oncology.
Her professional leadership has included important roles in the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO)and various academic, research, and institutional initiatives. Her work has consistently emphasized evidence-based cancer care, continuing medical education, research, and the development of future generations of physicians.
Yet beyond these professional accomplishments is a strong commitment to community-based cancer advocacy.
One of Dr Villegas’ important advocacy initiatives is the Barangayan Health Forum for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Through this program, BHWs are taught about cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection, with the goal of equipping them to become effective cancer advocates within their own communities.
The approach recognizes a simple but powerful reality: Barangay Health Workers are the frontliners in our communities. They are often among the first healthcare workers whom families encounter and are uniquely positioned to bring health information directly into homes and neighborhoods.
“If we empower them with the right knowledge on cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and early detection, we create a powerful ripple effect that reaches every household.”
This philosophy lies at the heart of Dr Villegas’ community advocacy. Rather than limiting cancer education to hospitals, medical schools, and professional conferences, she believes that knowledge must reach the barangays where it is most needed.
Through the Barangayan Health Forum, Dr Villegas and her partners work with BHWs and collaborate with local government units (LGUs) to bring cancer education and advocacy across communities. The initiative reaches beyond Cebu, with efforts extending to communities throughout the country.
Dr Villegas’ community leadership therefore complements her work as an oncologist. While her clinical practice focuses on caring for patients with cancer, her advocacy seeks to address the disease even earlier—by helping communities understand cancer, recognize its warning signs, adopt preventive practices, and seek appropriate screening and medical attention.
Her recognition as the 2026 PCP Exemplar Distinguished Community Leader is thus a fitting tribute to a career that demonstrates the broader meaning of medical service. It celebrates not only a physician who treats cancer, but a leader who works to ensure that cancer knowledge reaches people before they become patients.
Today, Dr Villegas continues her leadership in cancer care as Chief Executive Officer of Curie Oncology Cebu, Section Head of Medical Oncology at Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, and Director of the Cebu Cancer Institute at Perpetual Succour Hospital. Her continuing work in these roles reflects the same commitment that has defined her career: advancing quality cancer care while ensuring that the benefits of cancer knowledge, prevention, early detection, and treatment reach the Filipino community.
*Chair, Multimedia Committee, PSMO; Medical Oncologist, UERM Medical Center; Assistant Professor, UERM College of Medicine