Printing a new future: How Dr. Rentor Cafino is transforming surgery with 3D innovation
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Dr. Rentor Cafino’s journey has taken unexpected turns and has had a remarkable impact, from toy prints to changing skull surgeries. A long-deferred robotics ambition has made its way into surgical innovation, blending engineering and medicine to benefit patients, trainees, and the entire healthcare system. “I never planned to be here,” he says. “But maybe this is where I was meant to be all along.”
Early Beginnings
“Being a doctor wasn’t my dream,” Dr. Rentor Cafino says with refreshing candor. “I actually wanted to be a robotics engineer.”
But in the early 2000s, robotics programs were nonexistent in the Philippines. “The closest option was Japan, but their academic calendar didn’t align with ours,” he recalls. Faced with limited options, he turned to his mother—who promptly gave him a choice: engineering, education, or nursing.
In classic Filipino fashion, she added, “You’re not allowed to just sit around for a year. You have to go to school.”
“Naturally, I chose nursing—at least that way I had the option to work abroad,” he says. What was supposed to be a one-year detour became something more. “I didn’t want to be left behind, so I finished the degree out of pride.”
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Mindanao State University. Although he had little interest in the profession—citing the challenging culture surrounding nursing in the Philippines—he later took the medical school entrance exam on a whim and passed. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in 2014, followed by a Master’s in Public Health in 2015.
“I was a pretty mediocre med student,” he admits. “I didn’t really want to be there.” Everything changed during his residency. There, he met a like-minded junior resident, Dr. Maria Monique Soliven.
“We had the same mindset: if we see a problem, we try to fix it. How can we make this better?”
That question led them somewhere unexpected—into the world of 3D printing.
“In a way, I get to live out my dream of becoming a wannabe engineer.”
Today, Dr. Cafino is not only a practicing ENT-HNS specialist, but also the founder of the Zamboanga City Medical Center ENT-HNS Medical Makerspace—a groundbreaking initiative that integrates innovation, collaboration, and 3D printing into the surgical field.
A Hobby Turned Healthcare Breakthrough
The 3D printing project began in the most unassuming way: printing toys.
Dr. Cafino bought a 3D printer online out of curiosity and started out by printing toys. But the hobby took a turn when they discovered how to convert CT scans into 3D-printable files. With their knowledge of facial anatomy, they printed models of skulls—and it worked. That breakthrough sparked a bigger idea: what if this could be used for surgery?
Just as they began to explore, the pandemic escalated. It was at this point that Dr. Cafino's wife, Dr. Sarah Lizette Aquino-Cafino, connected him to her childhood friend, Mr. Archie Velasco, thus starting their journey with the FabLab network. They linked up with the Philippine FabLab network, which connected them to makerspaces across the country. With guidance from Mr. Velasco of MSU-IIT, they shifted their efforts toward producing personal protective equipment (PPE). Their work evolved from toy-making to lifesaving support. “That’s when we saw the real potential of 3D printing in healthcare,” Dr. Cafino reflected.
Bringing Precision to the Operating Room
Today, their 3D lab manufactures anatomical models customized from patients' CT scans. These are not generic props—they’re exact replicas, allowing patients to see the size, shape, and location of tumors or injuries. It’s been a game changer for both education and consultation.
For residents, the models offer immersive, hands-on learning. “When you’re dealing with bone structures near the eye or maxillary area, it’s intimidating,” says Dr. Cafino. “With 3D-printed models, trainees can now practice in a safe and risk-free environment, allowing them to build confidence and refine their skills before performing actual procedures.”
One key application is ear surgery simulation. This challenging procedure involves drilling into bone near critical areas such as the facial nerve and brain. The team now uses 3D-printed resin models for surgical simulation—significantly reducing risks to actual patients. A 2021, the team conducted and published a study even confirming resin’s effectiveness in mimicking human bone.
“Here in the Philippines, many patients delay treatment to save for a CT scan,” Dr. Cafino explains. “By the time the implant arrives from overseas, the tumor has already changed. That may make the implant unusable. Localizing the process is crucial.”
The lab seeks to address these difficulties by exploring the use of 3D printed implants. to Their facility remains the only one in the country producing 3D-printed mandible and skull implants.
Beyond training, the lab is pushing the envelope by designing 3D printed implants for patients with cranial defects.
Learning, Sharing, and Building a Movement
Though trained in medicine, the team had to learn 3D design from scratch. Early on, they used animation software not intended for medical use and watched YouTube tutorials late into the night.
“We didn’t even know what ‘Boolean subtract’ meant,” Dr. Cafino laughs. “We were calling friends at 2 a.m. just to figure things out.”
Eventually, they adopted 3D Slicer, an open-source tool for medical image processing, and began upgrading to licensed surgical-grade software. Through the FabLab network, they found a community of engineers, IT professionals, and designers willing to mentor and collaborate.
This spirit of open knowledge led to FabHealth, a virtual initiative launched during the pandemic to train other FabLabs in medical 3D printing. Now, labs across Visayas and UP Cebu are working with local hospitals to print models and devices.
But innovation in government hospitals didn’t come easy. Procuring high-tech tools like 3D printers wasn’t part of traditional workflows. “It’s like asking an office to buy a tractor,” he says. “People ask, ‘Why do you need that?’”
So they bought their first machines out of pocket. Only after proving the technology’s worth did institutional support arrive—most notably from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
Collaborating Toward the Future
Dr. Cafino credits much of the lab’s growth to collaborative support. Mr. Velasco encouraged him to pursue research, leading to a ₱200,000 seed grant from Mindanao State University. With help from DOST Region 10, they later secured a national grant worth ₱4.9 million, which allowed them to acquire a specialized 3D printer.
Their latest project explores the use of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)—a strong, lightweight plastic used in aerospace—as a material for implants. “PEEK is biocompatible, but it doesn’t integrate with bone,” he says. That’s why he teamed up with physicist Dr. Candidato, who is developing surface coatings to make PEEK osteoconductive.
This ongoing project, aptly named “PEEK into the Future,” is their most ambitious yet.
“We’re learning as we go. Handling grants like this is new to us—but the impact makes it all worth it.”
Beyond the Lab
“Honestly, this is what I do in my free time,” says Dr. Cafino. “Surgery and patient care take up most of my day. Research is my break.”
Outside work, he keeps life simple. “I bond with my wife and daughter. I don’t really have hobbies—I’m not into sports, I don’t do art, and even my love for music faded during med school. Medicine takes so much from you—your youth, your interests, your choices.”
“But these research projects? They’ve become my way of reclaiming a part of myself.”
The first mandible implant surgical application
“Our first case was a patient with a massive jaw tumor, recalls Dr. Cafino. “The jaw has a unique contour for each person, so after removing the tumor, shaping the implant to fit perfectly is incredibly difficult.”
To solve this, the team used virtual reconstruction to 3D print a model of the patient’s jaw, allowing them to pre-bend the implant before surgery. “Normally, shaping the implant freehand takes around an hour and a half in the OR. With this method, we saved that time and improved accuracy,” he explains.
The patient returned a year later—well beyond the usual six-month lifespan of such implants in resource-limited settings. With help from a Manila-based team, they performed a follow-up surgery using 3D planning tech again. “Now he’s back home, healthy, and eating solid food again. It’s one of our happiest cases—and our landmark one,” Dr. Cafino says.
Message to the Youth
“To the youth: research is simply solving a problem,” says Dr. Rentor Cafino. “It’s not as difficult as it sounds—you have tools like YouTube, Reddit, ChatGPT, and AI to guide you. But before thinking about writing a paper, focus on developing an idea.”
He encourages young people to start small and local. “There are many problems in the country, but don’t get overwhelmed. Solve what you can, where you are.” He shares the story of a 12-year-old girl in Japan who invented a foldable hanger to save space—a simple idea that earned her a patent and made her one of the country’s youngest self-made millionaires.
“You don’t need to go into rocket science or medicine to do research,” he says. “Find a problem. Solve it. That’s research.”
Charting the Path of a Filipina Climate Scientist.
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by Khasian Eunice M. Romulo
Dr. Faye Abigail T. Cruz, a renowned climate scientist and the Head of the Regional Climate Systems Laboratory of the Manila Observatory, narrates her fulfilling journey in Climate Science. In her career, she has dedicated studying past, present, and future changes in climate in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, making significant contributions to our understanding of this critical issue.
Educational Roots
Dr. Cruz completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physics at the Ateneo de Manila University. A pivotal moment in her career was when she was offered a research assistantship position right after her undergraduate studies. This opportunity allowed her to work closely with the Physics Department of the Ateneo, and the Manila Observatory. To further her knowledge and skills, she pursued and completed her Doctorate Degree in Climate Science at the University of New South Wales, Australia, setting the stage for her future in climate science.
Discovering Climate Science
Dr. Cruz’s early research involved the use of regional climate and weather models. These sophisticated tools are pivotal in unraveling the complex interactions between changes in the land surface, such as deforestation and urbanization, and the atmosphere, offering crucial insights into how the land surface influences temperature and rainfall patterns.
In the past decade with the Manila Observatory, Dr. Cruz has focused on efforts toward localizing climate data through a process known as climate downscaling. Regional climate models are used to generate localized information from global climate projections, which often lack the spatial resolution necessary to capture the nuances of an archipelago like the Philippines. This technique allows researchers to obtain detailed, granular data on how the changing climate, such as temperature and rainfall variations, manifest across varied landscapes. This was also the focus of her postdoctoral research at the Meteorological Research Institute, Japan as an International Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Dr. Cruz emphasizes that localized climate information is crucial for effective planning and adaptation strategies in regions with complex geographical features. By providing enhanced climate information, her team aims to empower policymakers and communities alike to make science-informed decisions to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts effectively.
Understanding Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent issue of our time. It is important to have robust science to inform effective climate action. The study of climate involves examining each component of the climate system, including the land surface, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere as well as the influence of human activities, and Dr. Cruz highlights the complex interactions across these components. Climate differs from place to place so it is important to also examine regional features, apart from the global-scale. It is also like traveling in time, when looking back at past climate trends and changes, and looking at future scenarios by analyzing climate projections.
Winning Moments
In the vast tapestry of global climate research, Dr. Cruz was one of the 234 authors from 64 countries who worked on the Working Group I Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report aimed to present the current state of the science of climate change, and the imperative for decisive responses.
During the global pandemic, Dr. Cruz navigated the challenges of remote collaboration across different time zones. It was a demanding yet fulfilling endeavor that required the meticulous review and rigorous assessment of numerous scientific papers for the report, including addressing all comments from reviewers.
The report gives a clear and strong message on the human influence on climate change. The findings presented more intense changes in climate extremes–heatwaves, torrential rainfall etc – with every additional warming in the future. Dr. Cruz underscores the critical need for immediate and sustained action, and emphasized that “reducing emissions is essential to limiting warming and its dangerous impacts, and securing a sustainable future”.
Life outside the laboratory
Balancing work and personal life is crucial, and Dr. Cruz navigates this with a blend of passion and purpose. Her dedication as a climate scientist stems from how she enjoys her daily work.
Beyond the office, Dr. Cruz enjoys exploring new destinations and immersing herself in diverse cultures. On the other hand, it is also part of her work, collaborating locally and internationally on climate research, understanding different perspectives, and forging connections across disciplines. For her, every collaboration adds depth to her understanding of the global climate challenge—a challenge she tackles with curiosity, empathy, and unwavering dedication.
Professional Memberships
Dr. Cruz is currently Co-Chair of the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment or CORDEX Southeast Asia, a consortium of climate scientists united by a common purpose and shared challenges. Together, they harness their expertise in regional climate research to understand the intricacies of climate dynamics specific to Southeast Asia. Driven by their shared passion, they embark on their third collaborative endeavor—the Climatic hazard Assessment to enhance Resilience against climate Extremes for Southeast Asian megacities (CARE for SEA megacities) project. Funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), the project aims to refine climate projections down to the city level, for the major cities of Hanoi, Metro Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. She is also a member of the Asia-Pacific Scientific and Technical Advisory Group of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
What does a day in the life of a climate scientist look like?
Much of Dr. Cruz's day revolves around online and in-person meetings, discussions and email correspondence. Coordination with her project teams and frequent meetings with partners underscore the collaborative spirit of her work. In her laboratory at the Manila Observatory, weekly research meetings allow team members to share progress, exchange insights, and collectively learn from each other's endeavors. Bi-weekly journal meetings further enrich this collaborative environment, offering opportunities to discuss and disseminate knowledge gained from recent readings.
Encouraging the youth to take Science
Science is a fascinating yet demanding endeavor, offering a profound sense of fulfillment. Research has progressed with data and information becoming more accessible through the internet and with technological advancements. Dr. Cruz emphasized that it is crucial to develop critical thinking skills to discern valuable information and produce meaningful knowledge.
“In the Philippines, engaging in impactful scientific work is entirely possible. Learning to collaborate and form partnerships are essential. By working together, we can tackle pressing issues and be prepared for whatever climate impacts we will face in the future.”
Pinoy Physician’s Research Introduced Iloilo to a more effective pulmonary tuberculosis 60 minute test kit
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By: Khasian Eunice M. Romulo
Doc Rollin P. Tabuena, a renowned pulmonologist and the first bronchoscopist in Iloilo City proudly identifies himself as a "Mama's boy." Throughout his journey from medical school to becoming a seasoned physician, the unwavering support, encouragement, provisions, and invaluable lessons imparted by his mother served as the cornerstone of his strength and motivation.
In a world where passion, recognition, and wealth are often celebrated, it is humbling to find an individual whose love and connection with their family, particularly their mother, serves as the guiding force behind their successful journey in the field of medicine. Dr. Rollin’s journey is an inspiring blend of scientific excellence and profound compassion to his community.
Early beginnings and Education
Dr. Tabuena’s story begins in a small town in Concepcion, Iloilo. From an early age, his father taught him to be independent and transferred him to a school in Iloilo City. He graduated with honors in elementary and high school at the Central Philippine University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the Southwestern University in Cebu City.
Encouraged by his father, whose unfulfilled dream is to take up Medicine was what prompted Dr. Tabuena to be a doctor. At first, he was adamant to pursue Medicine due to lack of financial resources. But through the support of his parents, especially his mother, he proceeded to medical school at the West Visayas State University. After four years, he was chosen one of the most outstanding interns during his Post-Graduate Internship at the state-owned WVSU Medical Center. In 1995, Dr. Rollin Tabuena earned his medical license and became the first doctor in the family.
Dr. Tabuena's affinity for Internal Medicine ignited early in his career. While his initial aspiration was to specialize in cardiology, however, he faced a prerequisite to become a diplomate or fellow before embarking on the training program in the Philippine Heart Center. Eager to avoid unnecessary delays, Dr. Tabuena found himself pursuing Pulmonary Medicine at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Manila. His acceptance into the program hinged on the condition that he successfully pass the diplomate exam within the year—an undertaking he not only accomplished but excelled in by securing one of top positions.
Navigating Challenges
Dr. Tabuena was confronted with a myriad of challenges during his practice as a pulmonologist in the province, with one significant hurdle arising upon his return to Iloilo City from his training in Hospital Torette, Ancona, Italy. In 2004, Dr. Tabuena encountered some difficulty when he introduced the cutting-edge technique of interventional bronchoscopy to a traditionally conservative health practice in Iloilo. Interventional bronchoscopy was then a novel approach capable of detecting malignancies, infections, and various diseases of the lungs. His research gathered criticisms from fellow physicians, an experience that temporarily dampened his motivation to pursue further studies in his field.
Aside from colleagues’ criticisms, the scarcity of financial support for research among healthcare professionals in the country contributed to a decreased research output. But Dr. Tabuena's determination to advance the field of pulmonology despite these challenges underscores not only his resilience but also highlights the issues that impact medical research endeavors in the country.
Winning Moments
Dr. Rollin Tabuena stands as a beacon of excellence and achievement in his field, having garnered a commendable array of awards that underscore his significant contributions. Among his notable honors is the Heroes Renowned Medical Internist and Pulmonary Specialist of the Year during the Asia’s Golden Icon Awards in February 2023, a testament to his dedication to provide the best healthcare services during the peak of the pandemic. Dr. Rollin Tabuena's unwavering commitment to excellence has also been acknowledged with the Asia’s Most Distinguished Doctor in Pulmonary Medicine, showcasing his exceptional leadership and transformative impact in the communities of Iloilo City.
Compassion in Action
Dr. Tabuena's journey to excellence in the field of pulmonology was marked by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical science. His research focused on innovative treatments for pulmonary diseases. One of his most notable contributions was the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Test Kit (TB Lamp) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was introduced in hospitals in Iloilo City. Aside from being less expensive than commercially available device, the TB Lamp is also easier to use in that it can give results in just 60 minutes. It also adheres to the same biosafety requirements that applies to the microscopy sputum smears, which normally takes three days in the traditional procedure. Essentially, the TB lamp gives a relatively high throughput and does not require sophisticated instruments.
Dr. Tabuena’s clinic, Asclepius Drugstore Medical Laboratories and Allied Services Corp in coordination with the Department of Health Iloilo is the center in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the province. Iloilo City had the highest confirmed tuberculosis cases because of the efficient and effective diagnosis of TB Lamp. In October 2023, Dr. Tabuena, together with his wife, Dr Ma. Daisy Tabuena presented their research on TB Lamp in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA during the American College of Chest Physicians convention .
Balancing Career and Family bonds
Away from the hospital corridors, Dr. Tabuena is an advocate for community engagement. Known as the Dancing Doctors of Iloilo, he and his wife spearheads initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles by Zumba dancing and gym exercises. The couple actively participates in local events, mentors aspiring medical students, and engages in philanthropic activities to uplift the less privileged.
Despite his many responsibilities, Dr. Tabuena spends time with his family, especially with his son Dane Marco. His family engages into fashion and transforms into passionate models of Iloilo showcasing Hablon creations of local designer Nono Palmos.
As he stands at the pinnacle of his career, the longing for his mother's love has become a cherished sentiment. In reflection, he acknowledges that the enduring influence of his mother continues to shape not just his professional success but also the very essence of the person he has become.
Winning Moments
Dr. Tabuena stands as a beacon of excellence and achievement in his field, having garnered a commendable array of awards that underscore his significant contributions. Among his notable honors is the Heroes Renowned Medical Internist and Pulmonary Specialist of the Year during the Asia’s Golden Icon Awards in February 2023, a testament to his dedication to provide the best healthcare services during the peak of the pandemic. Dr. Rollin Tabuena's unwavering commitment to excellence has also been acknowledged with the Asia’s Most Distinguished Doctor in Pulmonary Medicine, showcasing his exceptional leadership and transformative impact in the communities of Iloilo City.
Dr. Tabuena is one proud mama’s boy who made his province proud by his TB Lamp.