Asst. Prof. Michael Pereyra Gabilo, PTRP, DHPEd, MPA, is a notable figure in physical therapy, health professions, and health professions education in the Philippines. He is the current Vice President for Administration of the Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts, Science and Technology (MMC CAST). As the current President of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, he plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing policies that impact physical therapy profession, practitioners, and the patients, clients, and communities they serve.

His involvement in other key regulatory bodies such as the Career Progression and Specialization Program – Credit  Accumulation and Transfer System (CPSP-CATS) Committee at the Professional Regulation Commission and the Technical Panel for Physical Therapy Education at the Commission on Higher Education underscores his influence in driving policy decisions that impact physical therapy.

His present engagement as a member of the steering committee of the TULAY (Tulong, Ugnayan ng Lingap at gabAY) Project: Co-designing Philippines’ Community Physical Rehabilitation, a collaborative endeavor between the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Research and the De La Salle University, provides him a better leverage to advocate the role of the physical therapy profession in addressing the issues of stroke patients.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in 2002 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and received Graduate Diploma in Health Profession Education from the University of the Philippines Manila – National Teacher Training Center for Health Professions. He also completed the Occupational Safety and Health Course conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment – Occupational Safety and Health Center. He is also a holder of National Certificate II in Health Care Services and a Microsoft Office Specialist for Office Excel. He also finished his Master of Public Administration program at the School of Government in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in public administration from the same institution.

Beyond his leadership roles, Asst. Prof. Gabilo demonstrates his commitment to policy development and implementation through his contributions to national initiatives, having served on the Technical Working Group of the COVID-19 Vaccine Cluster Demand Generation and Communication Task Group and contributing to the development of essential clinical guidelines for the Department of Health. He has been invited as a resource person in various fora and seminar-workshops organized by different local and international higher educational institutions, mainstream media outfits, professional organizations, and government agencies.