Induction Night during 19th Biennial Convention & ASEAN Endodontic Forum 2018
July 14, 2018 - 7:00 PM
Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Distinguished Guests:
- Honorable Dr. Ranier Reyes, Former PRC Board of Dentistry Chairman
- Endodontic Society of the Philippines Past Presidents, Officers, Board and Members
- Speakers and Participants of the ASEAN Endodontic Forum 2018
- Graduates of the ESP Externship Program
- Inductees of the ESP
- Our Sponsors and Traders
- My Family
- Guests
Good evening.
I am pleased to address all of you as my last official act as President of the Endodontic Society of the Philippines (ESP).
Two years ago, in this very same place, I stood at this podium for my Inaugural Speech, nervous and apprehensive as I began my term as the 15th President of the Endodontic Society of the Philippines. Tonight, I stand before you for my Valedictory Speech, confident, happy and feeling accomplished.
As the President of the ESP, I promised to support the Society’s vision to make Endodontics in the Philippines flourish through our educational programs that help produce highly competent and informed dentists in this specialty.
In the past 2 years, ESP has conducted several scientific seminars:
- An ASEAN Endodontic Forum featuring nine distinguished speakers
- A Biennial Convention graced by the President of the American Association of Endodontists
- Six Quarterly Seminars with foreign lecturers
We also published two issues of the Endodontic Society of the Philippines Journal.
The 7-day Conventional and Contemporary Intensive Program in Endodontics was offered four times: three times at the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry in Manila and once at the University of Baguio School of Dentistry in Benguet. This was the first time that the Society brought the 7-day program outside of Metro Manila and made it more accessible to the dentists from the Northern part of the Philippines.
September 11, 2017 marks a milestone for ESP as it has taken another step towards uplifting the practice of Endodontics by educating dentists and being of service to our Filipino people. Through the ESP-East Avenue Medical Center Externship Program, Externs get to hone their clinical skills and enhance their practice of Endodontics as they treat the marginalized patients of the government hospital, East Avenue Medical Center. Through this ongoing effort, the ESP continues its advocacy in keeping the Filipino dentition, the Filipino smile by making root canal treatment accessible to the less privileged sector of our community.
The Philippine Dental Association gave recognition to the hard work dedicated to these ESP educational programs by awarding the Endodontic Society of the Philippines for two consecutive years as “PDA Outstanding Specialty Affiliate 2016-2017” and the “PDA Seal of Excellence in Continuing Professional Development 2017-2018”. These two awards acknowledged the Society’s professional development programs aimed at uplifting the practice of Endodontics among general practitioners.
For these achievements I wish to express my deepest appreciation for the cooperation and full support of all officers and members of our Society, without whom these would not have been possible.
The work of the president is never easy, my officers and board saw me throughout these two long years. I would never have made it without the support, hard work and encouragement of Doctors Toni Veluz, Grace Ellen Dey, Katrina de Luna, Conch Medina, Viviane Pagdanganan, Jo Nepomuceno, Vivian Gabaldon, Rolando and Melinda Gonzalez, Cecile Ramos, Ramon Vasquez, and Juanestor Pagulayan. Together with them are my organizational committee members, Doctors Victor Damatac and Daisy See, and Mr. Jerome Santos. To all of them, I say thank you.
I would also like to express my gratitude for the advice of past presidents, Doctors Chico Damatac, Elaine del Rosario, Meg Tiu, Ida Vilora, Zoe Bustos, Ester Dee and Ligaya Virata who guided me along my journey.
To our departed mentors, Doctors Edna Jimena, Ernie Vizcarra, Mate Amador, may their wisdom continue to inspire us in our endeavors.
And of course, to my family, my Mom, for always praying for me, my husband Alvir, for staying awake with me as I worked late nights, and my daughter Minty, for being patient with my long absences and who is the happiest girl in this room tonight. Thank you for your love and understanding, and for allowing me to be away for long meetings and numerous activities.
Finally, thank you to all of you, my friends and colleagues, for your loyalty, involvement, and friendship that made serving the Society a source of great joy and personal satisfaction.
In closing, I leave you with fond memories of my amazing two years as President of the Endodontic Society of the Philippines.
Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.
Mabuhay ang ENDODONTIC SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES!