Chancellor Tee, Dean Chiong, Director Legazpi, esteemed alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) , distinguished guests, family and friends,

Peace and abundant blessings to all,

It is with great humility and immense gratitude that I accept the privilege of serving as the next President of the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA). To be entrusted with the leadership of such a distinguished and dynamic organization is both an honor and a tremendous responsibility.

When I was initially encouraged to pursue a leadership role as chair of the Board of Governors. I engaged in deep reflection. I asked myself whether I could envision a pathway toward ultimately serving as UPMASA’s President. This thought process led to the creation of my vision;  to further expand our philanthropic reach and service- both to our underserved “kababayans” in the Philippines and to the Filipino American communities within our adopted homeland.

In pursuit of these aspirations, I recognized that institutional strength must precede service expansion. As chair, I championed a culture of respectful, values-based discourse among the Board of Governors-encouraging robust, and at times challenging, deliberations that ultimately culminated in ethical, consensus-driven decision making. This was not without its trials, but it affirmed our collective commitment to organizational integrity and mission fidelity.

In line with my esteemed predecessors, I remain steadfast in my commitment to amplify the role of our regional chapters. These chapters serve as the lifeblood of UPMASA-relationships, culminating local leadership, and generating vital resources for our charitable endeavors.

During my term as president-elect, I had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional group of dedicated UPMASAns in formulating a comprehensive 5-7 year strategic road map. This forward-looking plan rooted in sound governance principles- was bolstered by the formal revision of our vision and mission statements, which have now been codified in our Constitution and By-laws (2024).

The three pillars of our strategic plan are:

1. Members Engagement and Commitment

-fostering a sense of goodwill, connection, and shared purpose among our alumni.

2. Organizational infrastructure-

-enhancing  processes and capabilities that enable mission execution;

3. Sustainability and growth

-strengthening our membership through recruitment and our financial base through increased stewardship and by seeking out better investment opportunities.

You may access the full strategic plan on our website.

We acknowledge that recent declines in active membership were influenced by registration issues and the evolving implications of the Return Service Agreement for the UPCM graduates. In a decisive step to foster goodwill, the Board of Governors has voted to abolish the membership fee, a motion ratified by the general membership. Henceforth, all UPCM graduates residing in North America will be eligible to join UPMASA upon registration-further details will be provided soon. We will also be launching new initiatives to enhance member engagement and lifelong enrichment.

We stand on the shoulders of past UPMASA Presidents whose visionary leadership has significantly impacted UPCM, the Philippine General Hospital, and UP Manila. Moreover,  we have extended our support to UP Los Banos, UP-SHS Palo, and UP Baguio-and I am confident that UP Cebu and UP Mindanao will soon benefit from our collective generosity.

UPMASA remains unequivocally committed to advancing the UPCM’s status as the premier medical institution in the Philippines and an exemplar in global medical education.

I envision a future where UPMASA launches a flagship initiative to address rural health disparities in the Philippines-particularly among our most impoverished communities. Our training as “iskolars nang bayan” obligates us to reinvest our skills, knowledge, and blessings into the communities that shaped us.

I also aspire to foster inter-organizational collaboration by initiating a comprehensive Wellness and Prevention campaign in partnership with fellow Filipino-American Medical associations-offering tangible benefits to our Filipino-American communities across the United States.

Above all, I dream of an UPMASA that functions as a true community: one where UPCM alumni and their families feel a genuine sense of belonging, purpose, and collective empowerment. A community bound not just by shared origins, but by a common destiny.

Of course, these aspirations are far too ambitious to accomplish alone. I am indebted to our past Presidents, who continue to offer their wisdom and mentorship; to our former board members for their diligence and devotion; and to our incoming Executive Officers, committee chairs, chapter leaders, class representatives, and auxiliary partners for their dedication to our future.

I now extend a heartfelt invitation to all UPCM alumni, step forward. Contribute your time, your talents, your financial support-and perhaps more importantly your prayers. Together, let us be good stewards of the gifts we have received and direct them toward the common good.

On a personal note, I wish to express deep appreciation to my husband, Peter-loving, brilliant, supportive and (as he insists, and I add) incredibly Pogi for not only typing this speech but for being my partner in every sense of the word. I also would thank my daughter, Kaitlyn, my brothers Jesse & Ronald,  and all my beloved family and friends for their unwavering support.

Finally, I offer gratitude to the Lord Almighty-who is the source of all grace-for entrusting me with this mission and for providing this strength, discernment, and humility to serve for His greater glory.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless UPMASA. God bless our people. God bless us all