The Hon. Exec. Sec. Eduardo R. Ermita,  Rev. Markus Huyssen and Rev. Fr. Joey Guinto, our beloved executives, Honorary Members and active PAS past presidents, fellow members, my family who shows  support to my endeavors by their presence tonight: Rollie, my spouse, my children Jeff, Liezel, and Lei, my wonderful granddaughter Sam, guests and friends…

It is indeed a great joy and honor that I stand before you tonight humbled by the task as 2010 President of this respected organization and to induct the Chairs of the different committees. I must acknowledge that on this day of celebration I experience a deep and compelling sense of commitment, obligation, and dedication for this organization.

Being president of PAS requires substantial and sustained commitment of personal energy, unwavering attention to change and transformation. Hence, this brought about this year’s theme:  “Commit. Transform. Sustain.”  There are many aspects that make the job of presidency exciting, challenging and rewarding, all at the same time.  To excel, it is not a job you do, but a position in which you fully immerse yourself.

I would like to emphasize the fact that we serve PAS best when we serve others well – as a TEAM PAS!  It is in this spirit that we can best promote our core values.  If we work together as TEAM PAS, I believe that we will achieve our goals… that is ’Re-inventing a Better Future for PAS.’

Today is a celebration symbolizing an end of the year 2009 and a beginning of a most promising year 2010 signifying renewal as well as change, for I have sworn before you and the Almighty God, the same solemn oath my forebears prescribed before me. Let the word go forth from this time and hold the torch that has been passed to a new generation of PASers. . . tempered by past experiences, disciplined by past mistakes and willing to face the challenges that come ahead of us. We are committed to continuously strive for excellence in our profession and work towards maintaining our status as the premier organization of administrative professionals in the country.

The question for you and me is how can we contribute and share to realize our vision.  Our challenge is to make PAS strong in terms of membership base. We need to develop committed and passionate PASers who are willing to dedicate their time, talent and effort to help us achieve our objective.  We must continuously develop sustainable projects that will greatly impact the stability of PAS and nourish the moral well-being of fellow PASers. 

We are willing to pay any price, bear any burden, cope with difficulties, support any friend, oppose any foe, just to assure the success of our endeavors. These much we pledge . . .and more.  

To our members, benefactors, partners in business, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends.  United. . .there is little we cannot do in a host of co-operative ventures. Divided. . .there is little we can do. . .for we dare not meet a powerful challenge, at odds, and split asunder. To our members, we pledge our word that with your cooperation and support to our projects and programs, especially our professional development programmes  designed to help us acquire the needed skills  to improve our performance in our workplace, we will continue to provide you this. We may not always expect to find you supporting our view but we shall always hope to find you strongly supporting your own professional growth. 

In your hands, my fellow PASers more than mine. . . will rest the final success or failure of our course. Having said that, fellow PASers. . . ask not what PAS can do for you, but what, together, we can do for PAS.

I strongly believe that we are all called to greatness, each in his or her own way— ordinary PASers doing ordinary things that are timely and significant, in an extraordinary way.  We can be great PASers, who can do things well in dedicated and joyful ways. If we work together, we cannot fail.  If we work with big and generous hearts, we will triumph. Together, we will go far, for the future of PAS … is in our hands!

In my tenure as President, I look forward to a year of leadership through collaborations, partnerships with our benefactors and teamwork amongst PAS members. I will do my best to uphold the dignity and the prestige of our esteemed association.

But we will need everyone’s help to make our association stronger, more relevant and more in tune, to embrace the astounding professional challenges ahead.

THANK YOU for being here today and for letting me share with you some of my thoughts and great excitement for and commitment to my post as 2010 PAS President.
God bless us ALL!

Luz M. De Jesus