Valedictory Address

Today, we are celebrating our 15th Biennial Induction of Officers, and the success of the recently concluded 6th National Orthodontic Congress. I would like to congratulate Dr. Jose Rivera and his organizing committee for a job well done.

Being President of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists is a humbling experience. To do what is best for the Association’s objective; personal pride must be set aside. It has also taught me to work better under pressure.

Guided by our mission/ vision for APO, my Team and I worked with passion to put together 10 General Meetings, a Regional Congress which was held in Cebu and 2 Orthodontic symposiums which were held together with the Philippine Dental Association. All together, we have invited 27 speakers for these functions, 7 of which are foreign speakers coming from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

We participated actively in the affairs of appropriate organizations such as the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), and Asia Pacific Orthodontic Society (APOS). During the PDA activities, we gave lectures in regional conferences; provided speakers for their annual convention, gave consultation to general dentists with regards to orthodontics, and consultation and lectures to the public for free.

For our Outreach program, we have been supporting the Our Lady of Peace Craniofacial Center by providing free orthodontic supplies and radiographs to cleft palate patients.

For general public awareness, we have transformed our static website into a dynamic one; providing the public with a wealth of information from basic Orthodontic knowledge to accessing the directory of members. Calendar of events are also published on a regular basis. We also have a new poster for the public to be aware of our association.

All these were accomplished by regular board meetings. My term saw 12 Board meetings.

To give you a glimpse of what had transpired during my two year term as President of APO, May I just share with you a short presentation this evening.

As I end my term tonight, I would like to call on my “Dream Team”, please come forward and be recognized.

Dr. Jose Manuel R. Rivera
President Elect

Dr. Roberto I. Eustaquio
Vice President
Chair, Committee on Public and Prof Relations

Dr. Martin Antonio V. Reyes
Secretary

Dr. Ramona Locsin
Asst. secretary

Dr. Roberto B. Tan
Treasurer

Dr. Marina Lu Tan
Auditor
PBO Liaison Officer

Dr. Patricia Claparols
Director
Cell Group Liaison

Dr. Catherine V. Juliano
Director
Chair, Committee on Ways and Means

Dr. Crisanta C. Santayana
Director
Chair, Committee on Continuing Education

Dr. Laarni P. Serraon
Director
Chair, Membership Committee

Dr. Rose Liobing Sia
Director
Chair, Outreach Committee

Dr. Melanie Bergonio
Chair, Committee on Publication

Dr. Lorenza Salonga
PDA Liaison

Dr. Renato Africa
Chair, Judicial Committee

Dr. Santos Francis Mulles
Chair, Technical Committee

Dr. Sandra Adriano
Ex-officio

Let’s give them a round of applause for their dedication and hard work for APO.

I would like to thank all the Cell Group Leaders for opening a line of communication with all the members of APO which is not an easy job.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the sponsors who have tirelessly supported APO during my term, specially, Mr. Chandran Suppiah of 3M Unitek, Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Medina of Ahescor, Mr. Rene Angeles of PROS-APAC, Mr. Roden Tuazon of JRLT and Ms Alma Mandap of Ahescor.

As I pass on the reign of APO to Dr. Jose Rivera, I am confident that he will carry on the objectives of the association.

Thank you!

– Delivered by Dr. Katherine C. Ong, Immediate Past President 2006-2008
August 5, 2008