PSPC 30th Induction and Turnover Ceremonies
By DR. REGENTE I. LAPAK
The 30th Induction and Turnover ceremony of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology (PSPC) was held face to face last July 9, 2022, at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas Center. The barong and Filipiniana-inspired event were attended by the PSPC Past Presidents, incoming and outgoing officers, immediate relatives of the incoming president, and a few guests.
The event started with an invocation sung by DR. MARIA RONELLA FRANCISCO-MALLARI followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and hymns of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Heart Association (PHA), and the PSPC. The welcome address was given by the ever-supportive PSPC Past President DR. ASUNCION RELOZA. Inspirational messages were delivered by current PHA President DR. ERRIC JUDE CINCO and PPS President DR. FLORENTINA TY. During her valedictory address, the outgoing PSPC president DR. MARIA BERNADETTE AFFLICTION AZCUETA proudly reviewed the accomplishments during her one-and-a-half year term of office which focused on the mission-vision statement of the society. She gave certificates of recognition to the outgoing board.
PSPC Founding President and Inducting Officer DR. WILBERTO LOPEZ, in his message, reminisced on how the society started with only14 members, how it grew to its current members of more than 140, and the outstanding achievements throughout its 30 years of existence of the organization. He reminded the incoming officers of the duties and responsibilities to the society and its general membership and to the children with heart disease.
The incoming PSPC President DR. JUAN G. REGANION was then formally introduced and inducted. Standing as witnesses were the family of Dr. Reganion and PSPC Past Presidents DR. DELLA PELAEZ, DR. TEOFILO CANTRE, DR. MAGDALENA LAGAMAYO, DR. AURORA S. GAMPONIA, DR. AURELIA LEUS, DR. EDEN LATOSA AND DR. MARIA CORAZON ESTEVANEZ.
The highlight of the event was the turnover ceremonies of the mantle of leadership from Dr. Azcueta to Dr. Reganion: the GAVEL symbolized commitment, the MEDALLION symbolized leadership and authority and the BANNER symbolized duties and responsibility. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Reganion laid down his platform for the next twelve months with a focus on the PSPC hosting of the Congress of Asia Pacific Pediatric Cardiac Society (APPCS) on February 2023 in Cebu City. He also enumerated the different committee chairs and members and its target programs to be able to serve its members and children with heart diseases.
The induction of the other officers of the board by Dr. Reganion followed: DR. MARTHA MARTINEZ-SANTIAGO- Vice-President, DR. MA. ESTRELLITA ANGELES-ALARCON as Secretary, DR. JULIET BALDERAS as Treasurer and new Members of the Board, DR. JONNIE BOTE-NUŃEZ and DR. MA. RONELLA FRANCISCO-MALLARI.
New PSPC Fellows inducted were: DR. MYLAH ALFECHE, DR. CLAUDIO GAYETA AND DR. MARGARET FORONDA.
The event ended with the member’s oath of re-commitment and the closing remarks by the newly-inducted Vice-President Dr. Santiago.
The formal event was hosted by the outgoing PSPC Secretary DR. REGENTE I. LAPAK.
