When I joined PPMS, I never thought I will serve as an officer. All I want is to meet new friends and be of service by volunteering in medical Missions and outreach programs. In each year I served PPMS, there were new learnings and challenges. I am grateful to all the people I met. In 2017-2018,  Dr. Armando Lee was my President, I was asked to take the position of auditor, here I learned about what is PPMS, the history behind PPMS, its culture, and tradition. The following year 2018-2019, thru the leadership of Dr. Arlene Besa, I was treasurer then, I was introduced to PMA, our mother society. In the same year, it is the PPMS’s turn to represent the CTR governorship thru Dr. Jose Lapena as Tatay Joey to us in a 1 day CTR.  Ang endorsement is “Naku, Strict Yan si doc joey. Madami kayong gagawin”. Yes, Madami nga po kami ginawa since hyperactive ang President at Governor ko. I cried. I got frustrated. Nainis pero at the end of the day madami pa din po akong natutunan sa president kong nabansagang Pasaway Paranaque. She personally trained me at ipinakilala nya talaga ako sa mga tao. This is the year na sobra akong na expose sa PMA, sa central tagalog region, sa CTR 1 day family from Doctors in Concert to Tree planting to Coastal Clean Up at hangang ngayon nandyan sila to support me and PPMS. The year 2019-2020, with  Dr. Joseph Acosta as the President, I served him as his treasurer, 2nd timer na, we learned to be resourceful, sa sobrang tipid akala ko mahirap na ang PPMS. Kidding aside, eto ang panahon na natutunan ko ihandle talaga ang funds ng society. Nailipat ang office from IHADS to L.S. Moreno Medical Clinic. This is the time we updated all our documents from BIR to SEC. I learned to be an accountant. This is also the year that we had Dr. Mimi Sarabia of Makati Medical Society as our governor who taught us to shine bright like a diamond. The following year, 2020-2021, was difficult for everyone. The pandemic struck each and one of us. During the pandemic, President Dr. Mary Ann Cruz lead PPMS, and everything shifted virtually. Mabuti na lang po techy si Doc Me Ann, she adjusted very well. I learned na pwede na palang mag virtual intermission. Buti  na lang nandyan si Henry, my partner in crime to help me. Napasayaw ang pandemic CTR governor Dr. Arnel Manalili kasama ang mga game na past governors, DR. Joey and Dr. Mimi. In the same year, ang dami ding calamity na naganap. Nandyan ang typhoon Ulysses, typhoon Rolly, Taal volcano eruption, and earthquake. Even though we were in the middle of the pandemic, I learned na pwede pa din mag serve at tumulong. We started making the smiley face shield and ear saver. We distributed them all over NCR and even sent them to nearby provinces, Visayas, Mindanao, and the US. We searched for suppliers of PPE, face masks, alcohol, and UV lights to help members of PPMS with their needs. Members’ donations and support for the typhoon-struck community poured in. We joined PMA medical mission, disaster preparedness, and environmental health committee thru the leadership of our ever-active PMA president Dr. Benny Atienza, “My Kuya”. Dito po talaga kami naging close kasi gustong-gusto po talaga namin mag outreach, chaired by Dr. Malubay, Dr. Francisco and Dr. ASEC Lazaga. We traveled to Bicol, Marikina, Cagayan, Marinduque, at kung saan man kailangan ang PMA nandun kami. I realized that being a doctor doesn’t mean you need to be confined in your clinic to be of service. Visiting these provinces, and seeing the faces of children and elderly lighted up with the hope that tomorrow will be a better day, which made me a better doctor and person. 

Last year, with the leadership of Dr. Jun Sta. Lucia,  as his Vice President, I learned that collaborating on projects with other societies and affiliate societies will reach more audiences and will benefit more members and doctors. My creative side of me was also tested. The singing physician spearheaded by Dr. Josefino Adaiao was tasked with me. Medyo challenging po since it was purely virtual at nakaka-overwhelm ang response ng mga society dahil sa dami ng entries. But with the help of the efficient staff of PMA and officers of PPMS, we had a very positive response from the viewers. With Dr. Nympha Mundin as our CTR governor, I was assigned to arrange the physical arrangement of our PMA auditorium during the Christmas party celebration and valentine’s day celebration. Also, coordinate with Pocari the first virtual Zumba in PMA during the celebration of the heart month last February. Doc Nympha who is fondly Called Mother constantly reminded us sa quarterly report and encouraged us to submit it so that no CTR will be left behind. I can never forget ang mga tips nya for the report, so I guess you prepared me para sa mga reports namin this year. 

During the past 5 years, I met a lot of people and made a lot of friends thru PPMS. The members and the Past Presidents gave me a lot of advice, support, and tips on how we could improve and grow our society.  These learnings made me plan a lot for the society. Sa sobra pong dami, hindi ko po alam kung paano i-plot sa schedule pero with the officers of team 2022-2023 and the APMA President and officers, we will make it happen. Pwedeng mapagod pero hindi susuko. Ang pangako ko sa kanila is gagawin namin masaya at dynamic and taong ito. Aside from the CPD programs for the members like Medical Writing Workshop, Case Reporting workshop, and regular webinars from our pharma partners, we will also incorporate programs for child advocacy. Nandyan po ang bulilit health worker na sinimulan na po last year, free basketball clinic, lectures for Physical therapy for children with special needs. For social responsibilities, we continuously do our Oplan Ubos Supot Pilipinas. Biruan po namin eto magkakaibigan, but we have scheduled circumcision activities and medical missions in cooperation with the Barangays and the religious institutions. We also have Oplan Tanggal Bukol, Pap Smear, BPH screening, Oplan: Ganda with the help of Dr. Tootz Vasquez at marami pa pong iba. For Wellness Programs, alam ko po na pagod na tayo sa paulit ulit na webinars, we planned to have a Painting 101 workshop thru the help of Dr. Arthur Alban, our resident painter and my kumpare, urban gardening lecture, Online Beginners’ yoga, Zumba at ang pagbabalik ng ating friendly bowling competition with our Central Tagalog region family. For Environmental advocacies, we will have regular Coastal Clean-Up and tree-planting activities. I invited the medical representatives to join us in this endeavor and they can’t wait to join us. Nandyan din po ang project of recycling of tetra packs. The collected tetra packs will be processed and turned into chairs and tables. So ang doctor po ay hindi lang pang clinic pangkalikasan pa. Nandyan din po and fund-raising program for the building improvement. Marami pa po talagang kulang ang ating bahay, so sa mga past presidents and members, open na open po tayo to accept donations. To raise funds, we planned to have a virtual bingo and golf tournament. I am also open to suggestions and collaborations. We are tapping the chapters of the specialty society, the city health offices of both Pasay and Paranaque, and the medical directors of hospitals for collaboration on projects in which we could work hand in hand with improving the health needs of our cities. And I am happy to say, na we have the full support of our local government. Thank you po Mayor Eric Olivarez and Mayora Imelda Calixto-Rubiano. Nandito po ang Pasay Paranaque Medical Society to support you with your health program in the city.

My goal with PPMS is to create and establish consistent and sustainable activities that will include not only our members but also our colleagues from other component societies and  PMA. Naniniwala ako na kung sama-sama tayo, mas madami tayong magagawa at matutulungan. With team 2022-2023, a dynamic and fun-loving group, I know we could achieve more. So guys, alam nyo na ang matrabaho to pero sisiguraduhin ko, I will always back you up sa ano man gusto nyong proyekto.  As a promise, masaya lang tayo dito. If you feel na medyo nakakapagod na, let me know. Bahala kami ni Loella dyan. I believe this team is ready for this year’s challenges. Sama-sama tayo. Before I close my speech, due to the changing time and gearing to digitization, I would like to present to you my gift to the society and the members, our very own PPMS website. www.pasayparanaquemedicalsociety.com.

Thank you and God Bless!

– Laarni Moreno

PPMS President