Valedictory Address
Noel Castillo, MD FPCP, FPSN
President 2021-2022
Colleagues,
The fiscal year has come to a close, and a great feeling of relief tinged with uncertainty lingers as we enter the third year of the pandemic. As we look back at the previous year, one can’t help but reflect on all the struggles that all of us have gone through, from COVID-19 to natural disasters, from lost PhilHealth accreditations to political instability. I can sincerely say to all our colleagues in no uncertain terms, together with the officers and board of trustees of the PSN: we feel your pain, we feel your anguish. But, in all honesty, and candor, I can also say that we gave our best to serve within the bounds of our mandate. The pandemic was an opportunity for existing technologies to be exploited to the point that setting meetings were a lot easier. Digital fatigue became part of our new normal. Our society has grown exponentially, but so have the issues and complications. Fortunately, my teammates on the board were up to the task, facing each and every challenge, obstacles notwithstanding.
One of the oft-quoted adages in leadership is to surround oneself with better people than you in every field. I was truly blessed to be surrounded by people who were better than me in more ways than one. So let me express my sincere gratitude to each one of them.
To Dr. Beth Montemayor. Your timely guidance borne out of your experience and wisdom has been an indispensable asset for all of us on the board.
To Dr. Dingdong Biruar. Your chairmanship of our annual convention was a significant upgrade from last year and spoke well of your organizational acumen.
To Dr. Ginger Samonte. Your expert handling of internal affairs with the requisite people skills has ensured that our society continues to operate like a well-oiled machine.
To Dr. Phel Esmaquel. Underneath your cool exterior is a tireless workhorse who efficiently took up the cudgels for anyone who lost their PhilHealth accreditation.
To Dr. Ric Francisco. You are a veritable Jack of all trades, wearing different hats of leadership with a yeoman’s mentality and work ethic.
To Dr. Vimar Luz. Your keen articulation of issues pertaining to the society has been a source of inspiration and clarity for all of us on the board.
To Dr.Agnes Cruz. Your energy and vivaciousness in leading your cluster were refreshing and infectious.
To Dr.Glenn Butuyan. You are an embodiment of the idiom “still waters run deep.” However, your few words pack a lot of substance and intelligence.
To Dr. Beth Estoesta. Your laid-back demeanor was a perfect fit for your representation of the Chapters as gleaned from your effective communications with them.
To Dr. Agnes Alba. Your valuable contributions from the pediatric perspective were a big boon for the board and bode well for the PNSP.
To the PSN Staff: Rael, Rhea, Eric, and Mark. You are the oil that keeps the PSN machinery running smoothly. I cannot imagine a PSN without you guys.
To all the Chapters, thank you for providing us with the pulse of your respective regions. It was a pleasure witnessing the growth of our specialty in your areas.
To all the standing and ad hoc committee leaders and members, thank you for your untiring efforts in achieving the goals of your committees.
To all our past presidents to whom we have always looked up for counsel and direction, thank you for providing us with the proper blueprint for leadership.
From my term as the second pandemic PSN President, I learned that our society is truly an organic entity, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Finally, I would like to thank my family, especially my wife, Baby, who had to bear with all the virtual meetings that have disrupted the serenity of our family life. It’s been a satisfying and fulfilling journey, but only because we knew that we were all working for a greater purpose, for something that transcends any material end. The rectitude of intention gives meaning and value to all the difficulties and contradictions in any endeavor. Thank you, everyone, and God bless the PSN.
