Wow. It scarcely seems possible that the year I was both dreading and thought I would never finish, is nearly through. Time truly does fly when you are busy and having fun.

Not everyone gets to be president during an AFES year, and it was a real privilege to lead the board, along with some 150 other Filipino physicians, and travel to Bangkok, Thailand, for the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies biannual congress. Our presence was certainly palpable, not only for sheer number but also through our participation in the scientific program.

The Filipino presentation began with a goose bump inducing performance of “You Build Me Up,” by Nemie, Bien and Loloy, against a background slideshow of the devastation that typhoon Ondoy wrought on our country. Members of the Philippine delegation joined in, swaying with raised candles at the bottom of the stage. Then...segue to your female endocrinologists coquettishly bouncing around to “Nobody,” and the male endocrinologists thrusting their pectorals in time to “Insomnia.”

The audience went wild--hooting, stamping and clapping. (And they weren’t even our imported Pinoy contingent!) We were the hit of the night. Our Singapore friends conceded that it was always difficult to follow the Philippines in alphabetical rotation, because we are a hard act to follow!

Coming back home, the triumphant spirit carried over from Bangkok to the West Greenhills Clubhouse where we celebrated with the PSEM family. Despite the party being more low key than usual in deference to Typhoon Ondoy — guests had a good time with entertainment from the training institutions, games, dancing and lots of food. The raffle’s big winner of the night, Albert from USTH, ignored all the chants of “Donate, donate,” that resonated through the hall. Thanks to St. Luke’s endos for arranging an amazing Disco Night!

As of this writing, we have only the lipid course in Davao, now on its 3rd year, as well as the PGH interhospital grand rounds (and graduation party of the senior fellows) left before the annual convention comes around and we can call it a year. Thanks to Lani and her committee, you can look forward to a comprehensive program with excellent local and foreign speakers.

The research highlight of the meeting is the presentation of the Philippine Thyroid Disorder Prevalence Study, (PhilTiDeS) headed by Jojo Raboca, PSEM past president and Chair of the Thyroid Working Group. Jojo and her hardworking team conducted the project in cooperation with FNRI. We are proud that our Society is able to conceive, carry out and complete a project with nationwide scope. This provides epidemiologic data that will impact the health of our people. Kudos to Jojo, Sjoberg, Levy, Cecile, Nemie, Aimee and Elaine. You guys rock!

PSEM will Walk for a Cause, Lumakad at Mag Lingap, on March 19th. The course is 1, 3 and 5 kilometers. For every person who completes their declared route, PSEM will set aside an equivalent amount in pesos to raise money for Lingap, the arm that accepts donations and raises money for endocrine patients. Your board will walk alongside of you!

What else do we have to look forward to? Plenty!

PSEM moves onward and upward, literally. With all the meetings and need for more storage space, we are moving into two units on the 20th floor of Medical Plaza Ortigas before the end of 2010.

PSEM is getting nearer to GOLD in December 2011. We have big plans to celebrate. A concert. A fundraising dinner. Coffee table book. Get involved now!

Lastly, I want to say thank you to all of those who I have had the privilege to learn from. I never thought that 15 years after graduation, I would be in the position to lead the Society we all love. Thanks to my mentors who still continue to guide me today: Drs. Abrahan, Lantion-Ang, Quimpo, Go, Buenaluz. Thanks to the presidents I have served and whose example I have strived to emulate: Inch, Beth, Bobby, Rosa, Jojo and Lala. Thanks to partners in crime, Glenn (bless his soul), Herbert and Viki. Thanks to my kapatids on the board: Lani, Levy, Sjoberg, Cecile, Nemie and Bien. Thanks to the H mag staff not yet mentioned elsewhere: Guchie, Pete and JM. I owe a special shout out to my IT angels: Mia, Aimee, Iris and Elaine who are responsible for the website, including the pdf compilation of endocrine papers for our members. You are amazing, multi-tasking wonder women. Thanks to the secretariat who keep PSEM running day to day: Pia, Vic (and Bong). Thanks for bearing with me, warts and all.

I count the presidency of the Society as the singular honor of my life. The burden and responsibility are great, and the road towards it is long and steep, each level up is more OJT. PSEM will take a lot of your time, energy, and clinic hours. But I can tell you that you will be richly rewarded professionally.

But more importantly, these have been years of tremendous personal growth. I have aged, greyed and dyed, gained and lost weight, found and lost love, had loyalties and friendships tested and seen my self-confidence both crumbled and restored. The biggest reward and ultimate joy is working with like-minded friends in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with a shared passion for our work and advocacies. The memories of good times together are worth the 10 years I will have put in when I leave.

Borrowing from JFK, I challenge everyone to, “Ask yourself not what PSEM can do for you, but what you can do for PSEM.” The journey has been a privilege. Not everyone gets this opportunity. I appreciate it more than I can say.

The best part is that PSEM past presidents never just fade away. I’ll be hanging around for quite a while. In the second best position there is: As an ELDER!

Thanks to all the members for your support through all these years.

Cheers all. PSEM ROCKS!