A new PDA administrative year, is similar to leafing through a new page in a book, and I am so honored to have the chance to begin filling up another page of a monumental book. As of this writing, we are on the 2nd month of my term, and I am pleased to inform you that I have slowly fulfilled my dream of instituting meaningful changes which will hopefully bring the association forward.

I realized that change is something that can never be accepted positively in an instant. I have ignored a lot of criticisms in the past, because I know that eventually, these critics will realize the value of every little step that I bravely make. Take this as an example, there are 118 chapters/ affiliates of PDA, and at this point, I have attended 97 inductions , and by mid September I will be through with all of them. Why is this so? Simply because, I scheduled the inductions by region, thus giving me no reason not to attend an induction for I am already within the area. This in effect minimizes expenditures for travels, as I will not be going back and forth from one region to the other, and furthermore, maximizing the potential sponsors present within the region. This also ensures, that once I’m through with this duty as the President, I will be able to focus more on my other projects. Am I therefore, pushing me and my team too much? Probably I am, blame it on my youth, because I dare to take that change.

It is a fact that everything changes, that’s why we need to find composure in accepting these, otherwise, it will be hard for one to accept the truth of transcience and in the process , we suffer. We need to have an open mind in accepting this phenomenon. Nobody wants to stagnate and remain in the dark, doing the same old things just because it has been in place for a long time. It is my personality to challenge things and situations, until I get satisfied with the result. I know this is a strong statement, but beneath these words, are sacrifices that I need to make to be able to perform and deliver. Two of these are, my practice and family life. I am such a goal-oriented person and I know that in order to succeed in anything I do, I as a leader, need to make certain compromises and sacrifices to see that change I wanted in this association to happen and succeed.

Years from now, when I am old and gray, I would be very happy to look back at PDA, with pride, knowing that, in my own little way, I took that chance to make things happen. Maybe then, I can say that it was well worth the sacrifice.

Dr. Leo Gerald De Castro
President FY 2008-2009
Philippine Dental Association