Bits & PCS

President's Inaugural Speech

Mr. Monchito B. Ibrahim
President, Philippine Computer Society
Fiscal Year 2004-2005
Delivered last June 17, 2004,
AIM Conference Center, Makati City

Good evening. The first order of this term is to thank Prof. Sonny Coloma of the Asian Institute of Management for graciously accepting our invitation to be our Inducting Officer tonight. In behalf of the new Board of Directors and Officers, we are indeed deeply privileged.

This is also the time to thank your past officers and board of directors for the direction and guidance that they have brought to this prestigious organization. While the landscape continues to bring many challenges, their fierce commitment and tremendous effort will certainly make our objectives easier to achieve. More importantly, they will always continue to inspire us as we drive this organization even forward towards our 38th year in 2005.

Much work lies ahead for all of us. Our theme, “PCS: In high gear for Global Excellence”, imposes upon each and every member the need to look beyond the current confines of our jobs, our organizations and even our own selves. However, in order to make sense of the world outside, we need to look at who and what we are inside as well. Looking INWARD as well as OUTWARD are the Siamese twins of the hour.

Specifically, looking INWARD means two things: first, for PCS, it means that we should pay close attention to our fiscal situation while ensuring that we continue to enhance our relevance to our Members. The other is for the membership to recognize and accept that technological expertise is not enough. It must be complemented by competencies that will provide the ideal natural environment for future well-rounded ICT leaders to be nurtured and developed. These competencies include decision making abilities, stewardship, focused execution, crisis management, and entrepreneurship among others. Thus, in reviving our search for the Most Outstanding CIO of the Year, the yardstick against which the winner will be measured must have a balance between the hard as well as the soft skills.

Looking OUTWARD, on the other hand, means many things: for one, it is time that we seek out the best global practices and set our standards against these benchmarks. We must break the glass ceiling that we have imposed upon ourselves and take into our own hands the challenges that globalization demands. The dream of becoming the technology hub of Asia cannot remain as it is today. It must become a reality and it must happen NOW.

As we strive to compete in the global arena, we must not lose sight of our role as citizens of a country that needs our help, now more than ever. We must work to tear down our own regional borders, reach out to members and non-members in Manila and in the provinces for us to be a cohesive national organization of significance.

We are dedicated to working in tandem with the academe and our youth partner, the JPCS. With the government’s thrust to strengthen the skill sets of our students, we will build stronger bridges between ourselves and the schools and universities in order to reinforce those proficiencies that we need to propel us to become a true global player.

Don’t worry, we’re going to have some fun, too. After all, work-life balance is an essential ingredient that will keep Jack from being a dull boy. The search for Ms. Computer Girl will be revived. Sports and other fun activities will still be around.

In closing, I would like to say, as every President who has stood before you said in his or her inaugural speech, there is much work to be done. Our challenges are your challenges and without your staunch support for our initiatives what has just been said here tonight will remain as just another speech that should have been put to better use during the recent electoral campaign. Your Board and your Officers want to see our programs succeed not because of ourselves but because of each and everyone of you listening in tonight.

Maraming salamat po and Mabuhay po tayong lahat!