by Alcio Tumulak

Frederick Nische once said and I quote, “ On the mountain of truth, you can never climb in vain, either you reach a point higher up today , or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow”.

Distinguished guests, Abet and Evy Laurito, Jonathan Aquino, PIChE Officers, incoming Officers, good morning.

At the outset, I wish to thank Abet for inviting me to share my journey and some of the challenges during my term as Past President of PIChE National in 1994-1995, about two decades ago.

Before anything else, I wish to convey to all the participants , that you are very lucky to be given this leadership training before your term as officers start. This is important and valuable in preparing you to bigger and more important role in the organization. A very intelligent move on the part of the organizers. Congratulations.

As a former San Miguel Manager, I was so fortunate that there were many supportive Chemical Engineers from our company from the President down to the Plant Managers., who greatly encouraged us to participate in PIChE National Activities. I am proud to mention the late Pepe Lugay, from UST who was a past board examiner and Past President Of PIChE. He was our mentor, even in our technical work in San Miguel. We learned so many things from him.

My first learnings in PIChE started in 1985 when I was elected as one of the Directors Of PIChE Cebu Chapter. That early , I was exposed to various challenges as I actively joined the board meetings, the working committees, preparing for Technical sessions, establishing a link between Industry, Academe and the Government and others. It gave me a strong foundation for future challenges and in overcoming every obstacle I encounter in the working field.

It was worth noting that during the Annual Conventions Of PIChE , whether it be in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, I always volunteered myself to participate either as a moderator or a reactor or emcee to the plenary sessions and most important, I asked interesting questions during the Open Forum. These I believe , were the reasons for the participants to nominate and elect me as one of the board of Trustees for PIChE National in 1989.

At the National level, the Officers were familiar to me as I met most of them during the annual conventions.Being observant on how they handled their board meetings, I quickly learned important projects and where I would be involved in accomplishing these projects. I learned new things and exposed myself to the more challenging tasks at hand and I was recognized by them.

To make the whole story short, I was elected as Executive VP for PIChE National in 1993 , one step to becoming President. I recalled that The most important task for me during that time was to prepare for the next annual convention, deciding for the appropriate theme, looking for possible speakers, scouting for the venue, defining other logistical support, inviting the various chapters for the different sessions. Of course, a lot of help came from the board, the advisers and friends. Success was measured in the outcome and attendance in the actual convention . That convention was a good one.

I felt that I was inspired and motivated to follow the footsteps of my colleagues in San Miguel like COF Antonio Enriquez II who was a Past President in 2000 , and also Alfredo Villa Abrille of San Miguel Brewery who became President in the following year.

Both of them were not after the fame and glory of being a President but they just want to serve for the good of PIChE. I had the same paradigm .

And finally my dream to become President Of PIChE National came in 1994. I was so happy and excited and felt that big responsibility to really bring PIChE to the limelight.

It was quite difficult during my time as social media was not as strong as today. No chat rooms, no facebook, no PIChE websites, no instagrams. Communication was little slow. It was only good that we had a very active office secretary that prepares all the requirements for every meeting.

Another thing that was vital was that San Miguel management allowed me to focus on PIChE Activities including my monthly visits to various places throughout the country to organize new chapters, attend Technical seminars and conventions and visit the Academe, Industries and govt organizations for linkages and meetings. It was the late Raul Hernandez Of UST, our Division President who encouraged me and strongly supported my travels and my work. He was also addicted to PIChE like myself.

My very qualified and experienced members of the board also helped me accomplish our plans and programs for the year. We had a balance board of Trustees starting from the Academe , Luz Paca from De la Salle who had brilliant contributions

, And from the government sector, the late Melba Valdez Of BPS who was excellent in Quality certifications, the late Bert Pineda who was very enterprising, Joe Belen from Mindanao and others who really helped a lot in achieving our goals.

The presence of advisers in all board meetings also was a plus factor. The late Bert Muyot, late Buddy Lava, Dr Panlasigui, the late Jun Lirag, the late Gerry Baldivia were always present during board meetings.They had great ideas and supported me throughout my term.

During my time, We had technical sessions for CPE’s, mid year and annual conventions and other projects including recommending candidates for the Board Of Examiners .There was no PIChE roadmaps during my time. It was unfortunate.

My only frustration is that we did not succeed in proposing some bill in congress to be approved for lack of follow up and support. Lydia Tansinsin, our adviser at that time helped us filed a bill about the ChE Law and did not push through. Now I heard it has been approved. Thanks for the indefatigable efforts of past President Baby Coro.

I was able to finish my term with several new chapters organized, several technical sessions held every month for CPE ‘s and strengthened govt, Academe and industry linkage, close relationship with the chapters and helped our USC batch mate Ceferino Dulay Jr. be one of the board examiners for Chemical Engineering.

There was no sustainable goals during my term compared with today where you have the TWG working on several projects which is worth recognizing. Also another unfortunate thing.

Four years after my term I immigrated to the USA after retiring from San Miguel.

This is just an update, for the love of PIChE and through the encouragement of Abet Laurito, Chair of the College of Fellows, COF Nuna Almanzor ,COF Shirlyn Reyes And Pres KrisCha Jamandre for sharing her PIChE updates, we organized the PIChE USA Chapter in April of this year.

Up to today I keep on viewing the current PIChE websites of National and the chapters and keeps me updated. I love reading the articles of Doc Albert Jubilo And Romy Apolega in our PIChE journal. We did not have this during our time!

Let me to share a few basic tips for good leadership in PIChE.

1. Be a Good listener, your board of directors may have very good ideas and they tend to keep them if you don’t ask them. Listen to their intelligent suggestions.

2. Be prepared always. You can’t have a meeting without any agenda. Let the secretary prepare everything before start of meetings, inform all the board a week before the scheduled meeting.

3. Present new ideas, benchmark from other organizations. See what other organizations are doing differently. I am happy to note that there are many changes in PIChe now , like for example the Chemical Engg week, the junior PIChEs organized all throughout various colleges, PIChE quiz bowls and many others. We did not have this during my time.

4. Be in Control.. don’t let the Advisers Control your meetings but give chance for others to speak. In some cases, advisers tend to keep on talking and controls the board meetings! Don’t allow them but control their speaking time. It is your ball game!

5. Be honest and sincere in dealing with your peers. In this manner, you can build the trust and confidence from members or your team mates and contributes to easily achieving your objectives.

6. Reach out... keep in touch with other chapters and attend their fellowships if you have time. Help inactive chapters and let them succeed!

There are so many dimensions of being a great PIChE leader but let us just reserve the rest for some other time.

Have a successful leadership training and be the best of what you are as future PIChE Officers. Thank God for giving you the strength and wisdom to pursue your goals in life! God bless us all...

Good morning everyone.