NEW installed national president Luis Paredes wants unity in the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) International Fraternity by inviting everyone including his rivals in the recent elections to support his administration and join their programs in leadership, friendship and service.
Paredes, a lawyer and a commissioner of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), won the presidency during the National Biennial General Assembly (NBGA) held recently in Dumaguete City.
Also elected in the recent NBGA Elections were; Roel “Daboy” Fernandez (National Executive Vice President). Eustaquio “Takyo” Garcia (National Vice-President Alumni), Joseph Louis Parungao (NVP for Fraternity), Reiniel Antonett “Toni” Solleza (NVP for Sorority), Jimmy Patino (BOD Chairman), Rowi Bautista (BOD Vice Chairman), Wenefredo Abordo (Director for Alumni), Chrisjohn Bautista (Director for Fraternity), Gerlyn Therese “Myaca” Lizada (Director for Sorority).
Paredes, previously Chairman of the Boardfor DY 2013-2015 is extending his hand of friendship to his esteemed adversaries, antagonists and even those who diverge from his beliefs, perceptions and intentions to work together for APO.
Paredes, also served as SAC’s Adjudicator General (2003-2013), said that a “true leader is one who is first and foremost a faithful follower and a servant to the will of the brothers and sisters, as reflected in the directives of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.”
He said a “true leader listens and discerns what is heard” and pledged “to listen to the whisper of the silent majority as this is the wisdom of the collective whole.”
“To insure that our distinguished assemblage will be prepared to meet the challenges as we move towards the centenary of APO,” said Paredes, chairman of the Constitutional Commission (2001-2003) , Regional Development Director (1983-1985), ETA’s Auxiliary Chancellor (1977-1978) and Brother Scribe (1976-1977).
“We can be prime movers of developing, even in small increments, a community and country committed to the principles of peace, unity and harmony,” said Paredes.
Paredes said that his fellow officers will devote their time and energy in developing a program of service never before seen in APO’s history – meaningful and high-impact service projects which shall be beneficial to the fraternity and sorority, to the studentry, university and faculty, to the community and to the nation as fully participating citizens .
“We shall do justice to our namesake, as “THE” international service fraternity and sorority,” he said.
“All of these cannot come to pass unless we realize that true reform begins with ourselves. We can only rededicate ourselves if we learn to respect one another, to be tolerant with each other, and to be respectful to all,” Paredes added.
“Come then and join us in this great adventure. We promise to make it worth your while,” said Paredes.
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