and Administrative Professionals, Inc.
Cebu Chapter
PAS-Cebu, an Association, in step with the times, self sufficient and financially stable, with its own learning center, where all members are trainers and educators, acknowledged for high caliber, global quality service, multi-skilled, principle-centered partners in whatever organization or setting they may be in.
The Association aims to promote professionalism in the secretarial and the administrative fields; it serves to upgrade the technological, interpersonal and management skills of its members, assisting them in the development of their careers in a spirit of camaraderie.
Spiritual Strength
Bayanihan Teamwork
Passion for Excellence
Integrity and Professionalism
Active Social Responsibility
Financial Stability
OUR HISTORY
With the inspiration of Mr. Angel Limjoco, then the Director of the Executive Training Institute of the Philippines (ETIOP), the Cebu Association of Secretaries was organized with 15 members with Mrs. Adelina Sarthou-Batongmalaque as the Chairman of the Board and Ms. Adelina Magdamo as President.
However, Ms. Magdamo was not able to finish her term and the Vice President, Ms. Josie Tomimbang, took over.
The first typing contest, the Underwood typing contest, was organized with students from Visayas and Mindanao as participants.
The Cebu Association of Secretaries affiliated with the Philippine Association of Secretaries. Thus, the name was changed from Cebu Association of Secretaries to the Philippine Association of Secretaries, Cebu Chapter - PAS.
The PAS had many challenges to overcome: small membership, little social media exposure, lack of a clear meeting venue, and lack of funding. One of the first fundraising events of that time sponsored by the PAS was a Barrio Fiesta in Cebu.
PAS Manila and the Cebu chapter sponsored an advanced secretarial seminar in partnership with the Marketing Personnel Training Institute and Executive Management Group, Incorporated. Another fundraiser was PAS's sponsorship of a premiere movie showing of Thoroughly Modern Millie. All of these successful events built up the treasury and contributed to the growth and professionalism of the PAS.
Front Row: Addie Batongmalaque, Chairman of the Board with President Maureen Uy, Past President Susan Clarin, and Teresita Trazo
During the term of Mrs. Teresita Lee of Dole Philippines, the first Secretaries’ Week was organized and celebrated.
1970 Induction of Officers
Addie Batongmalaue congratulating a student during the finals of the Intercollegiate Typewriting Contest at the ABS-CBN TV Barn sponsored by PAS on March 28, 1971
Under the presidency of Gordina Tan Villanueva of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, where she served for two consecutive terms, the first yearbook was published.
PAS Cebu also joined a National Search for Outstanding Secretaries and this cemented Cebu's affiliation with PAS Manila. Mayor Sergio Osmena, Jr. of Cebu City and Demetrio Cortes of Mandaue City subsequently formalized March 12 to 18, 1972, as Secretaries’ Week.
Mayor Sergio Osmena, Jr. of Cebu City and Demetrio Cortes of Mandaue City subsequently formalized March 12 to 18, 1972, as Secretaries’ Week.
1974 PAS Officers with Gloria Zosa-Seno as President
Mrs. Gloria Zosa-Seno was elected President.
The first Asian Congress of Secretaries was held in Manila with 15 members from Cebu attending.
The first newsletter, Today's Secretary, was published during Gloria Seno’s second term in 1975.
President Ferdinand Marcos issued proclamation number 1253, declaring the second week of May and every year thereafter as Secretaries’ Week.
First Asian Congress of Secretaries
PAS Induction Christmas Party with Addie Batongmalaue inducting Margie Matheu as the 1978 PAS President
Elvira Fuentes-Du, conceived and materialized the association’s Hotel Hopping and the Boss of the Year Award.
During Lily Cabahug’s term, meetings were held in different conference rooms in the city instead of just being in USJR. There were invited speakers and invited bosses to talk during the meeting.
The first time that the secretaries took the examination Professional Executive Secretaries. Those who passed can append PES after their name. This was during the term of Brenda Saliendra.
Two PASers, Teresita Baz and Edna Rubia, were chosen as two of the 5 Finalists for the Secretary of the Philippines award in Manila.
The scholarship program was launched. PAS sponsored a scholar taking a four-year secretarial course
During the presidency of Edna Rubia, the Philippine Association of Secretaries hosted the National Convention of Secretaries.
PAS Cebu hosted the Silver Jubilee Celebration headed by Nenit Theresa Mantalaba.
Lourdes Cambonga spearheaded PAS Cebu and sponsored a concert that has earned the organization a lot of money.
Vera Cristina Villamor organized a successful concert, dubbed “Sakdap na Sab” which highlighted the Cebuano talents.
PASers in its fund raising project.
PASers joined hand with local talents for its fund raising project.
Carmencita Alviola, as President, introduced new procedures in the conduct of the monthly general membership meetings, which adopted the Toastmasters style of conducting meetings. A speechcraft was organized in collaboration with the Queen City Toastmasters Club to improve the members' public speaking skills.
During her term, a PAS banner was created and became an important accessory in all PAS activities with our Philippine flag.
In Yolanda Viterbo’s term as President, PAS Cebu marked its 30-year milestone with the launching of the association’s Pearl Anniversary celebration through photo exhibits strategically posted at Cebu Plaza Hotel with then-mayor, Tomas Osmena, who graced the occasion.
Lourdes Flores-Bacudo as President, emphasized punctuality and close family ties as her focus for that year to support the International Year of the Family.
During the term of Lordeliza Mendoza, PAS Cebu was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue under the name, Philippine Association of Secretaries-Cebu Chapter, Inc.
Teresa de la Cruz as President raised significant funds through solicitations.
With the guidance of Gloria Zosa-Seno, the association's vision and mission statement were formulated to help the organization see if its activities were aligned with the association's purpose under the leadership of Lorelie Dimla.
Nilda Ravina initiated the holding of the first Regional Conference for Office Professionals.
A new face of the association's logo from a steno notebook to a flame with a pen was adapted to meet the changing roles of secretaries. Ms. Chona Mendoza was then the President.
The Ruby Anniversary was celebrated during the term of Basilisa Caro.
During this time the educational aspect of the members was strengthened through talks given by guests during meetings.
During Marietta Signe’s term, the Advisory Council was reorganized whose membership will now compose past presidents whom the current president chooses. It was also in this year the president was given a budget of P20,000 to defray expenses when attending conferences in Manila.
Delia Suplig adapted new titles to go with the time, from Secretary of the Year to Administrative Professional of the Year; Secretaries’ Week to Administrative Professionals’ Week; Secretaries’ Night to Administrative Professionals’ Night and the newsletter from Secretaries’ Now to Today’s Admin Pro.
This year also saw the change of the name of the Philippine Association of Secretaries, Inc. to the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals, Inc.
Mary Ann Lozada launched the PAS Speakers’ Bureau. The Bureau was composed of members who have the knowledge, talents, and competence and served as speakers in lectures, seminars, and workshops.
During the second term of Basilisa Caro, the “My Bonita Home for Girls” was chosen as the beneficiary of the association's socio-civic activity.
Ma. Lourdes Villamala initiated the creation of the PAS website (www.pascebu.org) as a channel to update all members, especially those residing outside of Cebu.
PAS submitted a concept paper on the revival of the Scholarship Program.
Narisa Espinoza made an ambitious collaboration with the People Management Association of the Philippines, Cebu Chapter (PMAP).
The first PAS-PMAP Synergy Run was organized during her time, which contributed to the widening of the network of PASers.
This was the time when the association celebrated its Golden Anniversary, and many PASers from abroad came to grace the occasion. No less than the founder, Mrs. Adelina Sarthou-Batongmalaque, was present during the affair.
There were photo exhibits and a grand Executives night celebration. Heading this golden anniversary year was Merle Bongo-Genelaso. She established a comprehensive and stable data management system and created measures for meeting management, emphasizing the “one time, on time, PAS time” lingo.
One of the highlights of the golden year was the launching of the PAS Coffee table book. It documented the history, membership, special events, and activities of the association from its inception until 2013.
Another highlight of the year was the relaunching of the Scholarship Program. PAS sponsored a scholar taking a four-year secretarial course. The scholarship program took effect during the first semester of the Academic Year 2013 to 2014.
The official address of PAS is at the Office of the President of the University of San Carlos, where Ma’am Addie used to serve as the Secretary to the University President.
The use of the space has been extended to the association gratis in recognition of its contribution to the upliftment of the secretarial profession, in general and to its members, in particular. Ms. Eileen Aleonar of San Miguel Brewery led the association.
The Junior Philippine Association of Secretaries (JPAS) was officially launched in March 2019.
USC students taking Executive Resources Management (used to be Office Administration) started attending meetings in June 2019. These students were the representatives of Junior Philippine Association of Secretaries (JPAS). It was at this time that organization and hosting of Pre-Service Seminars shifted from the hands of the Education Committee of the association to the JPAS. Ms. Azela Mendoza was president during this time.
Due to COVID-19, quarantine was implemented by the government. Thus, virtual meetings were adopted by the members of the association under the leadership of J Iway.
PASers manifested their firm determination, resolute character, and resilient spirit towards the realization of their goals, extending their professional, spiritual, and financial support not only to the members but also to the rest of the citizens in the community.
PAS held all its meetings, webinars, and other activities virtually. It was indeed a blessing for PAS to have elected a techy member to be its president in the person of Ma. Theresa Nelia Aringo who is a Digital Marketer herself.
True to its Vision and Mission, the association in step with the times has truly evolved and adapted to the new technologies. Her legacy did not end in 2021.
A Digitech Committee was formed by the president, Annie Cel Canete-Yap, to answer the continuing needs of the members during this time of high-tech environment.
However, meetings this year have to be in a hybrid format to cater to the different needs of the members and at the same time to follow health protocols set by the government.
Recognizing Mam Addie Sarthou-Batongmalaque’s intense love for the association as Founder, August 7 has been designated as Founder's Day every year thereafter .
PAS celebrated its Diamond Jubilee through various activities done via hybrid platform.
Messages from the Founder and some PAS Presidents around the globe made the celebration truly memorable.
An Appreciation Night culminated the weeklong celebration giving tribute to PASers who are still in the association for 30 years with two special awardees Gloria Zosa-Seno and Edna B. Rubia.
Rosita Soriano was president. She also initiated the creation of the Digital Red Book under the tutelage of Digitech Committee Chair, Tere Aringo.
PAST PRESIDENTS
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
In recognition of the support afforded by the executives to their secretaries, the Philippine Association of Secretaries - Cebu Chapter, Inc. launched the Search for the Executive of the Year in 1981 then known as “Boss of the Year”. This activity highlights the annual Secretaries’ Week celebration.
The member nominates her boss before the general membership as well as before a panel of judges through an essay delivered orally justifying why her executive should be accorded the award Executive of the Year. Nominations are judged according to the criteria set by the association namely: the Executive’s support to the Secretary’s Professional Development; the work relationship of the executive and secretary; and support extended to PAS-Cebu Chapter, Inc.
ADMIN PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The Admin Professional of the Year (APY) award is the most coveted title within the association. This started as far back as 1978 to give proper recognition to a member who tops both the written and oral examinations.
The first phase is the written examination which covers the areas of Business English, Office Management, Human Relations/ Decision Making, Management, and General Information. The result of the first phase will determine the semi-finalists which could be the first five or first seven depending on the decision of the internal committee. The same committee will interview the semi-finalists to choose the three finalists who will in turn be interviewed by an external committee composed of honorable people from various sectors of the community.
Medium
The winner will be proclaimed and awarded during the celeb5 Columnration of the Executives’ Night.
MOST OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Every December, an active member of the association is named Most Outstanding Member (MOM) by the incumbent president. Choosing the MOM is the prerogative of the president depending on the criteria she will set for herself. Over and above her own criteria, the following areas should also be visible: active involvement in all activities of the association, commitment to the association, perfect attendance, and above all no financial accountabilities at the end of the year.