Pres. Eds Ke Installed as 78th President, Declares 2026 the Year to Go All In

The passing of a torch is never just a formality. In JCI Manila, it is a story of legacy, gratitude, and a future waiting to be written.

On January 30, 2026, the historic chapter gathered at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila for its 78th Induction and Turnover Ceremonies. In a night filled with pride and purpose, leadership was officially passed from the 77th President, Jan Adrian “AP” Padiernos, to the 78th President, Edison “Eds” Ke.

It was more than a change of officers. It was a celebration of a year that was Built Different, and the beginning of a year that would Lead Beyond.

Manila at the Center of Service and Opportunity

Serving as Guest of Honor was Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, who delivered the opening remarks. Addressing a ballroom filled with entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders, he thanked JCI Manila for its continued partnership and meaningful contributions to the City of Manila.

Mayor Domagoso encouraged members, many of whom are business leaders, to continue investing and expanding their ventures in the capital, emphasizing that Manila remains the best place to do business in the Philippines. His message reaffirmed the enduring relationship between the city and an organization that has served it faithfully for decades.

A Global Gathering of Brothers and Sisters

The evening carried the unmistakable spirit of JCI’s international brotherhood.

Delegations from sister chapters across Asia and beyond were in attendance, including JCI Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong Jaycettes, Kaohsiung, Seoul, Daegu Daedeok, Nagoya, Tokyo, Orchid, NOM Singapore National, Victoria, and Busan.

Local chapters from all over the Philippines were likewise well represented, many of whom conducted twinning activities with JCI Manila prior to the formal program. The presence of so many leaders from different cultures and chapters highlighted one truth. JCI Manila’s influence reaches far beyond its own membership.

Building Excitement for World Congress 2026

Another major highlight was the introduction to the upcoming JCI World Congress 2026 in Clark, Pampanga.

Past JCI Manila President LA Sevilla took the stage to rally excitement for the global event, set to begin on November 11, 2026. With humor, he reminded the audience that November 11 is also known as Singles’ Day, joking that it would be the perfect opportunity to meet new friends from all over the world.

He invited the World Congress Organizing Committee to the stage, giving members and guests a preview of the team preparing to host thousands of Jaycees from across the globe.

Adding to the significance of the moment, JCI Philippines President Atty. Patrick Maglinao also delivered congratulatory remarks to JCI Manila. He emphasized the importance of the chapter’s role within the national and international JCI network and highlighted how the success of World Congress 2026 would showcase Filipino leadership on a global stage.

Atty. Maglinao affirmed his full support for the year ahead and expressed his commitment to work hand in hand with JCI Manila, echoing the 2026 theme as he pledged to Lead Beyond together with the chapter, especially in preparation for the upcoming World Congress.

Honoring Tradition Through Ceremony

The formal rites of the evening paid tribute to JCI Manila’s proud traditions.

The charging ceremony was led by AVP Charles Matthew Gosingtian, who served as President in 2024. He was joined by all the past presidents present in the hall, making the moment even more meaningful. The oath-taking of the incoming Board of Directors was administered by Past President Eric Ke, the 75th President of JCI Manila in 2023.

With these ceremonies completed, one era formally ended, and another began.

A Valedictory Message from Pres. AP

Before the new chapter could begin, outgoing President Jan Adrian “AP” Padiernos took the stage for his final address.

With humor and candor, he opened his speech with what he called some real talk.

“My kids are finally starting to accept that JCI isn’t actually my job,” he said. “And my wife? She’s just relieved she no longer has to compete with 14 grown men for my attention.”

The laughter quickly gave way to reflection as he looked back on a year that tested and transformed him.

Pres. AP recalled taking on leadership after surviving a life-threatening car accident, and finding himself working alongside 14 very different personalities who eventually became exactly the team he needed. He spoke proudly of the scale of the Built Different year: over 700 projects and trainings, more than 100 trips local and abroad, and over 1.1 million dollars managed across initiatives.

Closing his term, he turned to the incoming leadership with words of encouragement.

“To Edison and the LB26 Board, this year will stretch you. It will test your patience, your priorities, your limits. But those same moments will turn you into the leader you didn’t know you could become.”

His final message carried the heart of his entire presidency.

“The term ends here, but the mission doesn’t. Once Built Different, always Built Different.”

The Inaugural Speech of Pres. Eds

With the foundation firmly honored, the night turned to the future.

In his inaugural address, newly installed President Edison “Eds” Ke delivered a message that was deeply personal, powerfully reflective, and boldly visionary. Throughout his speech, Pres. Eds received repeated rounds of applause, a testament to how strongly his words resonated with the audience.

He began with heartfelt gratitude to his family.

“For this year, I may be away more than usual,” he said. “But the impact we will create here will echo far beyond this lifetime. And in the end, it will all be worth it.”

He paid tribute to Pres. AP and the 2025 Board of Directors, recognizing the lasting impact of their leadership.

“The Built Different legacy is not only found in projects or community work,” he said. “It lives in how we were changed, and in who we are today.”

As Pres. Eds continued, emotion filled the room. At one point, he paused, visibly moved, as tears formed in his eyes. The ballroom fell silent as he delivered one of the most heartfelt lines of the evening.

“I want to say this clearly,” he said. “This chapter has given me more than I could ever repay.”

The audience responded with thunderous applause, acknowledging both the sincerity of his words and the journey that had brought him to that moment.

He then made his commitment to the organization unmistakably clear.

“I am here because I believe in our members deeply. I am here because I am willing to give my time, my energy, my comfort, and my strength for JCI Manila.”

He paused, looked at the crowd, and delivered the line that captured the heart of his presidency.

“I am Edison Ke. Buong puso kong pinaninindigan ang JCI Manila.”

The room erupted once more in applause.

Pres. Eds reminded everyone that JCI Manila’s story is continuous.

“JCI Manila has never been about one year alone,” he said. “It has always been about becoming more, together.”

As the host chapter of World Congress 2026, he emphasized that impact would define success.

“Beyond scale and recognition, our true measure of success is impact.”

Defining his leadership philosophy, Pres. Eds stated with conviction:

“I believe in merit-based leadership. Leadership that is earned, not given. Leadership built on service, consistency, and accountability.”

A Philosophy Rooted in Timeless Wisdom

In one of the most meaningful portions of his address, Pres. Eds shared a leadership principle drawn from Confucian philosophy.

He recited the guiding concept:

修身, 齐家, 治国, 平天下.

Leadership begins with the self.
It is tested in how we care for our families.
It is practiced in how we serve our organizations and communities.
And it finds its highest purpose in how we contribute to peace and progress in the world.

“Lead Beyond is about alignment,” he explained. “When the self is grounded, the family becomes strong. When families are strong, communities begin to thrive. And when communities thrive, the world moves forward.”

He added that leadership is ultimately lived through daily actions.

“We practice leadership by listening before speaking. We practice brotherhood by showing up even when it is inconvenient. We challenge one another, and we stand with one another. This is the culture we choose to build.”

A Call to Go All In for World Congress

Turning his focus to the year ahead, Pres. Eds issued a challenge aimed directly at the upcoming World Congress.

“When was the last time you truly went all in on something?” he asked.

“Not halfway. Not comfortably. Not when it was convenient. But all in.”

He made it clear that this call was for the global gathering soon to be hosted on Philippine soil.

“If there is one year we choose to GO ALL IN, it is this year. This is our moment. This is our responsibility.”

He urged every member to bring their chapters, their friends, and the next generation of leaders to experience what global Jaycee fellowship truly means.

“Let us fill that room not only with people, but also with belief, with pride, and with purpose.”

Celebration After the Ceremony

As the formal program concluded, the night shifted to celebration.

Acclaimed performer Duncan Ramos serenaded the crowd, filling the ballroom with energy and nostalgia. The festivities then moved to the Glass Ballroom for the socials and after-party, where local and international delegates bonded, danced, and celebrated together until nearly 4:00 in the morning.

It was a fitting finale to an evening that honored both legacy and new beginnings.

Behind the seamless execution of the program was a committed team from the 2026 Board of Directors, supported by Associate Member Jack Salamia and Local Organization Management Commissioners, whose quiet dedication ensured that the focus remained on the leaders and the message of the night.

Beyond Titles and Themes

Every induction is both a closing and an opening. It honors what has been built, and it challenges what still needs to be done.

On this night, JCI Manila looked back on a year that proved what it meant to be Built Different. It thanked a leadership that carried the chapter with heart and intention. And it welcomed a new team determined to Lead Beyond.

From Pres. AP’s reflections on growth and resilience to Pres. Eds’ call for courage, alignment, and impact, the message of the evening was consistent. JCI Manila’s strength has never been found in one person, one project, or one year. It has always been found in continuity, in shared purpose, and in a membership willing to step up when the moment demands it.

With the Philippines set to host the JCI World Congress once again, 2026 stands as a defining year for the chapter and for the organization as a whole. The responsibility ahead is significant, and so is the opportunity.

As the final songs faded and delegates made their way home, one thing was certain. A new chapter has begun, grounded on legacy and focused on the work ahead.