2009 (MMIX) is the current year of the Anno Domini or Common Era in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. And one important event that opened the year was the inauguration of the forty fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama. The inauguration, themed “A New Birth of Freedom”, was held in Washington D.C. last January 20, 2009. The Democratic leader made history by becoming the first African American to hold the office, the political position considered the most powerful not only in the U.S., but also in the whole world.

In his inaugural address, Pres. Obama told his thousands of listeners that they are in the midst of crisis. Their nation is at war, their economy is badly weakened, jobs shed and business shuttered. But he assured: “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met! On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

Similarly, through out the years, PENELCO faced so many challenges and hardships. But as we apply the central theme of President Obama’s inaugural address which was a call to restore esponsibility, especially the responsibility of ordinary people to get involved, PENELCO says “Yes we can!” in every and future challenges and hardships.