10th District Conference
This 10th District Conference is another page in Rotary’s continuing story. For 9 decades here in our country, this continuing stories of Love and Service has brought us to this culminating point where we are now just 1 decade away from the centennial of Rotary in the Philippines!
In the Handover last June, I spoke of this Rotary year being every Rotarians opportune time to serve and lead in light of our country facing a global economic downturn and an environmental malady called global warming that threatens our planet. We need to transform these challenges into opportunities so that we can, in our modest ways, help, as our country prepares to elect a new set of leaders this May. The Greeks have a word for this opportune time – Kairos. As Rotarians, we are constantly presented with the right time and opportunity or the kairos to make a difference as we have done in the District year in and year out.
I spoke of our plans and thrusts during the Handover as they are our compass from where our efforts will be validated. It has been 9 months since then and our labors have given birth to many stories of Love and Service. Let me share with you this new page in Rotary’s continuing story.
THE MEMBERSHIP STORY
Among the core values of Rotary is Diversity. The basis of our classification is our vocation. With more diverse vocations, we can learn and see more perspectives on how Rotary work can be done better and more effectively. To be invited to Rotary is to be recognized as one who has excelled in a given profession or vocation. This is why I always personally believed that Rotary is not for everybody. Rotary is more about quality members rather than quantity. It is for this reason that we pegged a modest target of 100 new members and focused more on retention of quality members. As of February, the Philippine Consulting Center shows that the district gained 157 new members. We also retained our quality members and now the district is comprised of about 2560 Rotarians. You will be pleased to know that our District gave birth to 2 new clubs (recognize them!) namely the Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa Central under CP Amie Lustre.; and the Rotary Club of Cosmopolitan Las Pinas under CP Vhell Arias. We are now an 84-club strong District!
The move to bring the Rotary Academy to the Clubs is the primary reason for the success in membership retention and enhancement of new and old members alike. For the good service they have rendered to their fellow servant leaders, the district is indebted to our District Trainor PDG Sonny Coloma, Rotary Academy’s Executive Director DGN Sue Sta. Maria, and Rotary Leadership Institute’s Executive Director PDG Jimmy Cura. Their collective efforts to further Rotarize all of us yields into more motivated Rotarians. More motivated Rotarians generate service without boundaries like that of the Rotary relief operations for the typhoon Ondoy victims. A few days after Ondoy struck, 21 Rotary Clubs from the District led by RC Makati under SVP Felix Amparo took part in the relief mission handing out bags of goods to at least 3500 families in 26 sites in the hardest hits areas within Metro Manila and its neighboring towns. Pres Felix together with his SVP classmates; RCC, Rotaractors, and many Rotarians in our district gave not only money, goods, their time but more importantly comfort and compassion to the thousands affected by Ondoy.
WHEY
In the Handover, we pledged to engage in priority areas that in general will help improve the lives of the poor. This was summed up in an acronym: WHEY.
W for Water, Sanitation, preservation and protection of our Environment
H for Health, Nutrition and Wellness
E for Education and Literacy
Y for Youth service and care, and enhancement of their values
We kept our commitment and addressed these thrusts. For the sake of brevity, let me just share a few milestones.
• Stories on Water / Sanitation / Environment
Our District has always been involved in providing the communities we serve access to clean water knowing too well that water is life and that 90% of diseases afflicting children are borne in dirty water. This year, more clubs engaged this thrust head on.
Yet, global warming is a new challenge we confront causing extreme weather conditions worldwide. We are not spared. Currently we have a severe case of El Nino. We take this challenge seriously. In fact, the entire Philippine Rotary structure, its 10 districts, forged with the DENR and pledged to plant a million trees! A million trees to hold clean water and prevent soil erosion, a million trees that convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, a million trees to curb global warming.
Also, a District Green Conference chaired by SVP Emi Pulido of RC Makati Nielsen culminated with all SVPs pledging their commitment to save Mother Earth. The unveiling of the District’s Environment Iconic Logo: “RGreen RLives RFuture – Save Mother Earth” is a long term project which reflects our commitment to this thrust.
• Stories on Health / Nutrition / Wellness
In June 2009, the 10 Districts of Rotary Philippines affirmed the Rotary Declaration Against TB commitments made in 2005. The Anti-TB initiative spearheaded by the very capable District Chairman Puno Peña has had many successes throughout the years and continually gains ground thus benefiting so many of our poor countrymen. In spite of winning so many battles against TB, the war still rages on as the statistics still remain alarming. I dream that someday tuberculosis will be Rotary’s new polio.
Another project that directly benefits the communities we serve is the District medical caravan led by SVP Mike Macatangay of RC Makati McKinley. This initiative was borne out of a partnership among the district’s chartered clubs and the Pharex Group of Companies. It aims to provide medical, surgical, dental, and optical services to the indigents within our district with the hope that the other districts adopt it as a model to provide more efficient ways to serve those who need these medical services but cannot afford it.
• Stories on Education and Literacy
All clubs participated in the International Day of Literacy last September with the theme “PRISM: District Literacy Summit 2009” led by PRISM Chair SVP Danny Abinoja of RC Alabang Lampara. This was an awareness campaign for the need to sustain focus on education and literacy projects. Some clubs showcased their literacy programs to offer both information and inspire other clubs as education and literacy is a basic necessity that so many simply cannot afford. This is why we are persistent in creating the awareness so more can pitch in and initiate projects on this thrust.
Our District’s “Every Reader a Leader Program” is one such inspiration. This is a technology-based initiative designed to improve the reading comprehension and competency of grades 2 to 3 elementary pupils.
And then you have the Super Pinoy Kid launched by RC Muntinlupa Central led by SVP Rene Aclan in cooperation with RC Makati and the Paulino J. Garcia Foundation. The project involves the publication and distribution of the Super Pinoy Kid Komiks in barangay day care centers. The central theme is to create awareness among children on the 4-way test in a most effective and interesting manner. Super Pinoy Kid is a role model the children can look up to and emulate as he champions the causes of moral values which molds the character of the children for the better.
Our district is committed in promoting and initiating education and literacy projects knowing very well that poverty deprives many of our children and our youth of education. They need our help.
• Stories on Youth Service
As the future of Rotary and the world ultimately rest upon the hands of the youth, the District Rotaract Interact Assembly 2009 held at the Asia Pacific College was aimed at instilling in the the youth the RI thrusts and its significance with the expectations that these thrusts and the Rotary core values become imbibed in the future Rotary leaders that they are and as future global citizens. The attendance for this assembly was the biggest in the district’s history.
And then you have the NewGen Conference last September which was lead by RC Makati Paseo de Roxas under SVP Jo Yap. It was the very first Inter-District NewGen Conference in partnership with and hosted by RC San Carlos Cebu for District 3860 aired LIVE via webcast and held simultaneously at the University of Makati and the University of San Carlos. Several successful resource speakers talked about topics of significance to the future of the youth. A rousing success, 800 young men and women attended the conference which zeroed in on skills and competence building; and good values formation in the hope that it helps the attendees become globally competitive and succeed in the future.
(Segue)
My fellow Rotarians, ladies and gentlemen, I have just covered the Membership story and a few stories about WHEY. I hope the Smiling Visionary Presidents can forgive me as these short stories do not do justice to the amount of self sacrifice and the numerous projects and initiatives the District has undertaken this year. I do, however, have a few more stories. Don’t worry. They are short.
THE RCC ASSEMBLY STORY
The biggest gathering of Club Presidents, district officers, and members of the Rotary Community Corps took place in the RCC District Assembly attended by more than 500. This Assembly is the first and unprecedented in the District. Its primary objective was to align the RCC Projects with the RI thrusts so that the RCC are empowered and become more effective Club partners in the communities. With the enhanced partnership, the consequential benefits to the communities we serve will be enhanced as well.
STORIES ON INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
The 1st Project Fair Philippines 2009 held last November at the Dusit Hotel in Makati was meant for the all Rotarians and the clubs to experience the internationality of Rotary by encouraging the clubs to engage in international projects to promote goodwill, international understanding, and peace, and to work together with other districts in foreign countries to achieve them. The event was a great success that no less than RI President John Kenny had this to say about it and I quote, “This project fair is the best pre-institute activity!”
One of our objectives this year is to have more sister club agreements with districts outside of the Philippines and you will be pleased to know that our sister club agreements have grown. From 80 at the start of the Rotary year, we now have 108 as of today. (recognize DCC Lina Hilario & DC Cha-cha Camacho.)
I recently came from Malaysia and Taiwan and at this point I would like to recognize District Governor Leslie Abdullah Salehuddin of District 3300 Malaysia and his party who are here with us today. Governor Leslie and I recently signed a sister district agreement during his district conference in Malaysia. Also here with us is District Governor Choi Jun Ho of District 3620 of Korea and his party. District 3620 of Korea is another sister district and have helped us through the years with our matching grants projects.
I also would like to recognize 2 GSE Teams who are here with us today: the GSE Team from District 1910 Vienna, Austria led by Team Leader Peter Gregor. Also with us is GSE Team from District 7500 New Jersey, USA led by Team leader Clifford Sporn.
Gentlemen, Welcome to the Philippines!
STORIES OF SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
We have many successful partnerships – new and old. Let me cite a few.
• RVote
Another unprecedented project, RVote is an advocacy for voter education and responsible citizenship. Spearheaded by DC Nenette Aseniero, this initiative is in preparation for the coming May 2010 National and Local elections. On September 15, 2009, the first RVOTE FORUM was seen on Philippine television through our media partner, the Global News Network or GNN. Candidates for various positions have been invited to present their platform on Rotary concerns. We also invited Comelec representatives to explain the voter automation process. It also aims to encourage the participation of the youth. And in partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, mobilize poll watching volunteers so that the sovereign mandate of the people prevails.
• Gawad Kalinga
Our district continues to strengthen our partnership with GK for poverty alleviation as we aim to address the root cause of extreme poverty by engaging the poor in a partnership of development by building not just houses but productive communities as well. Today, the Rotary-GK partnership is in 30 communities within the District. This service partnership has transformed and continues to enhance what once are squatter colonies into emerging productive communities.
• Paranaque Rotary Homes
An offshoot of the Save Paranaque River Project, the Paranaque Rotary Homes initiative was brought about by the realization that in order to save the river, the cause of its pollution must be addressed. And thus the informal settlers who dump their garbage and waste on the river was offered relocation in a 4 hectare property by the Paranaque City Government where 1000 homes are to be built in 3 to 5 years in partnership with Gawad Kalinga. You will bear witness to the formal launching of this project today.
TRF
As of March this year, the District’s total TRF contribution amounts to USD 129K. As we are in the last quarter of the Rotary year, I congratulate those clubs who have already achieved and surpassed the USD100 per capita initiative. To those who are almost at the 100-dollar mark, the District appeals to your generosity. We have 3 months more to go so please dig deeper into your hearts and into your pockets. You are assured that your generosity will only bear more and more stories of love and service.
On behalf of a grateful District, I would like to thank all major donors: the new Paul Harris Fellows; and, the sustaining Paul Harris Fellows. Thank you too, to the Clubs who gave to the Polio Plus; and a big advance thank you to Past Rotary International Director Paing Hechanova who pledged another USD100K for Polio Plus this year!
TOWARDS THE CENTENNIAL OF ROTARY IN THE PHILIPPINES
And now, one final story.
Last February 23, the District held the 90 years of Philippine Rotary Celebration at the Mall of Asia. The bash was hosted by the RC Makati San Lorenzo led by SVP Jing Sarao; RC Makati South led by SVP Dars Padilla; and RC las Pinas East led by SVP Debbie Magbanua. This is by far the grandest Public Image program we did this year. Congratulations to the host clubs for a job well done!
During the celebration, I cannot help but reflect on the immeasurable acts of love and service Rotary has done in the last 9 decades. I realized that we must beam with pride for the contribution of Rotary Philippines to Rotary International as a whole. For me, Philippine Rotary accounts for 3 major contributions to Rotary International as a whole and these are:
1) Rotary Philippines produces Rotary leaders. We have had a Filipino RI President in PRIP Mat Caparas; former U.N Secretary General Carlos P. Romulo also served as Vice President for RI; Gil J. Puyat who served too as Vice President for RI; Dr. Sabino Santos who served as RI Vice president as well; and our very own PRID Paing Hechanova
2) The eradication of Polio from the face of the earth is likewise one of Philippine Rotary’s great contributions. Started in the City of Makati in September 1979, it transformed into a Rotary worldwide cause. Polio is now only present in 4 countries
3) Finally, the RCC. The RCC was a program proposed by then RIPE Mat Caparas which was then adopted by the RI Board in 1988 and thus formally became a Rotary worldwide undertaking.
These are but 3 fountains from which we can draw inspiration from. As we eagerly anticipate the 100 years of Rotary in the Philippines, we can stand tall and be proud and continue to strive to be an agent of change for a better community, a better country, and a better world.
In the Handover 2009, I quoted the prophetic words of Dr. Sabino Santos, a Rotary icon, when he said: “I sincerely believe that God is using Rotary to bring life and joy to a world at peace. Although we see this vision dimly and through a haze, God assures us that this will come to pass…”
Now is our opportune time to take stock and rejuvenate ourselves and do greater things. Now is our Kairos! Today is our opportunity to serve bigger and better. Let us collectively level-up our passion and commitment. Let this 10 year homestretch towards our centennial be the brightest and the most illustrious! With more passion, more commitment, and more dedication, Philippine Rotary will have much much more to celebrate come its 100 years!
Truly, the future of Rotary is in your hands!
Comment
Commenting is closed for this article.
