December 2013 Vol. 27 No. 06
Children of Ormoc beam with happiness and hope despite Yolanda nightmare, courtesy of D3780 Rotary Care Project
To provide immediate relief to suffering survivors of Ty-
phoon Yolanda in badly devastated Ormoc City, Rotary Inter-
national District 3780 with Francis Rivera as district gover-
nor organized emergency Task Force Yolanda led by PDG
Danilo Fausto which quickly established the Rotary Care
Center jointly with RC Ormoc D3860 on November 21,
2013. Since then the Rotary Care Center has provided feed-
ing for 1,500 hungry children and typhoon victims continu-
ously for 40 days; rehabilitated school rooms & buildings
and provided fresh school supplies; and launched a liveli-
hood restoration program by replacing lost fishing boats of
fishermen in the coastal villages of Ormoc. By December 18
the Rotary Soup Kitchen has expanded to feed 1,250
evacuees in Tacloban City for at least 30 days.
In addition to providing relief through the Rotary Care Cen-
ter, Rotarians assisted survivors in several other ways: Dis-
trict 3780 with RC Cubao West & IYFR donated P 1.3 million
cash through D3860; Loyola Heights provided assistance
through partners in Ormoc and other towns; Camp Agui-
naldo facilitated logistics at the evacuation center in Ma-
nila; Araneta conducted a timely, much needed medical out-
reach mission in Capiz; and Holy Spirit with partner RC Set-
tle D1040 of England have started donating fishing boats to
restore livelihood in Northern Leyte, for examples.
ROTARIANS RESPOND TO CALL FOR SERVICE
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Governor’s Message
Tonight is a Fitting Time for a Triple Celebration Message of DG Francis Rivera during the Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party last December 9, 2013 at UP Bahay ng Alumni
W hen I think about the past I remember
the words of Madame Chiang Kai-shek,
―We live in the present, we dream of the fu-
ture, but we learn eternal truths from the
past.‖ This is precisely why we look to the past
as the foundations of the present and an in-
spiring reference for the future.
This is the very reason tonight we give honor to
our past presidents through this fellowship. We
gather for this evening of merriment with fond
memories of the past and gratitude for what it
has been. After their year of leadership, past
presidents become the club’s pillars of wisdom
and inspiration. They become sources of
proven experience. As we have learned in life,
experience is the best teacher. This is why
every club has its own council of past presi-
dents which acts as an advisory body for the
current leadership and the club.
Tonight’s fellowship has been planned with our
celebration of Christmas and Rotary’s Family
Month in mind. Nothing can be more fitting a
time for this fellowship than holding it at Christ-
mastime. It gives us the rare opportunity to
make it even merrier and more meaningful.
That is why tonight we have it a triple event –
our Past Presidents’ Fellowship, District Christ-
mas Party and Rotary’s Family Month celebra-
tion.
Tonight therefore we not only heap honor and
praise on our past presidents but also cele-
brate the Rotary family’s vital role in building a
strong and effective worldwide organization.
Giving this occasion even greater meaning, we
celebrate with deep and unending gratitude
God’s greatest blessing to mankind - the birth
of his only son, the redeemer of the world.
Christ’s coming has given new hope to human-
kind for a safe passage to eternal happiness.
Let us therefore make tonight a special cele-
bration of gratitude – for the past - for what it
has been and what it is for the present and the
future; and for our Rotary family – for its irre-
placeable role in giving our worldwide move-
ment a strong foundation of unity and love. Let
us make tonight a special celebration of high-
est gratitude for God’s love and mercy, which is
the foundation of our lives and our inspiration
to share our blessings with the rest of the
world.
With Peth and my entire family, I share with
you the joys of Christmas and God’s blessings
for the New Year!
3
EDITORIAL BOARD
District Governor Francis A. Rivera
Publisher
District Secretary Amable “Mar” Cancio
District Chief of Staff Francis Paderna
Ricardo “Ric” P. Salvador
Editor in Chief
IPP Elizaberth “Beth” Directo (RC Camp Aguinaldo)
Associate Editor - District
IPP Marcia “Marcia” C. Salvador (RC Holy Spirit)
Associate Editor - Clubs
CP Winston “Winston” Sia (RC VisMin)
Associate Editor-Webmaster
Editorial Staff
IPP Rhodora “Doris” Sanchez (RC Diliman North)
IPP Cresencio “Cris” Bacho Jr (RC Cubao Edsa)
Bernard De San Jose (RC Timog)
The Governor’s Monthly Letter is published by the Gov-
ernor of Rotary International District 3780 with offices
at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon
City, Philippines. Contributions for publication may be
sent to Ric Salvador at [email protected], to
Beth Directo at betchie@[email protected], or to Marcia
Salvador at [email protected]
From the Editors
By the Numbers
110 – Number of articles and stories of various
lengths published in the first six issues of the Governor’s Monthly Letter from July to December 2013. Not included in this number are the monthly messages from DG Francis Rivera, con-sistently outstanding work developed by our edi-tors which do not show by-line acknowledge-ments, and messages from Rotary International.
40 – Rotary clubs in the district that have con-
tributed those 110 stories of service-above-self projects and activities. Thanks to clubs and Ro-tarians who have shared the most number of sto-ries:
New Manila Heights – 8 articles (6 from District Com-munity Service Chair Baby Allado, one each from District Adviser for Annual Giving Boone Ongchoco and FCP Al Villacorte)
Cubao West – 7 articles (3 from FCP Josie Garcia, 2 from FC Sec Mel Waje and PP Joel Guillermo and PP Ed Trinidad)
Quezon City – 7 articles (4 from District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, 2 from FCP Poch Jayma-lin, 1 from IPP Cesar Baltazar)
Camp Aguinaldo - 6 articles from FCP Robert Camba
Cubao Central - 5 articles from PP Marilyn Manabat
Diliman North – 5 articles from FCP Len Araneta
143 – Increase in Rotary club members in
D3780 from July 1 to December 31, 2013 accord-ing to “breaking news” received from RI January 14, 2014. The Editorial Board led by DG Francis Rivera congratulates the First Class Presidents, District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, LG Chito Borromeo who has championed “functional collaboration” pilot among clubs, and other dis-trict officers. Growth has been achieved within our 102 clubs without newly chartered clubs. It’s second highest growth among all 10 districts in the Philippines.
1000 - Although “a picture is worth a thousand
words,” five or 10 words are almost always needed to describe what the picture is all about.
Calendar of Activities February 2014
From District Secretary Amable “Mar” Cancio
February is World Understanding Month
(During this month, clubs are urged to present programs and other activities emphasizing understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace. The anni-versary of the first Rotary club meeting, February 23, is observed as World Un-
derstanding and Peace Day)
Feb 15 & Mar 1 District Legislative Assembly RotCen
(9-12 AM)
February 8 Alay ng Rotary sa Araw ng Kabataan RC Kamuning
February 15 Family Rotary Day Camp Crame
Multipurpose Hall
DG Meeting with FCPs/AGs/AGRs
February 22-23 RYLA (jointly with RID 3770 Corregidor Is.
February 23 World Understanding & Peace Day Peace
Presidents
November 2013
Missed last month’s issue of the GML? Click to view and download
4
Established on November 21 by Task Force Yolanda led by PDG Danny Fausto, relief assistance provided by
Rotary Care Center has progressed from feeding through school rehabilitation and restoration of livelihood
Click this link or tap on any of the photos above to view update report from Task Force Yolanda.
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Rotary Care Center has been supported by teams of volunteer Rotarians from many clubs
6
To serve Typhoon Yolanda survivors, even Rotarians need angels by FC President Pocholo Jaymalin, RC Quezon City
With LG Dwight Ramos, Dir Angelo-Roa Yu, and Dir Edgar Tapiador of RCQC
O ne month after the most powerful typhoon ever re-
corded in Philippine history lashed Central Philippines,
the Rotary Club of Quezon City (RCQC) together with the sup-
port of its sister club, the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo
and its long time partner in service, the Inner Wheel Club of
Quezon City (IWCQC), visited Ormoc City on December 10-12,
2013.
Ormoc is a first class city in the province of Leyte, Philip-
pines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of
191,200 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commer-
cial and transportation hub of western Leyte. Ormoc City is a
port city and is the largest city in Leyte by land area.
Rotary International District in Ormoc City
About a week after the devastation brought about by Ty-
phoon Yolanda, our Rotary District 3780, led by First Class
Governor Francis Rivera formed a team composed of Past
District Governors and incumbent District Officers to assess
the damage brought about by the said typhoon at Ormoc.
Why Ormoc? Because almost all the relief efforts from the
national government and international communities were
then concentrated at Tacloban City. After the initial assess-
ment, an emergency meeting of the said team was con-
ducted. A decision was made, RI District 3780 will help the
survivors by putting up a feeding center which was officially
named the Rotary Care Center Soup Kitchen. The objective
of this effort is to feed 1500 schoolchildren every day for
forty days. The two schools identified for this project were
the most devastated schools in the city, the Punta Elemen-
tary School and the Linao Elementary School, both of which
are located in the bay area of the city.
Gov Francis Rivera then called for an emergency meeting of
all the First Class Presidents of RI District 3780. He reported
the situation on the ground at Ormoc and then called for the
fund raising among all the clubs in the district. The funds
generated from this first "call" comprised the seed funds for
the Soup Kitchen Project.
For our part, RCQC First Class President Pocholo Jaymalin
coming out from the said meeting immediately sounded off
the call of Gov Francis during the regular meeting of the club.
Without the need to emphasize the need to raise funds, the
members of RCQC raised USD 1,000. This amount was im-
mediately turned over to the district for the said Soup
Kitchen.
After another week, PP Chito Madronio called up PP Popoy
Flores informing him that our sister club, the Rotary Club of
Yokohama-Hongo contacted the former saying that they
learned about the destruction in our country and that they
were donating USD 2,000. The money was wired to PP Chito
and then a meeting was set up for PP Chito to turn over the
donation to FCP Pocholo Jaymalin, witnessed by LG Dwight
7
Even Rotarians need angels . . .
was turned over to our Club Treasurer PP Ricky De Guzman.
By this time, a decision has been made by the club, that this
amount of donation by the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo
plus the amount that will be raised during the joint meeting
of RCQC and IWCQC will be spent on school supplies for
around 700 school children at Punta Elementary School.
This will be personally distributed by a team from RCQC led
by Pres Pocholo Jaymalin, PP Dwight Ramos, Directors An-
gelo Roa-Yu and Edgar Tapiador.
The RCQC team landed at Cebu on December 10 and imme-
diately coordinated with FCP Grace Fojas for the purchase of
the school supplies from a local supplier. The school sup-
plies packaged in more than a dozen boxes were brought to
the Cebu Pier to be loaded on the fast craft going to Ormoc.
This happened almost without hitch until the Pier Police held
the truck for not having a "Bill of Lading," a prerequisite
document for goods to be shipped out from a pier. Out
came the first angel, a certain Diane from 2GO shipping
lines personally assisted me in looking for the supervisor
who could help me with the boxes. The Officer-in Charge was
not in his office and they could not locate him. The trouble
was, the packages should be inside the loading bay as the
vessel was inbound already. The next angel in the person of
Mr. Gabby Margaja of 2GO Cargo Department learned of the
situation immediately stood up donned his company ID and
went to the Pier Police. Right there and then, the cargo was
released.
Upon reaching Ormoc City, the scene of destruction dawned
upon us, the pier was devastated. FCP Pres Troy Bumagat
of the Rotary Club of Ormoc fetched us and we proceeded
directly to Punta Elementary School. There, we were met by
the Principal, Mr. Julius Porcadilla and his teachers. Another
problem came up, how are we to meet the deadline of in-
serting to individual plastic folders the right combination of
school supplies for each grade level. The third angel came
in the form of a group of teachers who helped us in this ac-
tivity. A production line was formed and before 5pm every-
thing was done. All the school supplies are ready for distri-
bution the following day, all 675 plastic folders with corre-
sponding school supplies per grade level. When we finished
the activity, FCP Pocholo was walking around the school
grounds, there the safety practitioner that he is immediately
pushed him to notice some potential hazards. A safety walk
was cleared together with his team and Prinicipal Julius.
FCP Pocholo identified all the hazards and corrective actions
were immediately implemented. Hopefully, this will elimi-
nate potential accidents to happen to the students.
The team then met with several officers of the Rotary Club of
Ormoc to plan out the activities for the following day. At
around 8am of Day 2, the team boarded two tricycles, the
only mode of transportation in the city and proceeded to
Punta Elementary School, we noticed an increase in the
number of students that day.
8
From Ground Zero, Ormoc City and Tacloban City, December 16-18, 2013 by VRC Joel Guillermo, Special Projects, RC Cubao West
With DG Francis Rivera, FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Amy Robles, Cecille Rodriguez, Sec Mel Waje & Rtn Brian Rochas (RC Goleta, Sta Barbara CA, USA)
Ormoc City
A s we toured the city, most of the houses, school build-
ings, commercial buildings, and public utility terminals
had lost their roofs. The houses located beside the sea suf-
fered heavier damage and they belonged mostly to fisher
folks whose small fishing boats (bancas) were also de-
stroyed.
Linao Elementary School, where the Rotary Cares/Command
Center/ Soup Kitchen is located, faced the sea; thus, most of
its roofs had been torn and blown away. Daily, our District
3780 cooked food for 1,000 students from two schools
(chosen according to their economic standing in the commu-
nity - the poorest of the poor). They bring their own plates &
bowls which we filled with rice and soup. Hence, only those
pre-chosen are fed daily for 40 days.
We had the privilege and opportunity to prepare and cook
the food and serve these to the children. We also played and
sang with the kids as a way of letting them forget their tragic
experience. FC President Josie, Sec Mel and Rotarian Brian
from California brought children’s books and did Story Tell-
ing/Book Reading to the delight of the pupils.
The city is now back on its feet with most establishments al-
ready open, internet service now available, and electricity
restored, either thru the use of gen-sets or by their electric
cooperative.
Since relative normalcy has been restored in Ormoc, most of
those rendering voluntary service in Tacloban City area stay
in and commute to and from Ormoc City daily (travel time is 2
hours) where hotels and restaurants are already open. This is
also where the ferry boats to Cebu City have regular trips at
intervals of 30 minutes.
In Summary, the city on its own, is now moving forward.
LEGACY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF CUBAO WEST FLEET
We visited the Gawad Kalinga/Rotary Housing Project in Or-
moc. Most of the houses were damaged. Roofs were gone
including roof of their Day Care Center which is now also be-
ing used as storage for relief goods.
Our Hon. Commodore/District Governor Francis, together
with FC President Josie, Sec. Mel and PP Joel of Cubao West
made a quick decision and immediately snapped the cost of
repairing the roofs of their Day Care Center where the kids
are being taught basic education.
After a careful analysis of their cost estimates, we donated
P41,000 which was more than enough to replace the torn
out roofs that was then covered only by tarpaulins made
from light sack materials provided by the Rotary Club of Or-
moc City. The amount came from the donation of the US
Wheelchair Team from the North Carolina, namely: IPP Bill
Biddle, PDG Hamp Shuford, PP Everett Stiles, PN Peggy Wike
and Rtn Ross Sloan and family. They facilitated the donation
of Wheel Chairs from their District to our Club last Septem-
ber. The $1,000 donation was intended for the Yolanda vic-
tims, in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray.
9
From Ground Zero . . .
TACLOBAN CITY, PALO, LEYTE and adjoining towns
We left Ormoc City at 4:30 a.m. for Tacloban City but our trip
was delayed as we had to scamper for Diesel along the way.
It was good that thru our appeal, we siphoned 10 liters of
Diesel from the truck of a gasoline station owner who's es-
tablishment had been damaged by the Super Typhoon.
As we approached Tacloban City, we saw the "Wrath of Su-
per Typhoon Yolanda". Houses, churches, schools, among
others were heavily damaged beyond recognition. The ty-
phoon was so strong that it had uprooted and tore coconut
trees, trees known for stability and flexibility.
When we reached Palo, Leyte, a town adjoining Tacloban
City and is also along the Pacific Ocean coast, almost all the
houses, business establishments, and other structures had
been totally damaged. Most of the vehicles in the area were
totally damaged, too. This is the area where most people
died because of the storm surge. On our way to the Airport,
we encountered the strong stench of dead bodies still scat-
tered among debris.
Most of the volunteers and foreigners extending aid in the
Tacloban area commute to Ormoc daily where the living con-
ditions for visitors are almost back to normal.
It will take years to rehabilitate Tacloban City and adjoining
towns. Thus, most of the foreign aid are now focused in the
area. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Tacloban City
when we were there. Today, U.N. Secretary General Bun Ki
Moon is also on his way to Tacloban City.
We were privileged to be one of those who started the Soup
Kitchen of our Rotary Cares Project at the Sacred Heart
School in Tacloban together with District Governor Francis
Rivera, PDG Danny Fausto, LG Chito Borromeo, First Class
FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Cecille Rodriguez and Amy
Robles, who are all IYFR Members of the First Class Fleet,
Sec. Mel Waje, Rotarian Brian Rocha of RC Goleta, along
with the officers and members of the Rotary Clubs of Taclo-
ban City and Ormoc City.
Rotary Cares Project in Ormoc is now on its 3rd Phase
which is Livelihood. However, in Tacloban City, the Soup
Kitchen will run from December 18 till January 4. On Jan 6,
the city is targeting to re-open the schools.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT?
While awaiting feedback information from District 3860 Gov-
ernor Ed Chiongbian on how our donation of P1.4 million
was used or allocated, unused funds that we have should be
utilized in rehabilitation efforts and livelihood programs.
Because there has been reduced sense of urgency for food
and relief efforts, the next IYFR donations should also be
focused on Livelihood Projects such as donating fishing ban-
cas so the fishermen could resume earning their living.
The construction of bunk houses has been ongoing; thus, in
a short period of time, those displaced will have a shelter.
From our experience in Ormoc where our District Governor
decided that we should donate directly to the affected peo-
ple, we’ve seen that we made them happier and we also felt
confident that the money we gave really went to the in-
tended beneficiaries.
Hence, if we are to donate the funds recently raised from
generous members of our organization, we recommend that
we purchase bancas from fabricators in Cebu or nearby
places and donate these directly to qualified beneficiaries in
Tacloban, Palo and other coastal towns. We could partner
with local Rotary clubs who will choose the recipients.
10
Updates on water and sanitation initiatives by district service committee by District Community Service Chair Ma. Elisa “Baby” Allado, RC New Manila Heights
December 11, 2013. Turnover of a 5,000-liter rainwater harvester tank by RC New Manila Heights to
Our Lady of Banneux (OLB) ANCOP-RID 3780 Community at San Mateo, Rizal
January 7, 2014. Orientation on community-managed potable water supply and sanitation
F unded by a District Grant,
the Rotary Club of New Ma-
nila Heights (RCNMH) built a
5,000-liter rainwater harvester
tank at the OLB Ancop-RID 3780
Community spearheaded by the
Rotary Club of Commonwealth.
This was officially turned over to
the Community on December 11,
2013 in San Mateo Rizal. This will
supply water to the 44 families
now housed in the area from do-
nations of Rotary clubs in our Dis-
trict.
Highlight of the turnover cere-
mony was the cutting of the rib-
bon by DG Francis Rivera, PDG
Dulce Coyukiat, PDG Mario Nery,
FC Presidents Amba Villacorte
and Demy Aquino, District Shelter
Chair Bobby Peñalosa and District Community Service Chair
Baby Allado. The tank was accepted by a representative of
Eric Bonifacio, President of Samahan ng OLB who also
signed the Statement of Commitment to maintain and take
care of it.
Other members of RCNMH who were present were: Boone
Ongchoco who pledged Php 100,000 to help complete the
multi-purpose hall and support basic education and literacy
projects for the community; Alex Buot; Ponchit Miranda;
Boyet Alfonso with Spouse Noemi; Alex Arrojo and Spouse
Joy; and Jun San Juan and Spouse Norijean. Visiting Rotari-
ans from RC San Mateo Highlands represented by Buena
Mabeth Simon pledged to do some livelihood programs.
Members of ANCOP (Answer the Cry of the Poor) including
Warren and Spouse and Pinky, coordinators of the commu-
nity, were also in attendance.
Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by PDG Dulce Coyukiat, DG Francis Rivera and FC President Amba Villacorte (RCNMH) and FC President Demy Aquino (RC Commonwealth)
The Department of Agrarian Reform in coordination with the
Water and Sanitaion Committee of District 3780 sponsored
an Orientation on Community-managed Potable Water Supply
and Sanitation in Misamis Occidental. The activity was held
last January 7, 2014 at Nomis Botanical Garden, Ozamis City,
Misamis Occidental and facilitated by PP Bing Quite, District
Chair for Water and Sanitation under the Committee on
Community Service headed by PP Baby Allado. It was
attended by 50 participants including Mayors, MLGU and
DAR personnel in Misamis Occidental.
The seminar oriented the participants about the concept of
low cost water and sanitation facilities. After the orientation,
most of the Mayors were excited to implement the project in
their respective municipalities. It was manifested in the
action plans they prepared. In fact Mayor Rosario Balais of
the municipality of Jimenez invited PP Bing to visit the water
source in her town. After the visit, it was found that the
quality of the water is not good due the presence of iron. It
was agreed that the Mayor, through the para-engineers, will
construct two Iron Removal Filters so that the said water
source will be used by the coastal barangay as safe drinking
water. Construction will start by the third week of January.
PP Bing Quite, D3780 Chair for Water and Sanitation, is shown facilitating the orientation session.
11
Diliman North installs rainwater harvesting system to ensure reliable water supply for school by FC President Marilene Araneta, RC Diliman North
T he Innovative Rainwater Harvesting System (IRHS) was
installed at the Centennial Day Care Center located in
Sitio Pingkian, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City last 14
December 2013. It was turned over to the CDC-PTA last 28
December 2013 which was followed by a simple party
among RCDN and CDC-PTA officers.
The IRHS is a Filipino technology which converts rainwater
into clean and potable water. The system was installed by
the company of Dr. Antonio F. Mateo, a Filipino inventor and
PP of RC Manila San Miguel. The project cost was funded
largely by a District Grant of P20,000.
The IRHS installed at the Centennial Day Care Center (CDC)
has the following objectives:
1. A source of potable water shall be provided for the drink-
ing and snack preparation needs of the Day Care Center;
2. An alternative source of water shall be available for flush
ing toilets in the Day Care Center;
3. An alternative source of water shall be available for emer-
gency situation, e.g. Fire;
4. A reduction in water bills shall be expected;
5. In the event that the Day Care Center shall be renovated
or expanded, the installed IRHS can be moved, expanded
and reinstalled.
The beneficiaries are students, teachers and parents of the
school.
Broadway installs Rotary 4-way test markers in two more schools, December 17, 2013 by FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway
Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School
Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City
Dona Josefa Jara Martinez High School
Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City
12
FIRE and ICE : Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party by Chair of 2013 Past Presidents’ Night & District Christmas Party, FC President Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle
L ast December 9th, the vibrant batch of First Class
Presidents led by FCP Cecile Rodriguez and with
valuable guidance from their First Class Governor Fran-
cis Rivera and PDG Dan Espinosa, hosted this year’s
Past Presidents Night and District Christmas Party at
the UP Bahay ng Alumni. With the theme ―Fire and Ice‖
the event aimed to call attention to the global warming
that’s been wrecking havoc to our planet
The affair promoted as a ―party for a cause‖ was able to
raise additional funds for the Rotary Cares Soup
Kitchen of District 3780 for the survivors of Super Ty-
phoon Yolanda in Ormoc City and Tacloban City in Leyte
Province through the very generous patronage of the
Rotarians of District 3780.
Everyone came in their fiery red and cool white attires
giving more vibrancy to the night. The different batches
came in fighting form for the hotly contested Christmas
song and dance presentations. The Global Presidents
emerged as this year’s champion with their aptly
themed performance. The Hands-On Presidents, Leader
Presidents and Peace Presidents come in 2nd, 3rd and
4th places respectively. In the spirit of the Christmas
season all the winners donated their cash prizes in fa-
vour of the District’s soup kitchen in Leyte. This year’s
host, the FCPs, serenaded the audience with a medley
of Christmas carols eliciting laughter and applause.
The more than 550 attendees enjoyed the night with
unlimited buffet, overflowing drinks, exciting games and
raffle prizes. It was a night filled with joyful camarade-
rie! Indeed the FCPs lived up to their name and gave
the district a first class Past Presidents Night and Dis-
trict Christmas Party. Ooorah, ooorah, ooorah!
Click or tap links below to watch video clips of team presentations, courtesy of Silver President Marilyn Manabat:
GLOBAL PRESIDENTS
HANDS-ON PRESIDENTS
LEADER PRESIDENTS
PEACE PRESIDENTS
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FIRE & ICE : Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party
Photos courtesy of FCP Bong Jung (Holy Spirit), SP Marilyn Oliveros-Manabat (Cubao Central), and IPP Cris Bacho (Cubao Edsa).
14
Interactors spread love, joy, goodwill and hope among cancer-stricken children by FC Secretary Rick Bugayong, RC Metro Sta. Mesa
Lead Sponsoring Clubs: RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta. Mesa
D 3780 Interactors led by District Interact Representative
(DIR) Valerie Valenzuela cheered up 100 cancer-
stricken patients at the National Children’s Hospital on E.
Rodriguez Sr St in Quezon City last December 16, 2013. The
event dubbed ―May Bukas Pa‖ is an annual project of the
Interactors at the hospital where the cancer patients are en-
tertained with numbers performed by the Interactors, food is
served, and toys/gifts are given to each child.
Interactors from RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta
Mesa organized and successfully carried out the December
16 activity with support from 13 sponsoring clubs that in-
cluded RCs Camp Crame, Cubao West, Diliman Heights, Ka-
muning East, Kamuning West, Masambong, Mega Edsa,
North Balintawak, North Edsa, Quezon City, Quezon City Cen-
tral, Quezon City Circle, and Timog.
FC Presidents Andy Almendral of RC Bagong Silangan and
Ludy Hofer of Metro Sta Mesa turned over four (4) wheel-
chairs to selected patients. The wheelchairs had been do-
nated by RC Cubao West through FCP Josie Garcia.
15
T he Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte, in partner-
ship with the Inner Wheel Club of San Francisco Del
Monte, conducted a series of Christmas parties otherwise
called as Christmas Cheers for its adopted groups of benefi-
ciaries on various dates starting on December 5, 2013.
The series was kicked off by a Christmas Cheers event for
RCSFDM's adopted elementary school, the Sinag Tala Ele-
mentary School, on December 5, 2013. As part of the tradi-
tional cheers, more than 100 elementary students were
treated to a merienda of spaghetti, bread and drinks. They
were also given loot bags containing canned goods, rice,
foodstuffs and toys.
Next was the Christmas Cheers for the more than 100 out-of
-school youth in Barangay Fairview on December 11, 2013.
The kids were also treated to a sumptuous merienda of pan-
sit and drinks and later to loot bags containing foodstuffs
and toys.
Christmas Cheers was also thrown for more than 40 indigent
kids who are enrolled in the adopted day-care center of
RCSFDM and IWCSFDM, the Brgy. Teachers Village West Day
-care Center on December 15, 2013. Apart from merienda of
various food treats, the kids enjoyed various parlor games
and dance contests with various prizes for contention. The
event was made more exciting with the arrival of well-wishers
like QC Councilors Jessica Daza and Bayani Hipol.
The RCSFDM and IWCSFDM then threw a Christmas Cheers
party for the indigent Lolas and Lolos in Brgy. Fairview last
December 18, 2013. Apart from merienda, the elders were
treated to Christmas gift bags containing canned goods, rice,
ham and other food items. All the while, the more than 50
beneficiaries were serenaded with Christmas songs.
RCSFDM and IWCSFDM held all the above Christmas Cheers
activities, knowing that Christmas is about spreading love
and hope especially for our less privileged brethren. Aware of
the plight of the victims of super-typhoon Yolanda, the men
and women of SFDM were also engaged to spread love and
hope at Ormoc City and Tacloban City on December 27,
2013. The activities would, however, require another write-
up.
San Francisco Del Monte holds series of Christmas cheers for young and old alike By FC President Bon Tagum, RC SFDM
16
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Cosmopolitan Timog shares Christmas with pre-school scholars By FC President Genilou Liv Jimena, RC Cosmopolitan Timog
O n December 19, 2013, the Ro-
tary Club of Cosmopolitan Ti-
mog organized a Christmas Party for
the indigent pre-school scholars of
Trinity University of Asia (26 kids)
and their parents, with a program for
them with games, dancing and eat-
ing.
The Christmas Party is part of a con-
tinuing project with our adopted pre-
school scholars. The kids, their par-
ents and teachers are familiar with
our club. It is hoped that the kids be
inspired to continue with their edu-
cation, and have positive outlook
about school, about Rotary and
about the spirit of giving. Activities
like this also strengthen our club's
bond with school.
New Manila shares Christmas with kids from 3 barangays By FC President Anna Millonado, RC New Manila
L ast December 22, 2013 RC New Ma-
nila shared Christmas cheers with
320 children from Barangays Valencia,
Mariana and Damayang Lagi in Quezon
City. This is a traditional activity done every
year in celebration of our Charter Anniver-
sary. Ten Rotarians assisted the children
in the party and gave food, gifts and prizes
and led the games. The event made the
children happy and brought something for
them to remember, that the ROTARY loves
them and cares for them. And that some-
day, they will also do the same in their com-
munity.
17
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Timog QC organizes multi-club Christmas cheers for 200 public school pupils By FC President Rene Cantos, RC Timog QC
What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving, puppet show and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club from Trinity
University of Asia (grade school pupils)
When - December 13, 2013, 10am
Where - Cresta Verde Subd., Barangay Sta Monica, Commonwealth Avenue, QC
No. of beneficiaries - 200 elementary pupils of public schools
Timog QC cheers up cancer-stricken kids at Philippine Children’s Medical Center
What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving, magic show, 2 clowns and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club
from Trinity University of Asia (grade school pupils); When - December 19, 2013; Where - Philippine Children’s Medical
Center, Quezon Avenue cor Agham St., QC; Number of beneficiaries - 100 cancer patients.
18
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New Manila South shares Christmas joys with elderlies in Tanay By FC President George Chua Uy, RC New Manila South
O n December 14, 2013, RC New Manila South led by
FC President George Chua-Uy, and joined by their Ro-
taract Club, visited Haven for the Elderly in Barangay Sam-
paloc, Tanay, Rizal and gave Christmas cheers to some 60
elderly grandmothers. The Haven for the Elderly (formerly
Golden Acres), established three (3) years ago, provides re-
habilitation services for neglected, abandoned and home-
less Filipino senior citizens. It is one of three (3) centers for
abandoned older persons managed by the Department of
Social Welfare & Development (DSWD).
RCNMS Rotarians and Rotaractors had a memorable experi-
ence interacting with the lolas at the center. They gave as-
sorted grocery items, pillows and other personal items to
the delight of the elderly residents.
Taking advantage of the opportunity of the visit, FC Pres
George and members planted trees in the area. The Haven
for the Elderly resides on acres of lush gardens with views of
rolling mountains surrounded by trees.
RC Masambong shares Christmas joys with grade school pupils By FC President Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong
What: Children's Christmas party for students participating in the Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding & nutrition program
Where: Bago-Bantay Elementary School; When: December 19, 2013
Beneficiaries: Grades 1,2, and 3 students provided with food, gift of tumblers, t-shirts, sleepers, bags and entertained by
clowns
19
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Cubao West shares spirit of Christmas with various beneficiary groups including . . .
National Children’s Hospital
E nter Bumblebee, Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, and Jollibee! The sleepy eyes of the sick children come to life
as they watch their favorite heroes greet and have their photos taken with them, lifting their spirits and temporarily
banishing the gloom of their personal conditions. PP Ayie Gonzales told the story of ―Basura Monster‖ amidst the ooohs and
aahhs of the enraptured children while PP Norman Verzosa gave crisp P20 bills to all the children. Led by FCP Josie, the 20-
strong members gave stuff toys and story books to everybody. Capping the event was a donation of 6 wheelchairs to the
Hospital. This annual event is chaired by PP Tito Yuquimpo.
Christmas Party for Kids with Cancer
RC Cubao West also joined the festive Christmas Party at Childhaus, a sanctuary for kids getting treatment for cancer. Child-
haus received cash, gifts, food and wheelchair donations from RC Cubao West and its members. The party was held last
Dec 15 at Mapang-akit Street, Brgy Pinyahan QC in front of Childhaus itself. There were TV personalities as well as various
dance groups who performed and gave cheers and inspirations to the cancer-stricken children. Pres Josie made a short but
emotional talk exhorting the children to fight their disease and pledged to do more projects in support of Childhaus.
ROTARY GK Village in Ormoc
Pres Josie Garcia, PP Joel Guillermo, Sec Mel Waje together
with DG Francis Rivera, FCP Cecille Rodriguez, FCP Amy Robles
and Rtn Brian Rocha visited Ormoc City and Tacloban City last
Dec 16-18. One of the places they visited is the severely dam-
aged Rotary GK Village at Tambulilid, Ormoc. Many of the vil-
lage houses were severely affected including their Day Care
Center and office. The estimated budget to repair the damaged
building was P41,000 which was gladly given by RC Cubao
West in cash to immediately start the rebuilding efforts. As
Gov. Francis said, this donation is a tangible effort to help start
rebuilding communities in Ormoc. The funds were taken from
the
do-
nation of IPP Bill Biddle, PN Peggy Wike and Rtn Ross Sloan, all
of them part of the US Wheelchair team who visited the club
last September. Their $1,000 donation was for the Yolanda
victims in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray.
The Gift of Love, Visit to Linao Central School
The Rotary Cares Soup Kitchen was first established at Linao
Central School. RC Cubao West visited the school and helped in
preparing the food, distributing clothing, helping out in the
feeding program, did storytelling, played with the kids and gen-
erally extended genuine care for the children. The children are
obviously in dire need of attention and care as they follow the
visiting team around; playing and laughing with them, and gen-
erally enjoying the attention generously given to them. Pres Josie braided the unkempt hair of the girls who were probably
overlooked by their parents busily trying to recover from the storm. ―Playing with the children, telling them stories, laughing
with then, making a fool of ourselves in front of them, was time well spent,‖ said PP Joel. Several hundred stuff toys were
donated by RC Cubao West to the school children but the package was still being shipped and should arrive later last De-
cember.
BLT Christmas Gift Giving
Due to the shortage of time and the availability of the students, RCCW will hold its post-Christmas celebration with the BLT
students of Cubao Elementary School on the first week of January. The celebration will be highlighted by a feeding pro-
gram, gift giving, stuff toys giving, book giving and special BLT ID cards to identify the kids.
20
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Holy Spirit spreads Christmas joy and goodwill among less fortunate ones By FC President Eui Bong Jung, RC Holy Spirit
L ast December 17 RC Holy Spirit shared spirit of Christmas and sumptuous meal with 100 Grade 1 pupils of Dona Juana
Elementary School who have been participating in the club-sponsored 120-day milk feeding & nutrition program. Of the
participants,19 pupils had been assessed as ―severely
wasted‖ and 81 of them were ―wasted‖ before the program.
Teachers report marked improvements in weights and heights
of pupils as of December 9, 2013, life-changing gift for the
kids who have gained an average of 3 kgs increase.
The club’s annual Christmas event with Grade School pupils
belonging to the Special Education Center of Dona Juana Ele-
mentary School in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City was held
last December 18, 2011. The program dubbed, “Ikaw Ang
Pinakamahalagang Regalo Ngayong Pasko,” was organized by
five SPED teachers . RCHS prepared toys/gifts and game prizes
for 95 SPED pupils with various learning disabilities. The club
also provided lunch packs consisting of spaghetti, fried chicken
and fresh milk for the children and their parents.
On December 22, LG/PP Linda Palattao, Rotarians, and Buklod
ng Panginoon Foundation spread Christmas cheers and joy
among 100 indigent families in the Payatas area.
Broadway holds share-and-give Christmas events for children By FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway
B LT Christmas Party!!! December 17, 2013 Tuesday
10:30am at Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School
for students participating in Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding &
nutrition program.
R C Broadway at National Children Hospital. Christ-
mas gifts giving to all pediatric surgery patients.
Ages 1 to 9 years old. December 18,2013
21
Dear fellow Rotarians,
O ne winter day, Rotary founder
Paul Harris took a walk down a
well-kept street just outside Chicago.
Watching children sledding down a hill-
side, he recalled his own boyhood in
New England. At that moment, he de-
cided that if he ever were to own a home, it would be on
top of that hill on Longwood Drive.
In 1912, Harris and his wife, Jean, made that dream a real-
ity. They named their new home Comely Bank, after the
street where Jean grew up in Scotland.
Over the years, the Harrises hosted Rotary meetings and
entertained visiting dignitaries, surrounded by objects they
had collected on their travels throughout the world. The
trees they planted in their friendship garden still grace the
yard. In 1947, Harris died there; Jean sold the home not
long afterward and returned to Scotland.
The property changed hands twice more before the Paul
and Jean Harris Home Foundation purchased it in 2005.
Through the efforts of that group, and with the help of the
Rotary clubs of Chicago and Naperville, the Harris home
has been saved from demolition. Now, it is up to us to pro-
tect the home for posterity, as a place for Rotarians to
gather in the spirit of friendship and service.
The RI Board has agreed to loan $500,000 to the Paul and
Jean Harris Home Foundation to assist with the restoration
of this irreplaceable piece of Rotary history. A goal of $5
million has been set for the project, to complete the neces-
sary renovations and to provide an endowment fund to al-
low the property to operate as a museum and historic site.
I am committed to the restoration of the Paul and Jean Har-
ris Home and hope you agree that this project is worthy of
your support. My wife, Jetta, and I have made a contribu-
tion to our Rotary Foundation to establish a donor advised
fund to accept contributions from anyone who shares our
love of Rotary history, and our desire to preserve Rotary's
past.
If you would like to join us, please go to www.rotary.org/daf
and click on "How to Contribute." Include the account
name, "Paul Harris Home Preservation," and number, 474.
A gift of any size is welcome, and naming opportunities are
available in the home and garden for those who are consid-
ering a larger gift.
We are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate the
spirit of Paul Harris in this special way. Together, we can
save his home for generations of Rotarians to come.
Ron D. Burton
President, Rotary International 2013-14
RI President’s December Message Foundation Chairman’s December Message
Messages, news and information from Rotary International
Celebrate Rotary Family Month
D ecember is Family Month, a time
when we pay special attention to
Rotary's large and expanding family.
Rotary is not just 1.2 million Rotarians
in 34,558 clubs. We're 365,125 Inter-
actors, 133,860 Rotaractors, and
174,547 Rotary Community Corps
members. Our family includes the spouses and children
of Rotarians. It also encompasses the dozens of commu-
nity nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations that
Rotary has forged partnerships with. The family of Rotary
is millions strong – and it continues to grow as we keep
developing new ties.
One thing we all know in Rotary is that we can do more
together than we can alone. Together, we have a tremen-
dous reach. We need to ensure that Rotary keeps grow-
ing, in all the branches of our family. When we work with
local NGOs and other organizations, we gain more knowl-
edge and more insight. We add to our resources and our
abilities. And we build more bridges of understanding,
friendship, and cooperation. By partnering with others
throughout the world, we not only can achieve more than
we set out to do but also can grow the Rotary family.
We have learned through our long history in the fight
against polio how effective such partnerships can be. Our
many global partners have made polio eradication possi-
ble, and have helped us achieve a great deal of good
along the way. This is an important lesson, and it is one
we must build on in the years ahead.
Dong Kurn (D. K.) Lee Foundation Trustee Chair 2013-14
22
R I President-elect Gary C.K. Huang chose Light Up Rotary as his theme for 2014-15. Huang was inspired by the
teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucious who said: "It is better to light a single candle, than to sit and curse
the darkness."
"There are so many problems in the world, so many people who need help. Many people say, 'There's nothing I can do.'
So they sit there doing nothing. Meanwhile everything stays dark," Huang told the 537 district governors and their
spouses and partners who are attending the 2014 International Assembly in San Diego, California.
"The Rotary way is the Confucius way. The Rotary way is to light a candle. I light one, you light one, 1.2 million Rotarians
light one. Together, we light up the world," said Huang, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei in Taiwan.
After announcing his theme at the opening session of the five-day training meeting, Huang urged club members to
Light Up Rotary in the coming year by hosting a Rotary Day in their community and including local Rotaract and Interact
members in their service projects.
"How you Light Up Rotary is up to you," Huang said. "You know where you are strong, you know what your community
needs, and you know how you can help."
Huang also shared his membership development goals, including the need for more women and young adults and his
goal to increase membership to a total of 1.3 million members. He asked Rotarians to invite their spouses, family
members, and friends to join Rotary.
"We need to assume leadership for building strong clubs, and that starts with bringing in new members," he said.
Addressing the status of the fight against polio, Huang noted that with the current momentum Rotary is on track to
achieve full polio eradication by 2018.
"When we eradicate polio — and we will — we will have proved ourselves an organization capable of great things. And
we'll be even better equipped for the next challenge we choose to take on. We'll have given the world a gift that will en-
dure forever," he said.
By continuing to fight against polio, setting an example in local communities, and growing membership, Huang hopes
to see Rotary shine brighter than ever.
HUANG ENCOURAGES CLUB MEMBERS TO ‘LIGHT UP ROTARY’
23
Photo Gallery
First Class Presidents’ Christmas Party, December 13, 2013 at the BF Homes Multipurpose Hall Photo courtesy of Rtn. Brian Rocha
Peace Presidents’ Year-end treat, December 28, 2013
24
D istrict Governor Francis Rivera and the editors thank Rotarians who have contributed stories for this December issue of the
Governor’s Monthly Letter.
PDG Danilo Fausto D3780 and FC President Grace Fojas Vinarao of RC Acropolis for the pictures and update on the Rotary Care/Rotary Meal-Soup Kitchen in Ormoc City and later, in Tacloban City, on the front page and Pages 4 & 5.
FC President Pocholo Jaymalin of RC Quezon City for the story and photos of the club’s out-reach mission on December 10-12 to assist Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc City, on Pages 6 & 7.
PP Joel Guillermo, Special Projects chair of RC Cubao West and International Yachting Fellow-ship of Rotarians, for the article and photos of the D3780 team’s December 16-18 visit in Ormoc
and Tacloban City, on Pages 8 & 9.
District Community Service chair Ma. Elisa Allado, PP of RC New Manila Heights, for the up-dates on the committee’s initiatives in water and sanitation, on Page 10.
FC President Marilene Araneta of RC Diliman North for the report and photo on the club’s rainwater harvesting project for its adopted day-care center, on Page 11.
FC President Neil Valenton of RC Broadway for the photo-updates on the installation of Ro-tary’s 4-Way Test Markers in two schools, on Page11.
FC Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle and chair of the 2013 Past Presidents’ Fellowship Night and District Christmas Party for the story of the event, and FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit, IPP Cris Bacho of RC Cubao Edsa, and PP Marilyn Oliveros Manabat of RC Cubao Central for the photos used on Pages 12 & 13.
FC Secretary Rick Bugayong of RC Metro Sta. Mesa for the article and photos of the District Interact Christmas program for cancer-stricken children, on Page 14.
FC President Bon Tagum of RC San Francisco del Monte, for the article and photos of the club’s series of Christmas cheering-sharing-events for 4 beneficiary groups, on Page 15.
FC President Genilou Jimena of RC Cosmopolitan Timog for the write-up and photo of Christ-mas event for the club’s pre-school scholars, on Page 16.
FC President Anna Millonado of RC New Manila for write-up and photos of the club’s Christ-mas event for 320 children from three barangays, on Page 16.
FC President Rene Cantos of RC Timog QC for the updates and photos of two Christmas event - multi-club Christmas program for 200 elementary school pupils, and Christmas program for 100 cancer-stricken program, on Page 17.
FC President George Chua Uy of RC New Manila South for story of the club’s Christmas pro-gram for 60 abandoned grandmothers and tree-planting project in Tanay, Rizal, Page 18.
FC Pres Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong, for Christmas event for BLT pupils, Page 18.
FC Secretary Melchor Waje of RC Cubao West for the article and photos on the club’s Christ-mas programs for various beneficiary groups, on Page 19.
FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit for Christmas events for 3 beneficiary groups, Page 20.
FC Pres Neil Valenton, RC Broadway, for Christmas events for 2 beneficiary groups, Page 20.
Recognition of Contributors
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