RCC’S 81ST Induction Rites

CEBU, Philippines - The Rotary Club of Cebu, the second oldest club in the Philippines, recently held its 81st Induction Ceremonies  at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. It likewise served to install past Rotary president Edgar Chiongbian as District Governor RY 2013 with  Guiller Tumangan, director of Rotary  International, doing the honors.

Chiongbian  has served beyond the club level by accepting positions as Assistant Governor, Senior Assistant Governor, District Trainer and District Secretary. He held various district committee positions as chair for Membership, Public Relations, Fellowship, Rotary Sports and Media. He was a group study exchange team leader to Central  Pennsylvania, USA in 2010 . Ed has a perfect attendance record for the past 19 years and is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow.

With the RI theme, "Engage Rotary, Change Lives", Chiongbian hopes to get Rotarians involved in true fellowship and exacting service to the community. He is happily married to Cely who is an educator by profession and a community service advocate. They have 6 children who are all high achievers and hold top positions in their chosen fields of endeavor.

Chiongbian then inducted the new set of officers with Robin Ong as president, Pedro Delantar as president-elect, Anastacio Cubos as vice president, Thomas Magee as secretary and Noel Cañete as treasurer. Board of directors, Edward Gaisano, Javier Sala, Jose Soberano, Stanley Go, Petrious Dakay and Shigehiro Onda complete the line up.

Outgoing president Jonathan Gesalem, in his valedictory address, thanked the Rotarians for their support and team effort which resulted in significant accomplishments in the club's many laudable projects such as  scholarships, medical missions, feeding programs, the community scouts youth and guidance center  and the anti-dengue information drive.

Robin Ong in his acceptance speech assured the members that he would endeavor to sustain and further improve the standard of service during his term by doing  more and doing right beyond selflessness. (FREEMAN)