Club with a legend

Today we remember our national heroes and the countless, faceless other men and women who have sacrificed a lot and given up so much for our country and people like the OFWs whom we consider our modern day heroes and heroines for keeping our economy afloat. Also worth mentioning and writing about however are not only these individuals but even groups or organizations that have made our country a better place to live in and have done noble deeds and selfless acts in the service of their fellow Filipinos.

Hence this is also a fitting occasion to write once more about the biggest service organization worldwide and perhaps in the Philippines known as the Rotary International composed of 1.2 million members coming from 33,000 Rotary Clubs in 168 countries.

Rotary started in 1905 as a club of four members composed of a young lawyer, a coal dealer, a mining engineer, and a tailor, mainly for fellowship and to get additional business for themselves. But through the years it has evolved into what the founding editor of “The Rotarian” Magazine, Chesley R. Perry described as a “marvelous and great universal movement with elements of altruism, sparkling with beautiful gems of the philosophy and science of service to fellow men and society”.

If the United Nations is the political organization among nations promoting peace and harmony in the world, Rotary International is the socio-civic humanitarian organization of the very people of these nations promoting health and education especially among children, providing home and shelter, extending natural disaster relief and protecting the environment without discrimination as to race, color and creed. Its most recent demonstration of humanitarian work is the disaster relief extended to the victims of that devastating Typhoon Murakot which hit Taiwan a few weeks ago.

In the Philippines, there are already 801 rotary clubs and 21,488 Rotarians in 10 districts. The first rotary club was the Rotary Club of Manila but the first City to be established as a district by itself is Quezon City (District 3780) where there are now 92 rotary clubs with 2,200 members.

Noteworthy among the Rotary Clubs in Quezon City District 3780 is the Rotary Club of Cubao West (RCCW) because of its colorful past and its storied existence. It also started small like the first rotary club until it grew relatively big and strong enough to weather any “storm” that may threaten its existence. In fact its strength lies in its capacity to survive and remain intact after all the numerous other “storms” in the past.

RCCW has survived and became more durable after 25 years despite having members with colorful, varied and sometimes clashing personalities of different ages and persuasions like lawyers, priests, doctors, government officials, businessmen, employers, employees, leftists and rightists. Several times in the past, its membership dwindled into near extinction but it managed to come back stronger because of several factors:

First, the hearts of its members seem to be uniformly throbbing and aching with an intense desire to help others in their communities especially those who are in dire need of assistance. In other words they have firm and solid commitments to carry out the various humanitarian projects and services of the club under the Rotary principle of” service above self”;

Second, they have developed closer personal relationship through fellowship, especially during meetings, that inspires mutual confidence and serves as the basic source of strength for the club in carrying out its mission pursuant to the Objects of Rotary. Every member is always looking forward to the regular weekly meeting where they can relax, unwind and relieve the tensions of work. In short, they have managed to connect with each other and in the process link with other members of other clubs for a more effective rotary work.

Third, because of their unity and closeness they have achieved various humanitarian projects that simply stand out and spread by word of mouth throughout the community that eventually merit media attention. In other words they are able to communicate with the rest of society without too much drum beating but mainly by their own outstanding humanitarian works enough to attract membership in the organization or supporters of its projects.

And so on September 2, 2009 starting at 6 p.m., the RCCW will hold its 25th Turn Over and Induction Ceremony at the Garden Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. To be inducted as Club President for the year 2009-2010 is Jesus “Jun” Avecilla whose purpose driven life of love and service to God and neighbor has undoubtedly made him a successful businessman in the shipping industry. Jun also organized the first International Yachting Fellowship of Rotary in the Philippines which is not so much about owning a yacht than about protecting our environment particularly our waterways.

To be inducted with him are: Joel M. Sarmiento, as President –elect for 2010-2011; Nestor Atienza as Vice President, Robert “Obet” S. Del Rosario as Treasurer, all of whom are self-made and successful businessmen, and Joselito C. Caballero as Secretary, who is a PR man and media practitioner.

Also be sworn in are: Ven D.P. Martillo, a well known PR expert, as Director for Club Administration; the suave and smooth talking Jose “Joe” Ragos, Director for Club Membership; the very active and indefatigable doctor Santiago “Santi” Rodriguez as Director for Service Projects, the efficient, hardworking and highly successful businessman, Max R. Tan, as The Rotary Foundation Director, another PR expert and noted biographer Melanio “Mel” T. Velasco as Public Relations Director, and Immediate Past President Norman M. Verzosa, a noted law practitioner, as Ex-Officio Director. Serving as Presidential Advisers are Past District Governor Roberto “Bobby” Viray, and Past Presidents Butch Bautista, Ping Sison, Rommel Carino and Don Samson.

After the turnover ceremony where the outgoing President will deliver his valedictory address, the incoming officers and directors will be sworn in by the charming lady District Governor of 3780, Dulce de Borja Coyukiat who will also give her address after the inaugural address of President Jun Avecilla. Of course the highlight of the affair will be the speech of the guest of honor and speaker who is none other the Honorable Vice-Mayor of Quezon City, Herbert “Bistek” Bautista.

With the formidable line-up of dedicated and capable incoming officers and club members the future looks bright and promising indeed for the RCCW.