Timely affair

Up to now, we continue to mourn for our fellow countrymen in Maguindanao as we try to recover from extreme shock and indignation over that unthinkable and senseless massacre of 57 innocent and defenseless people including women and journalists. Undoubtedly, the mass murder is the worst election related violence in this country’s history showing how sordid and depraved our politics has become.

This is an extraordinary happening that calls for extraordinary measures. The government should not just let the usual police investigation take its ordinary course. Its current lackadaisical moves treating the suspected mastermind with kid gloves or considering him as “untouchable” because he is a close ally and staunch supporter of President Arroyo, will just inflame the already volatile situation.

There must be swifter and decisive moves to immediately capture the perpetrators dead or alive. The wheels of justice should be made to grind faster against them. Otherwise peace in that area will remain elusive. Peace can immediately return in that place only if justice is meted swiftly against the barbaric mass murderers without fear or favor.

A longer lasting peace in that area however not only calls for unsheathing the sword of criminal justice as fast as possible. It also requires addressing, among others, the pestering problems of health, hunger, humanity and literacy among our countrymen there. Social justice must also reign in that place as in all other parts of the country. Apparently the government has also been remiss, or has not adequately addressed this problem. Hence some private sector initiatives and assistance are called for.

Immediately coming to mind in this connection is the affair held only yesterday, November 26, 2009 at the Dusit Thani Hotel by Rotary International (RI), the biggest worldwide service organization whose members have developed various community service activities as part of their commitment and social responsibility to improve the quality of life of those who live in their community and to serve public interest.

Yesterday, the ten Rotary Districts in the Philippines held the first International Project Fair in conjunction with Rotary’s World Community Service Program (WCS). The main objective of this Fair is to promote the various community service projects of their clubs before Rotary Clubs of other countries in forum or round table discussions with the end in view of forging international partnerships and/or obtaining support from foreign delegates by way of donations to their respective projects. It is also an occasion to improve social understanding, as Rotarians from other countries get to see up close and personal the country’s cultural attractions.

Gracing the affair was the President of Rotary International himself, John Kenny who delivered the keynote address. Also giving brief addresses were WCS Chairman Guiller Tumangan and District Governor (DG) Sid Garcia of District 3830 who is the overall chairman and coordinator of the ten participating districts assisted by CP Lina Hilario vice chairman. DG Dulce Coyukiat of District 3780 likewise addressed the gathering after the ribbon cutting by the RI president. The Ambassador of Taiwan and some 80 Taiwanese Rotarians as well as other Rotarians from Asia, USA, Europe, and Canada and delegates from Zone Institutes visited the Project Fair funded the projects and signed “sisterhood” agreements with local Rotary Clubs.

District 3780 under the leadership of its energetic lady governor Dulce dB Coyukiat and 23 “hands on” presidents joined the Fair and submitted 60 service projects dealing on health, hunger, humanity, literacy, and clean water which are among the RI’s community service activities. Managing the preparation, planning and implementation of these projects in the round table discussions with the delegates and international partners was Rosario “Chary” Misa, the appointed district chairman assisted by Vice Chair Ed Madulid. Aside from the exhibits posted on panel boards, the District also showed a video presentation of the 60 projects prepared by Greenmeadows Rotary Club President Romy Sangalang and Ed Madulid.

The 23 Club Presidents of District 3780 participating are: Perry Callanta of Agham, Roland Tan of Ayala Hts., Virma Castillo of Camp Aguinaldo, Ernie Paranis of Commonwealth, Vince Reyes of Cubao Central, Beth Sy of Cubao Business Center, Lumen Portento of Cubao Sunrise, Jun Avecilla of Cubao West, Joel de Jesus of Diliman, Gladys Villar of Diliman North, Rose Tanagon of Eastwood, Romy Sangalang of Greenmeadows, Linda Palattao of Holy Spirit, Divine Galleguez of Kagitingan Cubao, Rod Apostol of Loyola Hts., Cesar Concio of Midtown QC, Boone Ongchoco of New Manila Hts., Butch Madarang of QC Circle, Pastor Reyes of San Francisco del Monte, Kix Gutierrez of South Triangle, Ma. Fe Canton of San Bartolome, Teng Villa-real of Talipapa, and Gerry Buhain of Timog.

The whole day affair that started with ribbon cutting and tour of the exhibits, program presentations by the Philippine Rotary Clubs, roundtable discussions and forging of partnerships was capped by cultural presentation and international fellowship.

Once more, this affair proves that Rotarians who totally commit themselves to the ideals of “service above self” and connect or partner with each other in carrying out their programs and activities easily communicate to the rest of the world what Rotary is all about and thus enhance Rotary’s public image as an organization with a social responsibility to promote world peace and understanding.

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