Partner in service

We cannot expect the government to succeed in promoting the peoples’ general welfare and in enhancing our country’s progress without our cooperation. The tasks of nation building and development of a just, peaceful and productive society require the collective efforts both of the government and the non-government sectors. In this country one of the more notable and distinguished non-government organizations effectively and admirably contributing its part in the performance of these tasks is the Rotary Club – a worldwide service organization established more than a hundred years ago to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations or professions and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

In this part of the world, there are 801 Rotary Clubs with a total membership of approximately 22,000 located in 10 specific geographical areas known as Rotary Districts. Each is headed by a District Governor (DG) supported by a staff of district Rotarians. Just as our country recently had a turnover of the reins of power with the assumption into office of President Noynoy Aquino on June 30, 2010, the ten Rotary Districts and 801 Rotary Clubs therein also had a change of command with a new set of District Governors, District Officers, Club Presidents and Officers assuming office effective July 1, 2010.

Quezon City is the first and only City to be established as a Rotary District by itself, designated as District 3780 (D-3780) last 1988-89. In this district there are presently 95 clubs with about 2,300 members. Last July 4, 2010, a young, amiable, articulate and very capable lawyer in the person of Pablo “Ambo” Gancayco was inducted into office as D-3780 Governor for the year 2010-2011. He will be working with a team of energetic, dedicated and enthusiastic Rotarians and 95 “Global” Club Presidents under the theme, “Building bridges, bridging continents”.

Of course, all Rotary Clubs and their members are continuously and steadfastly carrying out yearly projects designed according to the objects of Rotary and inspired by the Rotary motto of “service above self”. Worth special mention among the Rotary Clubs in Quezon City however, is the Rotary Club of Cubao West (RCCW) not only because of its laudable humanitarian services rendered to the community but more importantly because in its 26 years of existence, this Club and its members went through so many trials and turbulent episodes which may be considered as stuff that legends are made of.

The initial years of its existence was the most trying years especially because the charter members were sharply and bitterly divided in their political views and persuasions as the Martial law regime was gasping for its last breath. The non-violent revolution that ensued brought serious rift among its members and sent the club on a seemingly irreversible spin towards disintegration. Attendance dwindled but meeting continued even if only two or three gathered together obviously as a manifestation of their belief in the Scripture passage that God is still in their midst. And like a “miracle”, members slowly returned after licking their political wounds and discarding their political views which have no place in Rotary anyway. The incident even created stronger bonds of friendship among the club members.

During those early times, membership in the Club was also dominated by lawyers. And typical of any lawyers’ gathering, clashes of opinions were unavoidable before, during and after the weekly club meetings. The sharp exchanges of views and heated debates continued into the late nights of “fellowship” that usually ended in bitterness and acrimony with all signs ominously pointing to final parting of ways and ultimate demise of the club. But mystifyingly again, the hostile protagonists kept on coming back every meeting until they agree to disagree without being disagreeable even fostering closer relationships akin to blood brothers.

In this kind of atmosphere during its infancy, Club membership grew in size and durability despite minor bumps. Presently, its composition is no longer dominated by lawyers but by gentlemen and ladies of varying ages, “color” and creed belonging to different professions or callings like doctors, businessmen, government officials, priests, employers, employees, media men, military men, leftists and rightists. Notably among them are: Dr. Rommel Carino, a well known heart surgeon and dubbed as a “miracle doctor” for the many lives he saved; Bobby Viray, a noted CPA who served as DG for two terms; Butch Bautista, retired actor-movie director and father of incumbent QC Mayor Herbert; shipping magnates and hoteliers Jun Avecilla and Max Tan; well known author and historical biographer of the Ramos family, Melandrew Velasco; topnotch engineer-contractor and incoming Club President Joel Sarmiento; printing magnate PP Ed Trinidad; security specialist Peter Mutuc; government auditor Lito Caballero; media-PR man Ven Martillo; Brig. Gen. Frank Simoy, Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army; and all the other members who have excelled in their respective fields but cannot be mentioned here anymore.

Several Club Past Presidents are also still active like the articulate Joe Ragos, a property insurance expert who can out-talk any lawyer; Dodie Carlos, a retired bank equipment supplier; Don Samson, a businessman-broker; Obet del Rosario, foremost car dealer; Tito Yuquimpo, a realtor and the club’s lothario; entertainment specialist Ayie Gonzales; noted physicians Drs. Santi Rodriguez and Jojo Bernardo; another famous law practitioner, Norman Verzosa; and dentist-restaurateur Manuch Khaledi.

RCCW has many regular activities every year more specifically the monthly medical-dental mission and jail outreach programs; the annual Christmas gift-giving to indigent children; milk feeding and adopt a school program; and various seminars on different topics ranging from health, education etc. In recent years, the Club has also formed the Project Heart Matters Foundation that help people with various heart ailments. Last year, the Club likewise founded the first International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) in the country that embarked on projects to solve serious environmental concerns like the Project Water Waste, clean-up drive of beaches, esteros and river banks.

And so today, 6 August 2010 at the Maynila ballroom of the Manila Hotel, starting 7:30 p.m., the following officers of RCCW will be formally inducted into office by DG Ambo Gancayco: Joel Sarmiento, President; Melandrew Velasco, President Elect; Nestor Atienza, Vice President; Alex Bernales, Secretary; Michelle Cabrera, Treasurer; Ed Trinidad Auditor; Tito Yuquimpo, Sgt.-at-Arms and Peter Mutuc, Protocol Officer. The Cub Directors are: Ven Martillo, Administration; Joe Ragos, Membership; Santi Rodriguez, Service Projects; and this writer, Public Relations with Jun Avecilla as ex-officio member. Also to be inducted as new members are: Zedrick Avecilla, Maryam Khaledi, Josie Garcia, Carl Consulta, and Laverne Minas. Likewise expected to grace the occasion are: PDG Oca Innocentes considered the father of RCCW, DG Elect Jess Cifra, DG Nominee Fenny Policarpio and other PDGs.

This is RCCW. It is like a vintage wine; the older it gets, the tastier it becomes.

* * *

E-mail at: [email protected]