It’s been a fruitful year of fellowship and service for the club members. The highlight of the last major activities centered on the District Awards Affair and the Handover Ceremonies of the District Governor, District Officers and Club Presidents.  I am proud to say that the club was given 5 major awards, namely:  Presidential Citation, Governors’ Special Citation for Matching Grant, Governor’s Special Citation for Functional Website, Distinguished Service Award and the highly coveted "5 North Star Award" which is the highest award in the district. Only 14 out of the 70 clubs were awarded the 5-Star.

The club was also very much involved in the Handover Activities of the District which was expected as usual. CP Sonie was the elegant 1st lady to DG Boyet who shared the limelight when she, together with DG Boyet’s family was called on stage to witness DG Boyet being sworn in by former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.  Of course, the program activities was overseen by the affair’s overall stage director, Dir. Nes. Support system for the whole affair was handled by PP Rachel as the Chief of Staff to DG Boyet and, of course, the mother club of the new governor, RCParañaque South.  Some of RCMBA's PPs were also inducted that night as District Officers.  As I can recall, the following are included: CP Sonie, CS Rachel, PP Nette, PP Raffy, PP Chochit, PP Harold, PP Romy, PP Raffy, PP Santi and yours truly.

On June 10, I will formally turn over the club bell and gavel to our new president Yolly.  Although my term ends officially on June 30, I requested for this early club handover as CS Rachel, myself, PN Roland and his brother will be attending the RI Convention in LA on June 15.  Rachel and I will be back end June and by then, my term ends.  Pres. Yolly will have her hands full attending to the numerous club inductions starting Jul 1 and this will give us very little time for our club handover.

In the beginning when I was asked during our pre pets what I would be feeling when my term ends, I said that I will be recalling the many smiles of all the beneficiaries the club has reached out to during my term and the many friends I have gained and would say to myself that I have done my fair share and thank the club for giving me the opportunity to serve.

To my fellow club members, as I am about to close my President’s Journal and President’s Corner for RY 2007-2008, and handover the responsibility to Pres. Yolly, I say MARAMING SALAMAT for all the support you have given.  We all have worked as a team to bring back the club to its former grandeur, with no less than the highest 5-North Star Award being bestowed to our club for all its achievements in the district. Out of the 70 clubs, only 14 were given this honor and all these was possible because we worked as a team.

To the Council of Presidents, your wisdom and experience has guided me in making those right decisions for the club. To my mentors, Ninang, PP (DGN?) Chochit, PP Harold, PP Raffy, PP Jack, PP Romy, PP Nette, PP Santi, PP Jimmy, PP Charo your presence, persistence and support in making sure that I carry out my plans and objectives is something I will always treasure.

To my Sharing Club Officers headed by club Secretary Tanya, you  were very very patient with my straight forwardness in getting things done.  I could not have done it without you untiring support.  You were with me all the way and for these I will be endlessly grateful.

To the members and directors, like Dir. Arlene, Rtn Jeane,  Dir. Nes, PN Roland the newly inducted members such as Rtn Noi , Rtn Gen, and Rtn Caron,  you were always there to lend more than just a helping hand. You were with me in the club’s major projects and activities.  You deserve all the praises.

To Rtn and new Club Sec Danny, I have to give you special mention.  You brought the club to the limelight when you revived our website and linked it to the district.  Our site was the envy of other clubs that some have copied its format. No less than the District Governor acknowledged this fete that  the club was awarded the Governor’s Special Citation Award for Functional Website.  Out of the 70 clubs, only 22 have established functional websites.
 
To PE Yolly, thank you for answering the call to hit the ground running and lead the club  to greater heights.  As promised to you earlier, I am turning over sustaining projects for you to continue, with no less than a Matching Grant  (I think this is the first ever granted to the club) for you to implement.  You will have my support during your term and that of PN Roland.

And of course, to my spouse District Chief of Staff PP Rachel, and to many, my Commander in Chief, your love and total support, advises, long hours of work and sacrifices to bring out the best in me and for the club has finally paid off; the evidence is the Highest District Award - The 5 Star Mark of Excellence.  I LOVE YOU!!!!

My dear fellow members, I now bring down the curtain of this President’s Corner for my term and await for Pres. Yolly to bring it up again during her term and continue what was started.

YES, YES, YES!  RCMBA!!!



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Blogdate: March 26, 2008

DISCON, PETS AND POLIO PUS PROJECT LAUNCH

It was quite a hectic month having to combine the frequently nightly dance rehearsals of Sharing Presidents for the Discon, the weekly meetings of PP Rachel, PP Chochit, PP Raffy, CP Sonie for the PETs and the just recently concluded Polio Plus Garantisadong Pambata Kalusugan Project MOA Signing and Launching between Cluster 6 Clubs plus other participating clubs and DOH.

So now, it is time to implement the projects that were recently launched starting with the PETs this weekend. We already launched the Feeding Program Project, Clean Drinking Water Project and the Polio Plus and hopefully this will be carried out starting April. Thank you once again for your support.


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Blogdate: March 31, 2008

FOOTNOTES ON THE PETS 2008 (MARCH 28-30)

CONGRATULATIONS once again to our club for the highly successful co-hosting of the PETs under DGE Boyet Limon. Together with lead host RCPS and co-host RCMD, despite some minor problems, everything went smoothly. PE Yolly is lucky indeed to have her club support her with the presence of 12 members, mostly PPs and yours truly, showed that the club is fully behind her.

Kudos to those who stayed during the whole event and to those who had to travel all the way to Pampanga to give their support. The presence of RCMBA members made things easier for Chair Raffy, COS PP Rachel, SAG Chochit and CP Sonie who handled all the details.

Sister club RCPS who was the lead host, made sure that the programs were followed. RCM Dasmariñas, as usual, did a remarkable job taking charge of the entertainments for the whole event. Talagang Magaling! Thanks to other members who could not make it but wished PE Yolly all the best. Salamat also to Sec. Tanya who made sure that the reading materials for the mass celebrations were available.

No less than the present District Officers were impressed by how RCMBA handled the event, especially with the strong presence of its past presidents. Well, this is no wonder why DGN Sid had appointed the club once again to be the co-Chair of the PETs under his term.

This surely makes one proud of being part of RCMBA!


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Blogdate: March 26, 2008

DISCON, PETS AND POLIO PUS PROJECT LAUNCH

It was quite a hectic month having to combine the frequently nightly dance rehearsals of Sharing Presidents for the Discon, the weekly meetings of PP Rachel, PP Chochit, PP Raffy, CP Sonie for the PETs and the just recently concluded Polio Plus Garantisadong Pambata Kalusugan Project MOA Signing and Launching between Cluster 6 Clubs plus other participating clubs and DOH.

So now, it is time to implement the projects that were recently launched starting with the PETs this weekend. We already launched the Feeding Program Project, Clean Drinking Water Project and the Polio Plus and hopefully this will be carried out starting April. Thank you once again for your support.


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Blogdate: March 2, 2008

JOINT MEET WITH RCM URDANETA, CLASSIFICATION TALK AND VOCATIONAL SERVICE

Last February 26, Rtn Caron did a spectacular sharing of her experience as a Rotarian in different clubs in different countries as a result of her assignment in foreign service.  After that, she did an interesting powerpoint presentation of her journey to the Celebes Sea together with the National Geographic team.  New species were discovered underneath the sea which remains unexplored.  Most of those who saw the pictures were amazed of the findings.  Unfortunately, we can’t discuss the details so as not to preempt the printing of the report. Our sister club RCM Urdaneta was all praises to Caron’s sharing that night.  Kudos to Rtn Caron for carrying on her assignment superbly.

PROJECT LAUNCHINGS

For the remaining months of my term, we will be concentrating on several major club projects, most of which are sustaining projects which will be carried through the term of PE Yolly.  We started this morning, March 2 with the donation of the first water purifier for GK Welfareville.  Rtn Noi who is also the GK Coordinator explained the rationale of this project encouraging the members and their families to support the club’s project.

Afterwards, the club launched the feeding project in partnership with foreign sister club RC Cerritos.  Beneficiaries will be the GK SIBOL kids. Implementation will start next week.

On March  4, I will have a joint lunch meeting with our Cluster presidents together with representatives of the Department of Health to discuss the Polio Plus launching.  For the info of the club members, I talked to Gov. Ato last week to ask for his endorsement for this project and he was just too glad to give his support by announcing that this will be a district undertaking to be led by our cluster. He mentioned that he thought that no club will carry this RI project through until now. He was thrilled that this will be one of his last major district project under his term.

Please watch out for further announcements for the following projects:

Anti-TB Project, Parents Empowerment Project, Literacy Project (Donation of Books) and, of course, our co-hosting of the PETS where PE Yolly will be attending.  Let’s give our all-out support for these.



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Blogdate: February 24, 2008

RCMBA - UMAK ROTARACTORS JOIN DISTRICT YOUTH OLYMPICS

PP Rachel and Rtn Noi joined me and 13 other Rotaractors who did their best ti compete in at atmosphere of camaredie and sportsmanship.  Despite the very tough competition (overall winners were the rotaractors from RCP Northeast), we got the gold in women’s shotput, silver in men’s shotput and bronze in the tag of war.  Needless to say, we got support from UMAK when they provided the Coaster to transport the students to and from Rizal Memorial Track and Field. Thanks to the generosity of UMAK VP for Admin Raymond Arcegas, former rotaraian member of RC West Rambo, where Rtn Medy used to belong.  I invited Raymond to have dinner with us and see the possibility of joining our club.  I hope he co0mes this Tuesday.

The students were just to glad to receive their medals. Unfortunately because the program was running late, they had to leave for another singing activity and little did they know that they also bagged the bronze medal for the tag of war. PP Rachel and I had to accept the medals on their behalf.  Our pretty muse  (sister of Rotaract Pres. Ace Sevilla) joined the Ms. Youth Olympics contest along with 15 other contestants.

In the end, everyone enjoyed the whole event and promised to return to give stronger competition.



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Blogdate: February 22, 2008

DANCE FEVER AT MANILA POLO CLUB

Only 3 members attended the Post Valentine Affair of the District. Rachel, myself and CP Sonie.  It was really a night of nostalgic fun with Rotarians trooping to the dance floor swaying and jumping to the sound of the 60s and 70s played by the Retromaniacs. Sharing Presidents came up with much rehearsed Dance Fever dancing and some tried to resemble the Beatles (or did I see Betlogs) with all the wigs to cover the depreciated head.  Pres. Pepito and Jules led the dancing group dancing to the tune of Dance Fever.  Pres. Rico and Pres. Patty Santos were the hosts for the night.

After this affair, we also trooped to Magnet to grace the club anniversary of sister club RCPS.



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Blogdate: February 3, 2008

ELECTION FEVER AND CLUB ASSEMBLY

It was truly an interesting night last January 29.  We returned to our new meeting place Basilios (the dividers not yet in place). PP Raffy had to clarify the procedures the whole process of electing the club’s representatives to the Electors and DNC.  Finally, we have PP Chochit to the Electors and PP Nette to the DNC (hopefully she gets to be chosen).  The new process of electing representatives to the DNC is now by random picking of the names.

The more exciting part was the election of officers under PE Yolly’s term.  It was more of a “how not to be appointed” discussion and debate but finally, the usually club support was given and now we welcome the new set of officers. I won’t preempt the announcement and leave it to be formally announced at our regular club meet.

So, congratulations to the new officers!

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Blogdate: January 23, 2008

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Blogdate: January 16, 2008

A NIGHT OF VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS

Truly the night was bustling with guests from different clubs, to add to the attendance, including 2 guests from our Rotaract Club RCMBA-PSYSC let by Pres. Daina and VP Thor. We had PP Siony Fernando of RCMG (classmate of PP Charo), Club Sec. Carmelita O’Niel of RC Granada Hills CA, and her brother Rtn Robert Sacramento of RC Cagayan de Oro North.

The size of the room was just right as it looked full and enough for us to hear (even without the use of a microphone) every word of PDG Jimmy’s wonderful and informative sharing about his life in Rotary. His sharing about his 100% attendance, I’m sure struck like a sharp sword into our "consiyensya."  No doubt, even the wise men of the club, particularly, PP Santi admitted he was also awakened by the insights given by PDG Jimmy.  The style of PDG Jimmy having the club participate in sharing made things more lively.

PDG Jimmy, our club could not have chosen any other speaker to share about life in Rotary except you in this month of Rotary Awareness. The intro of PP Charo (Club Pres during PDG’s term) speaks of your credentials, but really, it is your credentials coming from the heart that has struck as the most.  No wonder your’re always our favorite speaker.

Rtn Noi gave an exact briefing for our guests about Gawad Kalinga and its continuing partnership with Rotary.  I’m glad about the positive reactions from our Rotaract Officers Daina and Thor, especially when they found out that Noi was also the GK Coordinator.  They mentioned that they were also involved in GK. Well, incoming Community Service Dir. Noi, you now have support from the youth.

I’m glad that Sec. Carmelita appreciated the GK presentation as we are hoping that her club will support and partner with us in our club projects  not only during my term but also under PE Yolly, PN Roland and onwards.

I’m also glad that our weekly singing of our club song is now appreciated by others (or is it timely that the lyrics coincide with the new RI Theme “Make Dreams Real”)  Sec. Carmelita suggested it be sung at the Convention…. was it District or RI?  As a gesture, PP Rachel will burn a video of our club song for Carmelita and hopefully it hits the Rotary International charts.... and make our dreams real.

SOME REMINDERS

Website Update
Please make it a habit to regularly check our website for updates, especially our Journal of Activities, President’s Corner, and the latest is the District and Club Activities. Let’s be proud of our website as it is the envy of some clubs…Kudos to Rtn  Danny for bringing it back to life.

I also see to it that it is consistently updated so all members can get the latest info on what’s going on in the district or in the club.  This takes the place of our monthly club bulletin… as we are in the age of internet and e-communication.

Remaining Club Activities for January
May I again plead for your support, especially the new members, into attending the TRF talk of Dr. Nash Pablo next week.  This is going to be a very informative session as it will enlighten us on Rotary Foundation, Paul Harris Fellowship, etc.

Our Board Meeting is scheduled for January 29 where the main agenda will be the selection of the club’s new set of officers under PE Yolly.  This is also our fellowship night.  Can I request all officers and directors to be present?  We will need you confirmation on this.

Pre-Valentine Club Fellowship
Again, let us support our club’s pre valentine fellowship Feb. 12, with the Spirit of 67 and Angelos (managed by PP Charo) at the Captains Bar. Tickets costing P1,000 each are with PP Charo…do the club members get a discount?

Post Valentine District Affair
Our Club is a co-host to this affair which by the way will be the Sharing President’s last District fellowship for our term. After that will come the Discon and other district activities that will lead to the handover to the next team.

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Blogdate: January 10, 2008

FIRST CLUB MEETING FOR THE YEAR

We had a low attendance last January 9 and I could guess that the Christmas fever was still in some of us. Some members called in sick while there were some who are still abroad.  But kudos to those who heeded our usual text requests for attendance despite the heavy traffic which made all of us late, including our visiting guest Rotarian from our foreign sister club Cerritos LA, Ms Becky Lingad.

We almost had the meeting at the ground floor as we didn’t expect some other customers to fill up the second floor; but after looking at the layout on the table and chair arrangements, we decided to make do with the noisy crowd upstairs.  we also had to make do without the usual formalities to start the meeting and just had a mixture of dinner, fellowship and a powerpoint presentation by Rtn Noi on the projects scheduled for this year.  We were able to draw the interest of our guest PP Becky Lingad (with son Carlos) to the projects we had set for this year and hopefully get additional support from our sister club.

In the end, she turned over to PP Charo, Community Service Director a cheque donation of US$1,000 from her club plus a personal cheque for US$100 which was supposed to be used in celebrating  PP Becky mom’s birthday but instead was used as additional project fund.  We hope we can get the cheque cleared soonest as each day our peso strengthens, will decrease the value of the donation.

FORTHCOMING CLUB & DISTRICT ACTIVITIES 

I would like to encourage my fellow members to look at our forthcoming club and district activities.  I have made the effort of inviting noted speakers (coincidentally coming from the same club RC Rizal West) for this month, PDG Jimmy Cura and Dr. Nash Pablo who will be speaking on Rotary experience and TRF respectively on different dates.

DEADLINE for our DISCON payment remittance is on January 15. Those who will pay after will not be entitled to the early bird discount.  I look forward to our club officers and directors, incoming District Directors, new and old members to support the Discon.  Early bird registration fee is P2,000 per member and P1,000 per spouse. Afterwards, it will be P2,500 per member and P1,500 per spouse.

REVIVAL OF SISTERHOOD AGREEMENT WITH RCM URDANETA

During the cluster 6 meeting where RCM Urdaneta and our club are part of, I was informed that during the term of PP Chochit, there was a tripartite signing of sisterhood among our club, RCM Urdaneta (under then PP Sue Sta. Maria) and RC Manila Metro (Under then PP Alex Wang).  It was PP Sue who suggested the revival and was also endorsed by cluster 6 AG Paul Magno (our honorary member).

My classmate SP Isabelle Gonzales, a 2 term president, and ironically a classmate of PP Rachel when Isabelle was the president of another club, didn’t know of the previous sisterhood agreement forged between our clubs until recently.

So there my fellow members, please block off  February 3 (Wednesday lunch) when we troop over to Makati Sports to sign the sisterhood.  I hope all of us especially PP Chochit will witness this event; something which he started during his term.