Wednesday, July 27, 2016

THE ‘BECAUSE’ OF A ROTARIAN/ROTARACTOR


by: Dr. Chris Sorongon
27 July 2016


            Who is not a Rotarian here? Please raise your right hand. (Thank you.)

            To those who are not Rotarians here, in behalf of all the Rotarians, please allow me to tell you who a Rotarian is according to the internet:

            A member of a Rotary Club, a humanitarian volunteer organization whose motto is SERVICE ABOVE SELF, guided by the 4 ways test and objects of Rotary; dedicated to serve humanity thru the different AREAS OF FOCUS AND AVENUES OF SERVICE

            What is a Rotarian?
·         A Rotarian is a person who digs wells from which they will never drink
·         A person who vaccinates children they will never meet
·         Who restores sight for those they will never see
·         Who builds houses they will never live in
·         Who educates children they will never know
·         Who plants trees they will never sit under
·         Who feeds hungry people, regardless of race, religion or politics
·         Who makes crawlers walk half a world away
·         Who knows real happiness, which as Albert Schweitser said, can only be found by serving others.

            So this morning, I would like to officially start my inspirational message by asking everyone in this beautiful hall to stand up and thank Rotaractors/Rotarians by means of a good hug.

 
            Before we sit down, let us give ourselves limang masigabong na palakpak for being the best Filipino Rotaractor/Rotarian that we could be.
We may settle down.


            Last year, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was here in the Philippines. Being the Light of Asia, millions of us braved strong crowds of people and hurdled weathers, even typhoons, just to welcome him.

            In his dialogue with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas, he uttered these powerful words, “Do you feel with the poor? Then do something for the poor.”

            He then faithfully called everyone to be missionaries for the poor, and to serve those at the peripheries – places where the last, the lost and the least are found.

            The papal visit provided us an idea of what we could have overlooked before he came. Perhaps because we were so preoccupied dictating what the world needs and how it should be. We have probably forgotten, “to learn to be evangelized by the poor, by those we help, the sick, orphans, they have so much to give us,” as the Pope describes it.

            Because I am a Filipino Rotarian/Rotaractor first and foremost. And that’s how I first fell in love with service and to this only country we have.

            Because BEING A VOLUNTEER is not just an art, but it has a heart. Because being a Rotarian/Rotaractor is not just a science, but it has a conscience.

            Because when you are a Rotarian/Rotaractor, you know that every day, you will touch a life. But I hope, AFTER today a life will touch yours. Someone’s story which will remind you of your why – why you chose to be a Rotaractor.

            Please allow me to sum up in 2 words my message:  the first beautiful word is “collaboration”.If it takes a village to teach a child, it takes a nation of Filipinos, not citizens, to build the future of this country.

            Combining passion, excellence and service, these change-leaders (enumerate them one by one) created social innovations that challenged status quos, built communities and transformed lives.We are most privileged to have our mentors/our sponsor Rotary Club with us today and hopefully collaborate with them, in creating remarkable new concepts and landscapes of what it is to be truly in service for the poor, from the farthest municipality in Capiz to the urban poor in ROXAS CITY.

            They taught us that to build a nation of communities is a collaborative and multi-disciplinary process. They did not only make us feel young, but inspired us through their remarkable examples and overwhelming love for the Filipinos. More than the art of collaboration, they taught that for us to truly build this nation, we have to be our own E-D-G-E or everyday great examples. After all, actions speak louder than words.
 
The second beautiful word is “dream”.

            According to Pope Francis, “when you lose the capacity to dream, you lose the capacity to love, and the energy of this love is lost.”More than an actualization of a Filipino dream, our HERCOR ROTARACT CLUB OF ROXAS is also an expression of love to the Philippines and to fellow Filipinos, a love that knows no geography.

            My personal dream for all of us is that we never lose our passion to be the best Filipino ROTARACTORS for and with the Philippines.

            And to make sure we never lose sight of this dream, we should always remember our why, our because.

            We might have diverse and different answers as to why we chose to be a Rotaractor, but I know, in the deepest crevices of our hearts, that we chose to be because we wanted to make sure that the future is bright and healthy.In doing so, we do not only unleash our dream through gift-giving, but we unleash our dream through self-giving.

            To be a Filipino Rotaractor/Rotarian is probably one of the best things a Filipino can be. And to be a Rotaractor is probably one of the most beautiful decisions to make in life.

            Because, we work with all our heart and might in the present to make sure that the future of the world we live in is well and healthy.

            Let us continue to be Filipino Rotaractors/Rotarians for the last, the lost and the least.

            Shape the Future of Rotary by just saying "Yes":
·         Yes, I will lead that project
·         Yes, I will be there to assist my fellow Rotarians at the various projects
·         Yes, I will bring in a new member
·         Yes, I will share my ideas and my resources to make my club stronger

            In behalf of DG Ronnie Gabalda, CONGRATULATIONS TO ONE AND ALL. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STAR TEAM ROTARY… Together Everyone Achieves More!


Madamongasalamatkagmaayongagasatanan.


Hercor College Rotaract Club Induction 2016













REGULAR MEETINGS BE LIKE....








Welcoming new Police Director of PNP Capiz
PSSUPT Nacion (PNPAA).

Sunday, July 17, 2016

SPEECH OF SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS

53RD INDUCTION AND TURNOVER CEREMONIES OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF ROXAS: ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY Roxas City, Capiz July 16, 2016 ---

Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Maayong gab-i sa inyo nga tanan. Congratulations to the new batch of officers to be inducted tonight. It is an honor for me to be with you tonight, in our beloved home province of Capiz, and the Rotary Club of which my Uncle, Tito Rene, was a chapter member. Your invitation tonight gives me this opportunity to thank all Capiznon for trusting me with your votes, and making me the #2 Senator in Capiz. Madamo guid na salamat sa inyo nga tanan. As most of you might know, the Hontiveros family traces its roots to Capiz, my father and his siblings being born in Capiz and with my grandfather serving as Governor of the province in the early 1900s. Ako ay isa ka proud nga Ilongga! Mula sa isang kasimanwa, madamo nga salamat sa inyo.

Sen. Risa with Roxas Rotarians
Let me say that your theme for 2016-2017, “Rotary serving humanity” inspires me. In the midst of so much strife in the world from Orlando to Baghdad to Nice, when humanity has at times been its own worst enemy, “serving humanity” sounds huge. Larger than life. So I cannot help but admire organizations that aspire towards this. It is also something that resonates with my ideals in life as an activist, advocate and legislator – first in the Lower House and now in the Upper House. My first stint as a legislator started in 2004 as Akbayan Partylist representative in the House of Representatives.

But I would consider my experience in public service to have started when I became an activist at a young age. My worldview has been largely shaped by, on the one hand a world long-suffering from oppression and injustice, and on the other, the enormous potential of the same world for doing good. This perspective has greatly contributed in shaping my principles and has guided my actions, not only as a public servant but as a person. When I ran my campaign for the 2016 elections – yes, my third campaign, or rather, the tail-end of a seven-year campaign – I ran on a platform of universal health. “Healthy Pinoy, Healthy ‘Pinas!” di bala? My healthcare advocacy is framed by the belief that lack of access to health care is its own oppression. Consequently, the fight f
Sen. Risa with cousin Maan Hontiveros during the
Fellowship night singing Top of the World
or universal health is a fight for justice. And, in its own way, a way of serving humanity. Or at least, working within the space I am given, serving the Filipino people.

But what does universal healthcare mean in concrete terms? This means providing adequate, quality health care accessible to all. This means not being okay that 7 out of 10 Filipinos die without ever having seen a doctor. This means believing that universal health care is not just an admirable vision, it is an obtainable mission. That is why last June 30, ‘pag sampa ko sa akong panunungkulan, I filed the first three of my health bills: BHW compensation, expanded maternity leave, and amendment to Republic Act 8344 or the Anti Hospital Deposit Law, the latter creating measures to better implement RA 8344 but also providing tax incentives to private hospitals so that government and the private sector can work together to bridge the public health gap. This week, I filed three more bills – the HIV bill, a bill to create a Health Promotion Institute, and a bill to provide automatic PhilHealth coverage to Persons with Disabilities or PWDs.

(l to r) PP Megs, Inspiration Speaker Ms. Maan
Hontiveros, PDG Mark, Pres. Jo, PP Pip and PP Mel
All these are in line with my vision for universal health care, which I know you share. I am aware of the work that Rotary is doing globally in the field of healthcare: for example, your contribution to the goal of eradicating polio in the developing world. In the Philippines, Rotarians have worked hand-in-hand with the government in helping deliver basic health services. I am aware that you have helped our fellow Capiznon by providing schools and renovating school buildings, especially after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the Visayas. You inspire me. And I am ready and eager to sit with organizations such as yours to see how we can learn from each other and develop best practices in the service of the Filipino people.


I don’t want to get too serious during an ‘80s party, so let me wrap up now. Dear Rotarians,
consider me your friend and ally in the Senate. I can only hope that we can work together to forward our common goals not only for universal health and access to social services, but for a fairer, more just world for all.



Fellow Capiznon, madamo guid nga salamat!

RY 2015-2016 Valedictory Address

(l to r) Outgoing Pres. Mark, GF Elyza and PP Megs Lunn
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS OF OUTGOING PRES. MARK RENIER CATAHAY * (53rd Induction Ceremony, July 16, 2016 @ Lakehouse, San Antonio Resort, Roxas City, Capiz)

Good evening everyone.

I’d like to personally thank those members who stayed active during our weekly meetings and projects.

PDG Mark, thank you for shaping our club to be a better one. As the club trainor, your performance was way beyond perfect. You are the person behind all our global grant projects for three public schools amouting to Php15M. You really left a deep footprint to our club’s history.

PP Pip, thank you for making sure that our club meets our goals for our contribution to TRF. Because of your encouragement, we donated more than $5000. That’s another record breaking in our club’s history.

Rtn. Cristy, thank you for being the other of our first Rotaract Club, the Rotaract Club of Hercor College, and for being excessively generous when the club needs your help.

(l to r) PP Mel, Pres. Jo, PDG Mark, Rtn. Rommel, Elyza,
AG Mark Renier, PP Megs and PP Pip


PP Butch, thank you for accepting your vocation as the caretaker of our funds and financial documents. It shows how trustworthy you are.

PP Mel, though you are too busy as the chairman of a new hospital, you proved that your support and service to our club never declined. Thank you for that!

PP Sanny, thank you for always capturing vital moments of our club through your pictures. For sure, it will outlive us all.

PP Mariz, thank you for being the mother of our club. Not to mention, the food you voluntarily bring during our club meetings are the best.

PP Megs, thank you for being our bridge to most of our sister clubs. Thank you also for regularly updating the website of our club. Those are just some of the jobs you did for Rotary. The list goes eternally.

Pres. Jo, thank you for having the courage and will to take over the leadership of this club. I’m certain you will never fail us.

Fellowship night after the Induction Ceremonies...
fun, fun, fun with Sen. Riza Hontiveros singing
Top of the World
Rtn. Philip and Rtn Rey Alovera, thank you for starting as volunteers of this club. Three years ago, they volunteered to help in the distribution and delivery of goods for Yolanda victims. Now, you are proud members of this club. Thank you for your dedication.

Rtn. Rey Dela Cruz and Rtn. Tony Marty, thank you for always making yourself free whenever we have events like this. We have no choice; you both have the best talents and voice for hosting.

Rtn. Kathleen, thank you for taking the place of the late PP Toto Arce in our club. Through you, he will always be with this club.

Rtn. Rexam, thank you for your support especially as a spokesman on the media for the club.

Rowena, thank you for your unconditional support and dedication to this club. You are a true example of service above self.

....and more fun ...
And lastly, Elyza, though you are not yet a member of this club, the support and service you gave is incomparable. Thank you for helping me organize the last district assembly, thank you for checking and correcting all my speeches before I share them to the world, thank you for helping me on the printing of the club’s weekly publication, the Patiyog, thank you for teaching me important values of leadership and time management. And thank you for considering sharing your lovely voice tonight though we left you only two days of practice.
As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. Those were the best two years of my life. Thank you that opportunity.

*Mark is now the youngest Assistant Governor of D3850




Saturday, July 9, 2016

ROTARY SERVING HUMANITY


Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, believed that serving humanity is “the most worthwhile thing a person can do,” RI President-elect John F. Germ said, and that being a part of Rotary is a “great opportunity” to make that happen.
Germ unveiled the 2016-17 presidential theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, to incoming district governors on 18 January at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA.
“I believe everyone recognizes the opportunity to serve Rotary for what it truly is: not a small opportunity, but a great one; an opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the better, forever through Rotary’s service to humanity,” said Germ.
Rotary members around the globe are serving humanity by providing clean water to underdeveloped communities, promoting peace in conflict areas, and strengthening communities through basic education and literacy. But none more important than our work to eradicate polio worldwide, he said.
After a historic year in which transmission of the wild poliovirus was stopped in Nigeria and all of Africa, Germ said we are closer than ever to ending polio.
“We are at a crossroads in Rotary,” he added. “We are looking ahead at a year that may one day be known as the greatest year in Rotary’s history: the year that sees the world’s last case of polio.”
Last year’s milestones leave just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus still circulates. Polio would be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
When that moment arrives, it’s “tremendously important” that Rotary is ready for it, said Germ. “We need to be sure that we are recognized for that success, and leverage that success into more partnerships, greater growth, and even more ambitious service in the decades to come.”
Germ, a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, encouraged attendees to return to their clubs and communities and spread the word about Rotary’s role in the fight for a polio-free world.
“People who want to do good will see that Rotary is a place where they can change the world. Every Rotary club needs to be ready to give them that opportunity,” Germ said.
Enhancing Rotary’s image isn’t the only way to boost membership. “We need clubs that are flexible, so our service will be more attractive to younger members, recent retirees, and working people.”
He added: “We need more willing hands, more caring hearts, and more bright minds to move our work forward.”

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18-Jan-2016

DISTRICT 3850 HANDOVER



















(Photos by PP Sanny - July 1, 2016)

KODUS PP MARK RENIER CATAHAY

Thank you for the year that was Pres. Mark Renier Catahay and team.

May we borrow Pres. K.R. Ravi Ravindran's thoughts on the theme BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD, and I quote ..."BE A GIFT YOURSELF....! A gift you have been given...a gift which every few people would be given. To lead a club is a challenge...a responsibility. It will you give some gray hair (not for you probably being the youngest serving president, and now AG in our district 3850 hehe) ...some sleepless night (this is for sure ha ha) . But it is an incredible, in incomparable experience. The greatest gift apart from our heritage, our children, our career, our abilities - is the ability to lead a club. Lead your club, transform the lives of others. Build a monument that will endure forever, living in the hearts of generations to come. It is a life-changing opportunity. Let us not lose sight of it. Let us be a gift to the world." - K. R. "Ravi" Ravindran, President, Rotary International, RY 2015-2016

CONGRATULATIONS PP M.R. AND WELCOME AG MARK RENIER CATAHAY to the ALL STAR TEAM! 
 










(Photos taken from the last regular meeting of Pres. M.R. by PP Sanny and PP Butch.)