Monday, February 27, 2012
DTTS IN CAPSULE
Friday, February 24, 2012
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| before |
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| after (with his father and PP Ed Escano, founder of WALK) |
Friday, February 10, 2012
VISITING ROTARY CLUBS
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Peace Through Service
Sakuji Tanaka
RI President-electGood morning.
It is a great honor to be here, standing before all of you: our new district governors for the
2012-13 Rotary year.
Rotary has been at the center of my life for many years. I did not know it at the time, but the
day I joined Rotary in 1975 was the day I set my first step on the path to a different future.
Before I joined Rotary, my view of the world was narrow. I was the fourth of eight children.
We were poor, and so was nearly everyone we knew. I had never met anyone who was not
Japanese.
Every week, I walked with my mother 20 kilometers to the market, to sell vegetables. This
was as far as I went, and as much as I saw of the world beyond my village.
I dreamed of travel. I dreamed of seeing other cities, other countries. I wondered what they
were like.
Since then, I have traveled a great deal. I have seen more of the world than I ever imagined.
But nothing has broadened my vision as much as the perspective I have gained through
Rotary.
Before I was a Rotarian, I saw only what was in front of me. I saw my business, my family,
my customers, and my competitors. When I traveled, I saw only what I knew to look at.
But I did not see beyond that. I did not look for context. I did not look past what I believed
was relevant to me.
One day, I was asked to join the Rotary Club of Yashio. And it was two years later that
someone came and spoke to us about the idea of vocational service. From that day, slowly, I
began to change. I realized that the purpose of my life was not just to earn more, to sell
more, to make my business better than anyone else’s. I realized that I wanted to have better
goals and higher goals — both personally and professionally. I realized that for me, the
most important thing in life was being useful to other people.
And I realized that by helping others, even in the simplest of ways, I could help to build
peace.
We hear the word peace every day. We hear it in the news, we use it in conversation, and
we talk about it a great deal in Rotary. But most of us spend very little time thinking about
what peace is, and what that word means.
On its simplest level, peace can be defined by what it is not. It is a state of no war, no
violence, and no fear. It means that you are not in danger of hunger or persecution or the
suffering of poverty.
But we can also define peace by what it is, and by what it can be. Peace can mean freedom
of thought and of speech, freedom of opinion and of choice, and the ability for selfdetermination. It can mean security, confidence in the future: a life and home in a stable
society.
On a more abstract level, peace can mean a sense of happiness, of inner serenity, of calm.
The truth is that peace means different things to different people. No definition is right, and
no definition is wrong. However we use the word, this is what peace means for us.
And however we use the word, however we understand peace, Rotary can help us to
achieve it.
Rotary helps us to meet the basic needs of others: to provide health care, sanitation, food,
and education when and where it is most needed.
It helps to meet the inner needs as well, for friendship, connection, and caring.
And Rotary helps us to build peace in its most traditional sense, by reducing the causes of
conflict. It builds bridges of friendship and tolerance among people and nations. It helps us
to understand each other.
Through our service, we learn that the problems that may seem large to us are really very
small. We learn empathy for others. We come closer to people who seem very different
from us. And we begin to understand how alike we really are.
Through our Rotary service, we learn that cooperation is more productive than conflict. We
learn to value each other, as human beings with human strengths and weaknesses. We
learn that every one of us has something to give, and every one has something to teach.
To me, Service Above Self is more than just a motto. It is a way of life — one that will make
any life richer and more meaningful.
Putting Service Above Self allows us to focus our energies on what is truly important. We
put the common good above our own. We prioritize others’ needs over our own desires.
We think less about ourselves and more about what is best for everyone. And in this way,
we help to build the foundation for a more peaceful world.
This is why, in 2012-13, our Rotary theme will be Peace Through Service.
Because however we define peace, whatever peace means to us, we can bring it closer
through service.
Service Above Self reminds us that none of us can live for ourselves alone. A life lived in
isolation is empty and without joy. But when we live for others — when we focus on our
role within our family, our community, and all humanity — then we begin to realize our
own place in the world.
I am part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after a terrible war. I think it is natural
that we now place a great priority on peace. We saw where militarism brought our country.
And we also saw the great economic growth that came when our nation made the choice to
change our way of thinking, and to embrace peace.
This was the decision that allowed Japan to grow and thrive. It allowed new generations of
children to grow up in safety, to become educated, to improve their lives. It fundamentally
changed the Japanese attitude toward other countries and cultures.
It caused us to open our minds, to become more tolerant, to seek greater understanding.
And it allowed us to redirect our energies toward positive goals. In Japan, it is traditional to
prioritize the needs of the society over the needs of the individual. This has always been
part of our culture. In the weeks and months following the great earthquake and disaster of
last March, this was what helped us to survive and rebuild.
This is a lesson that I think the whole world can learn from, in a positive way. When we see
the needs of others as more important than our own needs — when we focus our energies
on a shared goal that is for the good of all — this changes everything. It changes our
perceptions. It changes how we relate to the world. It changes our priorities in a completely
fundamental way.
And it changes how we understand the idea of peace.
For me, the idea of Peace Through Service does not involve any complicated philosophy. I
am not a philosopher. I am a salesman. And over many years of business, I have learned
that ultimately, the only way to a successful business is happy customers. When my
customers are happy, my business grows. And this makes me happy in turn — not only
because my business is doing well, but because I am glad to see that I have made others
happy.
In business and in life, in order to get where you want, you have to know where you are
going. In Rotary, we have made the decision to adopt the goals and priorities of the RI
Strategic Plan as the roadmap for our organization.
To support the implementation of the strategic plan, RI will no longer have presidential
emphases that change every year. This decision will help us to have greater continuity in
our service, and achieve more significant goals over the long term.
And so, in 2012-13, I will ask you to focus the energies of your clubs on the three priorities
of the RI Strategic Plan: to support and strengthen clubs, to focus and increase
humanitarian service, and to enhance public image and awareness.
I will ask you also to help promote the three Rotary global peace forums that we will be
holding in Hiroshima, Berlin, and Honolulu. You will be learning more about these
important events during this assembly. I hope that many of you will become involved and
make it a priority to attend.
In Rotary, our business is not profit. Our business is peace. Our reward is not money, but
the happiness and satisfaction of seeing a better, more peaceful world — one that we have
achieved through our own efforts.
In this Rotary year, I ask you to put Peace Through Service at the forefront of your Rotary
work.
And I ask you to understand that peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a
real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved
through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can
find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways.
And so I ask you all to commit to a Rotary year of Peace Through Service — and a Rotary
goal of a more peaceful world.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
One thing great about assuming the presidency of your Rotary Club is that before you become President, you have two things going for you.First, you have 1 year as PE to learn, observe and formulate your vision for your club that prepares you better for the job. Second, even before you assume your role on July 1, 2012 for RY 2012-13, training and seminars are provided to equip you in making your club bigger, better and bolder.Our incoming District Governor, Biboy Jocson, believes that there is no substitute to a good preparation in making our plans for our club. So as early as now, we are posting the schedules for the different training and seminars for you. Kindly book the following dates in your calendar:
1. President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) ( all zones) ......March 9, 2012 O Hotel, Bacolod City
2. DISTAS Zone 5,6,7 March 10, 2012 O Hotel, Bacolod City Zone 1,2,3,4 April 12, 2012 Venue - to be announced Zone 8,9 April 28, 2012 Venue - to be announced Zone 10,11 April 21, 2012 Venue - to be announced
We hope to see all of you in these dates.
Thank you.
PP Jude DoctoraIncoming District Secretary RY 2012-13
Monday, January 2, 2012
R.I. CONVENTION 2012
Register now for the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, 6-9 May, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the Land of a Thousand Smiles! Enjoy Thai hospitality. Make friends with fellow Rotarians from around the world. Take in spectacular sights. Taste delicious Thai cuisine. Experience a vibrant culture. Renew your commitment to Service Above Self. And have fun in a world class city. (http://www.rotary.org/)
http://vimeo.com/16670188
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
SISTERHOOD RENEWAL, Oct. 12, 2011
WISHES OF AID AND LIMBS FOR KIDS
Now a partnership between RC FORBES PARK, D3830 and RC ROXAS, D3850.
Wishes of Aid and Limbs for Kids (WALK) is a humanitarian project of the Rotary Club of Forbes Park, Philippines. The project aims to assist physically challenged children. A person’s physical mobility goes beyond the ability to move oneself from one place to another. By providing limbs to physically handicapped kids, we endeavor to propel one’s confidence and self-worth towards personal growth and productivity. This is Our Mission.
PROJECT VISION
Every child deserves a shot at his dreams. Our vision is to see kids with disabilities grow up having equal opportunities, happy, confident and living with a passion for life.
PROJECT MISSION
We endeavor and strive to assist physically challenged children, bringing them hope and confidence by providing artificial limbs.
How it all Began:
WALK started as an offshoot of RCFP’s disaster relief operations in Kalibo, Aklan in July 2008. Arnel Ropero, a 12 yo boy with congenital deformities of the arm and legs was brought to their attention by the Rotary Club of Kalibo Pres. Megs Lunn. Arnel’s determination to live life to the fullest confirmed our resolved to help him. With the help of Doctors of PGH and Tzu Chi Foundation, Arnel was all smiles as he walked for the first time in his life.
Now, PROJECT WALK (Wishes of Aid and Limbs for Kids) is a humanitarian project of the Rotary Club of Forbes Park in partnership with Tzu Chi Foundation and Rotary Club of Roxas, Philippines. The project aims to assist physically challenged children. A person’s physical mobility goes beyond the ability to move oneself from one place to another. By providing limbs to physically handicapped kids, we endeavor to propel one’s confidence and self-worth towards personal growth and productivity. This is Our Mission.
OUR BENEFICIARIES:
ARNEL ROPERO, Madalag, Aklan (RC Kalibo)
FELIX CUTAD, Manila3. LEILANIE TELLO, Madalag, Aklan (RC Roxas)
PRINZ CHARLZ HERMILLOSA, Kalibo, Aklan (RC Roxas)5. MA. CONCEPCION Leyte, Cebu City (RC Roxas/RC Ormoc Cebu)
JC MAMING , Malay, Aklan (RC Roxas - in progress)
Join us as we strive to MAKE DREAMS REAL. Individuals transformed by the miracle of modern prosthetics. Whether it’s a child born without legs, or a victim of accident, your contribution to WALK will give our beneficiaries the chance to live a normal life again. Donating to the WALK is a smart investment, because every peso not only goes directly towards funding a limb, but also gives hope to a child for a better future.
Let us continue to build communities and bridge continents by bringing benefactors to Project WALK.
We have developed gift programs for our donors to consider. They me be adapted to fit individual, or corporate benefactors. You may reach us at the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/project .walk OR EMAIL US AT
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
An Awe-Inspiring Journey
(My Rotary journey in Colorado)
When every day brings something new, you feel you couldn’t ask for more. My trip to Colorado is what I called recently, a varied bliss.
I met wonderful people on my way to my destination, people who travels for business, pleasure and or migration. I experience diverse cultures of lifestyle and foods, customer service are awesome, interactions are challenging and rewarding. My different family hosts were able to show me the same Filipino hospitality we never could have imagined.
Here, Rotary meetings are usually done in the morning. AG Dan Hershberger of Area 10, patiently brought me around to these clubs, so we can share the rewarding life of Rotary volunteerism and by joining our cause with Uplift Internationale Taghoy Philippines. This is my mission of coming to Colorado.
Coming to the meeting, I was never nervous as I would have like before, because this is my first time to speak outside of my coun
AG Dan assured me that Rotarians in Colorado don’t bite, so he advised me to just relax and take a deep breath. Indeed, he was right. I enjoyed their questions and our interaction. Like many other Rotary clubs in my district (3850 Phils), meetings are of varied in style and approaches. But the core of it all is – Fellowship.
RC Wheatridge with young and vibrant Pres. Matthew Cloutier, surely knows how to lead the group of enthusiastic Rotarians who are doubled his age. They look younger at their age as you can see them so full of wisdom and fun; Arvada Sunrise Rotary surely is sunshine in the morning with Pres. Susan Handford as she leads the club actively at the earliest time. Their members have so much events going on and almost everyone has its own projects to share and get involved with. They are truly inspiring; RC Westminster with Pres. Angela Habben is another lady Rotarian who leads a club with so much excitements. This time, I was give
In all the clubs we have visited, the members are so humble and down-to-earth. I did not feel any “air” and superiority. It was all genuine. Am glad to know and met all these Rotarians who are working to benefit the people that we served, not because of emotional decision, but because of their commitments to Service-Above-Self.
In my journey with different Rotary clubs, I met interesting and special people that made my visit meaningful and rewarding. I gained true friends in such a short while and enjoyed talking about what we do in our different advocacies in Rotary. It is I inspired them, or they inspired me, but overall – it was an overwhelming and a blessed journey.
The Gala Night Fundraising at De
For my 15-day trip in the US, I did walking in the parks and lakes, little mountain trekking, driving to vast plains and mountain ranges, sightseeing, even flying 5,000 ft on a 4-seater plane (above Colorado states), and had a wonderful vacation after a vacation.

From the bottom of my heart, there are no words to comprehend what I have experienced. However, the only simple but meaningful word could be THANK YOU, to my fellow Rotarians, fellow UI/Taghoy volunteers, and my family hosts. On my way to LAX airport, “GOD BLESS AMERICA” song was incidentally playing in the car. What bliss! Indeed, God bless you all, God bless America!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
WHAT'S UP AHEAD THIS WEEK....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Celebrate New Generations Month
* Plan a joint project. Invite Rotarians to help with a Rotaract- or Interact-led community service project. Ask alumni of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and Rotary Youth Exchange to take part in your event. Together, you can demonstrate how different generations can work together to make a difference in your community.
RC Roxas will host the annual Boys and Girls Week on Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2011.
* Nominate a Rotaract or Interact club for a 2011-12 Changemaker Award. Use the award form to track what your sponsored clubs are already doing. For example, September can kick off their “Million Smiles A Day” commitment.
* Invite New Generations program participants as speakers. Spotlight a different program at each of your meetings during September. Host a Rotaractor-led discussion on what The Four-Way Test means for their generation. Or invite a panel of former program participants sponsored by your club or neighboring Rotary clubs to talk about their experiences.
Make a connection with young people during New Generations Month, and reap the benefits throughout the Rotary year.
New Generations Service is Rotary’s fifth Avenue of Service. It includes all Rotary-sponsored activities for young people up to age 30: Rotaract, Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange.
RC Roxas will host ZONE 4 RYLA on November 11-13, 2011 at Roxas City. More details to be posted soon.
more helpful tips at www.rotary.org
Thursday, September 1, 2011
ROTARY INSTITUTE
Do not miss the rare opportunity to meet Rotarians from Zone 6B, 7A and 10B this coming Dec. 2-4, 2011 at the 2011 Bali Rotary Institute, Grand Hyatt, Nusa Dua, Bali Indonesia.
Details of the Institute can be accessed thru:
http://2011balirota ryinstitute. org/discover_ bali.html
Please avail of discounted airfares via Singapore or Jakarta.
Feel free to email me or reach my FB with regards to this event.
Warm regards.
DGE Biboy





















