First Class President Maryann de Leon

The term of our Immediate Past President (IPP), First Class President (FCP) Maryann "Meann" de Leon has ended and I have not written much about her service to the club, the communities, and the District.

Here she is -- a passionate, cheerful and hardworking leader who steered our club to several projects that were noticed and recognized by the District leadership.

FCP Meann's achievement is special because she and her husband, fellow club Past President Norlan de Leon, live in Marilao, Bulacan. Just driving to Makati or Fort Bonifacio almost weekly is already a time-consuming and costly activity. The couple used to work at Fort Bonifacio in the 2000s before they got married. Hence, they were among the early club members.

FCP Meann receiving her award from First Class Governor Robert Kuan at the stage. What a great recognition for a small club with limited resources but has attained huge  impact on some poor communities, especially the fisherfolks of Taguig earning a living at Laguna Lake.

This is the special award that our club got from the District. Only a few clubs got it --  a Silver Star Award for Outstanding Perfomance for RY 2013-14. The District Awards were held at Gloria Maris, Greenhills, San Juan, last June 14, 2014.

Among the achievements of IPP/FCP Meann was expanding the dues-paying club membership, and several high-impact community projects, like the "Fish for Life Project" in a great partnership with the Rotary Club of Koln-Ville in Cologne, Germany.

Below is among the other awards from the District that day.

Our indefatigable Assistant Governor for the Cluster, Chary Misa (holding the painting).

At the District Handover ceremony at Sofitel Hotel last June 30, 2014. Standing from left: Past Presidents (PPs) Rose Antonio, husband Niel Antonio, Best President Regie Necio,  FCP Meann. Sitting from left: PP Norlan de Leon, Mike Michener, Patty Michener.

 A club fellowship at Wensha spa, FCP Meann's treat as her term was ending, May 26, 2014. The de Leon couple-PPs is very kind and gallant to club members, the same with the Antonio couple-PPs.

Another club fellowship-meeting at the Manila Elks Club, Makati. Mike is a new member of the Elks Club. Between me and Mike was the singer that night.

Thank you very much, IPP Meann. Your kindness and hard work for the club and its members, the communities and the District are well-noted and appreciated.

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See also:
Medical Mission at Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc., September 05, 2013
Governor Robert Kuan's Visit, Part 2, September 26, 2013
Joint Club Meeting with Jules Maaten as Speaker, May 13, 2014
Fish for Life Project, Taguig-Laguna Lake, June 03, 2014

Best President Regie Necio, Early Meetings

Our new Club President, Best President Reginaldo "Regie" Necio, was a reluctant leader, like most if not all  of us in our club. He has led the club for the past three months already, so far it was fine. 

Photo below during the Joint Club Induction of 3 clubs -- RC Taguig Fort Bonifacio, RCc Taguig West, and RC Metropolitan Pateros -- August 2, 2014, held at the Elks Club, Makati.

"Best President", "Best Governor", "Best District Team" are the titles of this rotary year's batch of leaders, from RI to the 500+ Districts worldwide, to all the Club Presidents.

Group photo of the 3 Clubs' Best Presidents, with District 3830 Best Governor Angelito "Lito" Colona.

Pres. Regie with his  wife and only son, to his right.

The first Joint Club meeting with RC Taguig West, with AG Chary Mesa, sitting left most, July 7, 2014.

Club meeting with guest, Dale Abenojar, August 18, 2014.

Another club meeting with new member Ritchie Mauricio, standing rightmost, last September 1.

Meeting with two Barangay officials of Brgy. San Miguel, Taguig City, last September 22.

It was in preparation for our club's "Happy Barangay" project. From left: Patty Michener, Pres. Regie, Mike Michener, the two barangay officials.

Good work so far, President Regie, thanks.

Joint Club Meeting with Jules Maaten as Speaker

It was a very educational lecture in philosophy and politics given by Jules Maaten Tuesday night last week at our Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio, along with RC Makati Pio del Pilar.

 Not many people were able to come though although they really wanted to hear Jules' talk. Like at least three from the Initiatives for Filipino Liberty (IFL) group, at least three from our club, and so on. So this blog post is for those who were not able to come and regular readers of this blog.

At the onset, Jules defined Liberalism as:

* It is the philosophy of liberty

* It is a philosophy of empowerment

* Origin in protecting the individual against institutions of power.

This quote from JS Mill, among the classical thinkers of liberal philosophy, is clear and direct.

Then Jules specified how the  philosophy is applied, Liberalism in Politics:

* Protection of individual rights

* Equality of all human beings under the law

* Balance and separation of powers

* Belief in liberal representative democracy

* Balance between majority rule and the rights of the minority

* Weary of (state) authority, but state is rights guarantor

* Limitation and decentralisation of government powers

* Separation of church and state

I like this quote from my favorite economist and philosopher, F. Hayek. Yes, allow people to decide things for themselves, to make mistakes, to excel.

Then he discussed what is Liberalism in Economics:

* Belief in free enterprise and free markets with many players

* Protection of private property

* Support for free trade

* Privatisation of services better provided by the private sector

* Competition, no private monopolies

* Role for state where market does not function (education, environment, culture, social policies)

* Don’t leave debts to future generations.

The last item is important. As Germany and many European and rich economies go deeper and deeper in public debt, with huge interest payment annually, the economic freedom and well being of the future generation is heavily compromised.

John Locke is among the classical thinkers advocating individual freedom and limiting the role and intervention power of government.

Jules discussed the broader application of Liberalism in Society:

* Protection and expansion of civil rights and liberties

* Free speech, religious freedom and freedom of association

* A free, strong and active civil society

* Personal freedom, social inclusion and tolerance

* Equal rights for everybody

* Protection of our environment and that of our children.

Thus, Liberalism is a Way of Life:

* Trust and confidence in people

* Responsibility

* Tolerance and respect

* Question authority

* Unconvinced by violence and extremism

* Conviction and argument

* Optimism

Then he introduced the work of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in the Philippines. Including their work in sponsoring "Freedom Run" in several cities in the country, from Metro Manila down to the Visayas and Mindanao.

Next subject he tackled was German Politics. He said that the Merkel era (2005 to present) is a "Beacon of stability" and how the Free Democratic Party (FDP), the German political party where the FNF is affiliated, was able to partner with the Merkel government over the past few years. The 2009 election was the biggest achievement of the FDP as it got nearly 15 percent of the total votes.

In the 2013 elections though, FDP lost, it failed to get the minimum 5 percent of total votes to have seats in the Parliament, a first since WW2. FDP is now in extra-parliamentarian opposition.

Jules broadened the discussion to include European Politics. Germany is at the centre of the most successful international project ever, the creation of the European Union: Economic, Monetary and Political union.

But recently, there have been dissociation from Europeans. Like moves in some countries to get out of the Euro, get out of the monetary union and the ECB, and re-establish their own national currencies. There will be a European Elections this coming May 22-25 2014.

Jules was a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2001-2009.

Another quote from his presentation:

"The challenge is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible."

(Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1969)

The discussion during the open forum was lively and diverse. From philosophy to Europe to Philippine politics and the PNoy Aquino government.

Awarding of Certificate of Appreciation by First Class President (FCP) Maryann de Leon of RCTFB and FCP Dess Madsen of RCMPP, to the left of Jules respectively. Jules' pretty wife Eva Maaten, to his right, and our District Cluster Assistant Governor Chary Mesa (in red dress) joined.

A cake as additional recognition for his thoughts that night, from FCP Dess.

Thanks again for that very educational evening Jules.

Jules also enjoyed the night. While he has spoken at the European Parliament, in various fora in Europe and Asia, it was his first time to speak before rotary clubs.

The full presentation plus photos is available here in slideshare.

Governor Robert Kuan's Visit, Part 2

* This is the continuation of the earlier Governor Robert Kuan's Visit
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First Class Governor Robert Kuan of RI District 3830 visited the three clubs of Taguig-Pateros last September 02, 2013, the RC Taguig Fort Bonifacio, RC Taguig West, and RC Metropolitan Pateros. Venue was the RC Makati Foundation building in Makati.

There could be about 70+ people in the room, including District officials. The event was very modest, no special entertainment, just food, fellowships and listening to the inspiring words and exhortations of our hard-working Governor.

Our club was seated at the back of the function room.

One of two dining tables we occupied.

Certificate of Appreciation given by the three Club Presidents to our District Secretary.

And the Presidents' appreciation to the Governor.

Each club has a group photo session with Gov. Robert, including Assistant Gov. Chary Misa. Our turn.

Thanks for the inspiring night, Gov. Robert and President Meann de Leon.

Joiint Meeting with RC Rizal West and RC Makati Edsa

Last Thursday, August 08, 2013, was our club's first joint meeting with other clubs in the District this rotary with RC Rizal West (RCRW, our "mother club") and RC Makati Edsa, held at the Makati Sports Club. The topic was "Rotary in Action: RCRW Projects in the Avenues of Service".

The three First Class Presidents with guest from RC Singapore. The latter is a sister club of RCRW for many years now. President Meann de Leon on the left.

The program.

There were four speakers that night, all from RCRW. The first speaker was PP Fritz Ocampo and he talked how they were able to convert an abandoned, half-finished building in Upper Bicutan into a busy structure with lots of health, education, livelihood and other community projects and activities.

Second speaker was PP Elsa Villanueva and she talked about their club's various educational, literacy and other community projects.

The two other speakers were PP Jules Nidea and PP Andy Pages.
Below, group photo with members and officers of the three clubs plus guest from RC Singapore and his family.

Our club group picture, with PDG Billy Villareal and guest from RC Singapore.

Another group picture during the fellowships after the formal meeting.

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After the formal meeting, there was a fellowship.There were several singing and dancing numbers, funny. Here, some women from the 3 clubs singing "Dancing Queen" by Abba.

During my term as Club President in RY 2006-2007, we held 3 or 4 joint meetings with RCRW. My classmate that time was PP Boboy Intal. RCRW is very kind to its "daughter clubs" like ours.

See also: 
Popularizing Rotary’s Projects and Events, August 01, 2013
Fellowship, After Four Club Talks, August 03, 2013 

Club Relief Operations After the Manila Flooding

Our Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio (RI District 3830), through the efforts of President Rose Antonio, partnered with RC Makati President Reuben Valerio, in distributing food items to victims of flooding in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, last Friday, August 10.

From left: RC Makati President Reuben Valerio, clubmate Carmen Penalosa, Rose's son, President Rose, me, clubmate Eric Lucero, and Past District Governor (PDG) Sid Garcia. Most of these photos are from President Rose's camera.

It was my first visit to the RC Makati building actually and I was impressed. Nice, clean building, with a good garden and wide parking lot at the back. It is located in Camia Street, Barangay Guadalope Viejo, Makati. At the back of Metro Club in Rockwell, and just beside the Barangay Hall and Health Center. The tall buildings of Rockwell Center behind the parking lot are not far.

Had a short chat with President Reuben. He said that for their club, money was not a problem as they received lots of cash donations from club members, also from their brother clubs abroad. District Governor-Elect (DGE) Robert Kuan for instance, who is also one of their clubmates, eceived a call from his classmate DGE from an RI District in Taiwan and asked how things are in the country. His classmate simply donated $5,000 just for the relief-donations. Cool.

There were four of us from our club, plus President Rose's son and driver. This is her pick up, full of food items for distribution. Eric's car is nice here, small but full of items for donation. I hitched a ride with him.

This is the small village in Lower Bicutan that we visited. The floodwater has not receded yet, two days after the heavy rains have stopped. Lower photo, these children are in danger of getting leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases as the water is muddy and dirty.

Picture taking before the actual distribution of relief items.

A short but orderly line of people, mostly mothers, came in front of the pick up. No disorder, people just lined up, got the food packages, and walked away.

The Barangay Health Worker (BHW), a city hall employee assigned to barangays to provide health and sanitation programs and services, estimated that there were less than 100 households in this area. The food packages we brought were just enough for them. Plus extra food packages for other affected families outside of this small village, delivered at the BHW office.

We were done distributing the goods in about 20 minutes. Thanks to my club, thanks to Rotary Club of Makati. We have done our small share in helping the flood affected families.

Our District 3830 through the untiring efforts of District Governor Sue Sta. Maria, also conducted various relief and charity work in other parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Before the new round of heavy rains last Wednesday afternoon, I delivered some used clothes and shoes to the District drop off point in Crown Tower, HV dela Costa, Makati.