Goodbye, Classmate Ces Singzon

Rotary life and my many friends there -- my clubmates, my classmates when we were Club Presidents in Rotary Year 2006-2007 "Lead the Way" theme, and others -- have been part of my life since the middle of last decade.

Among my favorite classmates is Atty. Cesareo "Ces" Singzon. He was the Club President of RC Makati McKinley. Upper left seems to be his favorite photo as it was his latest profile photo in facebook. Middle right, when he visited Kazakhstan in 2009.

Classmate Ces is the most gallant among us. It is usual for a Club President of a big or rich club to invite all his/her classmates during his/her club induction of officers and new members with the District Governor as the inducting officer. Ces did that, held at Makati Sports Club sometime in July 2006. I did it too, but with about five other small clubs in our District, we held a joint induction in order to save money.

Now Ces went beyond that. During his birthday celebration on January 18, 2007, he again invited all of his clsssmates to a night of food, drinks and entertainment, also held at Makati Sports Club. When his club celebrated its charter or anniversary day, he again invited all of his classmates for the 3rd time. And when he celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Mel Singzon, he again invited all of his classmates for the 4th time that rotary year, to another night of food, drinks and speeches. I have attended all four parties that Ces extended to his classmates. He was the only one among us 78 classmates (for 78 clubs) in the District who did it.

Photos below: With classmates Jay Tambunting of RC Makati West, Lorenz Tato of RC Makati Bonifacio, Archie Jimenez, and Ces. I think this was during the birthday party of another classmate Tetchie dela Cruz a few months ago. Lorenz has passed away about two months ago. He was the second among our classmates who rejoined our Creator.

Middle photo, with other classmates that night. From left: Lorenz, Rose Acoba, Lilibeth dela Cruz, Tetchie, Ces and Jay. I followed that night too, but it was already late and Ces and several others have already left.

Lower photo, when Ces' first child, Cesario Jr., topped the 2010 bar exams, he was #1 out of several thousand aspiring lawyers, Ces again gave a celebration party. That was our photo in our table. Standing from left: Past District Governor Sid Garcia, me, classmate Toni Francisco, John Sobrepena.
Sitting from left: Patty Chiong, my wife Ella, Past District Governor Jimmy Cura, classmate Noe Indonto, and former DepEd UnderSecretary ______.

Some photos of Ces and wife Mel. Lovely couple. Ces is very proud of his Junior: Class Valedictorian of Ateneo Law 2010, #1 Bar exams 2010, finished LLM from Columbia University Law School in NYC, a James Kent scholar (first honors) only last May. I and many of Ces' friends congratulated him for the intellectual achievement of his Junior, he kidded that it was due to "improvement of species."

Last August 18, 2012, we had a get together with some classmates, with our beloved Governor at that time, Past District Governor Butch Francisco. Ces was not able to join us. When I posted in our LeadTeam yahoogroups my blog post about our reunion the next day, August 19, Ces sent me a private mail saying he wanted to come but he's confined in Makati Medical Center (MMC) the day before. I visited him in his room that day, or a day after. I immediately kidded him that he lacks beer or alcohol that is why he is hospitalized. He said that when he went to MMC to have a check up why he was getting dizzy, from the emergency room he was confined that day. Results of a CT scan showed some lumps in his head that could lead to stroke, so he was confined for several days.

My deep regret, I was not able to visit him again in the hospital as I promised him. But I was very fortunate to have visited and saw him. For the last time.

Yesterday afternoon. Ces passed away. I was deeply saddened when I heard that text message from classmate Rose Acoba. Have to fight tears as I write this.

Below, a photo posted in his fb wall, made by some of his friends.

It is raining very hard since this afternoon until now. A typhoon has left the Philippines already but it could be the Heavens' act of condolence to Ces and his family.

I am going to his wake after I post this and shut down my computer. His body is at Loyola Guadalope in Makati. Then it will be brought to his hometown in Samar on Tuesday.

My good friend, my classmate in Rotary, goodbye Ces. We shall dearly miss you....

* See also my posting about his birthday party in 2010, "Classmate Ces Singzon's birthday party", January 23, 2010,  http://rotarianpinoy.blogspot.com/2010/01/classmate-ces-singsons-birthday-party.html.

Lead Team Get Together with Gov. Butch

Yesterday, we had a small get together of former Lead Presidents, RY 2006-2006 of RI District 3830. Modest reunion, we just met at Starbucls in Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, Fort Global City in Taguig.  It was a nice occasion. The last time we had a get together was last December, our former Gov. Butch Francisco treated us to watch "The Sound of Music" play at the Resort World, near the airport terminal 3. I did not write a blog article about it. My last blog post about our Lead reunions was in February 2009, there were many of us then, about 40. See photos and story here,  "Sea bass regal and a fellowship",

http://rotarianpinoy.blogspot.com/2009/02/sea-bass-regal-and-fellowship.html.

One of our group photos before Gov. Butch arrived (above) and with him (below). Standing from let to right: Classmates Patty Naoe, Edwin Afzelius, Lilibeth dela Cruz, Charlie Fuentes, Palmy Layug, Palmy's wife Nini, Rose Acoba, me. Sitting from left: Archie Jimenez, Amore Isip, Fely Rosales, Luz Reyes, Barbie Rivadeniera.

Above, the three right most: Maling Francisco (Gov Butch's wife), Maling Mom, and Gov. Butch.

Among the big revelations yesterday was classmate Inky Reyes' really slim look (upper left photo, white shirt). He used to be fat and bulky. He must have lost at least 50 lbs since many months ago. I kidded him that his house must have been severely flooded recently that he was not able to eat for three days or more. He said he was gulping this particular enzyme that really enhances the body's metabolism, so that almost no fat is  stored even after eating lots of food.

More photos... Some two of those who left before Gov. Butch came were Rey Alas (behind Archie Jimenez) and Tess Sanchez (front of Archie) in the upper left photo below.

We were supposed to wear dress that identifies our color code during our President-Elects Training Seminar (PETS), that was in early March 2006. Below, lower right, Charlie and I forgot to wear a red shirt, so we shared holding the red bag of fellow Red teammate Luz Reyes, hehe.

Pa-cute, hehe. Beside Tess. Tess is a medico legal at MMC. Said she does not know how to facebook, haha. 

When Gov. Butch came, he invited us to a nearby resto, also at the 3rd floor of Fully Booked, The White Hat resto. Nice place, not crowded unlike Starbucks.

Gov. Butch ordered many food at The White Hat. Yummy yummy. More chika-han. 

I left about 7pm, had to go to the MOA signing, my club's sisterhood partnership with RC Diliman North of RI D3780, near Pantranco, Quezon City.

Thanks for the endless good camaraderie, classmates. Thanks for organizing the get together, classmate Rose Acoba. Thanks for the nice food, Gov. Butch.

It's unfortunate that two of our classmates in the District have already joined our creator. Emil Sanglay and Lorenz Tato. Lorenz died only last month of a heart attack.

One more reason why I join reunion with various friends whenever my time would allow. We don't know who will be gone next.

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.

On Servant Leadership, PDG Sonny Coloma

Our mother club (they chartered the creation of our club in March 2000), RC Rizal West, through their Peace President Elsa, invited us to their first meeting of the current RY last July 05, 2012, Thursday night, Makati Sports Club. The main speaker was Past District Governor (PDG) Sonny Coloma. Gov. Sonny is also working now at the Office of the President in Malacanang, the 2nd or 3rd time he joined government. His main job is being a professor of management at the AIM.

I am a big fan of Gov. Sonny, along with many other PDGs of our district, like Jimmy Cura, Rafael "Butch" Francisco, my Governor in RY 2006-07, Ed Alvarez, many others. Gov Sonny is a soft-spoken, good humored, articulate speaker. In one of his talks several years ago, he called me as among his favorite bloggers. He was kidding of course.

   

He was introduced by Gov. Jimmy Cura, That night, Gov. Sonny talked about servant leadership, the characteristics of a good, listening, leader. Among the nice quotes I heard from him: 

 * Listening, the reason why we have two ears and one mouth, is so that we can hear and listen more, before we speak. 

* Healing, letting go of the past, or mending ways, offer a hand or ear of healing past conflict and misunderstanding. 

* Empathy, consideration. 

* Many others. 

I also like his description of Fort Bonifacio (that's where our club is based) -- "Fort Bonifacio is an island of Taguig surrounded by Makati" -- haha, so true

.

Lower right photo, that's me, after I gave a few comments during the open forum :-) Not a question, I said that I like Gov Sonny's talk especially on listening. I remember what my friend said, "Talk is cheap because the supply is larger than the demand." I don't remember now the second comment I made....

District Training on Membership Development, Public Relations

Our Club President, Rose Antonio, posted this today in our club facebook group. She attended the District (RI D3830) training on Membership Development and Public Relations yesterday held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). I copy-pasted the photos and compressed them into four frames, below. Lots of good ideas to share.

Lower right photo below, my sister in the middle, Marycris Oplas, now the District Secretary, and President Rose.

TRF Seminar on Future Vision Plan and Global Grants

Here are the photos that I took during the seminar on "Transitioning to the Future Vision Plan" last June 09, 2012, held at the Session Hall, 22/F, Makati City Hall. The event was sponsored by the RC Makati Poblacion. It was the first time that I entered the session hall of Makati CH.

I think about 70 people attended that afternoon, including speakers and past District Governors of D3830 like Jimmy Cura, Guiller Tumangan and Ed Alvarez. Of course incoming District Governor Sue Sta. Maria was there.

The first speaker who spoke about the Global Grants was D3810 Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Tranquil S. Salvador III, a young and articulate guy. Well, I would say that almost all District Governors, past, present and future, are articulate.

Upper right photo below, he was given a plaque of appreciation by PDG Guiller Tumangan and DGE Sue Sta. Maria. PDG Guiller was also the second speaker, he briefly spoke about The Rotary Foundation (TRF) policies and programs, and preparing for Matching Grant (MG) application. The third speaker was D3810 PDG Josefina Ang, lower right photo. Another articulate speaker.

Nice venue, attentive participants.

Below, more photos with D3810's PDG Josefina Ang, between PDG Guiller and DGE Sue. The activity started around 1:15pm and ended around 5:45pm, covered all the agenda. About one-fourth or one-third of the participants left before the official closing.

Among my classmates in RY 2006-07 who attended that afternoon were Rose Acoba, Jay Tambunting, Rene Co, Techie Cruz, Julie Rabe, hmmm, did I forget someone.

I really enjoyed that seminar, I learned many things. One of the good things at being a Rotarian, learning more things at minimum cost. Seminar fee was only P400 including heavy afternoon snacks. I liked the food prepared by the host club, thanks RC Makati Poblacion.

Global Grants, Rotary and Civil Society

This is my article today in an online magazine where I contribute a weekly paper.
http://www.thelobbyist.biz/perspectives/less-gorvernment/1321--sustainable-humanitarian-projects-without-government-support

Sustainable Humanitarian Projects Without Government Support

SATURDAY, 16 JUNE 2012 01:36

WRITTEN BY NONOY OPLAS

Tags: Less Government

Providing wide and sustainable humanitarian projects to the poor and needy via civil society and voluntary organizations with zero government support is highly possible. It has happened, it is happening and will continue to happen.

Such civil society organizations (CSOs) range from civic groups like Gawad Kalinga and Rotary Clubs, religious and church groups, villages, business and professional associations, corporate foundations, sports clubs, and so on.

I will give examples from Rotary because there are really huge projects going on there. I am referring to the new initiative of the Rotary International (RI), the Global Grants (GG). This is a new initiative, taking lessons from thousands of humanitarian projects in the past from many rotary clubs from many countries.

GGs’ general characteristics are. One, they are meant to finance sustainable projects for the needy people, meaning after the term of the Club President who initiated the project has ended, the project is still there and is able to generate certain funds for its continuation year after year.

Two, minimum project cost is US$30,000, no more projects worth $5,000 or $20,000. A club in a poor country finds a partner club/s in a rich country, their respective RI Districts pouring additional funding, and a worthwhile project involving public health, water and sanitation, education and literacy, economic livelihood, peace and conflict resolution, will get at least $30,000 of funding that are quickly paid so long as all the requirements are complied with.

In a training seminar last June 09, 2012 on “The Future Vision Plan” by RI District 3830, the first speaker, Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) of RI District 3810, Tranquil Salvador III, gave several success stories in the Global Grants (GG) in his District, comprising Rotary Clubs in Manila, Pasay, Cavite, Mindoro, other nearby provinces.

1. GG #25075, “Philippine Medical Mission”, $37,500.00.

Project components: (a) Maternal and child health, (b) disease prevention and treatment, (c) basic education and literacy. A club to club partnership between RCs Cavite and Louisiana, USA. The local club gave only $100, the minimum club counterpart, the respective districts where the two clubs belonged gave their respective DDF, plus donations from other Rotarians. Status: Paid and closed.

2. GG #25199, “School Renovation at Calabarzon”, $44,696.00.

Project components: (a) basic education and literacy, (b) water and sanitation, (c) disease prevention and treatment.  The local club, RC Cavite Ecozone gave only $100, but its partner RC abroad, plus the DDF of both districts gave a lot. Status: Paid and closed.

3. GG #25761, “Donation of Mobile X-Ray Machines”, $85,000.00.

The project is mainly for disease prevention and treatment in poor communities, hence mobile machines and clinic. The main recipients are the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the Baguio General Hospital (BGH).

4. GG #25040, “Supporting Health of Needy People in the Philippines”, $143,000.00.

The project addresses (a) disease prevention and treatment, (b) maternal and child health, among others. It is a multi-year, on-going project.

There are many other success stories of wonderful projects funded by GGs in each district (there are 500+ RI Districts worldwide). I only mentioned a few above. The impact on the poor, the less or un-educated, the sick, the old, etc., is huge. Project implementation is direct people to people, no government bureaucracies in the middle (barangay to municipal/city to province/congressional politicians and bureaurats) that can hijack such projects towards their personal political interests. There are also no additional taxes, mandatory fees and contribution from the citizens, rich or poor, to be coercively collected as all funding come from voluntary donations and various fund raising activities.

GG funds, $30,000 to $143,000 or more, are quickly released if all the requirements are complied with. Project and fund management is made more transparent, all transactions and proof are paperless and visible on the web, an external auditor aside from internal monitoring will be needed. Any irregularities can easily be checked due to both internal and external controls.

How about those found mishandling or stealing the money? Will they go to prison? Possibly yes, if criminal charges will be filed against them. But normally, just exposing the names, faces and club affiliation of those people is enough punishment. Rotary is a voluntary organization of relatively successful professionals and businessmen. No one put a gun on members’  heads to join it, pay annual dues, attend regular meetings and spend extra for the meals, attend club projects and district activities. Members came and joined on their own, voluntarily. So it is a highly collegial, peer system of camaraderie. If one will commit fraudulent acts on money that are voluntarily donated, the idea of losing one’s face, of losing professional and business integrity and network in such a big and international organization, is a severe form of punishment.

And this is one beauty of voluntary, civil society organizations. The traditional schemes of reward and punishment under the government system of coercion and politics, like sending people to jails if they are not politically connected, or getting scot free if they have wide political connections even if they are outright thieves, does not strictly apply.

The state of civil society, being largely a voluntary action and organization of mature and responsible citizens, is the path that we should take, not the state of more government coercion and politics.

Andres Bonifacio, Phillippine Independence and Rotary

Today is Philippine Independence Day, June 12 each year. A national holiday to celebrate the Philippines' independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. Of course we never really got independence from the Spaniards as the Americans immediately took over as the new colonizers in 1898.

Below, the three key personalities. Top row, Andres Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine revolutionary movement against Spain, Supremo of the Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or simply the Katipunan.

Second row, Jose Rizal, the national hero. An intellectual, physician, wrote two books sarcastic to the Spanish colonizers, "El Filibusterismo" and "Noli me Tanghere", executed by the Spaniards.

Third row, Emilio Aguinaldo, considered the first Philippine President in 1898 in a declaration of Independence from Spain, made in Kawit, Cavite. He ordered the execution of Andres Bonifacio in May 1897.

Last June 01, 2012, Prof. Michael Charlestone "Xiao" Chua of De La Salle University (DLSU) History Department gave a talk to the club on "Undress Bonifacio: Paghubad sa Mito ng Bobong Supremo" (Undress Bonifacio: Exposing myths of a stupid supreme leader), held at Metro Club, Rockwell, Makati.

I thought that Michael would look down on Andres Bonifacio, he did the opposite. He said that unlike common conceptions (or misconceptions) and beliefs about the man, Andres Bonifacio was:

1. Not the typical bolo-wielding leader in many monuments around the country. Rather, the person there was a typical Katipunan rebel who revolted against Spain.

2. No ordinary worker-leader, he was a middle class worker in an British company and could speak, read and write English;

3. Was an intellectual, he read many books about the French Revolution, Napoleon, American Revolution, Rizal's two books, other literatures.

4. The first Philippine President when he reorganized the Katipunan from a secret rebel group to an open revolutionary government with himself as the Supremo, set the date of simultaneous armed uprising against Spanish forces. This was around August 28, 1896. 

I learned many things from Prof. Chua's talk. It so happened that our club's name is RC Taguig Fort Bonifacio, a former AFP camp called Fort (Andres) Bonifacio. From his talk, I was convinced that Bonifacio was indeed the first President of the Philippines and not Emilio Aguinaldo.

Group photo after his talk. Standing, from left to right: me, PP Niel Antonio, President Norlan de Leon, Prof. Chua, PN Eric Lucero, Basil Semilla and Prof. Chua's colleague at DLSU.
Sitting, from left: Secretary Meann de Leon, PE Rose Antonio, Prof. Chua's staff.

Prof. Chua also showed various writings by Andres Bonifacio that were relegated by mainstream education about the Philippine Revolution. For instance, for Bonifacio, to love the country, the community, oneself, is not so much to launch a revolution, but in doing one's work with honor and dignity. Honesty, dignity, integrity, these were some of the central teachings of Bonifacio and other Katipunan leaders then. These could be traced to their being FreeMasons. My Mason friend, Ozone Azanza, says that it is very basic and simple to become a Mason -- be a responsible father and husband, able to provide the needs of the family, has humility and personal integrity. Amen to that, and I would add that somehow these are also among the important teachings in Rotary although following the "Four Way Test" remains the prominent teachings and motto of Rotarians.

Thanks Prof. Chua, thanks President Norlan, for such a wonderful and educational evening.

Club Officers, RY 2012-2013

A new club newsletter, courtesy of President-Elect Rose Antonio. Thanks PE.

There are now four pairs of husband-wife members of our club. PP Niel Antonio and PE Rose Antonio, President Norlan de Leon and Secretary Meann de Leon, Basil and Amy Semilla, me and my wife Ella.

Club Planning Workshop, March 2012

We held a club planning-workshop last weekend, March 31 to April 01, 2012, at Casa Corazon, Lemery, Batangas. We were supposed to start in the afternoon of Day 1, but some of us still have work in Manila in the morning, they arrived late afternoon that day, so we started work by 6pm.

Only 7 of us were able to come -- President Norlan de Leon, President-Elect Rose Antonio, Immediate Past President Niel Antonio, me, Rotarians Eric Lucero, Meann de Leon, and Ephraem Serrano. We brought all of our respective families, spouses and kids.

The food was delicious and plentiful, thanks to Pres. Norlan and PE Rose. They shopped at the nearby Calaca public market, PE Rose brought there 2 cooks in their house plus driver, these 3 guys worked hard to prepare us really nice and yummy food, kudos to them.

Our work that night centered on four questions:
1. Where are we now, SWOT analysis,
2. Where do we want to be, at least 3 years from now,
3. How do we get there, and
4. What we are doing to get there.

The discussion on our club Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) was really lively. The key strength of the club is that we are in a very dynamic business district of the country, in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The key weakness is that we remain a small club (now we have 14 members) and hence, with small resources. The key opportunity is that we still have several committed members and officers who are willing to work for the club, for the district, and the communities that we partner with. The key threat is that if we remain small, delisting and forced merger with other smaller clubs will remain a continuing threat in the future.

The other 3 questions above were explored and discussed. Then the tasking of assignments, like restating the club's Vision-Mission. We concluded the meeting at nearly 12 midnight with a toast and cheer to the 12th anniversary of the club.

The venue, Casa Corazon,  http://www.casacorazonresort.com/ is a nice place. It's relatively huge, with three swimming pools, one for adults and two for toddlers and children.

The kids really enjoyed the two pools. It's a coincidence that our kids are generally young yet, so they were able to play with each other. We also brought our respective yayas/nannies for the younger kids.

The next day, Sunday April 1, we toured the place's museum. Entrance fee is P250 per head. The wide collection of vintage motorcycles and cars was really awesome. Like original BMW motorbikes, plenty of them there.

It's a nice place. We were also lucky that we practically occupied the whole place as they did not have other guests that weekend.

I will post other photos, especially the aviary and those huge birds, later.

Overall, it was a very productive weekend, both for us Rotarians, our families and kids. I am thankful to our club leadership for finding a good place, for preparing really sumptuous Filipino food. It helped that there is a nearby public market selling cheap food.

It was a good start for the coming leadership of PE Rose Antonio.

Discon 2012 Photos

I mean photos of our club participatioin only, not the entire District as there are hundreds of those photos.

?he first District Convention I have attended was Discon (December) 2006 during my term as Club President of RC Taguig Fort Bonifacio, RY 2006-07. I have not attended all other Discon after that, so I was curious what's new in the annual big event of the District. This is my 2nd Discon attendance so far.

There were only five of us from our club who attended the District Convention 2012. Immediate Past President Niel Antonio, his wife and club President-Elect Rose Antonio, President Norlan de Leon, his wife and Club Secretary Meann de Leon.

With District Secretary Lito Colona (4th from left, between Niel and Rose) and District Governor Billy Villareal (2nd from right, between Meann and President Norlan). The guy beside me is Pres. Norlan's classmate from another club.

The Antonio and de Leon couples. Upper photo from left: Pres. Niel, Meann, PE Rose and IPP Niel.

Lower photo is with Asst. Governor Jules Nivea from RC Rizal West. This is our "mother club", they chartered our club in March 29, 2000 or 12 years ago. Jules is also a good friend of the club, he has visited us several times.

Below, upper left photo with Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Ed Alvarez. Sen. Chiz Escudero was the guest speaker at lunch time. He spoke about the impeachment proceedings with CJ Corona, other political issues.

Sen. Chiz talked in very fluent but straight Filipino. I was wondering how the foreign guests -- high rotary officers from S. Korea, Japan, other Asian countries, the GSE teams from Germany and Netherlands, as well as foreigner rotarians of the district -- were able to understand.

My photo with the two couples.

Lower photo is my good friend from UP, also the godmother of my 2nd child Bien Mary, Rotarian Cecilia Quiambao from a club in Alabang. I was surprised to see her that night, she said she was a new Rotarian, inducted only a few months ago.

I like the discussions in the morning until early afternoon, but not so much in the late afternoon. In the evening, the presentations by the current team -- Club Presidents and District Officers -- were nice and cool. They have a number of good singers.

RC TFB New Newsletter

My club, Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio, has resumed the production of a newsletter. Thanks to President Norlan de Leon.

Upper 3 photos, are during the club induction led by District Governor Billy Villareal. Smaller photo on the left, during our club Christmas Party last December 2011 at Immediate Past President Niel Antonino's house. We brought our families for a night of fun and fellowships.

Lower photos are during the club's participation in the huge district activity, "A Liter of Light". Our club was assigned to deliver the bottles for solar lighting in a big depressed barangay in Caloocan, aided by some soldiers from the AFP. Hundreds of people greeted the club officers and members who went to the place.

I will post more photos about this event later in this blog.

Discon 2012, RI D3830, March 17-18, 2012

The District Convention (Discon) of Rotary International (RI) District 3830 will be this coming Saturday-Sunday, March 17-18, 2012. Day 1 will be a full day event at Shangrila Hotel Makati, while Day 2 will be the "Family of Rotary" at the University of Makati (UMak).
--------

DAY 1 – March 17, 2012
Makati Shangri-la Hotel

PRE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

7:00 am - Registration: DISCON 2012 Opens (venue: Manila A )
7:30 am - Opening of Rotary Windows (venue: Manila B )
8:00 am - Photo Sessions: Gov. Billy, RIPR & their Spouses with the following: (venue: Main Lobby)
• Change Maker Presidents
• District Officers RY 2011- 2012
• Past & Future District 3830 Governors & Spouses
8:15 am - Entry of DISCON Delegates & Guests
8:30 am - Assembly of Program Participants (venue: Gallery)

PROGRAMME

OPENING PLENARY SESSION (venue: Rizal Grand Ballroom)

8:45 am - Entry – Program Participants Only:
• Change Maker Presidents
• Assistant Governors
• Excom DISCON 2012
• DGN/DGE/PDGs and Spouses
• Incumbent Governors and Spouses
• DISCON 2012 Chairman
• RIPR and Spouse
• District Governor and Spouse

9:00 am - Call to Order Gov. Ismael ‘Billy’ Villareal
- Entry of Colors
- Philippine National Anthem Makati City Hall Employees Choral
- Doxology PP Renato “Atoy” Co
- Welcome Remarks CP Jejomar Erwin Binay, Jr.
by the DISCON 2012 Chairman Mayor, Makati City
- Introduction of Change Maker Presidents DGN Angelito “Lito” Colona
- Introduction of Dignitaries PP Patria “Patty” Chiong
- Introduction of the Governor and his Family CMP Victoria “Bingbing” Singson
- Governor’s Address: State of the District Gov. Ismael Villareal
- Introduction of RIPR PDG Eduardo “Ed” Alvarez
- Plenary Address: Rotary Worldwide RIPR PDG James Dee, D3800
- Cultural Presentation Makati City Hall Employees Choral
- Exit of Colors
- Adjournment Gov. Ismael Villareal


CMP Leo “Leo” Gellor CMP Marshelly Grace “Shelly” Lazaro
Moderators

COFFEE BREAK
15 minutes

“MARD BUSINESS PLENARY SESSION

11:00 am - Call to Order Gov. Ismael Villareal
- Conference Resolution
- Announcements
• selection of membership for the Zone Nominating Committee for RI Director
• selection result for District Governor Nominee

11: 25 am - Adjournment Gov. Ismael Villareal

EFFECTIVE CLUB LUNCH

11:30 am - Invocation

12:20 pm CMP Tomas Emerito “Emy” Magdangal
- Recognition of Effective Clubs Gov. Ismael Villareal
11:45 am - Lunch Break
- Introduction of Guest Speaker CMP Arvin “Arvin” Lim
- Message Hon. Francis Joseph G. Escudero
Senator – Republic of the Philippines

CMP Leonides “Leo” Tagle CMP Catherine “Kath” Osial
Emcees

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME: Reach Within To Embrace Humanity

12:55 pm Raffle Draw PP Anthony “Papa Tony” Cristobal
1:00 pm

1:55 pm - Call to Order Gov. Ismael Villareal
- Introduction of the RIPR PDG Romeo “Romy” Cruz
- Rotary Theme RIPR PDG James Dee
- Introduction of DGN for RY 2014 – 2015 PP Socorro Alicia “Cory” Quirino
- Remarks DGN Angelito “Lito” Colona
- Introduction of DGN for RY 2013 – 2014 PP Jose A. R. “Pepito” Bengzon III
- Remarks DGN Robert “Robert” Kuan
- Introduction of DGE for RY 2012 – 2013 PP Ma. Criselda “Marycris” Oplas
- Remarks DGE Suzanne “Sue” Sta. Maria
- Adjournment Gov. Ismael Villareal

CMP Mario Gil “Gil” Jocson CMP Renny “Renny” Harman
Moderators