December 2013 Vol. 27 No. 06

Children of Ormoc beam with happiness and hope despite Yolanda nightmare, courtesy of D3780 Rotary Care Project

To provide immediate relief to suffering survivors of Ty-

phoon Yolanda in badly devastated Ormoc City, Rotary Inter-

national District 3780 with Francis Rivera as district gover-

nor organized emergency Task Force Yolanda led by PDG

Danilo Fausto which quickly established the Rotary Care

Center jointly with RC Ormoc D3860 on November 21,

2013. Since then the Rotary Care Center has provided feed-

ing for 1,500 hungry children and typhoon victims continu-

ously for 40 days; rehabilitated school rooms & buildings

and provided fresh school supplies; and launched a liveli-

hood restoration program by replacing lost fishing boats of

fishermen in the coastal villages of Ormoc. By December 18

the Rotary Soup Kitchen has expanded to feed 1,250

evacuees in Tacloban City for at least 30 days.

In addition to providing relief through the Rotary Care Cen-

ter, Rotarians assisted survivors in several other ways: Dis-

trict 3780 with RC Cubao West & IYFR donated P 1.3 million

cash through D3860; Loyola Heights provided assistance

through partners in Ormoc and other towns; Camp Agui-

naldo facilitated logistics at the evacuation center in Ma-

nila; Araneta conducted a timely, much needed medical out-

reach mission in Capiz; and Holy Spirit with partner RC Set-

tle D1040 of England have started donating fishing boats to

restore livelihood in Northern Leyte, for examples.

ROTARIANS RESPOND TO CALL FOR SERVICE

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Governor’s Message

Tonight is a Fitting Time for a Triple Celebration Message of DG Francis Rivera during the Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party last December 9, 2013 at UP Bahay ng Alumni

W hen I think about the past I remember

the words of Madame Chiang Kai-shek,

―We live in the present, we dream of the fu-

ture, but we learn eternal truths from the

past.‖ This is precisely why we look to the past

as the foundations of the present and an in-

spiring reference for the future.

This is the very reason tonight we give honor to

our past presidents through this fellowship. We

gather for this evening of merriment with fond

memories of the past and gratitude for what it

has been. After their year of leadership, past

presidents become the club’s pillars of wisdom

and inspiration. They become sources of

proven experience. As we have learned in life,

experience is the best teacher. This is why

every club has its own council of past presi-

dents which acts as an advisory body for the

current leadership and the club.

Tonight’s fellowship has been planned with our

celebration of Christmas and Rotary’s Family

Month in mind. Nothing can be more fitting a

time for this fellowship than holding it at Christ-

mastime. It gives us the rare opportunity to

make it even merrier and more meaningful.

That is why tonight we have it a triple event –

our Past Presidents’ Fellowship, District Christ-

mas Party and Rotary’s Family Month celebra-

tion.

Tonight therefore we not only heap honor and

praise on our past presidents but also cele-

brate the Rotary family’s vital role in building a

strong and effective worldwide organization.

Giving this occasion even greater meaning, we

celebrate with deep and unending gratitude

God’s greatest blessing to mankind - the birth

of his only son, the redeemer of the world.

Christ’s coming has given new hope to human-

kind for a safe passage to eternal happiness.

Let us therefore make tonight a special cele-

bration of gratitude – for the past - for what it

has been and what it is for the present and the

future; and for our Rotary family – for its irre-

placeable role in giving our worldwide move-

ment a strong foundation of unity and love. Let

us make tonight a special celebration of high-

est gratitude for God’s love and mercy, which is

the foundation of our lives and our inspiration

to share our blessings with the rest of the

world.

With Peth and my entire family, I share with

you the joys of Christmas and God’s blessings

for the New Year!

3

EDITORIAL BOARD

District Governor Francis A. Rivera

Publisher

District Secretary Amable “Mar” Cancio

District Chief of Staff Francis Paderna

Ricardo “Ric” P. Salvador

Editor in Chief

IPP Elizaberth “Beth” Directo (RC Camp Aguinaldo)

Associate Editor - District

IPP Marcia “Marcia” C. Salvador (RC Holy Spirit)

Associate Editor - Clubs

CP Winston “Winston” Sia (RC VisMin)

Associate Editor-Webmaster

Editorial Staff

IPP Rhodora “Doris” Sanchez (RC Diliman North)

IPP Cresencio “Cris” Bacho Jr (RC Cubao Edsa)

Bernard De San Jose (RC Timog)

The Governor’s Monthly Letter is published by the Gov-

ernor of Rotary International District 3780 with offices

at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon

City, Philippines. Contributions for publication may be

sent to Ric Salvador at rp_salvador@yahoo.com, to

Beth Directo at betchie@728@gmail.com, or to Marcia

Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com

From the Editors

By the Numbers

110 – Number of articles and stories of various

lengths published in the first six issues of the Governor’s Monthly Letter from July to December 2013. Not included in this number are the monthly messages from DG Francis Rivera, con-sistently outstanding work developed by our edi-tors which do not show by-line acknowledge-ments, and messages from Rotary International.

40 – Rotary clubs in the district that have con-

tributed those 110 stories of service-above-self projects and activities. Thanks to clubs and Ro-tarians who have shared the most number of sto-ries:

New Manila Heights – 8 articles (6 from District Com-munity Service Chair Baby Allado, one each from District Adviser for Annual Giving Boone Ongchoco and FCP Al Villacorte)

Cubao West – 7 articles (3 from FCP Josie Garcia, 2 from FC Sec Mel Waje and PP Joel Guillermo and PP Ed Trinidad)

Quezon City – 7 articles (4 from District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, 2 from FCP Poch Jayma-lin, 1 from IPP Cesar Baltazar)

Camp Aguinaldo - 6 articles from FCP Robert Camba

Cubao Central - 5 articles from PP Marilyn Manabat

Diliman North – 5 articles from FCP Len Araneta

143 – Increase in Rotary club members in

D3780 from July 1 to December 31, 2013 accord-ing to “breaking news” received from RI January 14, 2014. The Editorial Board led by DG Francis Rivera congratulates the First Class Presidents, District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, LG Chito Borromeo who has championed “functional collaboration” pilot among clubs, and other dis-trict officers. Growth has been achieved within our 102 clubs without newly chartered clubs. It’s second highest growth among all 10 districts in the Philippines.

1000 - Although “a picture is worth a thousand

words,” five or 10 words are almost always needed to describe what the picture is all about.

Calendar of Activities February 2014

From District Secretary Amable “Mar” Cancio

February is World Understanding Month

(During this month, clubs are urged to present programs and other activities emphasizing understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace. The anni-versary of the first Rotary club meeting, February 23, is observed as World Un-

derstanding and Peace Day)

Feb 15 & Mar 1 District Legislative Assembly RotCen

(9-12 AM)

February 8 Alay ng Rotary sa Araw ng Kabataan RC Kamuning

February 15 Family Rotary Day Camp Crame

Multipurpose Hall

DG Meeting with FCPs/AGs/AGRs

February 22-23 RYLA (jointly with RID 3770 Corregidor Is.

February 23 World Understanding & Peace Day Peace

Presidents

November 2013

Missed last month’s issue of the GML? Click to view and download

4

Established on November 21 by Task Force Yolanda led by PDG Danny Fausto, relief assistance provided by

Rotary Care Center has progressed from feeding through school rehabilitation and restoration of livelihood

Click this link or tap on any of the photos above to view update report from Task Force Yolanda.

5

Rotary Care Center has been supported by teams of volunteer Rotarians from many clubs

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To serve Typhoon Yolanda survivors, even Rotarians need angels by FC President Pocholo Jaymalin, RC Quezon City

With LG Dwight Ramos, Dir Angelo-Roa Yu, and Dir Edgar Tapiador of RCQC

O ne month after the most powerful typhoon ever re-

corded in Philippine history lashed Central Philippines,

the Rotary Club of Quezon City (RCQC) together with the sup-

port of its sister club, the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo

and its long time partner in service, the Inner Wheel Club of

Quezon City (IWCQC), visited Ormoc City on December 10-12,

2013.

Ormoc is a first class city in the province of Leyte, Philip-

pines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of

191,200 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commer-

cial and transportation hub of western Leyte. Ormoc City is a

port city and is the largest city in Leyte by land area.

Rotary International District in Ormoc City

About a week after the devastation brought about by Ty-

phoon Yolanda, our Rotary District 3780, led by First Class

Governor Francis Rivera formed a team composed of Past

District Governors and incumbent District Officers to assess

the damage brought about by the said typhoon at Ormoc.

Why Ormoc? Because almost all the relief efforts from the

national government and international communities were

then concentrated at Tacloban City. After the initial assess-

ment, an emergency meeting of the said team was con-

ducted. A decision was made, RI District 3780 will help the

survivors by putting up a feeding center which was officially

named the Rotary Care Center Soup Kitchen. The objective

of this effort is to feed 1500 schoolchildren every day for

forty days. The two schools identified for this project were

the most devastated schools in the city, the Punta Elemen-

tary School and the Linao Elementary School, both of which

are located in the bay area of the city.

Gov Francis Rivera then called for an emergency meeting of

all the First Class Presidents of RI District 3780. He reported

the situation on the ground at Ormoc and then called for the

fund raising among all the clubs in the district. The funds

generated from this first "call" comprised the seed funds for

the Soup Kitchen Project.

For our part, RCQC First Class President Pocholo Jaymalin

coming out from the said meeting immediately sounded off

the call of Gov Francis during the regular meeting of the club.

Without the need to emphasize the need to raise funds, the

members of RCQC raised USD 1,000. This amount was im-

mediately turned over to the district for the said Soup

Kitchen.

After another week, PP Chito Madronio called up PP Popoy

Flores informing him that our sister club, the Rotary Club of

Yokohama-Hongo contacted the former saying that they

learned about the destruction in our country and that they

were donating USD 2,000. The money was wired to PP Chito

and then a meeting was set up for PP Chito to turn over the

donation to FCP Pocholo Jaymalin, witnessed by LG Dwight

7

Even Rotarians need angels . . .

was turned over to our Club Treasurer PP Ricky De Guzman.

By this time, a decision has been made by the club, that this

amount of donation by the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo

plus the amount that will be raised during the joint meeting

of RCQC and IWCQC will be spent on school supplies for

around 700 school children at Punta Elementary School.

This will be personally distributed by a team from RCQC led

by Pres Pocholo Jaymalin, PP Dwight Ramos, Directors An-

gelo Roa-Yu and Edgar Tapiador.

The RCQC team landed at Cebu on December 10 and imme-

diately coordinated with FCP Grace Fojas for the purchase of

the school supplies from a local supplier. The school sup-

plies packaged in more than a dozen boxes were brought to

the Cebu Pier to be loaded on the fast craft going to Ormoc.

This happened almost without hitch until the Pier Police held

the truck for not having a "Bill of Lading," a prerequisite

document for goods to be shipped out from a pier. Out

came the first angel, a certain Diane from 2GO shipping

lines personally assisted me in looking for the supervisor

who could help me with the boxes. The Officer-in Charge was

not in his office and they could not locate him. The trouble

was, the packages should be inside the loading bay as the

vessel was inbound already. The next angel in the person of

Mr. Gabby Margaja of 2GO Cargo Department learned of the

situation immediately stood up donned his company ID and

went to the Pier Police. Right there and then, the cargo was

released.

Upon reaching Ormoc City, the scene of destruction dawned

upon us, the pier was devastated. FCP Pres Troy Bumagat

of the Rotary Club of Ormoc fetched us and we proceeded

directly to Punta Elementary School. There, we were met by

the Principal, Mr. Julius Porcadilla and his teachers. Another

problem came up, how are we to meet the deadline of in-

serting to individual plastic folders the right combination of

school supplies for each grade level. The third angel came

in the form of a group of teachers who helped us in this ac-

tivity. A production line was formed and before 5pm every-

thing was done. All the school supplies are ready for distri-

bution the following day, all 675 plastic folders with corre-

sponding school supplies per grade level. When we finished

the activity, FCP Pocholo was walking around the school

grounds, there the safety practitioner that he is immediately

pushed him to notice some potential hazards. A safety walk

was cleared together with his team and Prinicipal Julius.

FCP Pocholo identified all the hazards and corrective actions

were immediately implemented. Hopefully, this will elimi-

nate potential accidents to happen to the students.

The team then met with several officers of the Rotary Club of

Ormoc to plan out the activities for the following day. At

around 8am of Day 2, the team boarded two tricycles, the

only mode of transportation in the city and proceeded to

Punta Elementary School, we noticed an increase in the

number of students that day.

8

From Ground Zero, Ormoc City and Tacloban City, December 16-18, 2013 by VRC Joel Guillermo, Special Projects, RC Cubao West

With DG Francis Rivera, FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Amy Robles, Cecille Rodriguez, Sec Mel Waje & Rtn Brian Rochas (RC Goleta, Sta Barbara CA, USA)

Ormoc City

A s we toured the city, most of the houses, school build-

ings, commercial buildings, and public utility terminals

had lost their roofs. The houses located beside the sea suf-

fered heavier damage and they belonged mostly to fisher

folks whose small fishing boats (bancas) were also de-

stroyed.

Linao Elementary School, where the Rotary Cares/Command

Center/ Soup Kitchen is located, faced the sea; thus, most of

its roofs had been torn and blown away. Daily, our District

3780 cooked food for 1,000 students from two schools

(chosen according to their economic standing in the commu-

nity - the poorest of the poor). They bring their own plates &

bowls which we filled with rice and soup. Hence, only those

pre-chosen are fed daily for 40 days.

We had the privilege and opportunity to prepare and cook

the food and serve these to the children. We also played and

sang with the kids as a way of letting them forget their tragic

experience. FC President Josie, Sec Mel and Rotarian Brian

from California brought children’s books and did Story Tell-

ing/Book Reading to the delight of the pupils.

The city is now back on its feet with most establishments al-

ready open, internet service now available, and electricity

restored, either thru the use of gen-sets or by their electric

cooperative.

Since relative normalcy has been restored in Ormoc, most of

those rendering voluntary service in Tacloban City area stay

in and commute to and from Ormoc City daily (travel time is 2

hours) where hotels and restaurants are already open. This is

also where the ferry boats to Cebu City have regular trips at

intervals of 30 minutes.

In Summary, the city on its own, is now moving forward.

LEGACY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF CUBAO WEST FLEET

We visited the Gawad Kalinga/Rotary Housing Project in Or-

moc. Most of the houses were damaged. Roofs were gone

including roof of their Day Care Center which is now also be-

ing used as storage for relief goods.

Our Hon. Commodore/District Governor Francis, together

with FC President Josie, Sec. Mel and PP Joel of Cubao West

made a quick decision and immediately snapped the cost of

repairing the roofs of their Day Care Center where the kids

are being taught basic education.

After a careful analysis of their cost estimates, we donated

P41,000 which was more than enough to replace the torn

out roofs that was then covered only by tarpaulins made

from light sack materials provided by the Rotary Club of Or-

moc City. The amount came from the donation of the US

Wheelchair Team from the North Carolina, namely: IPP Bill

Biddle, PDG Hamp Shuford, PP Everett Stiles, PN Peggy Wike

and Rtn Ross Sloan and family. They facilitated the donation

of Wheel Chairs from their District to our Club last Septem-

ber. The $1,000 donation was intended for the Yolanda vic-

tims, in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray.

9

From Ground Zero . . .

TACLOBAN CITY, PALO, LEYTE and adjoining towns

We left Ormoc City at 4:30 a.m. for Tacloban City but our trip

was delayed as we had to scamper for Diesel along the way.

It was good that thru our appeal, we siphoned 10 liters of

Diesel from the truck of a gasoline station owner who's es-

tablishment had been damaged by the Super Typhoon.

As we approached Tacloban City, we saw the "Wrath of Su-

per Typhoon Yolanda". Houses, churches, schools, among

others were heavily damaged beyond recognition. The ty-

phoon was so strong that it had uprooted and tore coconut

trees, trees known for stability and flexibility.

When we reached Palo, Leyte, a town adjoining Tacloban

City and is also along the Pacific Ocean coast, almost all the

houses, business establishments, and other structures had

been totally damaged. Most of the vehicles in the area were

totally damaged, too. This is the area where most people

died because of the storm surge. On our way to the Airport,

we encountered the strong stench of dead bodies still scat-

tered among debris.

Most of the volunteers and foreigners extending aid in the

Tacloban area commute to Ormoc daily where the living con-

ditions for visitors are almost back to normal.

It will take years to rehabilitate Tacloban City and adjoining

towns. Thus, most of the foreign aid are now focused in the

area. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Tacloban City

when we were there. Today, U.N. Secretary General Bun Ki

Moon is also on his way to Tacloban City.

We were privileged to be one of those who started the Soup

Kitchen of our Rotary Cares Project at the Sacred Heart

School in Tacloban together with District Governor Francis

Rivera, PDG Danny Fausto, LG Chito Borromeo, First Class

FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Cecille Rodriguez and Amy

Robles, who are all IYFR Members of the First Class Fleet,

Sec. Mel Waje, Rotarian Brian Rocha of RC Goleta, along

with the officers and members of the Rotary Clubs of Taclo-

ban City and Ormoc City.

Rotary Cares Project in Ormoc is now on its 3rd Phase

which is Livelihood. However, in Tacloban City, the Soup

Kitchen will run from December 18 till January 4. On Jan 6,

the city is targeting to re-open the schools.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT?

While awaiting feedback information from District 3860 Gov-

ernor Ed Chiongbian on how our donation of P1.4 million

was used or allocated, unused funds that we have should be

utilized in rehabilitation efforts and livelihood programs.

Because there has been reduced sense of urgency for food

and relief efforts, the next IYFR donations should also be

focused on Livelihood Projects such as donating fishing ban-

cas so the fishermen could resume earning their living.

The construction of bunk houses has been ongoing; thus, in

a short period of time, those displaced will have a shelter.

From our experience in Ormoc where our District Governor

decided that we should donate directly to the affected peo-

ple, we’ve seen that we made them happier and we also felt

confident that the money we gave really went to the in-

tended beneficiaries.

Hence, if we are to donate the funds recently raised from

generous members of our organization, we recommend that

we purchase bancas from fabricators in Cebu or nearby

places and donate these directly to qualified beneficiaries in

Tacloban, Palo and other coastal towns. We could partner

with local Rotary clubs who will choose the recipients.

10

Updates on water and sanitation initiatives by district service committee by District Community Service Chair Ma. Elisa “Baby” Allado, RC New Manila Heights

December 11, 2013. Turnover of a 5,000-liter rainwater harvester tank by RC New Manila Heights to

Our Lady of Banneux (OLB) ANCOP-RID 3780 Community at San Mateo, Rizal

January 7, 2014. Orientation on community-managed potable water supply and sanitation

F unded by a District Grant,

the Rotary Club of New Ma-

nila Heights (RCNMH) built a

5,000-liter rainwater harvester

tank at the OLB Ancop-RID 3780

Community spearheaded by the

Rotary Club of Commonwealth.

This was officially turned over to

the Community on December 11,

2013 in San Mateo Rizal. This will

supply water to the 44 families

now housed in the area from do-

nations of Rotary clubs in our Dis-

trict.

Highlight of the turnover cere-

mony was the cutting of the rib-

bon by DG Francis Rivera, PDG

Dulce Coyukiat, PDG Mario Nery,

FC Presidents Amba Villacorte

and Demy Aquino, District Shelter

Chair Bobby Peñalosa and District Community Service Chair

Baby Allado. The tank was accepted by a representative of

Eric Bonifacio, President of Samahan ng OLB who also

signed the Statement of Commitment to maintain and take

care of it.

Other members of RCNMH who were present were: Boone

Ongchoco who pledged Php 100,000 to help complete the

multi-purpose hall and support basic education and literacy

projects for the community; Alex Buot; Ponchit Miranda;

Boyet Alfonso with Spouse Noemi; Alex Arrojo and Spouse

Joy; and Jun San Juan and Spouse Norijean. Visiting Rotari-

ans from RC San Mateo Highlands represented by Buena

Mabeth Simon pledged to do some livelihood programs.

Members of ANCOP (Answer the Cry of the Poor) including

Warren and Spouse and Pinky, coordinators of the commu-

nity, were also in attendance.

Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by PDG Dulce Coyukiat, DG Francis Rivera and FC President Amba Villacorte (RCNMH) and FC President Demy Aquino (RC Commonwealth)

The Department of Agrarian Reform in coordination with the

Water and Sanitaion Committee of District 3780 sponsored

an Orientation on Community-managed Potable Water Supply

and Sanitation in Misamis Occidental. The activity was held

last January 7, 2014 at Nomis Botanical Garden, Ozamis City,

Misamis Occidental and facilitated by PP Bing Quite, District

Chair for Water and Sanitation under the Committee on

Community Service headed by PP Baby Allado. It was

attended by 50 participants including Mayors, MLGU and

DAR personnel in Misamis Occidental.

The seminar oriented the participants about the concept of

low cost water and sanitation facilities. After the orientation,

most of the Mayors were excited to implement the project in

their respective municipalities. It was manifested in the

action plans they prepared. In fact Mayor Rosario Balais of

the municipality of Jimenez invited PP Bing to visit the water

source in her town. After the visit, it was found that the

quality of the water is not good due the presence of iron. It

was agreed that the Mayor, through the para-engineers, will

construct two Iron Removal Filters so that the said water

source will be used by the coastal barangay as safe drinking

water. Construction will start by the third week of January.

PP Bing Quite, D3780 Chair for Water and Sanitation, is shown facilitating the orientation session.

11

Diliman North installs rainwater harvesting system to ensure reliable water supply for school by FC President Marilene Araneta, RC Diliman North

T he Innovative Rainwater Harvesting System (IRHS) was

installed at the Centennial Day Care Center located in

Sitio Pingkian, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City last 14

December 2013. It was turned over to the CDC-PTA last 28

December 2013 which was followed by a simple party

among RCDN and CDC-PTA officers.

The IRHS is a Filipino technology which converts rainwater

into clean and potable water. The system was installed by

the company of Dr. Antonio F. Mateo, a Filipino inventor and

PP of RC Manila San Miguel. The project cost was funded

largely by a District Grant of P20,000.

The IRHS installed at the Centennial Day Care Center (CDC)

has the following objectives:

1. A source of potable water shall be provided for the drink-

ing and snack preparation needs of the Day Care Center;

2. An alternative source of water shall be available for flush

ing toilets in the Day Care Center;

3. An alternative source of water shall be available for emer-

gency situation, e.g. Fire;

4. A reduction in water bills shall be expected;

5. In the event that the Day Care Center shall be renovated

or expanded, the installed IRHS can be moved, expanded

and reinstalled.

The beneficiaries are students, teachers and parents of the

school.

Broadway installs Rotary 4-way test markers in two more schools, December 17, 2013 by FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway

Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School

Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City

Dona Josefa Jara Martinez High School

Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City

12

FIRE and ICE : Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party by Chair of 2013 Past Presidents’ Night & District Christmas Party, FC President Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle

L ast December 9th, the vibrant batch of First Class

Presidents led by FCP Cecile Rodriguez and with

valuable guidance from their First Class Governor Fran-

cis Rivera and PDG Dan Espinosa, hosted this year’s

Past Presidents Night and District Christmas Party at

the UP Bahay ng Alumni. With the theme ―Fire and Ice‖

the event aimed to call attention to the global warming

that’s been wrecking havoc to our planet

The affair promoted as a ―party for a cause‖ was able to

raise additional funds for the Rotary Cares Soup

Kitchen of District 3780 for the survivors of Super Ty-

phoon Yolanda in Ormoc City and Tacloban City in Leyte

Province through the very generous patronage of the

Rotarians of District 3780.

Everyone came in their fiery red and cool white attires

giving more vibrancy to the night. The different batches

came in fighting form for the hotly contested Christmas

song and dance presentations. The Global Presidents

emerged as this year’s champion with their aptly

themed performance. The Hands-On Presidents, Leader

Presidents and Peace Presidents come in 2nd, 3rd and

4th places respectively. In the spirit of the Christmas

season all the winners donated their cash prizes in fa-

vour of the District’s soup kitchen in Leyte. This year’s

host, the FCPs, serenaded the audience with a medley

of Christmas carols eliciting laughter and applause.

The more than 550 attendees enjoyed the night with

unlimited buffet, overflowing drinks, exciting games and

raffle prizes. It was a night filled with joyful camarade-

rie! Indeed the FCPs lived up to their name and gave

the district a first class Past Presidents Night and Dis-

trict Christmas Party. Ooorah, ooorah, ooorah!

Click or tap links below to watch video clips of team presentations, courtesy of Silver President Marilyn Manabat:

GLOBAL PRESIDENTS

HANDS-ON PRESIDENTS

LEADER PRESIDENTS

PEACE PRESIDENTS

13

FIRE & ICE : Past Presidents’ Fellowship and District Christmas Party

Photos courtesy of FCP Bong Jung (Holy Spirit), SP Marilyn Oliveros-Manabat (Cubao Central), and IPP Cris Bacho (Cubao Edsa).

14

Interactors spread love, joy, goodwill and hope among cancer-stricken children by FC Secretary Rick Bugayong, RC Metro Sta. Mesa

Lead Sponsoring Clubs: RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta. Mesa

D 3780 Interactors led by District Interact Representative

(DIR) Valerie Valenzuela cheered up 100 cancer-

stricken patients at the National Children’s Hospital on E.

Rodriguez Sr St in Quezon City last December 16, 2013. The

event dubbed ―May Bukas Pa‖ is an annual project of the

Interactors at the hospital where the cancer patients are en-

tertained with numbers performed by the Interactors, food is

served, and toys/gifts are given to each child.

Interactors from RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta

Mesa organized and successfully carried out the December

16 activity with support from 13 sponsoring clubs that in-

cluded RCs Camp Crame, Cubao West, Diliman Heights, Ka-

muning East, Kamuning West, Masambong, Mega Edsa,

North Balintawak, North Edsa, Quezon City, Quezon City Cen-

tral, Quezon City Circle, and Timog.

FC Presidents Andy Almendral of RC Bagong Silangan and

Ludy Hofer of Metro Sta Mesa turned over four (4) wheel-

chairs to selected patients. The wheelchairs had been do-

nated by RC Cubao West through FCP Josie Garcia.

15

T he Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte, in partner-

ship with the Inner Wheel Club of San Francisco Del

Monte, conducted a series of Christmas parties otherwise

called as Christmas Cheers for its adopted groups of benefi-

ciaries on various dates starting on December 5, 2013.

The series was kicked off by a Christmas Cheers event for

RCSFDM's adopted elementary school, the Sinag Tala Ele-

mentary School, on December 5, 2013. As part of the tradi-

tional cheers, more than 100 elementary students were

treated to a merienda of spaghetti, bread and drinks. They

were also given loot bags containing canned goods, rice,

foodstuffs and toys.

Next was the Christmas Cheers for the more than 100 out-of

-school youth in Barangay Fairview on December 11, 2013.

The kids were also treated to a sumptuous merienda of pan-

sit and drinks and later to loot bags containing foodstuffs

and toys.

Christmas Cheers was also thrown for more than 40 indigent

kids who are enrolled in the adopted day-care center of

RCSFDM and IWCSFDM, the Brgy. Teachers Village West Day

-care Center on December 15, 2013. Apart from merienda of

various food treats, the kids enjoyed various parlor games

and dance contests with various prizes for contention. The

event was made more exciting with the arrival of well-wishers

like QC Councilors Jessica Daza and Bayani Hipol.

The RCSFDM and IWCSFDM then threw a Christmas Cheers

party for the indigent Lolas and Lolos in Brgy. Fairview last

December 18, 2013. Apart from merienda, the elders were

treated to Christmas gift bags containing canned goods, rice,

ham and other food items. All the while, the more than 50

beneficiaries were serenaded with Christmas songs.

RCSFDM and IWCSFDM held all the above Christmas Cheers

activities, knowing that Christmas is about spreading love

and hope especially for our less privileged brethren. Aware of

the plight of the victims of super-typhoon Yolanda, the men

and women of SFDM were also engaged to spread love and

hope at Ormoc City and Tacloban City on December 27,

2013. The activities would, however, require another write-

up.

San Francisco Del Monte holds series of Christmas cheers for young and old alike By FC President Bon Tagum, RC SFDM

16

.

Cosmopolitan Timog shares Christmas with pre-school scholars By FC President Genilou Liv Jimena, RC Cosmopolitan Timog

O n December 19, 2013, the Ro-

tary Club of Cosmopolitan Ti-

mog organized a Christmas Party for

the indigent pre-school scholars of

Trinity University of Asia (26 kids)

and their parents, with a program for

them with games, dancing and eat-

ing.

The Christmas Party is part of a con-

tinuing project with our adopted pre-

school scholars. The kids, their par-

ents and teachers are familiar with

our club. It is hoped that the kids be

inspired to continue with their edu-

cation, and have positive outlook

about school, about Rotary and

about the spirit of giving. Activities

like this also strengthen our club's

bond with school.

New Manila shares Christmas with kids from 3 barangays By FC President Anna Millonado, RC New Manila

L ast December 22, 2013 RC New Ma-

nila shared Christmas cheers with

320 children from Barangays Valencia,

Mariana and Damayang Lagi in Quezon

City. This is a traditional activity done every

year in celebration of our Charter Anniver-

sary. Ten Rotarians assisted the children

in the party and gave food, gifts and prizes

and led the games. The event made the

children happy and brought something for

them to remember, that the ROTARY loves

them and cares for them. And that some-

day, they will also do the same in their com-

munity.

17

.

Timog QC organizes multi-club Christmas cheers for 200 public school pupils By FC President Rene Cantos, RC Timog QC

What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving, puppet show and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club from Trinity

University of Asia (grade school pupils)

When - December 13, 2013, 10am

Where - Cresta Verde Subd., Barangay Sta Monica, Commonwealth Avenue, QC

No. of beneficiaries - 200 elementary pupils of public schools

Timog QC cheers up cancer-stricken kids at Philippine Children’s Medical Center

What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving, magic show, 2 clowns and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club

from Trinity University of Asia (grade school pupils); When - December 19, 2013; Where - Philippine Children’s Medical

Center, Quezon Avenue cor Agham St., QC; Number of beneficiaries - 100 cancer patients.

18

.

New Manila South shares Christmas joys with elderlies in Tanay By FC President George Chua Uy, RC New Manila South

O n December 14, 2013, RC New Manila South led by

FC President George Chua-Uy, and joined by their Ro-

taract Club, visited Haven for the Elderly in Barangay Sam-

paloc, Tanay, Rizal and gave Christmas cheers to some 60

elderly grandmothers. The Haven for the Elderly (formerly

Golden Acres), established three (3) years ago, provides re-

habilitation services for neglected, abandoned and home-

less Filipino senior citizens. It is one of three (3) centers for

abandoned older persons managed by the Department of

Social Welfare & Development (DSWD).

RCNMS Rotarians and Rotaractors had a memorable experi-

ence interacting with the lolas at the center. They gave as-

sorted grocery items, pillows and other personal items to

the delight of the elderly residents.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of the visit, FC Pres

George and members planted trees in the area. The Haven

for the Elderly resides on acres of lush gardens with views of

rolling mountains surrounded by trees.

RC Masambong shares Christmas joys with grade school pupils By FC President Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong

What: Children's Christmas party for students participating in the Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding & nutrition program

Where: Bago-Bantay Elementary School; When: December 19, 2013

Beneficiaries: Grades 1,2, and 3 students provided with food, gift of tumblers, t-shirts, sleepers, bags and entertained by

clowns

19

.

Cubao West shares spirit of Christmas with various beneficiary groups including . . .

National Children’s Hospital

E nter Bumblebee, Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, and Jollibee! The sleepy eyes of the sick children come to life

as they watch their favorite heroes greet and have their photos taken with them, lifting their spirits and temporarily

banishing the gloom of their personal conditions. PP Ayie Gonzales told the story of ―Basura Monster‖ amidst the ooohs and

aahhs of the enraptured children while PP Norman Verzosa gave crisp P20 bills to all the children. Led by FCP Josie, the 20-

strong members gave stuff toys and story books to everybody. Capping the event was a donation of 6 wheelchairs to the

Hospital. This annual event is chaired by PP Tito Yuquimpo.

Christmas Party for Kids with Cancer

RC Cubao West also joined the festive Christmas Party at Childhaus, a sanctuary for kids getting treatment for cancer. Child-

haus received cash, gifts, food and wheelchair donations from RC Cubao West and its members. The party was held last

Dec 15 at Mapang-akit Street, Brgy Pinyahan QC in front of Childhaus itself. There were TV personalities as well as various

dance groups who performed and gave cheers and inspirations to the cancer-stricken children. Pres Josie made a short but

emotional talk exhorting the children to fight their disease and pledged to do more projects in support of Childhaus.

ROTARY GK Village in Ormoc

Pres Josie Garcia, PP Joel Guillermo, Sec Mel Waje together

with DG Francis Rivera, FCP Cecille Rodriguez, FCP Amy Robles

and Rtn Brian Rocha visited Ormoc City and Tacloban City last

Dec 16-18. One of the places they visited is the severely dam-

aged Rotary GK Village at Tambulilid, Ormoc. Many of the vil-

lage houses were severely affected including their Day Care

Center and office. The estimated budget to repair the damaged

building was P41,000 which was gladly given by RC Cubao

West in cash to immediately start the rebuilding efforts. As

Gov. Francis said, this donation is a tangible effort to help start

rebuilding communities in Ormoc. The funds were taken from

the

do-

nation of IPP Bill Biddle, PN Peggy Wike and Rtn Ross Sloan, all

of them part of the US Wheelchair team who visited the club

last September. Their $1,000 donation was for the Yolanda

victims in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray.

The Gift of Love, Visit to Linao Central School

The Rotary Cares Soup Kitchen was first established at Linao

Central School. RC Cubao West visited the school and helped in

preparing the food, distributing clothing, helping out in the

feeding program, did storytelling, played with the kids and gen-

erally extended genuine care for the children. The children are

obviously in dire need of attention and care as they follow the

visiting team around; playing and laughing with them, and gen-

erally enjoying the attention generously given to them. Pres Josie braided the unkempt hair of the girls who were probably

overlooked by their parents busily trying to recover from the storm. ―Playing with the children, telling them stories, laughing

with then, making a fool of ourselves in front of them, was time well spent,‖ said PP Joel. Several hundred stuff toys were

donated by RC Cubao West to the school children but the package was still being shipped and should arrive later last De-

cember.

BLT Christmas Gift Giving

Due to the shortage of time and the availability of the students, RCCW will hold its post-Christmas celebration with the BLT

students of Cubao Elementary School on the first week of January. The celebration will be highlighted by a feeding pro-

gram, gift giving, stuff toys giving, book giving and special BLT ID cards to identify the kids.

20

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Holy Spirit spreads Christmas joy and goodwill among less fortunate ones By FC President Eui Bong Jung, RC Holy Spirit

L ast December 17 RC Holy Spirit shared spirit of Christmas and sumptuous meal with 100 Grade 1 pupils of Dona Juana

Elementary School who have been participating in the club-sponsored 120-day milk feeding & nutrition program. Of the

participants,19 pupils had been assessed as ―severely

wasted‖ and 81 of them were ―wasted‖ before the program.

Teachers report marked improvements in weights and heights

of pupils as of December 9, 2013, life-changing gift for the

kids who have gained an average of 3 kgs increase.

The club’s annual Christmas event with Grade School pupils

belonging to the Special Education Center of Dona Juana Ele-

mentary School in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City was held

last December 18, 2011. The program dubbed, “Ikaw Ang

Pinakamahalagang Regalo Ngayong Pasko,” was organized by

five SPED teachers . RCHS prepared toys/gifts and game prizes

for 95 SPED pupils with various learning disabilities. The club

also provided lunch packs consisting of spaghetti, fried chicken

and fresh milk for the children and their parents.

On December 22, LG/PP Linda Palattao, Rotarians, and Buklod

ng Panginoon Foundation spread Christmas cheers and joy

among 100 indigent families in the Payatas area.

Broadway holds share-and-give Christmas events for children By FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway

B LT Christmas Party!!! December 17, 2013 Tuesday

10:30am at Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School

for students participating in Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding &

nutrition program.

R C Broadway at National Children Hospital. Christ-

mas gifts giving to all pediatric surgery patients.

Ages 1 to 9 years old. December 18,2013

21

Dear fellow Rotarians,

O ne winter day, Rotary founder

Paul Harris took a walk down a

well-kept street just outside Chicago.

Watching children sledding down a hill-

side, he recalled his own boyhood in

New England. At that moment, he de-

cided that if he ever were to own a home, it would be on

top of that hill on Longwood Drive.

In 1912, Harris and his wife, Jean, made that dream a real-

ity. They named their new home Comely Bank, after the

street where Jean grew up in Scotland.

Over the years, the Harrises hosted Rotary meetings and

entertained visiting dignitaries, surrounded by objects they

had collected on their travels throughout the world. The

trees they planted in their friendship garden still grace the

yard. In 1947, Harris died there; Jean sold the home not

long afterward and returned to Scotland.

The property changed hands twice more before the Paul

and Jean Harris Home Foundation purchased it in 2005.

Through the efforts of that group, and with the help of the

Rotary clubs of Chicago and Naperville, the Harris home

has been saved from demolition. Now, it is up to us to pro-

tect the home for posterity, as a place for Rotarians to

gather in the spirit of friendship and service.

The RI Board has agreed to loan $500,000 to the Paul and

Jean Harris Home Foundation to assist with the restoration

of this irreplaceable piece of Rotary history. A goal of $5

million has been set for the project, to complete the neces-

sary renovations and to provide an endowment fund to al-

low the property to operate as a museum and historic site.

I am committed to the restoration of the Paul and Jean Har-

ris Home and hope you agree that this project is worthy of

your support. My wife, Jetta, and I have made a contribu-

tion to our Rotary Foundation to establish a donor advised

fund to accept contributions from anyone who shares our

love of Rotary history, and our desire to preserve Rotary's

past.

If you would like to join us, please go to www.rotary.org/daf

and click on "How to Contribute." Include the account

name, "Paul Harris Home Preservation," and number, 474.

A gift of any size is welcome, and naming opportunities are

available in the home and garden for those who are consid-

ering a larger gift.

We are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate the

spirit of Paul Harris in this special way. Together, we can

save his home for generations of Rotarians to come.

Ron D. Burton

President, Rotary International 2013-14

RI President’s December Message Foundation Chairman’s December Message

Messages, news and information from Rotary International

Celebrate Rotary Family Month

D ecember is Family Month, a time

when we pay special attention to

Rotary's large and expanding family.

Rotary is not just 1.2 million Rotarians

in 34,558 clubs. We're 365,125 Inter-

actors, 133,860 Rotaractors, and

174,547 Rotary Community Corps

members. Our family includes the spouses and children

of Rotarians. It also encompasses the dozens of commu-

nity nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations that

Rotary has forged partnerships with. The family of Rotary

is millions strong – and it continues to grow as we keep

developing new ties.

One thing we all know in Rotary is that we can do more

together than we can alone. Together, we have a tremen-

dous reach. We need to ensure that Rotary keeps grow-

ing, in all the branches of our family. When we work with

local NGOs and other organizations, we gain more knowl-

edge and more insight. We add to our resources and our

abilities. And we build more bridges of understanding,

friendship, and cooperation. By partnering with others

throughout the world, we not only can achieve more than

we set out to do but also can grow the Rotary family.

We have learned through our long history in the fight

against polio how effective such partnerships can be. Our

many global partners have made polio eradication possi-

ble, and have helped us achieve a great deal of good

along the way. This is an important lesson, and it is one

we must build on in the years ahead.

Dong Kurn (D. K.) Lee Foundation Trustee Chair 2013-14

22

R I President-elect Gary C.K. Huang chose Light Up Rotary as his theme for 2014-15. Huang was inspired by the

teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucious who said: "It is better to light a single candle, than to sit and curse

the darkness."

"There are so many problems in the world, so many people who need help. Many people say, 'There's nothing I can do.'

So they sit there doing nothing. Meanwhile everything stays dark," Huang told the 537 district governors and their

spouses and partners who are attending the 2014 International Assembly in San Diego, California.

"The Rotary way is the Confucius way. The Rotary way is to light a candle. I light one, you light one, 1.2 million Rotarians

light one. Together, we light up the world," said Huang, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei in Taiwan.

After announcing his theme at the opening session of the five-day training meeting, Huang urged club members to

Light Up Rotary in the coming year by hosting a Rotary Day in their community and including local Rotaract and Interact

members in their service projects.

"How you Light Up Rotary is up to you," Huang said. "You know where you are strong, you know what your community

needs, and you know how you can help."

Huang also shared his membership development goals, including the need for more women and young adults and his

goal to increase membership to a total of 1.3 million members. He asked Rotarians to invite their spouses, family

members, and friends to join Rotary.

"We need to assume leadership for building strong clubs, and that starts with bringing in new members," he said.

Addressing the status of the fight against polio, Huang noted that with the current momentum Rotary is on track to

achieve full polio eradication by 2018.

"When we eradicate polio — and we will — we will have proved ourselves an organization capable of great things. And

we'll be even better equipped for the next challenge we choose to take on. We'll have given the world a gift that will en-

dure forever," he said.

By continuing to fight against polio, setting an example in local communities, and growing membership, Huang hopes

to see Rotary shine brighter than ever.

HUANG ENCOURAGES CLUB MEMBERS TO ‘LIGHT UP ROTARY’

23

Photo Gallery

First Class Presidents’ Christmas Party, December 13, 2013 at the BF Homes Multipurpose Hall Photo courtesy of Rtn. Brian Rocha

Peace Presidents’ Year-end treat, December 28, 2013

24

D istrict Governor Francis Rivera and the editors thank Rotarians who have contributed stories for this December issue of the

Governor’s Monthly Letter.

PDG Danilo Fausto D3780 and FC President Grace Fojas Vinarao of RC Acropolis for the pictures and update on the Rotary Care/Rotary Meal-Soup Kitchen in Ormoc City and later, in Tacloban City, on the front page and Pages 4 & 5.

FC President Pocholo Jaymalin of RC Quezon City for the story and photos of the club’s out-reach mission on December 10-12 to assist Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc City, on Pages 6 & 7.

PP Joel Guillermo, Special Projects chair of RC Cubao West and International Yachting Fellow-ship of Rotarians, for the article and photos of the D3780 team’s December 16-18 visit in Ormoc

and Tacloban City, on Pages 8 & 9.

District Community Service chair Ma. Elisa Allado, PP of RC New Manila Heights, for the up-dates on the committee’s initiatives in water and sanitation, on Page 10.

FC President Marilene Araneta of RC Diliman North for the report and photo on the club’s rainwater harvesting project for its adopted day-care center, on Page 11.

FC President Neil Valenton of RC Broadway for the photo-updates on the installation of Ro-tary’s 4-Way Test Markers in two schools, on Page11.

FC Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle and chair of the 2013 Past Presidents’ Fellowship Night and District Christmas Party for the story of the event, and FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit, IPP Cris Bacho of RC Cubao Edsa, and PP Marilyn Oliveros Manabat of RC Cubao Central for the photos used on Pages 12 & 13.

FC Secretary Rick Bugayong of RC Metro Sta. Mesa for the article and photos of the District Interact Christmas program for cancer-stricken children, on Page 14.

FC President Bon Tagum of RC San Francisco del Monte, for the article and photos of the club’s series of Christmas cheering-sharing-events for 4 beneficiary groups, on Page 15.

FC President Genilou Jimena of RC Cosmopolitan Timog for the write-up and photo of Christ-mas event for the club’s pre-school scholars, on Page 16.

FC President Anna Millonado of RC New Manila for write-up and photos of the club’s Christ-mas event for 320 children from three barangays, on Page 16.

FC President Rene Cantos of RC Timog QC for the updates and photos of two Christmas event - multi-club Christmas program for 200 elementary school pupils, and Christmas program for 100 cancer-stricken program, on Page 17.

FC President George Chua Uy of RC New Manila South for story of the club’s Christmas pro-gram for 60 abandoned grandmothers and tree-planting project in Tanay, Rizal, Page 18.

FC Pres Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong, for Christmas event for BLT pupils, Page 18.

FC Secretary Melchor Waje of RC Cubao West for the article and photos on the club’s Christ-mas programs for various beneficiary groups, on Page 19.

FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit for Christmas events for 3 beneficiary groups, Page 20.

FC Pres Neil Valenton, RC Broadway, for Christmas events for 2 beneficiary groups, Page 20.

Recognition of Contributors

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