A Life-Changing Experience

Literally. For six young Filipino professionals, October is going to be a month they won’t soon forget. The Rotary International District 3860 organized a Group Study Exchange (GSE) program and has convened a representative GSE team bound for Virginia, USA, where they will immerse themselves in American culture, professionalism, and fellowship for one whole month as they stay with Rotarian host families (the team’s American counterparts from Virginia will likewise immerse themselves in the Philippines, but that’s slated for later).

The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for professional men and women in the initial years of their careers and is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young people, as they address the needs of their communities in an increasingly global workplace. In this life-swapping period, the GSE yuppies shall act like ambassadors of goodwill: they shall sharpen their professional vocations, as well as share their advocacies with Rotarians in Virginia.

This year’s GSE team is composed of six members: one Rotarian team leader and five non-Rotarian team members, who are between the ages of 25-40 and currently employed, with two years of experience in their chosen profession. The team members are expected to become Rotarians when they return. That’s why non-Rotarians are beckoned – kind of like paying it forward after the experience. This outbound team flaunts a varied roster of professionals who have shown drive and excellence in their fields. We have team leader Mary Anne “Me’anne” Alcordo Solomon and the team members are Arnold L. Alvarez, Atty. Gaye Cañete-Magdagasang, Ma. Elvira Kaye “Kaye” G. Luym, Dr. Glenn A. Pono, and Dr. Mary Christine “Teenie” G. Tio. They were chosen among countless hopefuls who sent applications to the Rotary International District 3860.

The team members vary greatly in profession and in advocacy but as though fate has brought them together, they somehow create the perfect blend: Me’anne is a vibrant, articulate businesswoman in Cebu who is into indoor/outdoor advertising. For the GSE program, among her advocacies are early breast cancer awareness, autism awareness, and voluntary blood donation. Arnold is a gifted, multi-awarded dancer-choreographer based in Davao, whose advocacy is the preservation of cultural heritage particularly of the Manobo tribe in Mindanao. Gaye is a hotshot lawyer-prosecutor from Davao and aptly enough, she advocates free legal counseling and jail visitation. Kaye is a sassy hotelier, advocating fair trade and human security, particularly in water management. Glenn is an energetic physician from Tagum, Davao, specializing in pulmonary medicine. He advocates free medical clinics and information drives on pulmonary disorders. Teenie is an elegant, gracious dentist from Cebu and her advocacies for the program are free dental clinic and community service activities.

It’s also noteworthy to mention that the team has the support of the dynamic  Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) since the group shall present a cultural performance to the Virginia Rotarians on October 14. Without a doubt, the Rotary GSE Team of District 3860 will learn many, many things in this eye-opening immersion. But what’s more important is that they bring back all that they’ve learned through their experience, and aptly apply their learning in the Philippines. Indeed, this is the common thread among the team members: their sincere desire to learn. Thankfully the Rotary dubs this once-in-a-lifetime chance and lets them in on the age-old secret. For young professionals, knowledge is power in the uphill climb for success.