Legendary Rotary Club

People join organizations or clubs for various reasons. Primarily, those espousing common causes or aiming for similar political, social, civic, religious and other purposes find enough incentive to band together. Others affiliate themselves with an association for purposes of establishing connections or business contacts useful for their business or profession. Still others are driven merely by their urge to be sociable and to meet new friends and acquaintances. There are also those who are motivated by a pure and sincere desire to be useful members of the community and contribute to its betterment. Some persons also just want to "belong" to a group that is prestigious because of its members or because of the group’s reputation itself and its attractive come-ons. Some will also admit that they join a club because they have been arm twisted, cajoled, or literally "forced" or harassed out of fear or favor or pakikisama.

Whatever may be the motive, the common denominator in joining a club is still essentially voluntary and that even if there is some element of arm-twisting, there is no serious curtailment of the persons’ free will that characterizes "mafia-like" fraternal societies. This "voluntary-ness" may be the reason for the longetivity of a club or its early demise. But many factors, other than "voluntaryness" or the members’ motives for joining the club, contribute to its longetivity. And these factors are what I found in the Rotary Club of Cubao West (RCCW) where I am a charter member.

RCCW was chartered 22 years ago. It was the second club to be established in the district of Cubao, the brainchild of a Rotarian who later on became a Rotary district governor of Quezon City. As founding father of RCCW he used to be and still is fondly called "Tatay Oca". He is none other than past district governor (PDG) Oscar Innocentes, a presidential assistant for local government. RCCW’s charter president was a former Assemblyman of the defunct Batasan Pambansa, Naning Alinea. Its charter members were a conglomeration of individuals with sharply contrasting personalities and political persuasions yet they gelled beautifully and stuck together because they agreed to disagree without being disagreeable. The solidarity engendered within the group was so strong and durable that it has been described as "the club with a legend".

Since its inception, RCCW was led by 22 presidents all of whom have made their distinct marks and brought signal honor to the club. The current president who will be inducted today is the indefatigable Ariel "Ayie" Gonzales. Of the past presidents, about 16 are still active not only in the club but in the district, notably Bobby Viray, the 1993-94 president who also became a district governor for two terms, a historic first in Rotary International. Other active past presidents who served successively after its founding are Butch Bautista, Ping Sison (that’s yours truly), Dodie Carlos, Joe Ragos, Obet del Rosario, Tito Yuquimpo, Jojo Bernardo, Rommel Cariño (a noted heart surgeon), Don Samson, Santi Rodriguez and Alex Go. Still making their presence felt once in a while and therefore sorely missed are past presidents Art Zurbito, Jay Alcantara, Freddie Reyes, Tito Galang and Jess Muñoz.

The secrets of the RCCW’s longetivity and durability are many and varied. But most of them are found in the personality and character of the members themselves and in the kind and conduct of the weekly meetings and other club activities undertaken.

Very noticeable among the members is the seemingly instant transformation in their lives upon taking their oath. It is as if they have immediately put on a blue jacket emblazoned with the glowing words clearly announcing that they have embraced a new way of life of "service above self". Thus their identification as Rotarians consists not of their ID cards but of their strict adherence to the principles of Rotary requiring them to uphold the truth, to observe fairness, to do justice to everyone, to promote goodwill and act for the benefit of all concerned. There is not a single trace of superficiality and pretense in their demeanor. They are genuine people who never hide their weaknesses nor flaunt their strength. What you see in them is what they are and what you get. Thus every time they get together, they appear so at ease and genial with each other. No one stays aloof or acts alone, and whatever stature they have in society is disregarded as everyone becomes plain and simple Rotarians of Cubao West Rotary Club.

Hence the weekly club meetings every Thursday evening is one event the members eagerly look forward to. This is one evening in the week where every member has a chance to relax, unwind and enjoy as a means of relieving the stress and strain of the daily grind. While formalities of a meeting are observed, there is no stiffness or rigidity in the proceedings that would drive away any member or cause him to resolve never to come back anymore because of boredom. Every weekly meeting serves as training ground for leadership because attendance is dominated mostly by ex-presidents. It is a tension-free, no-holds-barred session full of fun and laughter that always ends up in more solid bonding than in bitterness and recrimination.

This spirit of fellowship and camaraderie is carried over in the Club’s various service projects and activities. For almost twenty years now, the Club has been undertaking the Jail Outreach Program in Quezon City where a priest, the lawyers and doctors, members of the club, assisted by all the other members, provide spiritual, legal and medical assistance to the inmates at least once a month. Other year round projects are the day care center, milk feeding program and barangay medical missions. But whatever project or activity is undertaken all members seem to exude an aura of sincerity and total dedication that is simply contaminating. Much as I would like to mention names of outstanding members, I could not because all of them are outstanding.

These are the detectable factors that enabled the club to last this long and acquire the reputation of a legendary club. Truth to tell, I myself never expected to last 22 years in this Club, but here I am still active and totally involved because this is one of the organizations that has provided me with an effective training ground for leadership and a real, pleasant vehicle to serve our fellowmen.

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