Embracing humanity

It has been said time and again that we should not rely on the government alone to solve the problems of our country. As citizens we should also do our part. This is true indeed. But if we look at our situation now, there is more talk than action in this regard not only on the part of the citizenry but also on the part of the government. Each side seems to rely more on the other to do its part.

One of the non-government organizations however has taken the initiative of helping the government solve the problems of our country. It is “walking the talk” and performing its role quietly. This is the Rotary organization, a worldwide socio-civic association of men and women in business and profession that helps the government especially in poverty alleviation, promotion of health and education and preservation of the environment and natural resources. Indeed it can be said that Rotary contributes to a more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth and resources as it enables its members to effectively share their time, talent and resources in assisting the weak and the poor in the community with numerous humanitarian services. At present there are 800 Rotary Clubs in 10 Rotary Districts with about 21,500 Rotarians in the Philippines.

Worth citing anew is District 3780, a district encompassing the whole of Quezon City. D-3780 is now on its 25th year as the first and only “one district one city” in the Rotary organization. And in those 25 years, the 95 Rotary Cubs of the District with about 2,300 members have really been deeply involved in numerous humanitarian and socio-civic projects. It can truly be said that after 25 years, the District and Club Officers and members have already embraced the heart of service in their lives.

Hence on its 25th year, the Rotarians in the district with Banker Jose Francisco “Jess Cifra, as District Governor thought it fitting to come out with a coffee table book aptly titled “Embrace: The Heart of Service”. The 260-page full color coffee table book highlights the inspiring stories of Rotarians and many significant projects undertaken by the various Rotary Clubs in the district for the past 25 years. It was composed by the noted biographer, author and publicist, Melandrew Velasco, the incumbent President of the Rotary Club of Cubao West (RCCW) through his outfit, the Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. (MTVI) He was ably assisted by the charming MVTI Creative Manager and RCCW Secretary Michelle Cabrera and RC Roces President Erilene Noche Tumali, as Marketing Manager.

Last July 3, 2011 during the induction of incoming District Governor Cifra and his officers, the first copy of the book was formally presented to Past Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul of Thailand who was the guest speaker in the elaborate rites held at Softel attended by more than 1,200 Rotarians and guests. The formal book launching celebrating 25 years of Rotary in Quezon City was held only yesterday, August 11, 2011 at the Manila Hotel with former President Fidel V. Ramos as guest of honor and speaker. Yesterday’s affair was also held as a tribute to the 25 Governors who have served the district.

Highlighted and featured in “Embrace” are some projects of the Rotary Club of Cubao West (RCCW) and inspiring stories of some of its members particularly the Heart Matters Foundation that extends medical assistance to indigents who cannot afford heart by-pass operations; the many environmental clean-up and green advocacy projects of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) which has now spread to other Rotary Clubs in the district; the RCCW regular feeding programs of children in the community; the regular medical missions, free cataract operations and pap smear check-ups and the “Alay Paa at Kamay Gabay ng Buhay” Prosthesis project.

Truly RCCW is one of the clubs in D-3780 that has embraced the heart of service. Today August 12, 2011 RCCW is holding its 27th Handover and Induction of Officers at the Manila Hotel Centennial Hall, starting at 6 pm, with Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) the club’s partner and supporter in its humanitarian services, as the guest of Honor and Speaker. 

RCCW was chartered on 22 January 1985. At present it has over 50 members representing a wide cross section of business and professions with 18 more being inducted tonight. The club has in its membership roster prominent professionals like the country’s “miracle” heart surgeon, Rommel Carino, two term District Governor Bobby Viray, lawyer-columnist Ping C. Sison, IYFR founder in the Philippines, Jun Avecilla, book author and PR executive Melandrew Velasco, Philippine Rotary Magazine Managing Editor and incoming RCCW Rotary Foundation Chair, Ed Trinidad, Azkals Manager Dan Palami, father of QC Mayor Butch Bautista. Gracing its roster also are the other past presidents who steered the club ably and now serve as Presidential advisers specifically, insurance consultant, Joe Ragos who is also the Club Trainer; banker Jay Alcantara; shipping capitalist Don Samson; bank equipment entrepreneur Dodie Carlos; car dealer Obet del Rosario; real estate broker Tito Yuquimpo; Armed Forces physician Dr. Santi Rodriguez; security consultant Alex Go; prominent lawyer Norman Verzosa who is also the Club Legal Counsel; rehab medicine expert Dr. Jojo Bernardo; renowned dentist Manoucher Khaledi; and construction magnate Joel Sarmiento.     

To be inducted as officers of RCCW for this year are Melandrew T. Velasco, President; Nestor M. Atienza, President-elect; Alex Bernales, Vice President; Joel Sarmiento Immediate Past President; Maximiano Tan, Treasurer who is also the Induction Committee Chairman; Michelle M. Cabrera, Secretary; Jovencio D.P. Martillo; Club membership, Ayie Gonzales; Club Public Relations, Jocelyn Garcia; New Generation Chair Melchor Waje; Club Auditor, Jaime A. Baniqued; Sgt.-at-Arms Peter Mutuc and Edwin Marcos; Protocol Officer Joselito Caballero and Club Trainer Joe Ragos.

During the affair, the IYFR Philippine Fleet Bridge Officers will also be inducted, particularly Udo Pelowski of the Cebu Fleet as Regional Commodore; Oyie Valarao, Regional Vice-Commodore (RVC) for Luzon; Sven Olof-Tengelin, RVC for Visayas; and Butch Madarang, RVC for Mindanao; Max Tan Fleet Administrator; Roland Tan Fleet Secretary and Elmer Geconcillo Fleet Treasurer. To be inducted with them are the fleet officers of the RCCW fleet for positions corresponding to the positions they hold in the club.

With the Rotary International theme of “Reach within to embrace humanity”, RCCW, which has been described as a “club with a legend,” is once more ready to continue implementing its various humanitarian and socio-civic projects for this Rotary year, and to “make things happen”.

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