The good news

It’s about time that we divert our attention from this impeachment trial that has occupied so much of our time for so long now. It is not good for the country to be solely focused on this event that has not only caused deep division and serious rift among our people but has also brought out the ugly character and dark sides of public officials occupying the highest positions in our government as they continue to throw mud and assassinate each other’s personality and reputation. It has only exposed the sad and worsening state of public service in our country that causes further pessimism among our people. It is full of bad news and has become boring because its outcome will not bring about the much needed and longed for reforms in government considering that the same practices and methods of the past corrupt regimes are being employed to achieve supposedly noble ends.

From this spate of bad and boring news, it is indeed refreshing to have some good news. And plenty of good news we still have except that they are usually buried under the more sensational but unpleasant ones. They usually come from the citizens who continue to do their part in improving peoples’ life and social conditions by unselfishly pooling and sharing their time, talent and treasure in some service oriented and non-governmental organizations like this group of men and women in the country who just held their district convention last Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17, 2012 at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. They all belong to Rotary International District 3810, one of the ten Philippine Rotary districts covering Manila, Pasay City, Cavite and Occidental Mindoro. Rotary International (RI) is the biggest world-wide service organization mainly aimed at providing much needed help to the less fortunate poor and at building peace, goodwill and better friendship to all of mankind pursuant to its motto of “service above self”.

It is never really tiresome to write something about Rotary because of the good news it always creates through the numerous humanitarian and vocational services rendered by its members to their fellowmen in their respective communities and to other people in profession and business. Unlike the public and social services of the government and of some politicians which are rendered pursuant to their sworn duty using government funds sometimes for selfish political motives, the programs and activities of the Rotarians are purely voluntary mainly using their own efforts and resources with no strings attached.

And so after fully eradicating polio and its debilitating effects, the Rotarians all over the world now numbering about 1.2 million members in 32,000 clubs including those in District 3810, have already embarked and focused their attention and energy on other pressing world-wide problems particularly illiteracy, lack of clean water and child mortality. Even if they prefer to carry out their projects without so much fanfare, they also keep record and photographs vividly depicting their various activities not only to serve as inspiration to their fellow Rotarians but to enhance Rotary’s public image so that others may be attracted to join the organization for a more effective, far reaching and impact laden social and vocational services.

Inspiring indeed are the relevant activities of the more than 84 Rotary Clubs in District 3810 as expressively depicted in various artistically designed photographs displayed during their last convention in a photo gallery put up at the convention site. The exhibits which are one of the highlights of the convention really created a heart-warming effect and lost lasting impression to those who were lucky enough to view them. One could really empathize with and feel the extreme happiness and gratitude of the men, women and children who were the beneficiaries of projects undertaken by the members of the Rotary Clubs in the District ranging from the literacy, health care and feeding programs for children and homes for the aged, assistance to the handicapped and the disabled and the various environmental projects for a cleaner air and safer drinking water like tree planting and rehabilitation of denuded watersheds.

Most impressive among the projects are the lasting effects they have created on those who received and benefitted from them. The undying gratitude they exude is fully reflected on their ever smiling and blissful faces like the disabled girl who was able to walk again after being provided with artificial legs by the Prosthesis Center which the District put up at the Philippine General Hospital in 2006-2007 in coordination with organizations headed y the Physicians for Peace Philippines.

The delegates to the convention were even more inspired after listening to the speech entitled “Colors of My Life” delivered by Ms. Roselle Abubuyog, a blind lady whose infirmity did not prevent her from graduating at the top of her elementary, high school and collegiate courses as a consistent valedictorian and summa cum laude in a computer course at the Ateneo de Manila University.

To underscore the importance that Rotary’s top leaders give to the role of Filipino Rotarians in achieving Rotary’s worldwide goals, RI President has sent a top RI Official in the person of Jackson San Lien Hsieh, an incumbent trustee of the Rotary Foundation whose credentials and solid performance as a Rotary leader, from his days at the Rotary Club of Taipei Sunrise to his stint at the RI Board and at the RI Foundation may yet catapult him to the RI Presidency at some future time. Mr. Hsieh arrived last March 15, 2012 and immediately paid a courtesy call to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim then visited some notable district projects. The following day he joined District Governor Ernie Y Choa and Past District Governor (PDG) Lyne Abanilla, one of the stalwarts of the organization who is now the public relations chair of RI’s South Pacific Region, in a press conference with select members of the Philippine media.

Other significant parts of the convention showcasing the many true and fair changes brought about in the District that benefitted all concerned and created goodwill and better friendship were the State of the District report of District Governor Ernie Choa, speech of PDG and incumbent Presidential Communications Group Secretary Sonny Coloma on the “institutional changes affecting our communities” as well as that of PDG Lyne Abanilla on “creating and sustaining public image”.

Rotary indeed never fails to bring good news which are needed especially during these times. Hence it is always pleasant to write about them.