Inner Wheel Clubs set national confab in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Officials of Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. have lined up various activities for their upcoming 57th National Conference this coming February 24 to 25, 2023 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

“We aim to empower the smallest in the society as when we lift one child, one woman or one student, as lift their entire families, help them create their own little wonders, and soon, we become the bricklayers in building a strong foundation in nation building,” said Evelyn Tan, the national co-chairperson of the said conference, in a press conference held recently.

She said that their role in Inner Wheel has always been to understand and respond to societal needs, using the sphere of influence and resources to connect people, advance the cause for women, and service the needs of the community.

For more than five decades, friendship and service is celebrated through the conference.

This year takes on an added importance because of the leadership of a Filipina on the international level, the holding of the conference in the Visayas, the presence of the members of the international Inner Wheel Executive Board, and the attendance of members from other countries.

Among the flagship projects of IWCPI, that has a motto, “Selflessness in Friendship and Service to Humanity” include Tubig sa Barrio, Ako ay Pilipino, Operations Paglingap, Operations Karunungan, and Tunay na Atin.

The Tubig sa Barrio aims to provide potable water to remote villages; Ako ay Pilipino is an essay writing and extemporaneous speech which aims to foster nationalism among the youth, among others; Operation Paglingap is a project aims to provide assistance to victims of natural calamities; Operations Karunungan focuses on promoting learning and assistance to communities by providing educational materials and tools to the different schools in the community; and Tunay na Atin is an activity done during IIW Day celebration (January 10) that encourages appreciation for and consumption of locally made/produced items and promotes livelihood projects of its adopted communities.

Currently, IWCPI is composed of nine districts with more than 1,800 members all over the country.

The organization is led by national president Emily Duterte, a veteran and multi-awarded member of the organization.

Her vision for this Inner Wheel year is to implement projects on capability building for women empowerment, eradicating cervical cancer, promoting awareness of women’s rights, and continuing projects based on the IIW-UN Social Project “Strong Women, Stronger World.”

The IIW is the largest women’s service voluntary organization in the world, active in 104 countries with more than 112,245 members from 4,115 clubs worldwide.

This year, the IIW is led by its 56th president, Zenaida Farcon, the second Filipina and Southeast Asian. The first was Esther Vibal who was the 7th IIW president elected in 1983.

For her purposive strategic direction, Farcon chose the theme, “Work Wonder”, a most fitting and relevant thrust for this new normal.

The theme carries with it the international mandate to work and deliver meaningful, valuable, significant and authentic projects to the world, inspiring and creating wonders for the communities being served.

Among this year’s activities include the 21st National President’s Cup Gulf Fellowship Tournament at Liloan Golf and Leisure Estate on January 13, 2023 as well as photo exhibit, a technical session on the topic Work Wonders: a call to action in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, among others.

Vice President Sara Duterte and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia are among those invited to attend the said conference. — GMR (FREEMAN)