Official Website of Rotary Club of West CDO

In order to show their appreciation for our club effort in conducting a Career Orientation talk among the graduating senior students (Batch 2010), Xavier University High School, led by its principal, Fr. Stephen Abuan, S.J. and its Guidance Counselor, Ms. Thelma Torres, provided us with a Plaque of Appreciation last January 13, 2010. Once again, we are very grateful for the following resource speakers: PP Romy Borja, PP Bobby Sebastian, Dean Ramona Heide Palad, and Dr. Jess Jardin, who talked about the profession of: Law, Certified Public Accountancy, Nursing and Medicine, respectively. The courses identified was the top four (4) choices of the 2010 Batch, which was a result of the survey done by the school guidance department. Career Orientation is our way of raising Rotary Awareness among the community – since the month of January is devoted for Rotary Awareness. But of course, we are also thankful for the support extended by our very own Inner Wheel Club of West Cagayan de Oro – led by Pres. Marilyn Mercado, PP Remy Espiritu, PP Joyce Calo, and PP Geraldine Borja. PP Roger Uy was able to drop-by and listen for a while but had to leave for some important business matter to attend to.

                Last week’s club meeting was graced by Ms. Audrey Revillon-Project Manager of Handicapped International – who acted as our guest speaker and talked about their customized wheelchair production project. Hopefully, we look forward for a collaborative tie-up between our club and Handicapped International in the near future.

                Due to the forthcoming National Convention of the Inner wheel club on February 19 & 20, 2010, to be held at Tagaytay, our very own Inner Wheel Club, celebrated ahead their 40^th anniversary last Saturday, January 16, 2010. It was indeed very heartwarming and inspiring to witness firsthand how our Anns meet the challenges of sustaining the projects & programs of the club. For all the support that the Inner Wheel Club extended to our club, I say – GIKAN SA KAIBUTORAN SA AKONG KASING-KASING – DAGHANG SALAMAT!

                I had visited Barangay Balubal National High School last Thursday, January 14, 2010, and had a brief talk with the School Principal, Ms. del Puerto and our scholars under the Project UPLIFT. I encourage the group (UPLIFT scholars) to form themselves into an INTERACT. Likewise, I assured them that in our future visit, we will try to undertake the following:

                a) provide them the financial assistance that we promised, if not the whole amount, at least a partial remittance;

                b) conduct a tree planting activity within the school premises;

                c) conduct a Career Orientation talk with the graduating batch of senior students;

                d) extend our support in the group “DEAR TO READ” program.

                As our very own 40^th Anniversary is fast approaching, the Ruby anniversary Committee, had been meeting   regularly   to   plan   the  details  of  our  week-long celebration. Today is our Club Assembly, we will try to assess what we have done in the 1^st half  rotary year, and we will try to figure out the remaining half of the Rotary Year 2009-2010. Fellow West Rotarians, there are still a lot of things in the pipeline that we can do to be of help in order to make a positive change in the life of our fellow human being. Extend your helping hand, for in your hand, lies the Future of Rotary.

                God Bless us all!!!

As the month of December in the  Rotary World is devoted as the (Rotary) Family Month, it only show how our organization value the importance of the Family. Consider as the basic unit of society, welfare of the family, should be of the concern of everybody. “Ang Matatag na Pamilya, May Magandang Kinabukasan” – as the saying in our local dialect show – should be a reminder at all times, how important a FAMILY is.   Literally Family stands for Father And Mother I Love You. As such, for this month, we will try to look and implement programs designed to strengthen the Family ties, in our community.

            For a start, we look forward to have our Christmas Party celebration this coming December 16, 2009 @ the Casa Real , VIP Hotel, to be attended by the members of our respective immediate families – as well as our extended family – our UPLIFT Scholars, as well as the members of the Rotary Community Corps in Barangay Balubal. The recent success of our 10^th Oro Open Golf Tournament, is one reason also, we look forward to celebrate this season of merrymaking.

            As the year is almost to end, let me remind also our members who still have some dues to be settled to our club to please attend to said obligation. We might be too busy with our respective endeavors, that is why this gentle reminder. Also for those sponsors in our golf tournament, to please make the necessary follow-up, so that we have enough funds to start with the construction of our project – the two (2) classroom school building.

                                    Have A Good Day! 

                  It was indeed a night of food, fun and friendship when we celebrated the 3^rd Joint Fellowship and Membership Fair last September 05, 2009 starting @ 6:00pm at the Site, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. While we anticipated around eighty (80) warm bodies to attend said affair, however total attendance reach one hundred six (106) individual. Our daughter and granddaughter clubs- Rotary Club of Cdo Centerpoint, Rotary Club of Uptown CDO, Rotary Club of Cdo Far East, and Rotary Club of Carmen Valley West were duly represented by their respective club presidents and its members. From our club a total of 32 Rotarians,  10 Inner wheel members and 8 future West Cdo Rotarians graced the affair. Hopefully, we will have the induction of these prospective West Rotarians by September 18, 2009 during the visit of Governor Bing Juarez to our club.

                  Alongside with the enjoyment of food, friendship and having fun all night long, we were able to realize the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the 1^st CDO- ROTARY GK Village – a brainchild of our PDG’s, lead by PDG Al Mañus, under the initiative –“ REACHING OUT.” While Congressman Rufus Rodriguez was not with us during the affair, but we had his commitment to support our program, as announced by his representative, Ms. Kitty Tiukenhoy. It was a good way to start for our club to reach out and work together with our daughter and granddaughter clubs. Hopefully, other clubs in Zone 1, will also consider joining us in this project in the near future.

                 The affair was a success because of the preparatory activities done by Directors Liza, Edong, PP Roger Uy, and the support extended by PDG’s Al Mañus, Rhia Rita Abalos, Cocoy Velez and Joe Nebrao. I wish to thank also our sponsors: Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, PDG Al Mañus, Dist. Gov. Bing Juarez, San Miguel Beer, AutoPlanet, and Rtn. Jonathan Montecillo. But of course, to all West Rotarian who attended the said activity.

                   Next week, specifically on September 18, 2009, is the visit of District Governor Bing Juarez to our club. Hence instead of our Wednesday Club meeting, we will move it to Friday, September 18, 2009.  I am calling all the Directors to make the necessary preparation in order to present our club plans and projects to our governor.

                   Since September is a New Generation Month for the Rotary world, we look forward to have a Youth speaker come September 23, 2009 and by September 30, 2009 if plans will push through, we will have the induction of our Rotaract.

                  Fellow west Rotarians, keep posted and be counted! Good day to all of you.

Inspite of a not so favorable weather on that Saturday morning, August 01, 2009, however, a total of thirty (30) West Rotarians and Anns were determined to render service and spread goodwill to the less fortunate brothers and sisters of ours in Barangay Balubal. Upon arrival in the area, we started right away the half-day activity with our club meeting. (As previously announced, we don’t have a meeting last July 29, 2009, as we have scheduled the launching of our Service Projects in Barangay Balubal, hence club meeting will be done in the said venue). Towards the end of the meeting, is the oath taking of the officers of the Rotary Community Corps of Balubal, headed by its President Richardson Mayol. PDG Al Mañus and PDG Joe Nebrao serves as the Charging and Inducting officers respectively.  As per request of the Barangay Health Workers and with the confirmation of Barangay Captain Pablo M. Bactong, we also donated turnover a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. The two (2) items will be a big help in the delivery of basic health services for the people of Barangay Balubal.

          Per request of the Balubal Elementary School principal Ms. Karen C. Verdad, and in order to be of assistance to its School Solid Waste Management Program, we also donated and turnover six (6) unit of steel drums. Likewise, we have a signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Ms. Lerio, Principal of Balubal High School, where we commit to sponsor ten (10) poor but deserving students under our Project UPLIFT. Also, PDG Joe Nebrao offered a four (4) year scholarship for one high school student at Rosevale School.   

          The first joint activity of our club and the RCC Balubal  is the launching of the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” Project, wherein the Rotarians, Anns and the RCC planted in the vacant space of the school with the following vegetables – pechay, camote tops, kangkong, etc. The vegetables will also be utilized for the feeding program of the students. If there are extra production, same will be sold to the public to augment the income of the RCC.

          Since it was already past 11:00 in the morning, the group decided to have an early lunch. Our RCC members prepare lunch which consists of SUTOKIL – Sugba, Tola and Kinilaw. The native chicken soup taste very good. We would like to thank our Anns for the empanada.

          Before going back to the city, we passed by the “Barangay Forest Tree Park”,  where we undertake the last activity – “FRUIT TREES PLANTING”. This is our way of showing our love to Mother Earth – by planting a tree during our lifetime and our way to address the global warming phenomena. We look forward that these trees will be fruit bearing when we celebrate our club 50^th anniversary.

          Though a little bit tired due to a lot of activity we implemented on that day, however, Rotarians and Anns are all smiles, knowing fully well that we have done something good for the betterment of the lives of our brothers and sisters in Balubal. This is just a start of our service projects lined-up for the year, and we look forward of your assistance and cooperation for the other service projects that we will implement within the year.

          From the bottom of my heart, “Daghang Salamat sa Inyong Tabang.” 

           The period July 25-31, is quite a hectic schedule – since July 25 is a district Membership Seminar activity, and there were seven (7) Rotarians coming from our club who attended said activity. They are: PDG Joe, PP Roger, PP Boy, PP Adi, Rtn. Liezl, Dir. Liza & yours truly. Last July 27, together with PP Boy & Dir. Cora, we went to Barangay Balubal for a coordination meeting and an orientation for the newly elected officer of RCC Balubal led by its President, Richardson Mayol.

           On the following day July 28, we attended the launching of the Project CHERISH (Children’s Enhancement in Intensified Reading through School Health Feeding Program) - a project spearheaded by our very own Inner Wheel Club of West CDO – a feeding program for around seventy (70) school children of West City Central School. West Rotarian who were able to make are the following: IPP Mandy, PP Bobby, Dir. Liza, Rtn. Ann & yours truly. We assure the Inner Wheel of our support for this very laudable project.

           Instead of our regular club meeting, we have our EXECOM meeting for the 10^th Oro Open Golf Tournament,– since this is our major fund raising activity. On July 30,  a meeting also was called by PDG Al in preparation for our 40^th Ruby anniversary. Together with PDG Al, PDG Joe, PP Roger, PP Romy, PP Boy PDG Raquel and PP Remy Espiritu – everybody committed to make the affair a memorable one.   

So off we go to Barangay Balubal, where we plan to undertake the following:

           1)  Fruit Tree Planting

          2)  Launching of Halaman sa Paaralan

          3)  Launching of Project Uplift

          4) Turnover of Steel Drums

          5) Induction of the newly elected officers of the Rotary Community Corps (RCC) of  Balubal.

           I hope to see all of you this Saturday, August 1, 2009.

With the acceptance and approval of the general membership of our plans and projects for Service Projects A under Director Cora Galinato, we can now make the necessary preparations in order to implement the said programs and projects. Alongside with this, we are organizing our Rotary Community Corps (RCC) in Barangay Balubal, our counterpart and partner in the Barangay level – to make these projects a reality. We also look forward in collaborating with our daughter club – The Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Far East in the formation of said RCC.

To start with, together with PDG Al, IPDG Rhia, PP Boy and PP Roger, we attended the club meeting of Rotary Club of CDO Far East last July 17, 2009 at PSC Clubhouse, Villa Ernesto Subdivision Phase 2. In that meeting, representatives of both clubs, had agreed to cooperate and work closely in the delivery of service projects to Barangay Balubal through the RCC,  Balubal, which both our clubs will co-sponsor. Hopefully, members of the RCC will be given orientation on or before July 26, 2009, so that we can induct them by August 1, 2009.

Likewise, I am grateful to Director Cora, for bringing along Dr. Cesar Nuevo, an expert in the cloning of trees. Environmental Protection through planting of trees in a 50-hectare area is one  project which we look forward to undertake hopefully within the RY2009-2010. The presence of Dr. Nuevo assures us of the needed technical expertise as far as this gigantic project is concerned. Our RCW Foundation will be in the frontline specially as far as the financial aspect of this project.  Hopefully, PDG Al our incumbent chair of RCW Foundation will soon form a project committee to lay down the groundwork for the realization of the said project.

We look forward to tackle the other committees, such as Service Projects B, Public Relations, The Rotary Foundation and the Special Projects – specifically our fund raising activity – the 10^th Oro Open Golf Tournament during our club meeting today July 22, 2009.

July 3, 2009, indeed is another memorable night for the Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro, Rotary Club of West CDO Foundation, and the Inner Wheel Club of West Cagayan de Oro, as we celebrate our 40^th year Induction and Handover Ceremonies. It was a culmination of an outstanding performance of our club under the leadership of Immediate Past President Mandy Tarayao. Among other awards, being choosen as Outstanding Rotary Club and Outstanding Club President, are achievements that made as proud as member of the Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro.

          To all fellow West Rotarians who attended, participated and supported our 40^th Induction, I am really grateful and please accept my warmest thanks from the bottom of my heart. The following Rotarians attended our 40th Induction:

          PDG Cocoy Velez                                   Auditor Lito Busgano

          PDG Al Mañus                                        Sgt. at-Arms PP Adi Co

          PDG Ben Vegafria                                  Dir. Minda Rabara

          PDG Joe Nebrao                                    Dir. Yam Malagar

          PDG Rhia Abalos                                    Rtn. Ernie Mendoza

          IPP Mandy Tarayao                               Rtn. Liezl Deloso

          PP Romy Borja                                      Rtn. Sheryl Villarosa

          PP Boy Du                                            Rtn. Dax Albarece

          PP Roger Uy                                         Rtn. E.Y. Espiritu

          PP Edu Alaba                                         Rtn. Jon Montecillo

          PP Faeling Floirendo                                Rtn. Cecille Rodriguez

          PP Loloy Pabayo                                    Rtn. Mon Boiser

          PP Eileen San Juan                                 Rtn. Vic Manzano

          PP Bobby Sebastian                                Rtn. Ann Medes

          PP Cesar Cabualan                                 Rtn. Roy Villaro

          PP Roy Mercado                                    Rtn. Ramon Arada (Newly Inducted)

          PP Rodel Reyes                                     Rtn. Cyril Chavez (Newly Inducted)

          PE Edong Espiritu                                   Rtn. Rommel Esguerra (Newly Inducted

          VP Laddie Zarsuelo                                 Rtn. Elena Orpilla (Newly Inducted)

          Sec. Cliff Roa                                        Rtn. Kim Chi Young (Newly Inducted)

          Treas. Bong Cababat

          Also I am very grateful for our Guest Speaker, Hon. Cong. Rufus B. Rodriguez, for the commitment that he had extended to be a partner of our club in several Service Projects that we have put in the pipeline.

          We extend our warmest welcome to the newly inducted Rotarians: Ramon Arada, Cyril Chavez, Rommel Esguerra, Elena Orpilla, & Kim Chi Young. Welcome to the club, I am sure you made the right decision this time in your life when you join our club.

          My special thanks to those Rotarians, who worked behind the scene to make the program a success: IPP Mandy Tarayao, PE Edong Espiritu, PP Bobby Sebastian, Sec. Cliff Roa, Auditor Lito, Treas. Bong Cababat, VP Laddie, Dir. Liezl and from the Inner Wheel – PP Remy Espiritu & DC Raquel Villanueva. I want to express my thanks to Rotarians who likewise actively participated in our program; either on inducting/charging officer; presentors and emcees, namely PDG Cocoy, IPDG Rhia Rita Abalos, PDG Al Mañus, PDG Ben Vegafria - delivered by IPP Mandy Tarayao, PP Boy Du, PP Roger Uy, PP Romy Borja, PP Edu Alaba, PP Eileen San Juan, PE Edong Espiritu, PP Adi Co, IWC PP Nene Cabualan, PP Joyce Calo, PDNR Gerry Borja, PP Boots Dongallo and our emcees: Rtns. Roy Villaro & Ann Medes.

          Likewise, I am thankful to Rtn. Liezl  Deloso for the news item that feature our club induction in the Sunstar publication issued on that day. Also for a very lively and entertaining fellowship, kudos to Rtn. Ernie Mendoza.

          What a way to start a Rotary Year, when a lot of helping hands are being extended to my administration. It is a great honor and a distinct privilege to be given this opportunity to serve as its club President for RY 2009-2010.

           With a lot of helping hands, I can count on, let it be said – let the legacy of excellent service continue, for indeed in the hands of respective West Rotarians, lies the future of the Rotary Club of  West Cagayan de Oro.  

40^th Handover Ceremony

July 3, 2009, Xavier Sports & Country Club

ACCEPTANCE ADDRESS

By: Pres. Almarco C. Brito

RY 2009-2010

            Immediate Past President Armando Tarayao, Immediate Past District Governor Rhia Rita Abalos, our distinguished Guest Speaker – Hon. Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of 2^nd District of Cagayan de Oro, dignitaries at the Presidential Table, my colleagues in the Council of Presidents for Zone I for the RY 2009-2010, lovely Anns, members of the Inner Wheel Club of West Cagayan de Oro, Ladies & Gentlemen, Friends of Rotary, Maayong Gabii sa inyong tanan!!!

            In God’s appointed time, all your plans will see its realization. It was forty (40) years ago, and as I reflect on it, (what a coincidence – same year when the Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro was chartered) when I was a recipient of the goodness of the Rotarians coming from the Rotary Club of Escalante. It was opening of classes then, and the Rotarians were distributing school supplies and I vividly recall these words spoken to us – the recipient children “YOU STUDY WELL, BE SUCCESSFUL, and be a ROTARIAN SOMEDAY, BECAUSE AS A ROTARIAN, YOU WILL BE GOD’S INSTRUMENT IN HELPING THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED”. Yes, I dream of being a Rotarian, but I did not aspire to be a president of a Rotary Club, much less of a club that is as active, as vibrant, an achiever club – my club – THE ROTARY CLUB OF WEST CAGAYAN DE ORO. My wife can attest to this, as we are a very private family. Even for the members of this club knew what happened two (2) years ago. But since, I have just taken my oath of office, in all humility; I accept the responsibilities of leading the RC of West Cagayan de Oro for the Rotary Year 2009-2010.

            The theme to guide us through the Rotary Year 2009-2010 - “THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR HANDS” is very timely and relevant. The whole world is still in the midst of “Global Financial Crisis,” and together with the “Global Warming” phenomena, effects of these two (2) unfavorable developments are being experienced by each one of us. As these two (2) phenomena threatens the survival of the nations and his inhabitants, our organization – “ROTARY INTERNATIONAL”, our district (3870), our club, and every Rotarian in varying degrees are negatively affected by these unfavorable developments. However, the solution to address these problems are not beyond the commerce of men, because on the first place, these are man-made induced problems.

            As such we are calling all dedicated and concerned Rotarians, to take matters into our hands, do something in our own way, and together we will formulate doable solutions, to contribute in solving these challenges. For as long as we are imbued with the core value of Rotary – “SERVICE ABOVE SELF” – the passion to make a difference in the life of the less fortunate, then we can formulate service projects in the area of water and environment, health and hunger, literacy and livelihood to alleviate the present situation, one step at a time.  In the course of implementing these projects, we are also cultivating the seeds of FRIENDSHIP – primary reason why Rotary was founded 104 years ago, among the veteran and new Rotarians. As the logo of this year’s theme suggests, the challenges that we encounter in realizing each rotary service project, became lighter, if there are more hands helping one another.

            Scrutinizing further of this year’s theme logo – it reminds me of our Filipino culture “BAYANIHAN SPIRIT” – that is working together in unison – hand in hand to transfer a house to its rightful place. And the root word for BAYANIHAN, is “BAYANI” which mean – HERO. Yes fellow Rotarians, you are a hero for the people of Balubal (as represented here by their Barangay Captain) when you participate in the construction of two (2) classroom building, - yes, you are a hero when you contribute and participate in the distribution of the relief goods that were distributed to the affected families during the flashflood that hit our city and its environs last January 2009. For contributing and sustaining the MOPSTA, our benefactors: Gigi Borja Endowment Fund, PDG Narciso and Rtn. Lutt Nolasco, Rtn. Emmy Abellanosa and family, Rtn. Del Gaylo, PDG Joe Nebrao, Rtn. Bing Elloso, PP Loloy Pabayo, IPP Mandy Tarayao, Rtn. William Malagar – you are all heroes for the public school teachers – when we inspired them to be faithful in their profession, to nurture and guide the minds of the students under their care. PDG Al and Treas. Laddie you are heroes, when you embark on the Project UPLIFT – Uplifting the Poor thru Literacy For All Times. Yes, by the simple act of paying your dues timely and attending our weekly club meetings regularly – YOU ARE A HERO, because you will make us smile and be HAPPY!! In fact, why I choose Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, as our Guest Speaker tonight, because I consider him a hero. I had to travel regularly between my home and the plant which I am connected and those are located in Tagoloan and Villanueva and I can see the improvement of our road system, courtesy of the initiative of our good Congressman. But more than the project that he had initiated, my previous engagement in the Metalworking Industry Association of the Philippines, requires me to travel in various parts of the country once in a while, and because I came from Cagayan de Oro – my colleagues in MIAP – have only high praises for our Good Congressman – words like “Pare – Nakakainggit kayo sa Cagayan de Oro – for you have a Congressman that truly represent the interest of his constituency.” Keep up the good work Mr. Congressman!! Sir!

            This is also the time to thank the previous Club Presidents who had painstakingly build and nurture the club to where it is now, PDG Cocoy Velez, PDG Al Mañus, PDG Ben Vegafria, PDG Joe Nebrao and IPDG Rhia Rita Abalos, PP Loloy Pabayo, PP Faeling Floirendo, PP Bobby Sebastian, PP Sar Cabualan, PP Roger Uy, PP Romy Borja, PP Boy Du, PP Edu Alaba, PP Noel Nalzaro, PP Dong Babaylan, PP Eileen San Juan, PP Adi Co and Pres. Mandy Tarayao for a job well done during his watch. We are indeed very proud to be a part of an organization that produced individuals who goes out their comfort zone to build a premier club, proactive in the delivery of excellent service.  

            As we welcome the challenges of the new rotary year which at the same time coincides with our 40^th anniversary, we are calling on all West Rotarians, to be actively involved in all our club activities and service projects. Yes, and to guide us on our undertaking, we have already submitted our Club Plans the result of our planning session to the office of the District Governor. To emphasize that we mean business – within this month, we will revisit the school building we built in Balubal-and we will embark on projects that will address the concerns on areas of hunger, livelihood and environmental protection. To carry on the legacy, in cooperation with the office of Cong. Rodriguez, Lice de Cagayan University, United Architects of the Philippines, and other sponsors – we will inaugurate another school building on FEBRUARY 16, 2010. The picture will not be complete if one (1) West Rotarian is missing in action for whoever you are, you are important. As such, I am counting on every Rotarian member of West Cagayan de Oro – to be a hero, make things happen, for in your respective hand, lies the future of the Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro.

Due to the importance of our forthcoming activity – the 10^TH ORO OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT, this message will focus on said fund raising activity. It will be eight (8) more days to go before our 10^TH ORO OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT and I am very thankful for the time and effort exerted by our GOLF EXECOM COMMITTEE led by our very active Immediate Past President MANDY TARAYAO. Last night, the following – Mandy (Chair, Execom), PDG Al, (Rules), PP Edu (Operations), PP Bobby (Finance/Awards), PP Boy Du ( Promotions/ Publicity), Rtn. Lito (Physical Arrangement), Rtn. Liza (Awards/Fellowship), PE Edong (Secretariat), Rtn. Moshe (Program/Fellowship), and myself (Ways & Means) as members of the EXECOM had meet again for the nth time to thresh out the final details in preparation for the holding of the said tournament which will be held on November 18-22 , 2009 at the PUEBLO DE ORO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB.

            As chair of the Ways & Means committee, I am again appealing to our fellow West Rotarians to please, please help us in the solicitation drive for our sponsors. While there are already positive responses as far as sponsors are concerned, however, we are still wanting as far as revenue targets are concerned, in order to realize more financial resources to make this 10^TH ORO OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT – a success, both in terms of the holding of the tournament, and the revenue we hope to realize.

            A comfortable bottomline is a must, as there are already service projects waiting in the pipeline due for implementation – foremost is the construction of a schoolbuilding. Construction a schoolbuilding yearly might be a tall order, but if we will extend our helping hand to make this a reality (as we had done it already) then, this is a very good legacy of our club.

            The holding of a golf tournament demand our time and since the opening day next week falls on a Wednesday, hence please be advice that we do not have a club meeting next week. Rather, we are asking everyone, if your schedule permit, please be there to extend your helping hand while the golf tournament is going on. Your attendance is really needed during the awarding ceremony and fellowship night which will be on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Grand Caprice, Limketkai Mall.

            The success of our gold tournament and the realization of the schoolbuilding is in our respective hands, fellow WEST ROTARIANS!

                        Good Day to All of you!!!

My sincerest thanks to President-Elect Ferdinand “Edong” Espiritu for presiding last week’s meeting while I was attending a conference in Davao. My exposure in that conference through the courtesy of USAID, further strengthen my resolve to do something for the out of school youth. Perhaps we can always include in our service projects-a program that will alleviate the existing condition of our out of school youth. This might be a way in search for a lasting peace in the Island of Mindanao.

            Today we are going to honor our commitment to our scholars under the program-UPLIFT – Uplifting the Poor through Literacy For all Times. The allowance that we will turn over during our club meeting is the initial installment and towards the end of the year, we will try to complete the P7,000.00 per scholar we promised to them. We are thankful for PDG Al Mañus for providing the initial funding for this project.

            Fellow West Rotarians, we are calling for your support to our 10^th Oro Open Golf Tournament. It will be just three (3) weeks from today before our major fund raising activity and we are asking for your whole hearted support for this endeavor. Through this project we will hopefully realize the pother projects in the pipeline-especially the construction of the two classrooms school building. The latest update-it will be at Corrales Elementary School per advice of the Office of the Congressman Rufus Rodriguez. We will have the groundbreaking (tentative) activity on either November 14 or 15, 2009.

            KEEP POSTED and BE COUNTED!

Last week’s launching of Most Outstanding Public School Teacher Awards (MOPSTA) was a success, and for this I am grateful for the dedication and commitment of PP Loloy Pabayo, PP Eileen San Juan, and Director Minda Rabara in seeing to it that the launching is done in the month of October – which is the Vocational Awareness Month, and the necessary documentary requirements are in place. Our esteemed partner for this undertaking – the Department of Education (DepEd) was ably represented by Dr. FREDDIE T. FAMADOR, the Director for Elementary Education for Region 10. Now that the 2010 Edition of this MOPSTA Search is on the roll, we are calling all the qualified teachers through DepEd, to participate in the search. Thanks also to Rtn. LIEZL DELOSO for featuring our launching on that day in the SUNSTAR PUBLISHING. Likewise, we are always grateful for the generosity of our donors – led by the GIGI BORJA ENDOWNMENT FUND – through the heirs of the late Mayor JUSTINIANO R. BORJA – Mrs. Christine Borja – Sagarbarria, Mrs. Cecille Borja – Chiongbian, and our very own Justice Romulo V. Borja.

            Also, last week we became instant T.V. personality, as we were featured in PAMAHAW ESPESYAL, and in T.V. PATROL, because of the project that we launched together with our Inner Wheel Club of West Cagayan de Oro (led by Pres. Marlyn Mercado) – the GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY (a U.N. declared undertaking). A substantial number of the students of WEST CITY CENTRAL SCHOOL, were able to participate in the exercise, and recipients of the soap and towel, courtesy of our INNER WHEEL CLUB. We turnover also a one (1) sack of rice – for the FEEDING PROGRAM of the school, ably supervised by Dir. MINDA RABARA.

            It is less than a month before our 10th ORO OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT. As such, I am calling all WEST Rotarians to actively involve in this fund raising activity. We really need the funds, so that the projects we had lined up for the rest of the year will be realized. So please, please help on this noble undertaking – “PLAY GOLF and BUILD A SCHOOL.”

            In today’s CLUB meeting, we had invited, Ms. LOVE NACES of XAVIER UNIVERSITY, to make a presentation of what she had encountered in THAILAND last YEAR. She was sponsored by our club to attend and International Forum regarding CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS and the PROMOTION OF WORLD PEACE.

            After our club meeting, a prayer group is being formed by PP ADI CO to visit one of our members – the late Rtn. MAX SCHAFFNER, whose body now lies at the GREENHILLS Funeral Homes at Bulua, Cagayan de Oro. We are saddened by the untimely demise of Rtn. MAX, and we are asking on our fellow WEST ROTARIANS, to pray for the repose of the soul of Rtn. MAX.

            I am on my way to DAVAO as I prepare this message. As I stated in my last week column, my trip to this city, famous of its DURIAN fruit is due to the invitation of USAID, which has a collaborative project with MIAP (an organization which I am also actively involve with). This project also bears same principle as “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”, as the project trains the out of school youth under the project “EDUCATION QUALITY AND ACCESS FOR LEARNING AND LIVELIHOOD SKILLS” – to equipped them with appropriate technical skills (in MIAP case – WELDING) to become productive citizens of our community someday!

            GOOD DAY TO ALL!!!