Vol. 27 No.

06

ROTARIANS RESPOND TO CALL FOR SERVICE

December 2013

Children of Ormoc beam with happiness and hope despite Yolanda nightmare, courtesy of D3780 Rotary Care Project

To provide immediate relief to suffering survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in badly devastated Ormoc City, Rotary International District 3780 with Francis Rivera as district governor organized emergency Task Force Yolanda led by PDG Danilo Fausto which quickly established the Rotary Care Center jointly with RC Ormoc D3860 on November 21, 2013. Since then the Rotary Care Center has provided feeding for 1,500 hungry children and typhoon victims continuously for 40 days; rehabilitated school rooms & buildings and provided fresh school supplies; and launched a livelihood restoration program by replacing lost fishing boats of fishermen in the coastal villages of Ormoc. By December 18

the Rotary Soup Kitchen has expanded to feed 1,250 evacuees in Tacloban City for at least 30 days. In addition to providing relief through the Rotary Care Center, Rotarians assisted survivors in several other ways: District 3780 with RC Cubao West & IYFR donated P 1.3 million cash through D3860; Loyola Heights provided assistance through partners in Ormoc and other towns; Camp Aguinaldo facilitated logistics at the evacuation center in Manila; Araneta conducted a timely, much needed medical outreach mission in Capiz; and Holy Spirit with partner RC Settle D1040 of England have started donating fishing boats to restore livelihood in Northern Leyte, for examples.

Governors Message
Tonight is a Fitting Time for a Triple Celebration
Message of DG Francis Rivera during the Past Presidents Fellowship and District Christmas Party last December 9, 2013 at UP Bahay ng Alumni

hen I think about the past I remember the words of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past. This is precisely why we look to the past as the foundations of the present and an inspiring reference for the future. This is the very reason tonight we give honor to our past presidents through this fellowship. We gather for this evening of merriment with fond memories of the past and gratitude for what it has been. After their year of leadership, past presidents become the clubs pillars of wisdom and inspiration. They become sources of proven experience. As we have learned in life, experience is the best teacher. This is why every club has its own council of past presidents which acts as an advisory body for the current leadership and the club. Tonights fellowship has been planned with our celebration of Christmas and Rotarys Family Month in mind. Nothing can be more fitting a time for this fellowship than holding it at Christmastime. It gives us the rare opportunity to make it even merrier and more meaningful. That is why tonight we have it a triple event our Past Presidents Fellowship, District Christmas Party and Rotarys Family Month celebration. Christs coming has given new hope to humankind for a safe passage to eternal happiness. Let us therefore make tonight a special celebration of gratitude for the past - for what it has been and what it is for the present and the future; and for our Rotary family for its irreplaceable role in giving our worldwide movement a strong foundation of unity and love. Let us make tonight a special celebration of highest gratitude for Gods love and mercy, which is the foundation of our lives and our inspiration to share our blessings with the rest of the world.

Tonight therefore we not only heap honor and praise on our past presidents but also celebrate the Rotary familys vital role in building a strong and effective worldwide organization. Giving this occasion even greater meaning, we celebrate with deep and unending gratitude With Peth and my entire family, I share with Gods greatest blessing to mankind - the birth you the joys of Christmas and Gods blessings of his only son, the redeemer of the world. for the New Year!

From the Editors

By the Numbers

Calendar of Activities
February 2014
From District Secretary Amable Mar Cancio
February is World Understanding Month

110 Number of articles and stories of various

lengths published in the first six issues of the Governors Monthly Letter from July to December 2013. Not included in this number are the monthly messages from DG Francis Rivera, consistently outstanding work developed by our editors which do not show by-line acknowledgements, and messages from Rotary International.

(During this month, clubs are urged to present programs and other activities emphasizing understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace. The anniversary of the first Rotary club meeting, February 23, is observed as World Understanding and Peace Day) Feb 15 & Mar 1 District Legislative Assembly (9-12 AM) February 8 February 15 RotCen

Alay ng Rotary sa Araw ng Kabataan RC Kamuning Family Rotary Day DG Meeting with FCPs/AGs/AGRs Camp Crame Multipurpose Hall

40 Rotary clubs in the district that have con-

tributed those 110 stories of service-above-self projects and activities. Thanks to clubs and Rotarians who have shared the most number of stories:
New Manila Heights 8 articles (6 from District Community Service Chair Baby Allado, one each from District Adviser for Annual Giving Boone Ongchoco and FCP Al Villacorte) Cubao West 7 articles (3 from FCP Josie Garcia, 2 from FC Sec Mel Waje and PP Joel Guillermo and PP Ed Trinidad) Quezon City 7 articles (4 from District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, 2 from FCP Poch Jaymalin, 1 from IPP Cesar Baltazar) Camp Aguinaldo - 6 articles from FCP Robert Camba Cubao Central - 5 articles from PP Marilyn Manabat Diliman North 5 articles from FCP Len Araneta

February 22-23 RYLA (jointly with RID 3770 February 23 World Understanding & Peace Day

Corregidor Is. Peace Presidents

EDITORIAL BOARD
District Governor Francis A. Rivera
Publisher

District Secretary Amable Mar Cancio District Chief of Staff Francis Paderna Ricardo Ric P. Salvador
Editor in Chief

143 Increase in Rotary club members in

D3780 from July 1 to December 31, 2013 according to breaking news received from RI January 14, 2014. The Editorial Board led by DG Francis Rivera congratulates the First Class Presidents, District Membership Chair LG Dwight Ramos, LG Chito Borromeo who has championed functional collaboration pilot among clubs, and other district officers. Growth has been achieved within our 102 clubs without newly chartered clubs. Its second highest growth among all 10 districts in the Philippines.

IPP Elizaberth Beth Directo (RC Camp Aguinaldo)

Associate Editor - District

IPP Marcia Marcia C. Salvador (RC Holy Spirit)

Associate Editor - Clubs

CP Winston Winston Sia (RC VisMin)

Associate Editor-Webmaster Editorial Staff

1000 - Although a picture is worth a thousand

words, five or 10 words are almost always needed to describe what the picture is all about.
Missed last months issue of the GML? Click to view and download

November 2013

IPP Rhodora Doris Sanchez (RC Diliman North) IPP Cresencio Cris Bacho Jr (RC Cubao Edsa) Bernard De San Jose (RC Timog) The Governors Monthly Letter is published by the Governor of Rotary International District 3780 with offices at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. Contributions for publication may be sent to Ric Salvador at rp_salvador@yahoo.com, to Beth Directo at betchie@728@gmail.com, or to Marcia Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com

Established on November 21 by Task Force Yolanda led by PDG Danny Fausto, relief assistance provided by Rotary Care Center has progressed from feeding through school rehabilitation and restoration of livelihood

Click this link or tap on any of the photos above to view update report from Task Force Yolanda.

Rotary Care Center has been supported by teams of volunteer Rotarians from many clubs

To serve Typhoon Yolanda survivors, even Rotarians need angels

by FC President Pocholo Jaymalin, RC Quezon City
With LG Dwight Ramos, Dir Angelo-Roa Yu, and Dir Edgar Tapiador of RCQC

ne month after the most powerful typhoon ever recorded in Philippine history lashed Central Philippines, the Rotary Club of Quezon City (RCQC) together with the support of its sister club, the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo and its long time partner in service, the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City (IWCQC), visited Ormoc City on December 10-12, 2013. Ormoc is a first class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 191,200 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commercial and transportation hub of western Leyte. Ormoc City is a port city and is the largest city in Leyte by land area. Rotary International District in Ormoc City About a week after the devastation brought about by Typhoon Yolanda, our Rotary District 3780, led by First Class Governor Francis Rivera formed a team composed of Past District Governors and incumbent District Officers to assess the damage brought about by the said typhoon at Ormoc. Why Ormoc? Because almost all the relief efforts from the national government and international communities were then concentrated at Tacloban City. After the initial assessment, an emergency meeting of the said team was conducted. A decision was made, RI District 3780 will help the survivors by putting up a feeding center which was officially named the Rotary Care Center Soup Kitchen. The objective of this effort is to feed 1500 schoolchildren every day for forty days. The two schools identified for this project were the most devastated schools in the city, the Punta Elementary School and the Linao Elementary School, both of which are located in the bay area of the city. Gov Francis Rivera then called for an emergency meeting of all the First Class Presidents of RI District 3780. He reported the situation on the ground at Ormoc and then called for the fund raising among all the clubs in the district. The funds generated from this first "call" comprised the seed funds for the Soup Kitchen Project. For our part, RCQC First Class President Pocholo Jaymalin coming out from the said meeting immediately sounded off the call of Gov Francis during the regular meeting of the club. Without the need to emphasize the need to raise funds, the members of RCQC raised USD 1,000. This amount was immediately turned over to the district for the said Soup Kitchen. After another week, PP Chito Madronio called up PP Popoy Flores informing him that our sister club, the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo contacted the former saying that they learned about the destruction in our country and that they were donating USD 2,000. The money was wired to PP Chito and then a meeting was set up for PP Chito to turn over the donation to FCP Pocholo Jaymalin, witnessed by LG Dwight
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Even Rotarians need angels . . .

was turned over to our Club Treasurer PP Ricky De Guzman. By this time, a decision has been made by the club, that this amount of donation by the Rotary Club of Yokohama-Hongo plus the amount that will be raised during the joint meeting of RCQC and IWCQC will be spent on school supplies for around 700 school children at Punta Elementary School. This will be personally distributed by a team from RCQC led by Pres Pocholo Jaymalin, PP Dwight Ramos, Directors Angelo Roa-Yu and Edgar Tapiador. The RCQC team landed at Cebu on December 10 and immediately coordinated with FCP Grace Fojas for the purchase of the school supplies from a local supplier. The school supplies packaged in more than a dozen boxes were brought to the Cebu Pier to be loaded on the fast craft going to Ormoc. This happened almost without hitch until the Pier Police held the truck for not having a "Bill of Lading," a prerequisite document for goods to be shipped out from a pier. Out came the first angel, a certain Diane from 2GO shipping lines personally assisted me in looking for the supervisor who could help me with the boxes. The Officer-in Charge was not in his office and they could not locate him. The trouble was, the packages should be inside the loading bay as the vessel was inbound already. The next angel in the person of Mr. Gabby Margaja of 2GO Cargo Department learned of the situation immediately stood up donned his company ID and went to the Pier Police. Right there and then, the cargo was released. Upon reaching Ormoc City, the scene of destruction dawned upon us, the pier was devastated. FCP Pres Troy Bumagat of the Rotary Club of Ormoc fetched us and we proceeded directly to Punta Elementary School. There, we were met by the Principal, Mr. Julius Porcadilla and his teachers. Another problem came up, how are we to meet the deadline of inserting to individual plastic folders the right combination of school supplies for each grade level. The third angel came in the form of a group of teachers who helped us in this activity. A production line was formed and before 5pm everything was done. All the school supplies are ready for distribution the following day, all 675 plastic folders with corresponding school supplies per grade level. When we finished the activity, FCP Pocholo was walking around the school grounds, there the safety practitioner that he is immediately pushed him to notice some potential hazards. A safety walk was cleared together with his team and Prinicipal Julius. FCP Pocholo identified all the hazards and corrective actions were immediately implemented. Hopefully, this will eliminate potential accidents to happen to the students. The team then met with several officers of the Rotary Club of Ormoc to plan out the activities for the following day. At around 8am of Day 2, the team boarded two tricycles, the only mode of transportation in the city and proceeded to Punta Elementary School, we noticed an increase in the number of students that day.
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From Ground Zero, Ormoc City and Tacloban City, December 16-18, 2013
by VRC Joel Guillermo, Special Projects, RC Cubao West
With DG Francis Rivera, FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Amy Robles, Cecille Rodriguez, Sec Mel Waje & Rtn Brian Rochas (RC Goleta, Sta Barbara CA, USA)

Ormoc City s we toured the city, most of the houses, school buildings, commercial buildings, and public utility terminals had lost their roofs. The houses located beside the sea suffered heavier damage and they belonged mostly to fisher folks whose small fishing boats (bancas) were also destroyed.

The city is now back on its feet with most establishments already open, internet service now available, and electricity restored, either thru the use of gen-sets or by their electric cooperative. Since relative normalcy has been restored in Ormoc, most of those rendering voluntary service in Tacloban City area stay in and commute to and from Ormoc City daily (travel time is 2 hours) where hotels and restaurants are already open. This is also where the ferry boats to Cebu City have regular trips at intervals of 30 minutes.

Linao Elementary School, where the Rotary Cares/Command Center/ Soup Kitchen is located, faced the sea; thus, most of its roofs had been torn and blown away. Daily, our District 3780 cooked food for 1,000 students from two schools (chosen according to their economic standing in the community - the poorest of the poor). They bring their own plates & bowls which we filled with rice and soup. Hence, only those pre-chosen are fed daily for 40 days. We had the privilege and opportunity to prepare and cook the food and serve these to the children. We also played and sang with the kids as a way of letting them forget their tragic experience. FC President Josie, Sec Mel and Rotarian Brian from California brought childrens books and did Story Telling/Book Reading to the delight of the pupils.

In Summary, the city on its own, is now moving forward.

LEGACY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF CUBAO WEST FLEET We visited the Gawad Kalinga/Rotary Housing Project in Ormoc. Most of the houses were damaged. Roofs were gone including roof of their Day Care Center which is now also being used as storage for relief goods. Our Hon. Commodore/District Governor Francis, together with FC President Josie, Sec. Mel and PP Joel of Cubao West made a quick decision and immediately snapped the cost of repairing the roofs of their Day Care Center where the kids are being taught basic education. After a careful analysis of their cost estimates, we donated P41,000 which was more than enough to replace the torn out roofs that was then covered only by tarpaulins made from light sack materials provided by the Rotary Club of Ormoc City. The amount came from the donation of the US Wheelchair Team from the North Carolina, namely: IPP Bill Biddle, PDG Hamp Shuford, PP Everett Stiles, PN Peggy Wike and Rtn Ross Sloan and family. They facilitated the donation of Wheel Chairs from their District to our Club last September. The $1,000 donation was intended for the Yolanda victims, in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray.
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From Ground Zero . . .

TACLOBAN CITY, PALO, LEYTE and adjoining towns We left Ormoc City at 4:30 a.m. for Tacloban City but our trip was delayed as we had to scamper for Diesel along the way. It was good that thru our appeal, we siphoned 10 liters of Diesel from the truck of a gasoline station owner who's establishment had been damaged by the Super Typhoon. As we approached Tacloban City, we saw the "Wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda". Houses, churches, schools, among others were heavily damaged beyond recognition. The typhoon was so strong that it had uprooted and tore coconut trees, trees known for stability and flexibility.

which is Livelihood. However, in Tacloban City, the Soup Kitchen will run from December 18 till January 4. On Jan 6, the city is targeting to re-open the schools. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT? While awaiting feedback information from District 3860 Governor Ed Chiongbian on how our donation of P1.4 million was used or allocated, unused funds that we have should be utilized in rehabilitation efforts and livelihood programs. When we reached Palo, Leyte, a town adjoining Tacloban City and is also along the Pacific Ocean coast, almost all the houses, business establishments, and other structures had been totally damaged. Most of the vehicles in the area were totally damaged, too. This is the area where most people died because of the storm surge. On our way to the Airport, we encountered the strong stench of dead bodies still scattered among debris. Most of the volunteers and foreigners extending aid in the Tacloban area commute to Ormoc daily where the living conditions for visitors are almost back to normal. It will take years to rehabilitate Tacloban City and adjoining towns. Thus, most of the foreign aid are now focused in the area. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Tacloban City when we were there. Today, U.N. Secretary General Bun Ki Moon is also on his way to Tacloban City. We were privileged to be one of those who started the Soup Kitchen of our Rotary Cares Project at the Sacred Heart School in Tacloban together with District Governor Francis Rivera, PDG Danny Fausto, LG Chito Borromeo, First Class FC Presidents Josie Garcia, Cecille Rodriguez and Amy Robles, who are all IYFR Members of the First Class Fleet, Sec. Mel Waje, Rotarian Brian Rocha of RC Goleta, along with the officers and members of the Rotary Clubs of Tacloban City and Ormoc City. Rotary Cares Project in Ormoc is now on its 3rd Phase Because there has been reduced sense of urgency for food and relief efforts, the next IYFR donations should also be focused on Livelihood Projects such as donating fishing bancas so the fishermen could resume earning their living. The construction of bunk houses has been ongoing; thus, in a short period of time, those displaced will have a shelter. From our experience in Ormoc where our District Governor

decided that we should donate directly to the affected people, weve seen that we made them happier and we also felt confident that the money we gave really went to the intended beneficiaries. Hence, if we are to donate the funds recently raised from generous members of our organization, we recommend that we purchase bancas from fabricators in Cebu or nearby places and donate these directly to qualified beneficiaries in Tacloban, Palo and other coastal towns. We could partner with local Rotary clubs who will choose the recipients.
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Updates on water and sanitation initiatives by district service committee

by District Community Service Chair Ma. Elisa Baby Allado, RC New Manila Heights

December 11, 2013. Turnover of a 5,000-liter rainwater harvester tank by RC New Manila Heights to Our Lady of Banneux (OLB) ANCOP-RID 3780 Community at San Mateo, Rizal

unded by a District Grant, the Rotary Club of New Manila Heights (RCNMH) built a 5,000-liter rainwater harvester tank at the OLB Ancop-RID 3780 Community spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Commonwealth. This was officially turned over to the Community on December 11, 2013 in San Mateo Rizal. This will supply water to the 44 families now housed in the area from donations of Rotary clubs in our District. Highlight of the turnover ceremony was the cutting of the ribbon by DG Francis Rivera, PDG Dulce Coyukiat, PDG Mario Nery, Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by PDG Dulce Coyukiat, DG Francis Rivera and FC Presidents Amba Villacorte FC President Amba Villacorte (RCNMH) and FC President Demy Aquino (RC Commonwealth) and Demy Aquino, District Shelter Chair Bobby Pealosa and District Community Service Chair Baby Allado. The tank was accepted by a representative of projects for the community; Alex Buot; Ponchit Miranda; Eric Bonifacio, President of Samahan ng OLB who also Boyet Alfonso with Spouse Noemi; Alex Arrojo and Spouse signed the Statement of Commitment to maintain and take Joy; and Jun San Juan and Spouse Norijean. Visiting Rotaricare of it. ans from RC San Mateo Highlands represented by Buena Mabeth Simon pledged to do some livelihood programs. Other members of RCNMH who were present were: Boone Ongchoco who pledged Php 100,000 to help complete the Members of ANCOP (Answer the Cry of the Poor) including multi-purpose hall and support basic education and literacy Warren and Spouse and Pinky, coordinators of the community, were also in attendance.

January 7, 2014. Orientation on community-managed potable water supply and sanitation

The Department of Agrarian Reform in coordination with the Water and Sanitaion Committee of District 3780 sponsored an Orientation on Community-managed Potable Water Supply and Sanitation in Misamis Occidental. The activity was held last January 7, 2014 at Nomis Botanical Garden, Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental and facilitated by PP Bing Quite, District Chair for Water and Sanitation under the Committee on Community Service headed by PP Baby Allado. It was attended by 50 participants including Mayors, MLGU and DAR personnel in Misamis Occidental. The seminar oriented the participants about the concept of low cost water and sanitation facilities. After the orientation, most of the Mayors were excited to implement the project in their respective municipalities. It was manifested in the action plans they prepared. In fact Mayor Rosario Balais of the municipality of Jimenez invited PP Bing to visit the water source in her town. After the visit, it was found that the quality of the water is not good due the presence of iron. It was agreed that the Mayor, through the para-engineers, will construct two Iron Removal Filters so that the said water source will be used by the coastal barangay as safe drinking water. Construction will start by the third week of January.

PP Bing Quite, D3780 Chair for Water and Sanitation, is shown facilitating the orientation session.
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Diliman North installs rainwater harvesting system to ensure reliable water supply for school
by FC President Marilene Araneta, RC Diliman North

he Innovative Rainwater Harvesting System (IRHS) was installed at the Centennial Day Care Center located in Sitio Pingkian, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City last 14 December 2013. It was turned over to the CDC-PTA last 28 December 2013 which was followed by a simple party among RCDN and CDC-PTA officers. The IRHS is a Filipino technology which converts rainwater into clean and potable water. The system was installed by the company of Dr. Antonio F. Mateo, a Filipino inventor and PP of RC Manila San Miguel. The project cost was funded largely by a District Grant of P20,000. The IRHS installed at the Centennial Day Care Center (CDC) has the following objectives: 1. A source of potable water shall be provided for the drinking and snack preparation needs of the Day Care Center; 2. An alternative source of water shall be available for flush ing toilets in the Day Care Center; 3. An alternative source of water shall be available for emergency situation, e.g. Fire; 4. A reduction in water bills shall be expected; 5. In the event that the Day Care Center shall be renovated or expanded, the installed IRHS can be moved, expanded and reinstalled. The beneficiaries are students, teachers and parents of the school.

Broadway installs Rotary 4-way test markers in two more schools, December 17, 2013
by FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway

Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City

Dona Josefa Jara Martinez High School Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City
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FIRE and ICE : Past Presidents Fellowship and District Christmas Party
by Chair of 2013 Past Presidents Night & District Christmas Party, FC President Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle

ast December 9th, the vibrant batch of First Class Presidents led by FCP Cecile Rodriguez and with valuable guidance from their First Class Governor Francis Rivera and PDG Dan Espinosa, hosted this years Past Presidents Night and District Christmas Party at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. With the theme Fire and Ice the event aimed to call attention to the global warming thats been wrecking havoc to our planet

came in fighting form for the hotly contested Christmas song and dance presentations. The Global Presidents emerged as this years champion with their aptly themed performance. The Hands-On Presidents, Leader Presidents and Peace Presidents come in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places respectively. In the spirit of the Christmas season all the winners donated their cash prizes in favour of the Districts soup kitchen in Leyte. This years host, the FCPs, serenaded the audience with a medley The affair promoted as a party for a cause was able to of Christmas carols eliciting laughter and applause. raise additional funds for the Rotary Cares Soup Kitchen of District 3780 for the survivors of Super Ty- The more than 550 attendees enjoyed the night with phoon Yolanda in Ormoc City and Tacloban City in Leyte unlimited buffet, overflowing drinks, exciting games and Province through the very generous patronage of the raffle prizes. It was a night filled with joyful camaradeRotarians of District 3780. rie! Indeed the FCPs lived up to their name and gave the district a first class Past Presidents Night and DisEveryone came in their fiery red and cool white attires trict Christmas Party. Ooorah, ooorah, ooorah! giving more vibrancy to the night. The different batches

Click or tap links below to watch video clips of team presentations, courtesy of Silver President Marilyn Manabat:

GLOBAL PRESIDENTS HANDS-ON PRESIDENTS LEADER PRESIDENTS PEACE PRESIDENTS

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FIRE & ICE : Past Presidents Fellowship and District Christmas Party

Photos courtesy of FCP Bong Jung (Holy Spirit), SP Marilyn Oliveros-Manabat (Cubao Central), and IPP Cris Bacho (Cubao Edsa).

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Interactors spread love, joy, goodwill and hope among cancer-stricken children
by FC Secretary Rick Bugayong, RC Metro Sta. Mesa
Lead Sponsoring Clubs: RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta. Mesa

3780 Interactors led by District Interact Representative (DIR) Valerie Valenzuela cheered up 100 cancerstricken patients at the National Childrens Hospital on E. Rodriguez Sr St in Quezon City last December 16, 2013. The event dubbed May Bukas Pa is an annual project of the Interactors at the hospital where the cancer patients are entertained with numbers performed by the Interactors, food is served, and toys/gifts are given to each child.

cluded RCs Camp Crame, Cubao West, Diliman Heights, Kamuning East, Kamuning West, Masambong, Mega Edsa, North Balintawak, North Edsa, Quezon City, Quezon City Central, Quezon City Circle, and Timog.

Interactors from RC Bagong Silangan and RC Metro Sta Mesa organized and successfully carried out the December 16 activity with support from 13 sponsoring clubs that in-

FC Presidents Andy Almendral of RC Bagong Silangan and Ludy Hofer of Metro Sta Mesa turned over four (4) wheelchairs to selected patients. The wheelchairs had been donated by RC Cubao West through FCP Josie Garcia.

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San Francisco Del Monte holds series of Christmas cheers for young and old alike
By FC President Bon Tagum, RC SFDM

he Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte, in partnership with the Inner Wheel Club of San Francisco Del Monte, conducted a series of Christmas parties otherwise called as Christmas Cheers for its adopted groups of beneficiaries on various dates starting on December 5, 2013. The series was kicked off by a Christmas Cheers event for RCSFDM's adopted elementary school, the Sinag Tala Elementary School, on December 5, 2013. As part of the traditional cheers, more than 100 elementary students were treated to a merienda of spaghetti, bread and drinks. They were also given loot bags containing canned goods, rice, foodstuffs and toys.

-care Center on December 15, 2013. Apart from merienda of various food treats, the kids enjoyed various parlor games and dance contests with various prizes for contention. The event was made more exciting with the arrival of well-wishers like QC Councilors Jessica Daza and Bayani Hipol.

The RCSFDM and IWCSFDM then threw a Christmas Cheers party for the indigent Lolas and Lolos in Brgy. Fairview last December 18, 2013. Apart from merienda, the elders were treated to Christmas gift bags containing canned goods, rice, ham and other food items. All the while, the more than 50 beneficiaries were serenaded with Christmas songs. Next was the Christmas Cheers for the more than 100 out-of -school youth in Barangay Fairview on December 11, 2013. The kids were also treated to a sumptuous merienda of pansit and drinks and later to loot bags containing foodstuffs and toys.

Christmas Cheers was also thrown for more than 40 indigent kids who are enrolled in the adopted day-care center of RCSFDM and IWCSFDM, the Brgy. Teachers Village West Day

RCSFDM and IWCSFDM held all the above Christmas Cheers activities, knowing that Christmas is about spreading love and hope especially for our less privileged brethren. Aware of the plight of the victims of super-typhoon Yolanda, the men and women of SFDM were also engaged to spread love and hope at Ormoc City and Tacloban City on December 27, 2013. The activities would, however, require another writeup.
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Cosmopolitan Timog shares Christmas with pre-school scholars

By FC President Genilou Liv Jimena, RC Cosmopolitan Timog .

n December 19, 2013, the Rotary Club of Cosmopolitan Timog organized a Christmas Party for the indigent pre-school scholars of Trinity University of Asia (26 kids) and their parents, with a program for them with games, dancing and eating. The Christmas Party is part of a continuing project with our adopted preschool scholars. The kids, their parents and teachers are familiar with our club. It is hoped that the kids be inspired to continue with their education, and have positive outlook about school, about Rotary and about the spirit of giving. Activities like this also strengthen our club's bond with school.

New Manila shares Christmas with kids from 3 barangays

By FC President Anna Millonado, RC New Manila

ast December 22, 2013 RC New Manila shared Christmas cheers with 320 children from Barangays Valencia, Mariana and Damayang Lagi in Quezon City. This is a traditional activity done every year in celebration of our Charter Anniversary. Ten Rotarians assisted the children in the party and gave food, gifts and prizes and led the games. The event made the children happy and brought something for them to remember, that the ROTARY loves them and cares for them. And that someday, they will also do the same in their community.
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Timog QC organizes multi-club Christmas cheers for 200 public school pupils
By FC President Rene Cantos, RC Timog QC .

What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving,

puppet show and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club from Trinity University of Asia (grade school pupils) When - December 13, 2013, 10am Where - Cresta Verde Subd., Barangay Sta Monica, Commonwealth Avenue, QC No. of beneficiaries - 200 elementary pupils of public schools

Timog QC cheers up cancer-stricken kids at Philippine Childrens Medical Center

What - Christmas Cheers - Gift giving,

magic show, 2 clowns and musical performance by Rotakids of Timog Flute Club from Trinity University of Asia (grade school pupils); When - December 19, 2013; Where - Philippine Childrens Medical Center, Quezon Avenue cor Agham St., QC; Number of beneficiaries - 100 cancer patients.
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New Manila South shares Christmas joys with elderlies in Tanay

By FC President George Chua Uy, RC New Manila South

n December 14, 2013, RC New Manila South led by FC President George Chua-Uy, and joined by their Rotaract Club, visited Haven for the Elderly in Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal and gave Christmas cheers to some 60 elderly grandmothers. The Haven for the Elderly (formerly Golden Acres), established three (3) years ago, provides rehabilitation services for neglected, abandoned and homeless Filipino senior citizens. It is one of three (3) centers for abandoned older persons managed by the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD).

RCNMS Rotarians and Rotaractors had a memorable experience interacting with the lolas at the center. They gave assorted grocery items, pillows and other personal items to the delight of the elderly residents. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the visit, FC Pres George and members planted trees in the area. The Haven for the Elderly resides on acres of lush gardens with views of rolling mountains surrounded by trees.

RC Masambong shares Christmas joys with grade school pupils

By FC President Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong

What: Children's Christmas party for students participating in the Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding & nutrition program Where: Bago-Bantay Elementary School; When: December 19, 2013
Beneficiaries: Grades 1,2, and 3 students provided with food, gift of tumblers, t-shirts, sleepers, bags and entertained by clowns

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Cubao West shares spirit of Christmas with various beneficiary groups including . . .
. National Childrens Hospital nter Bumblebee, Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, and Jollibee! The sleepy eyes of the sick children come to life as they watch their favorite heroes greet and have their photos taken with them, lifting their spirits and temporarily banishing the gloom of their personal conditions. PP Ayie Gonzales told the story of Basura Monster amidst the ooohs and aahhs of the enraptured children while PP Norman Verzosa gave crisp P20 bills to all the children. Led by FCP Josie, the 20strong members gave stuff toys and story books to everybody. Capping the event was a donation of 6 wheelchairs to the Hospital. This annual event is chaired by PP Tito Yuquimpo. Christmas Party for Kids with Cancer RC Cubao West also joined the festive Christmas Party at Childhaus, a sanctuary for kids getting treatment for cancer. Childhaus received cash, gifts, food and wheelchair donations from RC Cubao West and its members. The party was held last Dec 15 at Mapang-akit Street, Brgy Pinyahan QC in front of Childhaus itself. There were TV personalities as well as various dance groups who performed and gave cheers and inspirations to the cancer-stricken children. Pres Josie made a short but emotional talk exhorting the children to fight their disease and pledged to do more projects in support of Childhaus.

ROTARY GK Village in Ormoc Pres Josie Garcia, PP Joel Guillermo, Sec Mel Waje together with DG Francis Rivera, FCP Cecille Rodriguez, FCP Amy Robles and Rtn Brian Rocha visited Ormoc City and Tacloban City last Dec 16-18. One of the places they visited is the severely damaged Rotary GK Village at Tambulilid, Ormoc. Many of the village houses were severely affected including their Day Care

Center and office. The estimated budget to repair the damaged building was P41,000 which was gladly given by RC Cubao West in cash to immediately start the rebuilding efforts. As Gov. Francis said, this donation is a tangible effort to help start rebuilding communities in Ormoc. The funds were taken from the d onation of IPP Bill Biddle, PN Peggy Wike and Rtn Ross Sloan, all of them part of the US Wheelchair team who visited the club last September. Their $1,000 donation was for the Yolanda victims in honor of the late PDG Bobby Viray. The Gift of Love, Visit to Linao Central School The Rotary Cares Soup Kitchen was first established at Linao Central School. RC Cubao West visited the school and helped in preparing the food, distributing clothing, helping out in the feeding program, did storytelling, played with the kids and generally extended genuine care for the children. The children are obviously in dire need of attention and care as they follow the visiting team around; playing and laughing with them, and generally enjoying the attention generously given to them. Pres Josie braided the unkempt hair of the girls who were probably overlooked by their parents busily trying to recover from the storm. Playing with the children, telling them stories, laughi ng with then, making a fool of ourselves in front of them, was time well spent, said PP Joel. Several hundred stuff toys were donated by RC Cubao West to the school children but the package was still being shipped and should arrive later last December. BLT Christmas Gift Giving Due to the shortage of time and the availability of the students, RCCW will hold its post-Christmas celebration with the BLT students of Cubao Elementary School on the first week of January. The celebration will be highlighted by a feeding program, gift giving, stuff toys giving, book giving and special BLT ID cards to identify the kids.
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Holy Spirit spreads Christmas joy and goodwill among less fortunate ones
By FC President Eui Bong Jung, RC Holy Spirit .

ast December 17 RC Holy Spirit shared spirit of Christmas and sumptuous meal with 100 Grade 1 pupils of Dona Juana Elementary School who have been participating in the club-sponsored 120-day milk feeding & nutrition program. Of the participants,19 pupils had been assessed as severely wasted and 81 of them were wasted before the program. Teachers report marked improvements in weights and heights of pupils as of December 9, 2013, life-changing gift for the kids who have gained an average of 3 kgs increase. The clubs annual Christmas event with Grade School pupils

belonging to the Special Education Center of Dona Juana Elementary School in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City was held last December 18, 2011. The program dubbed, Ikaw Ang

Pinakamahalagang Regalo Ngayong Pasko, was organized by five SPED teachers . RCHS prepared toys/gifts and game prizes for 95 SPED pupils with various learning disabilities. The club also provided lunch packs consisting of spaghetti, fried chicken and fresh milk for the children and their parents. On December 22, LG/PP Linda Palattao, Rotarians, and Buklod ng Panginoon Foundation spread Christmas cheers and joy among 100 indigent families in the Payatas area.

Broadway holds share-and-give Christmas events for children

By FC President Neil Valenton, RC Broadway

C Broadway at National Children Hospital. Christmas gifts giving to all pediatric surgery patients. Ages 1 to 9 years old. December 18,2013

LT Christmas Party!!! December 17, 2013 Tuesday 10:30am at Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School for students participating in Busog, Lusog, Talino feeding & nutrition program.
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Messages, news and information from Rotary International

RI Presidents December Message

Dear fellow Rotarians,
ne winter day, Rotary founder Paul Harris took a walk down a well-kept street just outside Chicago. Watching children sledding down a hillside, he recalled his own boyhood in New England. At that moment, he decided that if he ever were to own a home, it would be on top of that hill on Longwood Drive. In 1912, Harris and his wife, Jean, made that dream a reality. They named their new home Comely Bank, after the street where Jean grew up in Scotland. Over the years, the Harrises hosted Rotary meetings and entertained visiting dignitaries, surrounded by objects they had collected on their travels throughout the world. The trees they planted in their friendship garden still grace the yard. In 1947, Harris died there; Jean sold the home not long afterward and returned to Scotland. The property changed hands twice more before the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation purchased it in 2005. Through the efforts of that group, and with the help of the Rotary clubs of Chicago and Naperville, the Harris home has been saved from demolition. Now, it is up to us to protect the home for posterity, as a place for Rotarians to gather in the spirit of friendship and service. The RI Board has agreed to loan $500,000 to the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation to assist with the restoration of this irreplaceable piece of Rotary history. A goal of $5 million has been set for the project, to complete the necessary renovations and to provide an endowment fund to allow the property to operate as a museum and historic site. I am committed to the restoration of the Paul and Jean Harris Home and hope you agree that this project is worthy of your support. My wife, Jetta, and I have made a contribution to our Rotary Foundation to establish a donor advised fund to accept contributions from anyone who shares our love of Rotary history, and our desire to preserve Rotary's past. If you would like to join us, please go to www.rotary.org/daf and click on "How to Contribute." Include the account name, "Paul Harris Home Preservation," and number, 474. A gift of any size is welcome, and naming opportunities are available in the home and garden for those who are considering a larger gift. We are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Paul Harris in this special way. Together, we can save his home for generations of Rotarians to come.

Foundation Chairmans December Message

Celebrate Rotary Family Month ecember is Family Month, a time when we pay special attention to Rotary's large and expanding family. Rotary is not just 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,558 clubs. We're 365,125 Interactors, 133,860 Rotaractors, and 174,547 Rotary Community Corps members. Our family includes the spouses and children of Rotarians. It also encompasses the dozens of community nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations that Rotary has forged partnerships with. The family of Rotary is millions strong and it continues to grow as we keep developing new ties. One thing we all know in Rotary is that we can do more together than we can alone. Together, we have a tremendous reach. We need to ensure that Rotary keeps growing, in all the branches of our family. When we work with local NGOs and other organizations, we gain more knowledge and more insight. We add to our resources and our abilities. And we build more bridges of understanding, friendship, and cooperation. By partnering with others throughout the world, we not only can achieve more than we set out to do but also can grow the Rotary family. We have learned through our long history in the fight against polio how effective such partnerships can be. Our many global partners have made polio eradication possible, and have helped us achieve a great deal of good along the way. This is an important lesson, and it is one we must build on in the years ahead.

Dong Kurn (D. K.) Lee

Foundation Trustee Chair 2013-14

Ron D. Burton
President, Rotary International 2013-14
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HUANG ENCOURAGES CLUB MEMBERS TO LIGHT UP ROTARY

I President-elect Gary C.K. Huang chose Light Up Rotary as his theme for 2014-15. Huang was inspired by the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucious who said: "It is better to light a single candle, than to sit and curse the darkness." "There are so many problems in the world, so many people who need help. Many people say, 'There's nothing I can do.' So they sit there doing nothing. Meanwhile everything stays dark," Huang told the 537 district governors and their spouses and partners who are attending the 2014 International Assembly in San Diego, California. "The Rotary way is the Confucius way. The Rotary way is to light a candle. I light one, you light one, 1.2 million Rotarians light one. Together, we light up the world," said Huang, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei in Taiwan. After announcing his theme at the opening session of the five-day training meeting, Huang urged club members to Light Up Rotary in the coming year by hosting a Rotary Day in their community and including local Rotaract and Interact members in their service projects. "How you Light Up Rotary is up to you," Huang said. "You know where you are strong, you know what your community needs, and you know how you can help." Huang also shared his membership development goals, including the need for more women and young adults and his goal to increase membership to a total of 1.3 million members. He asked Rotarians to invite their spouses, family members, and friends to join Rotary. "We need to assume leadership for building strong clubs, and that starts with bringing in new members," he said. Addressing the status of the fight against polio, Huang noted that with the current momentum Rotary is on track to achieve full polio eradication by 2018. "When we eradicate polio and we will we will have proved ourselves an organization capable of great things. And we'll be even better equipped for the next challenge we choose to take on. We'll have given the world a gift that will endure forever," he said. By continuing to fight against polio, setting an example in local communities, and growing membership, Huang hopes to see Rotary shine brighter than ever.
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Photo Gallery
First Class Presidents Christmas Party, December 13, 2013 at the BF Homes Multipurpose Hall Photo courtesy of Rtn. Brian Rocha

Peace Presidents Year-end treat, December 28, 2013

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Recognition of Contributors

istrict Governor Francis Rivera and the editors thank Rotarians who have contributed stories for this December issue of the Governors Monthly Letter.
PDG Danilo Fausto D3780 and FC President Grace Fojas Vinarao of RC Acropolis for the pictures and update on the Rotary Care/Rotary Meal-Soup Kitchen in Ormoc City and later, in Tacloban City, on the front page and Pages 4 & 5. FC President Pocholo Jaymalin of RC Quezon City for the story and photos of the clubs outreach mission on December 10-12 to assist Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc City, on Pages 6 & 7. PP Joel Guillermo, Special Projects chair of RC Cubao West and International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, for the article and photos of the D3780 teams December 16 -18 visit in Ormoc and Tacloban City, on Pages 8 & 9. District Community Service chair Ma. Elisa Allado, PP of RC New Manila Heights, for the updates on the committees initiatives in water and sanitation, on Page 10. FC President Marilene Araneta of RC Diliman North for the report and photo on the clubs rainwater harvesting project for its adopted day-care center, on Page 11. FC President Neil Valenton of RC Broadway for the photo-updates on the installation of Rotarys 4-Way Test Markers in two schools, on Page11. FC Cecile Rodriguez of RC West Triangle and chair of the 2013 Past Presidents Fellowship Night and District Christmas Party for the story of the event, and FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit, IPP Cris Bacho of RC Cubao Edsa, and PP Marilyn Oliveros Manabat of RC Cubao Central for the photos used on Pages 12 & 13. FC Secretary Rick Bugayong of RC Metro Sta. Mesa for the article and photos of the District Interact Christmas program for cancer-stricken children, on Page 14. FC President Bon Tagum of RC San Francisco del Monte, for the article and photos of the clubs series of Christmas cheering-sharing-events for 4 beneficiary groups, on Page 15. FC President Genilou Jimena of RC Cosmopolitan Timog for the write-up and photo of Christmas event for the clubs pre-school scholars, on Page 16. FC President Anna Millonado of RC New Manila for write-up and photos of the clubs Christmas event for 320 children from three barangays, on Page 16. FC President Rene Cantos of RC Timog QC for the updates and photos of two Christmas event - multi-club Christmas program for 200 elementary school pupils, and Christmas program for 100 cancer-stricken program, on Page 17. FC President George Chua Uy of RC New Manila South for story of the clubs Christmas program for 60 abandoned grandmothers and tree-planting project in Tanay, Rizal, Page 18. FC Pres Tess Geronimo, RC Masambong, for Christmas event for BLT pupils, Page 18. FC Secretary Melchor Waje of RC Cubao West for the article and photos on the clubs Christmas programs for various beneficiary groups, on Page 19. FC Pres Bong of RC Holy Spirit for Christmas events for 3 beneficiary groups, Page 20. FC Pres Neil Valenton, RC Broadway, for Christmas events for 2 beneficiary groups, Page 20.
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