Random Thoughts… for the 09012011 Pinaglabanan Bulletin
The August 25 meeting date was called-off due to the club’s Vocational Service and Fellowship project at the San Lazaro Hippodrome – A Horse Race Track located in Carmona last August 20.
Let me therefore report on the Club activity of August 20 also known as the “field trip.”
Assembly was at 10am in Club Filipino, and members who have earlier signified their intention to participate arrived on time for the 10:30am departure. Members present at Club Fil were ‘FDG’ Benny Pe, PP Noel Mesina, PP Noni Topacio, PP Pol Leoncio, PP Tony Abola, Rtn Therese Montecer, Honorary Member, PP Ver Farcon, and I. Travel accommodations were provided by FDG Benny where we all boarded his luxurious Ford Club Wagon while Papa Ver’s brand new (black) Mitsubishi Montero sport tailed us. Members who live in South Metro Manila, namely Pres Nan Sallan and PE Jojo Bacarro agreed to meet-up at the first stop of this field trip, Guernica’s Spanish Restaurant in Santana Grove, Sucat Paranaque for lunch and to celebrate Rtn Bernard Morillo’s birthday blow-out. Pres Nan arrived before noon accompanied by his spouse Carmen and son, Luigi, while PE Jojo came solo. The birthday boy was garbed in red – also present to celebrate his 40th was spouse “ChairMam” Cecile and their four daughters.
We were served a sumptuous lunch of green salad, pochero, lengua, fish with lemon butter sauce, mushroom al ajillo, calamares fritos, and red wine. For dessert we had churros con chocolate and coffee. As it is now a custom in RCSJ meetings, ambience over lunch had that special ingredient of laughter and photos that have once again turned this gathering into a memorable event.
After lunch, at about 1:00pm, we formed a three car convoy and motored to the San Lazaro Race Track. Entrance to the property development was like entering an exclusive subdivision, a gated community, with residential units by the right, lots of greens on the left, lots of parking spaces leading to the club house - a multi-storey building – very clean, well built, well designed, with nice facilities – truly “world class” as described by our guest speaker, Mr. Andy Sevilla.
Atop the escalator ride to the second floor, we were met by our contact person who gave us a quick tour of the building, and then we were led to our private room - a spacious glass enclosed room with high ceiling, round tables with its own set of tv monitors and a balcony that provided a panoramic view of the race track and surrounding scenery. Before the start of the first race, we visited the casino on the third floor.
After three races, off we went to Estancia in Tagaytay. Since there was no traffic on the way up to Tagaytay, we arrived too early for dinner. We proceeded to Tagaytay Highlands where we took a tour of the Golf Club House and the Main Club House. Rtn Therese wanted to ride the cable car, but was under maintenance repairs. From there we boarded the cars again for Estancia.
At the Estancia resort, ‘FDG’ Benny gave us a tour of the Mediterranean inspired main club house, and the newly renovated cottages now sporting the Greek Santorini design that replaced the former bamboo/nipa huts. The walk from the club house to the cottages and back worked up an appetite and prepared us for the well prepared buffet back at the main club house for dinner.
The trip back to Club Filipino was fast except for the off-ramp traffic at the Magallanes exit of SLEX caused by the repair in one lane leading towards EDSA.
We all had fun for this field trip and welcomed the break from our weekly routine. Pres. Nan wants to have more such fellowships during his term. ‘FDG’ Benny quickly concurred and said that our meetings should be made more interesting in order to attract new members.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
August 18, 2011
Random Thoughts…08182011
On Strengthening Rotary Clubs And Why I Think This Year’s District Awards Criteria is Askew –
This article is premised on the principle that the District Governor’s primary role is to strengthen Rotary Clubs within the District’s territorial boundaries by following the thrusts and programs of Rotary International.
This Rotary Year, the District’s mandate to double the membership base of clubs was received with mixed reactions in our club because two schools of thought emerged – are we for quantity or quality?
New recruits need to undergo an education process to be Rotarized - to learn the philosophy, principles and disciplines of Rotary that have been handed down through more than 100 years and when blended with the customs and traditions inherent in each Club produces the personality and character of a Rotary Club – another argument against doubling in size because a club’s character will also change.
Can anyone answer the following questions - Last Rotary Year, how many clubs in the District conducted a new member’s orientation program (on a club level)? How many clubs did the Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) Program? How many clubs did fireside meetings? The reason for my asking is because these are the foundations of Rotary education from which Rotary Clubs should build upon to Rotarize its ranks to produce good Rotarians, and in turn collectively form good Rotary Clubs.
Ordering clubs to double their size within the first six months of this RY is an ambitious target but will be like building a tall building on sand if the foundations of Rotary Clubs who are weak, are not first reinforced to contain and retain twice the number of members.
Come to think of it, if Rotary Clubs who received the R.I Presidential Citation with Distinction last year gave the same effort for this RY, they still will fall short and not qualify to receive any District Award this year if only due to the 100% membership increase criteria. What happened with ‘continuity and cooperation’?
Corollary to this, “What is the difference between a Rotarian who donates $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation and one who donates $10,000? Does giving a smaller amount make you a lesser Rotarian?” In the same vein, “Does a club who doubles its size make them a better club that one that accomplishes just a net gain of 1 member?”
We Rotarians of the Rotary Club of San Juan are not in Rotary to work for awards. We have adhered to this principle for more than 41 years. I’m not advocating that we should not double our membership base, nor am I saying that we can’t. I am merely asking, “Must there be two sets of awards?”
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
On Strengthening Rotary Clubs And Why I Think This Year’s District Awards Criteria is Askew –
This article is premised on the principle that the District Governor’s primary role is to strengthen Rotary Clubs within the District’s territorial boundaries by following the thrusts and programs of Rotary International.
This Rotary Year, the District’s mandate to double the membership base of clubs was received with mixed reactions in our club because two schools of thought emerged – are we for quantity or quality?
New recruits need to undergo an education process to be Rotarized - to learn the philosophy, principles and disciplines of Rotary that have been handed down through more than 100 years and when blended with the customs and traditions inherent in each Club produces the personality and character of a Rotary Club – another argument against doubling in size because a club’s character will also change.
Can anyone answer the following questions - Last Rotary Year, how many clubs in the District conducted a new member’s orientation program (on a club level)? How many clubs did the Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) Program? How many clubs did fireside meetings? The reason for my asking is because these are the foundations of Rotary education from which Rotary Clubs should build upon to Rotarize its ranks to produce good Rotarians, and in turn collectively form good Rotary Clubs.
Ordering clubs to double their size within the first six months of this RY is an ambitious target but will be like building a tall building on sand if the foundations of Rotary Clubs who are weak, are not first reinforced to contain and retain twice the number of members.
Come to think of it, if Rotary Clubs who received the R.I Presidential Citation with Distinction last year gave the same effort for this RY, they still will fall short and not qualify to receive any District Award this year if only due to the 100% membership increase criteria. What happened with ‘continuity and cooperation’?
Corollary to this, “What is the difference between a Rotarian who donates $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation and one who donates $10,000? Does giving a smaller amount make you a lesser Rotarian?” In the same vein, “Does a club who doubles its size make them a better club that one that accomplishes just a net gain of 1 member?”
We Rotarians of the Rotary Club of San Juan are not in Rotary to work for awards. We have adhered to this principle for more than 41 years. I’m not advocating that we should not double our membership base, nor am I saying that we can’t. I am merely asking, “Must there be two sets of awards?”
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
Saturday, August 13, 2011
August 11, 2011
Random Thoughts and Questions…08112011
Observations formed during the open forum at last week’s Club Assembly -
As a Rotarian, as a member of the Rotary Club of San Juan, my duties and obligations to the club are summed up in the acronym APPLES - I have pledged to attend our weekly meetings, to pay my dues, to participate in our club’s programs and activities, to continue learning about Rotary, to enjoy my association with other Rotarians, and to share my time, talent, and treasure. I support our Rotary Club by fulfilling all these obligations. Failing to do even one of said obligations does not make me a complete Rotarian.
As a Rotary Club, do we work collectively to receive awards? Are our plans and programs aimed at receiving distinction or other forms of recognition for the supposed good we do in our community?
At the June 24 District Awards Night, our club received a total of 23 plaques and trophies from the District Awards Committee for the group and individual work performed by some members - a good haul no doubt, and kudos to the men and women whose efforts were recognized in the various citations. This is what IPP Gina wanted, and the members supported her to attain this great honour.
Enter a new Rotary Year (2011-2012), with a new District Governor, a new set of District Officers, and a new set of criteria by which clubs will be measured in the next 12 months – a yardstick set by the District officers, criteria that are separate from those laid down by the R.I President for this Rotary Year – a lower hurdle yes, but a measure of effective Rotary Clubs nonetheless.
Reaching within to embrace humanity says nothing about working for awards.
In our 41 years of existence as a Rotary Club do we now need awards to keep us motivated? Have we become vain? Let us not lose track of what keeps our club relevant, to reflect on what makes us want to attend our weekly meetings.
When we elected President Nan Sallan, we placed a man with conviction to lead our Club for this Rotary Year. Let us give him a free hand in orchestrating, in shaping the manner how our club will perform during this Rotary Year and support him all the way by giving him APPLES.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
Observations formed during the open forum at last week’s Club Assembly -
As a Rotarian, as a member of the Rotary Club of San Juan, my duties and obligations to the club are summed up in the acronym APPLES - I have pledged to attend our weekly meetings, to pay my dues, to participate in our club’s programs and activities, to continue learning about Rotary, to enjoy my association with other Rotarians, and to share my time, talent, and treasure. I support our Rotary Club by fulfilling all these obligations. Failing to do even one of said obligations does not make me a complete Rotarian.
As a Rotary Club, do we work collectively to receive awards? Are our plans and programs aimed at receiving distinction or other forms of recognition for the supposed good we do in our community?
At the June 24 District Awards Night, our club received a total of 23 plaques and trophies from the District Awards Committee for the group and individual work performed by some members - a good haul no doubt, and kudos to the men and women whose efforts were recognized in the various citations. This is what IPP Gina wanted, and the members supported her to attain this great honour.
Enter a new Rotary Year (2011-2012), with a new District Governor, a new set of District Officers, and a new set of criteria by which clubs will be measured in the next 12 months – a yardstick set by the District officers, criteria that are separate from those laid down by the R.I President for this Rotary Year – a lower hurdle yes, but a measure of effective Rotary Clubs nonetheless.
Reaching within to embrace humanity says nothing about working for awards.
In our 41 years of existence as a Rotary Club do we now need awards to keep us motivated? Have we become vain? Let us not lose track of what keeps our club relevant, to reflect on what makes us want to attend our weekly meetings.
When we elected President Nan Sallan, we placed a man with conviction to lead our Club for this Rotary Year. Let us give him a free hand in orchestrating, in shaping the manner how our club will perform during this Rotary Year and support him all the way by giving him APPLES.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
August 4, 2011
Random Thoughts…08042011
We had a guest singer at last week’s meeting, Ms. Anna Calumay who was accompanied by her guitarist, Mr. Dale, and manager Mr. Bong Agustin. She was supposed to sing during the community singing segment of our program, but due to a recording session that was moved earlier, Ms. Anna had to sing before the start of our program.
We are going to the races. It was discussed and resolved at last week’s meeting that the club will go to the world class San Lazaro Race Track in Carmona Cavite on August 20 – as arranged by our former guest speaker Mr. Andy Sevilla. This date coincides with Rtn Bernard Morillo’s birthday. So the plan is to assemble at Club Filipino between 9:30-10:00am, have an early lunch at Guernica’s Restaurant in Sucat as Bernard’s blow-out, then proceed to San Lazaro for the field trip, followed by late merienda or early dinner at Estancia in Tagaytay (compliments of FDG Benny Pe), then back to Club Filipino. Let’s have a head count of who can make it to this event for better car pool assignments.
Today we welcome our Assistant Governor Siliman Akyat Sy for our Club Assembly.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
We had a guest singer at last week’s meeting, Ms. Anna Calumay who was accompanied by her guitarist, Mr. Dale, and manager Mr. Bong Agustin. She was supposed to sing during the community singing segment of our program, but due to a recording session that was moved earlier, Ms. Anna had to sing before the start of our program.
We are going to the races. It was discussed and resolved at last week’s meeting that the club will go to the world class San Lazaro Race Track in Carmona Cavite on August 20 – as arranged by our former guest speaker Mr. Andy Sevilla. This date coincides with Rtn Bernard Morillo’s birthday. So the plan is to assemble at Club Filipino between 9:30-10:00am, have an early lunch at Guernica’s Restaurant in Sucat as Bernard’s blow-out, then proceed to San Lazaro for the field trip, followed by late merienda or early dinner at Estancia in Tagaytay (compliments of FDG Benny Pe), then back to Club Filipino. Let’s have a head count of who can make it to this event for better car pool assignments.
Today we welcome our Assistant Governor Siliman Akyat Sy for our Club Assembly.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
July 28, 2011
Random thoughts…07282011
Last week’s guest speaker, Mr. Andy Sevilla, a journalist who writes for Good Morning Philippines, spoke about two topics, Cars and Horse Racing. Mr. Sevilla’s talk was basically one big open forum where questions about the two subjects flowed immediately and frequently after FDG Benny Pe made the opening salvo. The meeting was so lively this prompted PDG Pepe Peralta to comment that the absence of “other simultaneous meetings” is an indication that the members were attentive. PDG Pepe also invited our guest speaker to join and be a member of our club.
After Mr. Sevilla’s speech, ideas started circulating about a possible field trip to the San Lazaro Race Track in Carmona Cavite one Saturday afternoon - definitely something to look forward to because according to Mr. Sevilla, this is now a world class horse racing facility.
Mr. Sevilla was also kind enough to feature our Rotary club in his Good Morning Philippines column last Monday July 25, where soft copies of his column were sent to us via email, and hard copies will be provided for our perusal in today’s meeting.
By featuring our club and listing all our members in his Good Morning Philippines column, Mr. Sevilla has contributed in improving our club’s Public Image. As a sign of gratitude, members were enjoined to purchase a copy of the newspaper. Feedback however was that no one knew where they could buy one.
Today we have invited a singer to help make our meeting lively.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
Last week’s guest speaker, Mr. Andy Sevilla, a journalist who writes for Good Morning Philippines, spoke about two topics, Cars and Horse Racing. Mr. Sevilla’s talk was basically one big open forum where questions about the two subjects flowed immediately and frequently after FDG Benny Pe made the opening salvo. The meeting was so lively this prompted PDG Pepe Peralta to comment that the absence of “other simultaneous meetings” is an indication that the members were attentive. PDG Pepe also invited our guest speaker to join and be a member of our club.
After Mr. Sevilla’s speech, ideas started circulating about a possible field trip to the San Lazaro Race Track in Carmona Cavite one Saturday afternoon - definitely something to look forward to because according to Mr. Sevilla, this is now a world class horse racing facility.
Mr. Sevilla was also kind enough to feature our Rotary club in his Good Morning Philippines column last Monday July 25, where soft copies of his column were sent to us via email, and hard copies will be provided for our perusal in today’s meeting.
By featuring our club and listing all our members in his Good Morning Philippines column, Mr. Sevilla has contributed in improving our club’s Public Image. As a sign of gratitude, members were enjoined to purchase a copy of the newspaper. Feedback however was that no one knew where they could buy one.
Today we have invited a singer to help make our meeting lively.
Cheers and enjoy Rotary
PP Jovie
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