May 2, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_05022013

DISTAS 2013 is over and our dear PE Therese Montecer is well on her way towards assuming our club’s presidency come July 1.

Amidst the back-drop of Rotary Clubs leaving District 3800 and being embroiled in all sorts of controversy, the Rotary Club of San Juan continues to move forward as a good citizen of Rotary International, ever compliant with R.I. Rules and Regulations and supportive of District thrusts and programs.

Our Club does have its fair share of challenges – particularly the low attendance during club meetings. This concern will be addressed this month when we go through the roster of members and determine who will be stricken out, thus presenting a clean slate for the new Rotary Year.

We would like to thank ‘FDG’ Benny Pe and his lovely spouse Nene for their hospitality throughout the DISTAS weekend last April 27-28, for providing transportation to-and-from Tagaytay, sumptuous meals, luxurious lodging at Estancia, the visit to the Puzzle Museum – the Guinness Book record holder for having the most number of jigsaw puzzle collection in the world (and for the give-aways), for karaoke night at Estancia, and for the Coup de Grace - the Sunday lunch at La Maison de Lourdes, their Tagaytay residence with the best view of Taal volcano, maraming salamat po!

We also would like to recognize members who borrowed from their ‘family time’ to be with us last Distas weekend namely: AG Doray Giorla (with friend PP Len del Castillo), PP Gina Sanchez, PP Tony Abola, PP Noni Topacio, PP Nan Sallan, PP Manny Guia, PE Therese Montecer (with son Paulo), PN Rose Caoc (with son E.G.), Rtn. Annie Tomas with friend (soon to be inducted) Nanie Madrasto.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec./PP Jovie

April 11, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_04112013

The “Happy Peso” was the program innovation introduced to us by CP Manny Reyes at last week’s meeting. The Happy Peso brought a new twist to Recognition Time that raised more than six thousand pesos for the club coming mostly from members who experienced a boost of happiness in their lives brought about by the recent graduation of their children namely PP Gina, PP Nan, Rtn Bernard.

Pres Jojo disclosed that we have three (3) pending projects to complete our line-up of projects for this Rotary Year. These projects are: a.) Adopt-A-Bed project for the San Juan City Hospital; b.) Painting of the Children’s Hospital Ward at San Juan City Hospital; c.) Construction of a School Building for Typhoon Pablo victims in Compostela Valley Davao province. These pending projects however have not derailed our compliance of the R.I. Presidential Citation Award criteria.

Last Saturday, Pres Jojo was accompanied by his spouse Blenn when we picked-up and delivered food donated by FDG Benny Pe for the San Juan City Jail inmates as our continuing City Harvest Project. Thank you FDG Benny.

Today we welcome Ms. Pia Ortis-Luis of the Jollibee Foundation who will meet with us to discuss the status and plans to continue the Busog, Lusog, Talino project for ‘severely wasted’ grade school pupils.

Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie

April 4, 2013

Secretary’s Corner_04042013

On March 21, 2013, we had two guest speakers. The first speaker was PP Bubut Sarmiento of RC San Juan Del Monte who presented to us the platform of the Party List candidate AKO – an anti-drug group. She was accompanied by PP Rudy Caisip of PDEA.

Our second speaker was Mr. Denny Milligan a retired California Attorney and former US Marine who spoke about the brave and honourable guerrillas and Philippine scouts of World War II. His message is that we should not forget the heroic deeds of those who fought for our freedom during the last world war, and that the youth of today should be reminded about the un-named Filipino soldier who fought to make our country what it is today.

More on our March 21 meeting, President Elect Therese Montecer announced the Club Officers and Service Directors who will serve during Rotary Year 2013-14 namely:

Vice President (Internal): PN Rose Caoc                                                

Vice President (External): PP Noni Topacio                           

Secretary: PP Jovie Sison                                                              

Treasurer: Rtn. Anita Tomas                                                        

Sgt.-At-Arms: PP E.G. Lim                                                             

Auditor: PN Rose Caoc                                                                                                                  

Membership Director: PP Doray Giorla                                  

TRF Chairs: PP Gina Sanchez & PP Jimmy Ortigas                                                           

Club Service Director: PP Tony Abola

Community Service Director: Rtn. Benny Pe

New Generations Proj. Dir.: IPP Jojo Bacarro

Public Image Director: PP Pol Leoncio

Ways and Means: Rtn. Hedy Huang & Rtn. Ompong Ordanez 

Club Service Directors: PP Manny Guia & Rtn. Jay Penaflor 

International Service: Rt, Bernard Morillo

Vocational Service: PP Nan Sallan

Club Trainer: PDG Pepe Peralta

Although Holy Thursday caused the cancellation of last week’s meeting, Rotary activities were still conducted during the (Holy) week. On Tuesday, March 26, Pres Jojo Bacarro and I picked up 20 sacks of bread from the home of ‘FDG’ Benny Pe and delivered the same to the inmates of the San Juan City Jail as our continuing City Harvest project. Also on the evening of March 26, Pres Jojo, AG Doray and PN Rose Caoc met to complete the report to be submitted to R.I. for the Presidential Citation.

Everyone was informed about the District Assembly (DISTAS) on April 27-28 at the Taal Vista Lodge. FDG Benny Pe made a motion that part of the earnings of the San Juan Rotary Foundation’s investment funds should be used to cover the registration costs of officers and directors at the coming DISTAS. This was approved by the body.

A Happy Easter to all. Cheers and enjoy Rotary J

Sec/PP Jovie