DISCON 2015

For more of the most active members and leaders from all of the clubs throughout RI District 3810 gathered at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel last Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, to celebrate 110 years of Rotary service. Even before the program officially began Friday after lunch, many of the International, Regional & District leaders and club presidents had already gathered at the Rizal and Paul Harris Monuments for laying of wreaths. Such an important gathering also attracted television and the press for interviews, and a district photography contest gallery (new feature) and trade fair were opened.

The opening plenary session began with a thunderous procession of "Best Class" Presidents, Executive Committee Members and Dignitaries. "Thunderous" because we had all been encouraged to bring New Year's style noise makers to welcome our respective clubs during the entrance and roll-call. Your club did its best, but we were blown away by clubs where all their attendees had very loud commercial duty police whistles and bullhorns! And that was just the beginning of the racket, as host club RC Chinatown Manila contributed a boisterous Lion and Dragon performance by the Ling Nam athletic Association. As we were called to order by DG Edmond Aguilar, colors were presented by the Philippine Marines and the national anthems of Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines were offered by the Emilio Aguinaldo College Choir. Gov. "Mond" gave his State of the District address, detailing the numerous accomplishments in his term to date. Rotary International President's Representative Hoe Beng Fong, from RC Singapore East (RID 3310), offered a highly congratulatory yet inspirational plenary speech. Next, RID 2820 (Japan) Governor Shoichi Fuji delivered an address.

One of the highlights of the day was introduction of the "Rotary Flame," by PP N.K Gopalinath of the Rotary Club of Madras in Chennai to help complete the global campaign to eradicate polio worldwide. RC Madras is the oldest club in India (86 yrs) and they promised to send representatives to our 100th anniversary if we will do the same. As we all know, Rotary's PolioPlus initiative started right here in the Philippines, at a time when there were more than 350,000 cases per year. There was a total of about 400 cases reported last year in the three countries where polio remains endemic: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. But when we started this campaign in 1988, India had been perhaps the biggest hurdle of all, with the most cases of polio of any country. Now declared polio free for three years, grateful Rotarians there decided to create a symbol to help go the last mile in eradicating polio by 2018. Fire is a benevolent symbol in India, and the Rotary Flame was passed on to our district on its winding global journey through thirteen countries, that will culminate in Brazil this June at the RI Global Conference. Please honor this initiative and make an additional contribution to The Rotary Foundation so that we can complete this biggest project in the history of our illustrious organization (contributions also count towards Paul Harris Fellow recognition).

The assembly adjourned to the Sunset Pavilion – Garden area for Cocktails and fellowship, with a fine fireworks display. Lechon baboy (pig), Lechon baka (beef) and Lechon manok (chicken) were generously donated by individual members of host RC Chinatown Manila. Our own PP Benny Leguesma was Co-Emcee with DCC Liza Elorde for the Mardi Gras Talent night. Teams from the four areas in the district competed with well-rehearsed, professionally choreographed dramatic dance sequences. Our Manila area cohort was led by the Grand Wizard himself, RCM President Frank Evaristo, who took the first place award.

Saturday morning had simultaneous meetings of Early Act, Interact, Rotaract and RYLA in the main ballroom, featuring a special presentation by our Tuloy sa Don Bosco street children, while our DISCON Business Meeting was conducted in another room. PDG Concordio Baguio (RID 3870) gave an inspirational speech on Living up to Rotary's Principles and Ideals.

For many of us in RCM, the highlight of the Saturday morning plenary session was awards and recognition. President Frank received a presidential citation for our club having met its goals during our mid-year review. Several additional members who had not already been recognized last October received loyalty awards, including GOLD LOYALTY PIN WITH DIAMOND - PDG Frankie Roman, 52 years, GOLD LOYALTY PIN – PDG Relly Reyes, 39 years; PP Boy Guevara, 39 years; PT Jim Chua, 39 years; PD Bebot Pineda, 35 years; Rtn. Jing Lapus, 33 years; PDSAA Tony Lopa, 32 years, Treasurer Chito Tagaysay, 31 years and PSAA Fred Lim, 28 years, SILVER LOYALTY PIN - IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, 23 years; Dir. Susing Pineda, 22 years; Rtn. Butch Tamayo, 19 years; PD Lito Sibayan, 18 years; PD Armie Aquino, 16 years and Rtn. Warren So, 15 years, BRONZE LOYALTY PIN – PP Benny Laguesma, 13 years; PD Alvin Lacambacal, 13 years; PD Ner Lonzaga, 12 years; VP Teddy Ocampo, 10 years; Dir. Amading Valdez, 10 years; Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, 8 years and PE/VP Ebot Tan, 8 years. Of course, we were ecstatic for the only gold pin with diamond for fifty or more years of service in Rotary in the district to be awarded to our very own PP/PDG Frankie Roman!

A special cultural heritage award was bestowed on our club's dear friend, Rtn Kenji Mori, who through our club has donated almost priceless and exceptionally rare Rizaliana to the National Library of the Philippines, and who is now undertaking to equip every district and every province in the country with a state of the art fully equipped e-library.

During lunch, which was served without recess, we witnessed the signing of an historic sisterhood between our own RID 3810 and RID 3450 Hong Kong, represented by DG Belinda Yeung. This district sisterhood was conceived and engineered by immediate past RIPR David Harilela, who was present again this year, flowing his inspirational message last year. Later in the evening, I asked him if his district enjoyed the same singing and dancing as do we, and he said, "Well, maybe the singing, but definitely not the dancing." He was really impressed with how our fellowships bonded our groups. Awards were presented to clubs for membership gains, TRF recognition, Discon registration (Host RC Chinatown Manila had registered almost every single one of their membership!), and photography contest winners.

ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy had the honor to introduce the District Governor Elect, our own Roberto Pagdanganan. Obet gave an excellent and exemplary speech, thoroughly professional in both content and delivery. Just like in his speech before our club last week, he was rehearsed and comfortable, confident and positive, giving more content in fifteen minutes than you would think possible. Obet was a tough act to follow, but if anybody was up to it, it was famous platform speaker Francis Kong, the 2014 Outstanding Filipino Awardee for Business and Entrepreneurship. Francis makes his living inspiring excellence, delivering more than 320 speeches every year throughout the country. Indeed, he did an outstanding job doing just that with us, and we were very fortunate to have him with us. A closing plenary address was delivered by RIPR Hoe Beng Fong, as well as by DG Mond Aguilar.

Following a time to refresh and change, we returned to the ballroom for the Governor's Ball with Millionaire's Raffle Draw. Attired in Mardi Gras gowns for the ladies and Rio attire for the men, we were amazed with the sights of our area presidential teams, joined by the district leadership team, in yet another round of competitive dance! Alas, I am not a "Sambaista," so I simply had to envy the colorful ruffles which adorned all of the male performers. In short, it seems that everyone in attendance had a good time.

There is another critical aspect: next year, it is our club that bears the huge responsibility of hosting this same event. Consider these facts: there were seventeen committees, each with three to six members and most committees had one or members from host club, RC Chinatown Manila. Of all the committees operating this year, RC Manila had only one representative, ICOS Rudy. Of course, next year, he's going to be busier than ever assisting Obet. Gentlemen, we have our work cut out for ourselves. If we do not stand up to the challenge, it is not just a bad reflection on Obet and incoming President Ebot, it will be a seriously negative reflection on our club and our potential to put forward our finest people for district service in the future. It's not too early to tell Obet, Rudy and Ebot that you are ready and willing to help as needed. Please be thinking already about what you might be able to commit to with passion and dedication to help you club. This is an important milestone on our path to celebrating our centennial, let's do our very best to fulfill the promise to be not only the first, but truly the premier Rotary Club in all of Asia.