Early Morning Call to Duty: A Most Unusual and Spectacular Turnover and Induction

Philippine Rotary Club induction and turnover events follow a very traditional format. A club holds a meeting either at the usual appointed time and place or in the evening at a special function hall such as a hotel ballroom. In both versions, many invited guests, including district officers and leadership teams, the current and past district governors, presidents of other clubs in the district, special family and friends of the incoming president, and perhaps additional dignitaries join the club members to solemnize the obligations of the incoming club officers and board, and to celebrate and enjoy a special fellowship.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. In a first for District 3810, the 10th Turnover and Induction of RC Manila 101 actually began at 6:30 a.m.(!), meaning many of us had only a couple of hours of sleep, having participated not only in a full day-long Rotary seminar the previous day, but also several social functions the previous evening. Fortunately, popular caffeinated beverages were flowing freely.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines was the venue. MMDA closed all the adjacent roads (i.e. Roxas Blvd) to all traffic for special function, making access challenging for program participants. The induction was held outside the main entrance on the CCP driveway. Yes, it was very hot with the morning sun blazing down on all.

Governor Obet Pagdanganan conducted the induction of WCP Majella Tumangan Villaroman and the entire incoming leadership team of officers and directors. Senator Cynthia Villar, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, and – even more special – RIPE John Germ, with RI Director Guiller Tumangan (Majella’s uncle), and Majella’s mom, 101’s charter president Tess Tumangan administered the oaths of office.

RC Manila 101 is fostering at least one initiative in each of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus, plus at least one Road Safety initiative in response to Governor Obet’s challenge. The first phase of their Road Safety program included more than 200 motorcycles and their riders from the Vespa Riders Association, the BMW Motorcycle Rider’s Club, the Motorcycle Association of the Philippine bikers, and Women Firefighters cyclists, all of whom took a Road Safety oath administered by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, along with Philippines Global Road Safety Partnership Executive Director John Susaning. Then the motorcycles paraded past the assembly and drove off, not into the sunset, but into the sunrise. I hope that the promises they made will actually mean something to them and we will have at least a few more thoughtful motorcyclists in metro Manila.

Everybody went back inside, grateful to sit down in the air-conditioned lobby. However, we did not sit for long. WCP Majella called us to order and all arose for the invocation, the singing of the national anthems of the United States (RIPE Germ is an American) and the Philippines, and the very upbeat club hymn.

We sat back down and PDG Ed Tumangan, Majella’s father, introduced a hearty list of dignitaries, including Senator Cynthia Villar, three Congressmen and women, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, Makati Mayor Kid Pena, Philippines Global Road Safety Partnership Executive Director Eng. John Susaning, DOH Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag, 101 past president Manny Pacquiao was mentioned (but not actually there), Philippines Red Cross Executive Secretary Dr. Gwen Pang, District Governor Obet Pagdanganan, PDG Edmond Aguilar, PDG Karen Lee Tamayo, PDG Ernesto Y. Choa, PDG Connie Beltran, PDG Ed Tumangan, PDG Eduardo Alvarez, Chief of Staff Rudy Bediones, District Secretary Dolly Velouanang, DGE Ernesto Yuyek, and DGN Loy Cosico. Many additional district officials and World Class Presidents were recognized, including our own President Ebot Tan.

WCP Majella deftly used a PowerPoint presentation to address 101’s commitment to “Be a Gift to the World,” with their initiatives in each of the six areas of focus. Ten new members were inducted by Gov Obet, including 101’s youngest, a true “baby” Rotarian at only 21 years of age!

Then PDG District Rotary Foundation Chair Paco Atayde introduced the Paul Harris major donors. These included Majella, who has only been a member of the club a little more than a year, having repatriated after many years in the San Francisco Bay area. She is a true FilAm, with dual citizenship. The club launched its “End Polio Now” program, including recognition of special End Polio donors by SDG PP Liza Elorde (Chair of the club’s TRF committee).

RIPE Germ gave a keynote address, and it was not the same as the keynote from Thursday night! This speech was very adaptive to what he had already experienced on this trip and especially that morning so far. The club gave him a special token of appreciation: a beautiful Castrillo bronze tabletop sculpture. All of the Manila 101 members present then sang along and danced to “Happy.” Rahms Ciriaco recorded a video of that performance and I shared it to my Facebook feed, so you can watch it there.

RIPE Germ and RID Director Tumangan departed for Tarlac for a D3770 event, passing through the Rotary Mobile eLearning van on the way.

Senator Villar gave her usual address on Environment, Climate Change, and Livelihood Projects. If you ever heard her speak before, you already know exactly what she said.

The Mobile eLearning Computer English Comprehension Vocational Training project mentioned earlier is a TRF Global Grant in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Sarasota (Florida), represented by PDG Richard Rehmeyer, President Vicente Medina and prominent ophthalmologist Dr. Icasiano Santos, who has conducted many vision camps and Rotary eye surgery missions. RC 101’s flagship “Education in Motion” program recognized the ten top schools and teachers from the last year. A club sisterhood agreement was executed between 101 and Sarasota.

The meeting concluded with a brief address by Governor Obet. It was brief because the program was running more than ninety minutes over. As is often our practice, a fellowship followed with singing and dancing. Later there was an after party attended by some of the district officers and some of the WCP’s including, of course, Presidents Majella and Ebot.

Overall, it was a very extraordinary induction and turnover. Manila 101 is a very different club from ours, demonstrating the diversity of clubs, formats, programs, priorities, activities and memberships. RCM was represented by Gov Obet Pagdanganan, President Ebot Tan, PP/COS Rudy Bediones, PP/AG Frank Evaristo, PP Cesar Ubaldo, and yours truly, PVP/TRF Co-Chair Lance Masters.