Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila and Rotaract Club of De La Salle - College of St. Benilde Hold Joint Induction

The Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila and the Rotaract Club of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, both sponsored clubs of the Rotary Club of Manila, the First in Asia, held their Joint Handover and Induction Ceremonies, entitled, "On to Greater Heights", last November 17, 2017 at the Davao Room of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. The evening began with the call to order of the Presidents of both clubs.

DE Raffy Alunan was the Guest of Honor and Speaker as he inspired the Rotaractors that evening to action and do their share with respect to the One Rotary One Philippines One for Marawi Project. Likewise, during the said event, IPSDG/IPDCoS/DE/IPD Albert Alday, Chair of the New Generations Committee and Rtn. Jason Ong, Co-Chair of the New Generations Committee who himself was a Past District Rotaract Representative, presented the Charter Certificate and the Bell and Gavel Set donated by IPCoS/PSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo to Rotaract Club of De La Salle - College of St. Benilde Great President Reuel Dan Barrales.

IPSDG/IPDCoS/DE/IPD Albert Alday undertook the Charging of Officers for both Rotaract clubs while DRR Lysa Bulosan inducted the officers into office. Rotaract Club of De La Salle University-Manila Great President Rychel Namol and Rotaract Club of De La Salle - College of St. Benilde Great President Reuel Dan Barrales inducted their respective new members into office after DRRE Maria Helene Jovellanos administered the Charging of New Members.

The posh event was attended by Manila Rotarians, namely, IPSDG/PAG/PP Frank Evaristo, DE Raffy Alunan, IPSDG/IPDCoS/DE/IPD Albert Alday, PD Oscar del Rosario and Rtn. Jason Ong as well as parents of Rotaractors who are Rotarians themselves like Rtn. Roberto Barrales of Rotary Club of Payatas in Quezon City and IPP Anne Zapanta-Tacogdoy together with her spouse, Rtn. Edwin Tacogdoy of the Rotary Club of Antique. Santy Palacios, son of Hans Palacios also graced the occasion.

The highlight of the evening was when DRR Lysa Bulosan mentioned that Rotaract Club of De La Salle University-Manila was the largest Rotaract club in District 3810 with 250 members while the newly-chartered Rotaract Club of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde has been making record numbers with 130 members on their maiden Rotary year. She likewise mentioned the strong participation of the Rotaract Club of De La Salle University-Manila in international Rotaract activities such as the Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference last year where it sent a big delegation of Rotaractors. Further, she mentioned that in the light of the fast approaching centennial of the Rotary Club of Manila, the Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila is likewise celebrating its 20th Anniversary this coming Rotary Year 2018-2019.

Both newly-inducted Great Presidents delivered their respective Welcome Addresses before the night ended in grandeur with photo opportunities left and right which were followed by an afterparty at the Tipsy Pig Gastropub in Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig where the fellowship continued. Indeed, both clubs lived up to the motto of Rotaract, "Fellowship Through Service". These Rotaractors sincerely expressed their gratitude to the Rotary Club of Manila, the First in Asia, led by President Jimmie Policarpio for being the major sponsor of the event and for the club's continuous support in their worthwhile