The Rotary Balita no. 754 (September 23, 1954)

Introduction It was in September 1949, when District Governor "Emy" Javier requested Mr. Mariano M. Ilano, Manager of the Philippine National Bank, Lucena Branch, to organize a Rotary Club in Lucena under the sponsorship of the Manila Rotary Club. At first, Mr. Ilano declined the invitation reasoning out that he was very busy then with other service clubs and civic organizations of which he was an extraordinarily active member; but after a series of interchange of letters between them, wherein Governor "Emy" kept on expounding the importance of a Rotary Club, Mr. Ilano, in December 1949, accepted the challenge. He looked around for good materials, scanned the list of members in the numerous clubs and civic organizations in Lucena and then, using the Y's Men's Club and the Lucena Jaycee as his guide, he selected and obtained the approval of some twenty six prospective members. Messrs. Primo Carmona, Engracio Jalbuena and Florencio Salvacion were the first ones to accept the idea. They went to see Mr. Ilano for some business with the bank; and before the transaction was completed, they had consented to become Rotarians. Encouraged by that success, Mr. Ilano lost no time in personally interviewing prospective members some in their homes, others at their offices and in recreation halls. When I was invited by "Ano" (Mr. Ilano) to become a member of the proposed Rotary Club of Lucena, I had a very vague idea of what Rotary was, what it could bring to the members and to the community. However, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation because I knew that "Ano" shall not organize a club unless there is something gainful for the members and the community. In selecting members for the Rotary Club, Ano was primarily guided by the activities of the pros- peet on civic affairs. He might be only the next. outstanding figure in town on his chosen business or profession, but if he rated high on civic activi- ties, then, he was chosen as prospective member. That was the philosophy of "Ano" and time has proven it to be the right philosophy. The Formal Organization On 3 December, 1949, the selected group of 26 members held its first luncheon meeting at the Lucena Men's Club. Governor Emy Javier and Past Governor Marianito Lichauco took turns in explaining and expounding the object of the organization, its function and its activities. Temporary officers were appointed. Then, by unanimous vote, the following were elected permanent officers: Mariano "Ano" Ilano, President; Pedro "Perico" Insua, Vice-President; Mariano "Naning" Agcaoili, Secretary; Amado "Pal" Palillo, Treasurer; Honobalance to be paid, on installment, by the ensuing administration. During that Rotary year, five (5) new members were admitted into the club and nine (9) were drepped due to change of residence or at their own request. Those admitted to the club were: "Abe" Diaz, "Fang" Po Jen, "Lo Yee" Hing, "Epep" Pavon and "Johnny C" San Juan. At the close of that Rotary year, the club had 32 active members. For the year 1953-54, the incoming officers were inducted into office by Immediate-Past-President Romy S. Mata in the presence of Immediate-Past- President Hans Menzi of the Rotary Club of Manila, who was the Guest Speaker on the induction program. In his inaugural address, the President initiated a program of work by the club along community service, particularly, the improvement of the present water system in Lucena, and a new sanitary market for the town of Lucena, He also sought the cooperation of the members of the club to give at least three hours of their precious time a week to committee work on Rotary. As of October 15, 1953, the club had accomplished the following: (1) Celebration of Teacher's Day: During the luncheon meeting, a citation was given to Hon. Venancio Trinidad, Asst. Director of the Bureau of Public Schools, as champion of the teaching profession; a citation to the Public School Teachers, Division of Quezon, for their contribution to community development; and to Mr. Candido Pelipada, for his contribution to the early education of several members of the club. (2) Project on improvement of Water System of Lucena: Plans and specifications were completed; necessary fund for the construction was secured by the Municipality of Lucena from the RFC amounting to P150,000.00; 10.5 kilometers of pipes, 8 inches diameter were hauled to Lucena from the warehouse of the FOA (formerly MSA) as aid of the FOA to this project; and public close bidding for the construction of a reservoir and the lying of pipes is being called for on October 19, 1953. (3) Project on Lucena Public Market: Working plans for the market based on a previous study plan presented by the Bureau of Public Works and approved by the Municipal Council of Lucena were completed by the Bureau of Public Works on August 12, 1953, estimate of which was about 90 per cent completed when work on the estimate was ordered stopped as the Municipal Council na decided for a larger market after the conflagration on 21 September. Plan for a bigger market worth more than half a million pesos is now under preparation by the Bureau of Public Works at Manila. (4) Project on crippled children: Miss Presentacion Barlan, harelip child, was operated successfully on October 9, 1953 thru Daddy Hart, Field Executive of the Band of Mercy. The club donated sixty five pesos (P65.00) to cover the expenses. The operation was a success. During the present administration, the TAYABENSE, the official organ of the club, is being published regularly every Wednesday, copies of which are being sent to the Secretariat of Rotary International, the District Governor and the Rotary Clubs of District 48th. Up to date, the club has reinstated three former Rotarians, has admitted four new members and has dropped four members, two of which had left for United States to further their studies for a period of more than a year.