The Rotary Balita no. 757 (November 4, 1954).

PROVISIONAL CLUB
On 17 June 1950, then incumbent Rotary Governor "Emy" Javier and past Governor "Marianito" Lichauco motored to this City to help lay down the groundwork for the organization of a local Rotary Club.

In a luncheon-meeting held at the local YWCA building, "Emy" and "Marianito" took turns explaining the ideals and purposes of Rotary to a receptive crowd of local businessmen and professionals. The meet paved the way to formation of a provisional Rotary Club of San Pablo, with "Toni" Azores and "Juaning" Hernandez being chosen as provisional president and secretary, respectively.

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP
The composition of the charter membership in the club, twenty-one of them, was immediately worked out and all the necessary papers were prepared for transmittal to Rotary International Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The following were chosen as Charter Members, to wit:

Emilio "Emil" Alcalde, Alonso "Alon" Alcantara, Feliciano "Sanoy" Alcantara, Antonio "Toni" Azores, Pablo "Paul" Banayo, Joseph "Joe" Benedict. Archimedes "Archie" Brion, Enrique "Iking" Capistrano, Cirilo "CC" Constantino, Calixto "Calix" Deveza, Theobald "Theo" Diehl, Elizer "Eli" Dioso, Senen "Seny" Faylon, Juan "Juaning" Hernandez, Johannes "Johan" Jansen, Lim Tek Chong "Chong", Lim Tek Goan "Bio", Paulo "Pal" Macasaet, Pastor "Pasky" Mariño, Bonifacio "Boni" Reyes and Werner "Werner" Schetelig.

ADMITTED AS CHARTER NO. 7546
On 5 June 1950, then incumbent Governor "Emy" Javier received a cablegram from R.I. Headquarters, stating thus: "SAN PABLO CHARTER 7546 ADMITTED FIVE JUNE PLEASE ADVISE CLUB LOVEJOY''. "Emy" promptly phoned "Toni" Azores who was then in Manila, and the latter immediately sent a wire to his secretary, "Juaning" Hernandez instructing him to call a special meeting for the three-fold purpose of appraising the provisional members of the approval of the local charter, electing the charter officers, and planning out the inauguration and charter presentation.
CHARTER OFFICERS
The special meeting was held on 8 June 1950 at a downtown restaurant with the following elected as charter and first officers, to wit:
Prezident: Antonio "Toni" Azores Vice-President: Theobald "Theo" Diehl
Secretary: Juan "Juaning" Hernandez
Treasurer: Lim Tek Goan "Bio" Directors: Werner "Werner" Schetelig
Paulo "Pal" Macasaet
Pastor "Pasky" Mariño

CHARTER PRESENTATION
However, before the Club could plan out a more elaborate celebration to commemorate its charter presentation, "Toni" Azores informed the membership of Governor "Emy" Javier's desire to hurry up the charter presentation in order that the local Club might be represented at the then forthcoming- ing R.I. Convention in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., en 18-22 June 1950.

Hence, on 11 June 1950, "Emy" Javier, without the benefit of fanfare, formally presented Charter No. 7546 to the Rotary Club of San Pablo, through its First and Founder President "Toni" Azores, at a simple ceremony in the Court of First Instance Building of this City. Brother Rotarians. from Manila, Malolos, Batangas and Lucena were among those who came to well-wish the new Club and to share with it the joy of being a part of such a great international brotherhood in service. Past Governor "Marianito" Lichauco delivered the inspirational talk of the day.

FIRST YEAR IN SERVICE
Consistent with its inauspicious beginning, the Rotary Club of San Pablo had avoided unnecessary publicity. It had maintained, therefore, a policy of timidity in its ventures.

Major project of the year was launched in January, 1951, when the Club started on its Pig-Raising Project. Sponsored by "Boni" Reyes, this plan called for the initial bringing up of some four (4) gilts the prospective female litter of which shall be distributed free to deserving poor folks in the community on the condition that the latter will return to the Club one female from their respective litters which in turn will be taken care of by the Club to be raised, propagated and distributed again, and so on. This project attracted national attention and was given newspaper and radio publicity by no less than the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sixteen families have already benefited from this.

Other achievements of the Club included participation in local civic and social activities, financial contributions particularly to the City's underprivileged, and donations most notable of which was that consisting of 500 test tubes and 100 Petri dishes to Mr. Martin S. Celino, a soil biochemist, to encourage the latter in his researches on local soil molds which are potential sources of antibiotics, like penicillin and streptomycin.

FIRST ANNIVERSARY
On 14 July 1951, the Rotary Club of San Pablo celebrated its first anniversary with Rotarian "Remy" Carlos P. Romulo, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Philippine Delegate to the United Nations, Former President of UN General Assembly and Past Vice-President of Rotary International, as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Musical numbers were rendered by Miss Juanita R. Javier, lyric soprano, vocal quartet by Rene Antonio, 1st tenor, Rodolfo Gonzales, 2nd tenor, Jerry Joven, Baritone, and Teddy Estrada, Bass: and a violin solo by Miss Pilar Benavides. The following officers were inducted by "Romy" Romulo, to wit:

President: Antonio "Toni" Azores (Re-elected)
Vice-President: Pastor "Pasky" Mariño
Secretary: Archimedes "Archie" Brion
Treasurer: Calixto "Calix" Deveza
Directors: Juan "Juaning" Hernandez
Joseph "Joe" Benedict
Artemio "Tim" Fule
Sergeant-at-arms: Senen H. Faylon

SECOND YEAR IN SERVICE
In its second year, the Rotary Club of San Pablo was sure that its feet had been planted on solid ground, thus, embarked on several ambitious undertakings. The results proved history-making.
First, arising from a common desire to promote fellowship, attendance requirements underwent strict observance. No privileges were given, no exceptions invoked, so much so that from the first year's cellar berths, the Rotary Club of San Pablo catapulted to first place in District No. 48, a feat which enabled it to capture the coveted TED HALL ATTENDANCE TROPHY.

Second, a project was drawn up in an effort to help the community's poor who need but cannot afford to have legal, medical or dental attention. Rotarian doctors, lawyers and dentists banded together and formed the so-called "Free-Aid Clinics" which are now proving boon to their beneficiaries.

Third accomplishment was the result of an attempt to put into practice one of Rotary's cardinal policies, namely: to initiate a movement and then endorse it to proper agencies for final disposition. This was the motive for taking up the rehabilitation and relighting of war-torn Rizal Avenue. After work on the rotunda was finished and a portion of the main avenue driveway begun, the Club turned the project over to the local administration which formally took over the task of pushing it to completion.

Fourth, in the interest of tourism, the Club endorsed and initiated a move to convert the Sampalok Lake into a tourist center; also, it petitioned the Philippine Tourist Bureau for the training of "tourist guides" among local residents. The idea was favorably commented upon by the newspapers and radio networks.

Fifth, local veterans of the Korean war during the hectic days of 1951 were fittingly honored and
financially assisted by the Club. Low-salaried local government employees received Christmas gifts. Children became beneficiaries of Christmas cheers during the special programs and amateur singing contests conducted by the Club.

Sixth, the Club invited as special guests "The Messengers" of World Peace, a group of undergraduates from the University of Paris headed by an Egyptian who were on a good-will-round-the world tour on very limited travel money ($5.00 each). The day's fine was turned over to them as a token of the Club's appreciation for their effort to help advance international good-will and understanding.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY
On 1 July 1952, the Rotary Club of San Pablo celebrated its second anniversary with Rotarian "Balmie" Cornelio Balmaceda, Secretary of Commerce and Industry, Economist, Lawyer and Newspaperman, as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Rotarian "Vic" Vicente Arguelles, Judge, Court of First Instance of San Pablo, inducted the following Officers, to wit:

President: Theobald "Theo" Diehl
Vice-President: Archimedes "Archie" Brion
Secretary: Senen "Seny" Faylon
Treasurer: Feliciano "Sanoy" Alcantara
Directors: Antonio "Toni" Azores
Joseph "Joe" Benedict
Claro "Clarito" Robles
Sergeant-at-arms: Alonso "Alon" Alcantara

The following Rotarians were awarded for their outstanding work in their respective avenues of
service, to wit:

Most outstanding Rotarian: Antonio "Toni" Azores

Club Service: Archimedes "Archie" Brion
Community Service: Juan "Juaning" Hernandez
Vocational Service: Joseph "Joe" Benedict
Best Project: Bonifacio "Boni" Reyes

THIRD YEAR IN SERVICE
In its third year, the Rotary Club of San Pablo had grown to 39 members, and, indicative of its stability, had become two-time winner of the TED HALL ATTENDANCE TROPHY for being first in the Rotary District No. 48 in Club Attendance. It also won the MANALO CUP for having the most number of members with 100% attendance in the whole district.

On 13 December 1952, the wake of the big fire which gutted down almost one block of the City's commercial section, the Club rushed aid to the victims in the form of relief packages each containing a blanket, towel, cans of sardines, and a pound of sugar. It also sent financial aid to the fire victims of Batangas through the Rotary Club of Batangas in April, 1953.

The most outstanding achievement of the Rotary Club of San Pablo to date is the rehabilitation and re-lighting of the City Plaza and the Rizal Avenue Driveway. Because of the City Government's failure to get a bidder for a measly appropriation of P2,000 for the rehabilitation of the driveway, the Club, through the personal direction of Rotarian JOE BENEDICT, undertook the work at a great financial sacrifice.

The Rotary Club of San Pablo donated sum of money to Mr. Pedro Coniconde, an artist born in this City, who was able to go to the United States for further study in Art. The Club also gave financial aids to the local Police Fund Drive, Red Cross, YMCA Youth Camping, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, UNAC, Anti-TB Drive and many other charitable institutions.

THIRD ANNIVERSARY
On 7 July 1953, the Rotary Club of San Pablo celebrated its third anniversary with Hon. Arsenio H. Lacson, Mayor of Manila, as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Musical numbers were rendered by Don David, Tenor of the Year, and Miss Conching Rosal, Soprano. Col. Juan C. Relosa, by Resolution No. 1, was elected as Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of San Pablo. Hon. Jose M. Mendoza, Judge, Court of First Instance of San Pablo, inducted the following Officers, to wit:

President: Archimedes "Archie" Brion
Vice-President: Joseph "Joe" Benedict
Secretary: Enrique "Iking" Capistrano
Treasurer: Maximino "Minong" Mageas
Directors: Theobald "Theo" Diehl
Lim Tek Goan "Bio"
Cirilo "CC" Constantino
Sergeant-at-arms: Miguel "Mike" Suarez

The following Rotarians were recipients of awards for their outstanding work in their respective avenues of service, to wit:

Club Service: Feliciano "Sanoy" Alcantara
Community Service: Lim Tek Goan "Bio"
Vocational Service: Cirilo "CC" Constantino
International Service: Werner "Werner" Schetelig

BEGINNING OF FOURTH YEAR IN SERVICE
Barely three months have passed in our fourth year in Service, Rotary Year 1953-54, and the Rotary Club of San Pablo has already done many things worth mentioning in this brief history. In Club Service, aside from maintaining high percentage in monthly attendance, members donated their blood to the late Rotary Ann Gabriela Villongco de Macasaet (R.I.P.). Many members also donated their precious blood to the Red Cross Blood Bank. Financial aid was extended to the purchase of school site in Barrio del Remedio of this City. The Club also donated one sewing machine to the Home Economics of Santa Elena Barrio School. The Club sent relief goods to the fire victims of Lucena through the Rotary Club of Lucena.

Thus has the history of the Rotary Club of San Pablo for the last three years and three months been written, a history of selfless and devoted service to community welfare. With such a record in so brief a span of existence, there is every reason to believe that civic enterprise in the City of San Pablo has come of age.