The Rotary Balita no. 784 (November 10, 1955)

Governor Danding had reasons to be pleased with his official visit to Baguio. The Rotary Club of Baguio which is functioning with one of the most efficient, administrations among the Rotary clubs in the Philippines had organized for the Governor a club assembly with a perfect program. Everything had been properly timed and formal discussions or entertainment duly taken cared of for the official visit which practically lasted three days of last week. On Friday, November 4, Governor Danding arrived in Baguio with his Rotary Ann and was met by a large delegation of Baguio Rotarians at the Kennon Road before the city limits. President Abe Abellera was present with his Board of Directors and a substantial group of Baguio Rotarians. After the first reception and exchange of pleasantries, Governor Danding went to work immediately and had a two-hour long conference with President Abe Abellera and Secretary of the club Mars Contemprate. On Friday evening, a club assembly was scheduled and after a fellowship dinner well attended by the chairmen of all the important committees the club assembly begun at 8 o'clock in the evening and lasted until near midnight. Governor Danding was highly impressed by the reports presented by each of the committee chairmen and especially by the discussions about problems that were formally introduced for solution by the club assembly. "LITTLE THINGS DONE..." President Abe could well be satisfied with the accomplishments of his club during the four months of his administration. He said so in plain words during his personal report to the Governor which was made verbally and was submitted in a brochure very well prepared where all the reports of the committees were attached and all the work planned for the Rotary year was detailed. President Abe's report which condensed the reports submitted by the different committees reads : I take great pleasure in reporting to you the complete satisfaction I have with the members of the Rotary Club of Baguio. The Directors of the four avenues of Service, all the directors of the Board and all the members could not really do more to satisfy one's desire for cooperation; it is complete. Of our program so far, there is not a Saturday where we did not have a guest speaker. It had been a feeling among the members of the program committee that meetings should be always with a speaker in order to minimize verbal contacts between members which had been sources of misunderstanding in the past. You can readily see in the reports of the Directors and the sub-chairman, the various projects which had been done so far; some are still being done; others still to be done. We believe in the saying: "Little things done are better than great things planned" We also believe in the other saying: "Big things planned are sources of joy when done" Here is the list of projects already finished and a few still being done. 1. Tree Planting Project - 5,500 pine trees planted along the Kennon Road, to the right of the Baguio General Hospital. 2. Giving of Magazines to the Service patients of the Baguio General Hospital. 3. Giving milk to operated patients at the Baguio General Hospital. 4. Writing of the History of the Rotary Club of Baguio. 5. Giving of the 4-Way Test plaques to 45 schools, businessmen and school teachers. 6. Contributions to Red Cross, Boy Scouts. 7. Blood Typing project which started on Sept. 3, 1955, and hope to continue every Saturday thru the term. 8. Sent all speakers words of thanks and now to be continued with certificates. 9. Sponsored a Chess tournament in the City. 10. Greeted all Rotarians on their birthday with appropriate card. 11. Giving of the 4-Way Test plaque to all members of the club. Here are some of the projects we have in mind but not yet done. We hope to do them all during the last six months of this administration, always with the support of all members. They have already been brought to the attention of the Board and the whole membership and approved for execution. 1. Donation of a RESUSCITATOR to the City of Baguio and placed at the Asin Hot Spring Swimming Compound. We know that some of the students and children drowned there in years past could have been saved if a resuscitator was present there. 2. Library. To help the students of the Bagus City High School enrich their library which to this day is practically nil due to the last war. We still believe in youth and his potentialities, and his mind should be fortified with the genius of the ages as found in the pages of worthy books. 3. Rotary Road Signs have been ordered and may be here in time for the District Conference. Our problem is the dollar to pay for them. 4. Gifts at Christmas time to deserving laborers (yearly affair of all Rotary administrations.) DISTRICT CONFERENCE PREPARATION On Saturday, Governor Danding addressed the club as part of his official duty during the club assembly. There was a meeting attended by Rotarians and Rotary Anns and numerous guests who filled up completely the dining room of the Pines Hotel. A most varied and entertaining program was prepared by President Abe and Chairman Ikong Reyes. Governor Danding addressed the club in a very inspired speech in which he analyzed the work ahead for the Rotary organizations in the years to come. In the afternoon there was again a four-hour conference in which Governor Danding discussed with the Baguio Rotarians in charge of the project the details of the District Conference to be held on February 23 to 26, 1955. Past Governor Nanding Manalo as chairman of the District Conference Committee presented his plans which were thoroughly discussed with the other committee members sp pointed by Governor Danding. This conference had to be suspended for the formal dinner offered to Governor Danding by President Abe and his Rotary Ann Angie at their residence. President Abe went out of his way to properly entertain the Governor and invited not only all the Baguio Rotarians and their Rotary Anns but also numerous other guests including many Manila Rotarians who were in Baguio at the time. Familiar faces were seen at this dinner of Rotarians from Manila like past governors Emy Javier and Marianito Lichauco, past President of Malolos Naning Bustos, Manila Rotarians Romy Villonco, Pacoy Lopez and Bert Parsons, San Fernando Rotarian John Brickley and many others. The sumptuous dinner offered by President Abe and his Rotary Ann ended at midnight of Saturday. On Sunday morning, on the third day of his visit to Baguio, Governor Danding again met with President Abe Abellera, Chairman Ikong Reyes, past governor Nanding Manalo, Secretary Mars Contemprate and past president Vic de Guia, This time final details were taken up regarding the District Conference and all the plans for the visit of President A. Z. Baker on December 11 were laid out. Ikong Reyes as chairman of this particular affair submitted his program to Governor Danding and all the final details were agreed upon. It was a very successful visit to the Rotary Club of Baguio and a most fruitful conference with the Baguio Rotarians. Governor Danding was visibly pleased when he left for Manila on Sunday evening with his club assembly realized and all the programs finally agreed for the visit of President A. Z. Baker and the important events scheduled for the District Conference next February. The Baguio Rotarians have proven once more the magnificent organization of their club and the splendid way in which they can combine the Rotary work with the outstanding fellowship of which they are considered the best exponent among our Rotary clubs. Modestly President Abe could say that little things have been accomplished but the Rotary Club of Baguio gave a proof last week during the visit of Governor Danding that no little things could come from it but on the contrary that the Rotary example finds one of the best media in the Baguio Rotarian They gave during that fruitful visit of the Governor more credit to the well-extended belief that in followship they are ahead of many other similar organizations and that they can convert into big things no matter what little project they undertake. President Abe could very well be happy with the cooperation he has received from his members and District 48 can he very proud of the Baguio Rotary Club as Governor Danding said during his speech.

No words of praise can sufficiently cover the efficient manner, the splendid way in which the Rotary spirit prevailed during the different conferences and assemblies and how this Rotary spirit was also translated into splendid plans and projects for the good of the community.