The Rotary Balita no. 748 (June 24, 1954)

The contest opened a few months ago by the editors of the Balita which was intended to give prizes for the BEST DEFINITION OF ROTARY was closed as announced on June 10th. Numerous entries mostly from provincial Rotarians were delivered to the three judges who, a few days later, turned out with their verdict. The winners were two provincial Rotarians, Frank Aniag, from Malolos and Milvir Virata from Cavite who won second and third prize respectively. The first prize was unanimously awarded to Karl Kreutz from Manila. It was a heavy task for the judges who had to select among very well written articles. They gave consideration to the length of the articles, to the accuracy of the figures contained in some of them and to several other factors. They had comments for all of the entries and a combination of the respective findings of the judges was the determining factor in the selection of the awardees. It is to be remarked that there was no disagreement among the judges on the selection of the first choice. Their opinion was summarized by one of the judges who wrote that the entry was entitled to a first choice "because it so aptly expresses the meaning of Rotary and still is short and concise." There was no unanimity however for the second and third prizes but the merits of the entries considered and the number of votes obtained, gave the second and third claim respectively to the entries of Frank Aniag, Past President of the Malolos Rotary Club, and to Milvir Virata, President of the Cavite Club. The Balita does not think proper at this time to reveal the names of the judges but we will not make a special secret of this fact. We will say nevertheless that they were all Senior Active members of the Rotary Club of Manila. Two of them were past governors and one past president of the Manila Club. They are considered and esteemed by everybody as representatives of the highest virtues in our organization. President Danding will personally deliver today to the winners the trophies that were offered by the Balita editors. We are sure that they will cherish these trophies for the meaning that they involve in Rotary of an award given to somebody who thinks and acts as a Rotarian. The principles involved in their entries have to be a reflection of their individual temperaments. And those are certainly expressions of Rotarians at heart. For the general information of our Manila Rotarians, we will quote below the entries submitted that won the three prizes: FIRST PRIZE Won by KARL KREUTZ, of Manila Rotary Rotary is a highway to cherished friendships I might otherwise have missed. The way is paved. with "Service," which means being helpful without expecting personal gain. My guideposts are the outstretched hand, a friendly word of fellowship, enthusiastic cooperation in club projects, and observance of ethical business standards. Milestones are first-name camaraderie, a wholesome interest in others, tolerant understanding. My Rotary highway leads straight into the heart of men of good will everywhere. 2ND PRIZE Won by FRANK ANIAG, of Malolos Rotary Rotary, to my own way of thinking, may be defined as man's affirmative (and of course positive). answer to the centuries - old challenge "Am I my brother's keeper?" - and this is how I see it to be So: So many centuries ago a challenge was sounded to this world, and to this challenge every man man yes, - had been expected to answer and to respond. The challenge was none other than the one embodied in this line: "Am I my brother's Frank Anlag keeper?" Since then, thousands of years had elapsed and many generations had perished before that challenging question found its true and acceptable answer in the hearts of men. Thanks God that about fifty years ago, or to be exact, on February 23, 1905, God had so willed it that this world be privileged to receive from Him, through the hands and mind of Paul Harris, an organization through which and by which man could have expressed, in concrete and tangible form, the very answer to that challenge. Yes, the great answer to that great challenge had been found through the advent of the world-wide Rotary movement. Yes, through and with Rotary man has gone and could have gone to the fore in human society with an answer in his heart and in his hands, "Yes, I am my brother's keeper". THAT ANSWER HAS BEEN ROTARY ITSELF. From that time on Rotary has been the expression of man's great desire to be of help to man. And Rotary shall forever remain the greatest "mark" of service the greatest virtue man could have as pired for in his life. 3RD PRIZE Won by MILVIR VIRATA, of Cavite Rotary Rotary is a world organization dedicated to service. It serves the people to make them happy; it serves. the country to help it prosper; it serves the nations to promote peace; and it serves the cause of freedom, democracy and justice for mankind to be able to live in an atmosphere of friendliness, of love, of tranquility. To attain the object of Rotary we must have fellowship. Fellowship is an important Rotary education. All Rotarians must understand, observe, and cultivate fellowship. He who ignores fellowship may be a member of Rotary, but he can not claim to be a Rotarian. A Rotarian is he who is educated rotarily, and practices the tenets of Rotary; otherwise, he remains as a mere member of organization incapable of improving himself, or of carrying out Rotary's ideal of service. To be a Rotarian is a pride. To be an official of Rotary is an honor. Like all honors Rotary honor must be earned, not solicited. Anyone who seeks office in the club forgets his Rotary and discredits his fellow Rotarians. By his conduct he destroys the basic requirement for a member to qualify as a Rotarian. He disturbs the harmonious relations of the members of the club. In the exercise of our privilege to vote a fellow Rotarian to office in our club, we must think of Rotary always and follow the FOUR-WAY TEST of which we ought to be familiar. The nationality, race, or creed of the candidate should be disregarded. His personal fortune, his social standing. his official position, or the region from whence he comes should not be considered, either. Let merit alone be the prime consideration for our choice ever remembering that it is the official that should honor the office, and not the office the official. By heeding this injunction we will be rendering service to ourselves and our club, and we will he strengthening at the same time the bond that unites us. And our Rotary association will continue to march forward and onward until the end of time. Fellow Rotarians: Let us not give motive for anybody to talk ill of Rotary. Let us not create wrong impressions about Rotary. Let us keep its name immaculate and above reproach by living an exemplary Rotary life. "Service above self", we must not forget. And we should be content with satisfaction as our compensation for services rendered. That is the way with the Rotarians.