Philippines Celebrates 41 Years of Rotaract
April 27, 2009, Makati City
By District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Cathy Gonzales

Photo and Doll Collection Exhibit

RAC D3830 started the week with the staging of the International Photo and Doll Collection Exhibit aptly titled “Children of Today - the Hope of Tomorrow” that featured pictures of children from around the country and the world. It was held at the SM Bicutan Activity Center in Parañaque City, last March 9 to 12, 2009 and served as a fitting venue to promote Rotary and Rotaract to the general public as it exhibited photos showcasing Rotaract Clubs in action.

The exhibit was graced by the presence of D3830 Governor Boyet Limon, who, in his inspirational talk, lauded the Rotaract Clubs' achievements and emphasized that Rotaractors are the future of Rotary.   Also present during the opening ceremony were District Coordinating Chair for Youth Service Vhell Arias, District Interact Chair Jojo Josol, and District Rotaract Chair Lilibeth De La Cruz, and other  Rotarians and Rotaractors from D3830 and D3810.  It was hosted by the Rotaract Club of Parañaque East Paragon led by RAC Pres. Angel Tejuco and D3830 Director for International Service, IPP Aldrin Buelo.  They were supported by their sponsoring club, RC Parañaque East, led by Pres. Alex Ty.

The exhibited collections of traditionally dressed dolls were from local and foreign Rotaract Clubs, which were also featured at last year’s World Rotaract Week.  Dolls from the personal collection of DRC Lilibeth De La Cruz and from the City Government of Parañaque, through the Livelihood Resource and Management Office, were also displayed.  The exhibited photos were contributed by 28 Rotaract Clubs and 5 Rotary Clubs from 13 districts (7 local and 6 foreign).  The participating Rotary Clubs were Makati Central (D3830), Makati Legazpi (D3830), Parañaque East (D3830), Parañaque Metro (D3830) and Freshwater Bay (D9450, Australia)

The participating foreign Rotaract Clubs were:

Feeding of Malnourished Children

The week-long celebration culminated with the conduct of the 4th leg of RAC D3830 quarterly district feeding program for 40 undernourished children of BF Homes, Paranaque City, last March 13.  Aside from the feeding, the activity included lectures to the mothers of the beneficiaries on the preparation of nutritious but affordable food through actual cooking demonstrations.  The activity was attended by 58 Rotaractors from 21 Rotaract clubs coming from 6 Philippine Districts.  Adopted under the term of IPDRR Joannie Sitoy, the RAC feeding program is a project initiative of the Rotaract Club of Parañaque Metro - KAPWA (sponsored by RC Parañaque Metro)  and was deemed appropriate to be sustained this year in response to RI's thrust on child mortality reduction.

Lending support to the activities were Pilipinas - MDIO Chair Chock Encabo, together with District Rotaract Representatives Megs Abarca (D3820), Virgil delos Santos (D3780) and Mark Arquiza (D3860), and the visiting Rotaractor Teresa Yong of RAC Kota Kinabalu (D3310, Malaysia).  D3830 officers were also present to inspire the Rotaractors, among them were Rotary Academy Exec. Dir, Sally Tongson and District Youth Service Committee leaders DCC Vhell Arias, DIC Jojo Josol, and DRC Lilibeth De La Cruz. Also in attendance were the ladies of RC Parañaque Metro, led by Pres. Brenda Hernandez.

The activity's partner since the second leg of the program, Wyeth Philippines, Inc. provided Promil Preschool Milk and treated the kids to a jolly dance number by the Promil mascot.  While the children were busy with a film showing facilitated by RAC Manila Metro, their mothers were listening to the lecture of Dr. Karen Galvan of the Parañaque City Health Office.  They also participated hands-on in an actual cooking demonstration conducted by RAC SIBAMP.  The kids sure had fun with all the games and prizes prepared by RAC Makati, assisted by RAC Parañaque Midtown FYO, Bgy. Pitogo, Parañaque Southeast, TUP Taguig, and Tramo Dos.  The Rotaractors distributed kiddie loot bags from Wyeth and other giveaways of toothbrushes, cologne, crayons, coloring books, and toys donated by RAC Makati EDSA, San Beda College - Alabang, YMNP, Manila and D3780, while, refreshments were provided by Districts 3800 and 3820.

Nothing was extravagant how the Philippine Rotaractors celebrated the 41st World Rotaract Week, but the happiness it brought to the beneficiaries is more than heart-warming to the Rotaractors.  Certainly, next year will be another year to look forward to for Rotaractors who share their time, talents and treasures to those who need them most.