March 2014 Vol. 27 No. 09

Read the full story on Pages 8 to 10.

THE ROTARY FLEET. Leaders of Rotary International District 3780 stand in front of 46 motorized fishing boats last March 17, 2014. The boats have been donated through the Rotary Care Center and due for turnover to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Ormoc City and surrounding coastal areas. The Rotary leaders are, from left, District Governor Francis Rivera, Incoming District Governor Sammy Pagdilao, PDG Danilo Fausto, PDG Jess Cifra, Lt. Gov. Chito Borromeo, and District Chair for Community Service PP Ma. Elisa Baby Allado. Youngsters get a feel of the fishing boat that

their father will soon operate as a means of livelihood to support family needs.

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The Governors Monthly Letter is published by the Gov-ernor of Rotary International District 3780 with offices

at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon

City, Philippines. Contributions for publication may be

sent to Ric Salvador at rp_salvador@yahoo.com, to Bor

to Marcia Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com

GML January-February 2014

Missed last months issue of the GML? Click to view and download

From the Editors

GML readers will notice that this March 2014 issue of the Governors Monthly Letter does not include the usual page for the monthly message of DG Francis Rivera. The Governors message for the month has instead been incorporated in the State of the District Address (SODA) that DG Francis shall deliver at the forthcoming District Conference during the plenary session on April 11. 2014.

March is Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar. Rotarians are encouraged to raise awareness of literacy issues and to organize literacy projects.

One initiative that Rotary clubs in District 3780 might consider is to introduce, even on a limited-scale pilot basis, is the Little Free Library or Do-It-Yourself Library in front of ones home. It is a fresh international phenomenon started by a Ro-tarian, Mr Todd Bol, in Wisconsin. In increasing numbers, individual families as well as Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the United States, Canada and in many other places including Africa are installing the bird-cage size structures as part of vocational training and community service.

To read more about Little Free Libraries project, click or tap the photo below .

Calendar of Activities April-Jun 2014

From District Secretary Amable Mar Cancio

April is Magazine Month

Each April, Rotarians promote their Rotary regional magazine or The Rotarian. They also discuss how to use these resources to get project ideas, to recruit new members, and to renew excitement about Rotary.

Apr 10-12 2014 District Conference Taal Vista Hotel

Apr 25-27 2014 Rotaract Discon

May

May 3 2014-15 Distas

May 16 Recognition & Awards Night

June

Rotary Fellowships Month

June 1-4 RI Convention in Sydney

June 21 2014-15 District Induction & Turnover

EDITORIAL BOARD

District Governor Francis A. Rivera

Publisher

District Secretary Amable Mar Cancio

District Chief of Staff Francis Paderna

Ricardo Ric P. Salvador Editor in Chief

IPP Elizaberth Beth Directo (RC Camp Aguinaldo) Associate Editor - District

IPP Marcia Marcia C. Salvador (RC Holy Spirit) Associate Editor - Clubs

CP Winston Winston Sia (RC VisMin) Associate Editor-Webmaster

Editorial Staff

IPP Rhodora Doris Sanchez (RC Diliman North)

IPP Cresencio Cris Bacho Jr (RC Cubao Edsa)

Bernard De San Jose (RC Timog)

The Governors Monthly Letter is published by the Gov-ernor of Rotary International District 3780 with offices

at the Rotary Center Building, Roces Avenue, Quezon

City, Philippines. Contributions for publication may be

sent to Ric Salvador at rp_salvador@yahoo.com, to

Beth Directo at betchie@728@gmail.com, or to Marcia

Salvador at mdcsalvador@yahoo.com

This page of the eGML should be viewed online.

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District Governor Francis Rivera represented Rotary International District 3780 during the commemora-tion of milestones in the life of the Jollibee organiza-tion on March 11, 2014 at the Heroes Hall of Mala-canang.

Photo shows President Benigno Aquino III (center) as he posed with guests and officers of the Jollibee Group led by Chairman-CEO Tony Tan Caktiong and President Ernesto Tan Mantiong. Governor Francis Rivera stands third from the left side of President Aquino. Other dignitaries in the photo include DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert

Del Rosario, Senators Grace Poe and Bam Aquino, and other officers of government.

In his address, President Aquino commended the welfare programs of the Jollibee Group Foundation, including its large-scale national Busog, Lusog, Ta-lino (BLT) school nutrition program. Last July 12, 2013, Rotary International District 3780 in partner-ship with the Jollibee Group Foundation launched the 136-days Busog, Lusog, Talino nutrition program to alleviate malnutrition and improve school performance of malnourished pupils in 32 schools in Quezon City.

President Benigno Aquino III lauds on-going Busog, Lusog, Talino school nutrition program to improve health and school performance of undernourished pupils

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Aspiring entrepreneurs acquire baking skills in a challenging yet fun environment by District Vocational Training Chair Joemon Montenegro, PP of RC Pag-asa QC

Fifty enthusiastic attendees consisting of Rotary Community Corps members, Rotarians and aspiring entrepreneurs participated in the Livelihood & Training Seminar on Baking held on March 15, 2014 at the Fairview campus of the Gateways Institute of Science & Technology (GIST).

The whole-day seminar-workshop featured briefings and demonstrations by the resource persons and hands-on baking by participants: malunggay pandesal, doughnut, special ensaymada, pulvoron and Swiss roll. It also included a lecture-presentation of a template for costing and pricing analysis which the participants intending to

go into the baking business found very interesting.

District chairman for vocational training Jose Joemon Montenegro, a past president of RC Pag-asa QC, organized the necessary ingredients for the successful baking seminar: experts & resource persons from the Bakers Association of the Philippines; basic ingredients from the US Wheat Associates; and venue, facilities, cooking-baking equipment and staff support from the GIST.

The Rotary Club of Pag-asa QC served as lead host with 33 clubs as co-hosts.

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A fun day at the 3rd annual Rotary Family Day !

During the celebration of the Rotary Family Day on March 23, 2014 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Camp Crame, Rotarians and their families enjoyed a full-day programme of entertainment numbers, fun games, contests, prizes, and food. The events theme was One Rotary, One Family.

The day started with a holy mass, followed by a short message of District Gov Francis Rivera who talked about the importance of family to Rotary and Rotarians. The drum & lyre troupe of Rosa Susano Elementary School set the fiesta mood of the day with a lively repertoire of popular hits. Fun games, led by FCPs and clowns, entertained both kids and adults. A magician held the audience in awe with tricks of illusion and human puppetry.

Talent contests were held among kids, teens and adults. The panel of judges was chaired by DG Spouse Peth Rivera. Raffle prizes were given away, with the major ones consisting of a Nokia cellphone, an Apple Ipod and a 32 LED TV.

We salute the First Class Presidents and Rotarians who worked truly hard with Chair Lyndon Wong of Diliman Heights on the 2014 Rotary Family Day. Thanks also to clubs that served as lead clubs and co-host clubs for the project. From THE DOVE

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2nd leg of Rotabowl enhances fellowship and projects favorable Rotary image By Rotabowl 2014 Tournament Chair Adel Corpuz, Past President of RC Camp Aguinaldo

The Second Conference of Rotabowl 2013-2014, called the 2

nd Gov Francis Rivera Cup, was held at the

Sta Lucia Grand Mall Bowling Center in Cainta, Rizal.

The games were hosted by the Rotary Club of Camp Aguinaldo, with PP Adel Corpus as Chairman. The tournament ran for eight consecutive Sundays from January 12, 2014 to March 23, 2014.

Twenty three teams from twenty Rotary clubs of the District joined the biggest fellowship activity of District 3780 with the Global Presidents throwing in a team. Majority of the teams had Presidents Elect and District Officers in their line-up.

The tournament should have ended on March 2, 2014, however, District Governor Elect Samuel Sammy Pagdilao requested for a re-setting of the Champion-ships to give way to the Presidents Elect Training

Seminar and the District Team Training Seminar which was held on March 1 & 2, 2014 at the Summit Ridge in Tagaytay City. Consequently, the championship games were moved to March 23, 2014.

On February 16, 2014, a few days after Valentines Day, Rotabowl 2014 was declared by Tournament Chair PP Adel Corpus as a Red Day. The Rule regarding uniforms was dispensed with. All teams came in different shades of red.

On Red Day, FCP Mighty Ramiro of RC Sto Domingo almost rolled a perfect game. A perfect game in bowl-ing is when a bowler rolls 12 consecutive strikes. On the 10

th ball of his third game on Red Day, he left a

pin standing. He continued to convert the spare and rolled another strike to end up with a score of 279. This would have been the 14

th perfect game of his

bowling career.

FCP Mighty garnered all the individual honors in the Mens Division, with Rtn Andy Pineda of RC Camp Aguinaldo duplicating his feat.

RC Ayala Heights A took the Championship Trophy for the Class O Division. Its sister team Ayala B got the much-coveted plum in Class A. RCs Kamuning and Loyola Heights walked home with their respective trophies in Class B & Class C.

This being a fun game, the organizers saw to it that everybody had fun and enjoyed the games every playing date by throwing in side games related and unrelated to bowling, dispensing prizes freely and generously.

A Special Award was given to Rtn Rico Angtuaco for his support to Rotabowl and his team. The games were held through the cooperation of CP Andy Que of RC Quezon City Central, LG Dwight Ramos and RC Cubao Central and the RC Quezon City Central whom the organizers would what to profusely thank.

The organizers also want to thank PP Ed Santos, FCP Jed Tiongson and PP John Tiongson of RC Ayala Heights, PP Alex Arrojo of New Manila Heights, Rtn Jun Asuncion of Biak na Bato for their assistance in running the tournament, and PP Dondon Tenorio of the RoCK, too. To all of those who joined the Tournament, thank you and we hope to host another fun-filled fellowship in the future.

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Final Results of ROTABOWL 2014

HOSTED BY : RC CAMP AGUINALDO

MARCH 23, 2014

CLASS O RANKING

1 RC AYALA HEIGHTS A 763 CHAMPION

2 RC BATASAN HILLS 779 749 738 1ST RUNNER UP

3 RC QUIRINO A 679 2ND RUNNER UP

4 RC SFDM A 675 3RD RUNNER UP

CLASS A

1 RC AYALA HEIGHTS B 798 CHAMPION

2 RC STO DOMINGO 728 764 762 1ST RUNNER UP

3 RC BIAK NA BATO 764 2ND RUNNER UP

4 RC NEW MANILA HEIGHTS 675 3RD RUNNER UP

CLASS B

1 RC KAMUNING 753 CHAMPION

2 RC METRO SFDM 670 739 701 1ST RUNNER UP

3 RC QUIRINO B 695 2ND RUNNER UP

4 RC PARAISO 621 3RD RUNNER UP

CLASS C

1 RC LOYOLA HEIGHTS 710 CHAMPION

2 RC ROCES 663 764 663 1ST RUNNER UP

3 RC NEW MANILA EAST 639 2ND RUNNER UP

4 RC DILIMAN HEIGHTS 480 3RD RUNNER UP

RC QUEZON CITY CENTRAL 3RD RUNNER UP

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D3780 OPLAN Yolanda/Rotary Care Center ROTARY FLEET initially consisting of 46 motorized fishing boats are formally turned over

TURNOVER OF FISHING BOATS: From left, PDG Perok Rodrigues (D3860), Ormoc Mayor ED Codilla, DG Francis Rivera (D3780), and Albuerra Mayor Ramon dela Cerna are shown signing the Memorandum of Agreement for the turnover of 46 fishing boats and accessories on March 17, 2014 in Ormoc City. PDG Jess Cifra, DGE Sammy Pagdilao and PDG Danny Fausto all of District 3780 are shown witnessing the event.

Click or tap any of the photos to read the full story behind the Rotary Care Center from

November 12, 2013 through March 25, 2014.

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D3780 OPLAN Yolanda/Rotary Care Center Summary of Accomplishments from November 21, 2013 up to March 25, 2014

Prepared and conducted feeding total of 128,470 meals on sustained basis:

Continuous feeding of Typhoon Yolanda victims for 65 days (sustained feeding) of 1,500 hungry children and adults at Barangays Linao, Naungan and Punta, Ormoc City.

Continuous feeding of 1,250 typhoon victims at city evacuation center at Tacloban City starting December 18, 2013 for 25 days.

Completed rehabilitation of thirty eight (38) classrooms at Linao Central School and Naungan Elementary School, the day care center at Naungan and day care center at the Rotary GK Village

Distributed one truckload of school supplies and assorted toys benefitting 2,400 and later on another 675 for the school children of Barangays Linao, Naungan and Punta, Ormoc City.

Coloring books and crayons distributed on December 24 to 195 school children at Linao as Christmas gifts courtesy of RC San Bartolome

Provided one purifier machine and 12 aqua boxes.

Distributed one container van of used clothes, garbage bags, slippers, shoes, wheel chairs and GI sheets for roofing.

Distributed laundry items and toiletries to victims (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry soap, sanitary napkins, tissue paper, etc.)

Distributed 2,000 pcs of raincoats to school children to protect them from getting wet due to rains in going to school

Construction and delivery of 46 units of brand new motorized fishing boats for 4 Fishermen Cooperatives and Associations: a) OYFA- Ormoc YMCA Fisherfolk Association (Barangay Linao, Ormoc City); b) OFWA- Ormoc Fish Wardens Association, Ormoc City; c) NASAMPA-Naungan-San Juan Mangrove Planters Association, Barangay Naungan, Ormoc City; and d) Albuera Fisherfolk Association, Municipality of Albuera, Leyte

Organized a Rotary Community Corps (RCC) at Ormoc composed of women spouses to set up livelihood project: Dried fish and smoked fish processing center to serve as ready market for the fish catch of fishermen

Completed site development and installation of the 20-footer container van that now serves as the Rotary Care Center Command Post.

Source: Report of D3780 OPLAN YOLANDA Team

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D3780 OPLAN Yolanda/Rotary Care Center Statement of Donations & Disbursements and Fund Balance

Source: Report of D3780 OPLAN YOLANDA Team

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Interact Discon 2014 inspires Interactors from 23 high schools by Interact Discon 2014 Chair Andy Que, FC President of RC Quezon City Central

The Silver Hall of the Rotary Center was the venue for the Interact Discon 2014 held on March 8. The conference programme provided an opportunity for the attendees to be informed of various district and club activities and to build fellowship with one another. Twenty-three (23) Interact clubs from different schools were represented. Around 230 Interactors attended. They listened to the State of the District Interact address delivered by DIR Valerie Valenzuela of Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School, and the inspirational messages of DG Francis Rivera and DGE Sammy Pagdilao.

Election of the DIRN was supervised by District Interact Chair Cristy Dagdag, PP Sally Gonzales and PP Rick Bugayong. Jerome Valdez of Balara High School won as DIRN from among seven (7)

candidates.

While the election of DIRN was on-going, a talent contest was held with fourteen (14) participating entries. Five (5) major prizes were given, with Interactors from the E Rondon High School emerging as winner. Also, raffle prizes were

given to the delight of the attendees.

DIRE Angelo Lunas of Flora A Ylagan High School accepted the mantle of leadership from DIR Valerie Valenzuela in the presence of DGE Sammy Pagdilao.

RC Quezon City Central led by FCP Andy Que chaired the Interact Discon 2014.

DGE Sammy Pagdilao delivering his message for the Interactors

District Interact turn-over ceremonies

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SFDM launches first Metro Manila-wide Rotary Invitational Debate Championship By FC President Andrei Bon C. Tagum and Rtn Arnel Mateo, RC San Francisco del Monte

The Rotary Club of San Francisco del Monte (RCSFDM), in partnership with several other Rotary Clubs in RI 3780, successfully held the 1st Rotary Invitational Debate Championship: The Gov. Prospero Crescini Cup (Rotary Debate) last 31 January and 01 February 2014.

Twenty-eight (28) teams, fielded by the following prestigious schools in Metro Manila, competed during the 4 elimination rounds held on January 31, 2014 at the E. Rodriguez Jr. High School at Mayon Avenue, Brgy. Amoranto, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila High School, La Salle Green Hills, MGC New Life Christian Academy, Miriam College High School, PAREF Woodrose, Quezon City Science High School, San Beda College Alabang, St Scholasticas College-Manila.

After the eliminations, eight (8) debate teams went on to compete during Day 2 of the competition at the Rotary Center, on the motion, in line with the recent tension in the South China Sea, the Philippine Government

should support the return of US military bases.

After the quarter-finals, the top four teams argued on the motion, the Philippine Government should invest in a sex industry.

Two (2) teams fielded by the Ateneo High School the AHS D and AHS A - emerged as the grand finalists and battled on the motion, in instances where civilians are used as human shields, it is legitimate to attack them. The AHS A Team won the 1st Rotary Invitational Debate Championship: The Gov Prospero Crescini Cup and received a trophy, along with cash prize of P10,000 and gift packs from sponsors.

There were 84 debaters in all. The top 12 debaters came

from the Ateneo, Miriam, San Beda, and La Salle and were given medals and certificates of participation while all the other debaters were given certificates of participation.

The competition was adjudicated by college debaters and adjudicators from the Philippine Debate Union, and by some Rotarians from the host clubs. The Adjudication Core was composed of Inah Robles of the Ateneo de Manila University, Weston Lee of the University of the Philippines, and Mark Joseph Escay of the De La Salle University.

The Rotary Debate was organized by RCSFDM with the valuable assistance of the Inner Wheel Club of SFDM and the Rotaract Club of SFDM - Malaya Achievers. RCs Biak na Bato, Diliman Heights, Commonwealth, Camp Aguinaldo, and Kamuning served as co-lead hosts.

RCs Kagitingang Cubao, St. Ignatius, Cubao Central, Cu-bao West, Acropolis, Diliman Heights, New Payatas, and Roces also contributed as co-host clubs. The Robert Camba Catering Services provided sumptuous meals during the Championship rounds.

The Rotary Debate, formally launched last 19 October 2013 at the Rotary Center was an All-Asians Parliamentary Debate Tournament for public and private high school students in Metro Manila.

The Rotary Debate was aimed to provide a venue for secondary students to develop, practice and hone their skills in the art of argumentation and debate, and to capacitate the youth by giving them the opportunity to air their learned views on the several current educational, scientific, social and economic issues.

The grand champions are flanked by FCPs Robert Camba of RC Camp Aguinaldo, Josie Garcia of RC Cubao West and Andrei Bon Tagum of

RCSFDM from the left side, and by Gov Francis Rivera and IPDG Penny Policarpio III on the right side.

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Biak-na-Bato helps to establish Guinness record for most number of organ donors By FC President Jolan Salino, RC Biak-na-Bato

The Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato of Rotary International District 3780 partnered with the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PHILNOS) under the Department of Health, the Philippine Information Agency and the Lifeline Philippines for the world attempt to establish the Most Number of Organ Donor Sign Ups. The Philippines beat the Guinness World Record for Most People to Sign up as Organ Donors for One (1) Hour Single Site with 3,548 registrants last February 28, 2014, surpassing India's record of 2,755 for one-hour single-site registrations at an event in Gudjarat last September 17, 2013.

Six locations participated in the event, with an overall pledge count of 10,120, also setting a new record for

multiple site registrations. Participating locations were the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila, with a record number of 3,548 registrations; Quezon City Memorial Circle, 788; La Union, 2,981; Naga, 725; Davao, 944, and Tu-guegarao, 1,134. We are proud that RC Biak-na-Bato has been a part of the Im a Lifeline campaign not only for the world record attempt but also for enhancing organ-donor awareness in our country. Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato helped by disseminat-ing information, providing volunteers and persuading prospective donors to participate in the campaign.

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The bayanihan spirit continues to pervade as some D3780 Rotary Clubs went to Tacloban City for a 2-day Relief Operation and Medical Mission project last March 15-16 2014, held at St. Joseph Parish Church in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City. The project was spearheaded by FCP Atchie Baetiong of RC Cubao South and Ms. Terry Canete of The City of Carlson California, USA. In-service partners were RC South Triangle, RC Camp Panopio, RC North Edsa, RC San Roque, RC Metro Sta. Mesa, RC East-wood and RC Leyte Gulf. Other volunteers who helped during the operation were from the Philippine Navy and PNP doctors of Tacloban region.

During the first day, Taclobanons lined up and patiently waited for their turn to receive the goods prepared for them. Some of the goods distributed were used cloth-ing, foodstuff, bottled water, canned goods. The second day was dedicated to the medical/dental mission. We conducted medical check-ups such as ECG, BP reading, eye check-up. They were given proper medication based on the doctors prescription after the check-up. We also distributed vitamins, medicines and reading glasses. Tooth extraction was done by volunteer dentists. About 700 families or 3,500 individuals benefited from the project. Taclobanons were grateful and the smiles on their faces conveyed their happiness and satisfaction for what they had received.

RC Cubao South and partners conduct relief mission for survivors in Tacloban By FC President Atchie Baetiong and Exec Secretary Mirabel Ceniza of RC Cubao South

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RC North Edsa turns over facilities direly needed by small town in Nueva Ecija By FC President Danilo Ferrer, RC North Edsa

On February 27, 2014, officers and members of RC North Edsa led by FCP Danilo Ferrer went to the town of Quezon in Nueva Ecija to turn over a manual water pump for the towns public artesian well. They also donated apparatus (sphygmomanometer and nebulizer) and assorted vitamins to the towns

public health center. These donations will benefit about 4,000 families in Quezon.

On the same date, RC North Edsa also turned over a school stage to Pulong Bahay Elementary School located in the town of Quezon that will benefit 600 pupils enrolled there.

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RC Diliman North continues Aetas We Care signature project in earnest By FC President Marilene Araneta, RC Diliman North

The Aetas are marginalized, indigenous people living in scattered, mountainous parts of Luzon. Some live in Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. Aetas We Care, a signature project of RC Diliman North, has adopted a community of Aetas in Sitio Mancayo, Barangay San Vicente in Bamban, Tarlac. The club holds regular medical missions and gift-giving activities in the community.

Last February 8, 2014, the officers and members of RC Diliman North made a trip to Bamban, Tarlac to visit their adopted community and give early Valentines gifts. They also gave vegetable seeds to the farmers, to complement their livelihood programs. During the last Rotary Family Day at the Multi-purpose Hall of Camp Crame on March 23, 2014, RCDN exhibited produce and foodstuffs sent by the Aetas.

In continuance of the districts tree-planting initiative, FCP Marilene Araneta and RCDN members planted trees in Sacobia Valley in Bamban, where they took opportunity to put up a marker showing RID 3780 and the clubs name. This activity was done in partnership with the Philippine Childrens Fund of America.

Taking advantage of the trip, RCDN also gave guyabano fruit tree saplings to some farmers in Capas, Tarlac, courtesy of the Bureau of Plant Industry.

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Biak-na-Bato implants smiles on faces of less privileged members of the community By FC President Jolan Salino, RC Biak-na-Bato

Our club's Signature Project, the Libreng Pustiso (Free Dentures) project of the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato, un-folded for the second time this Rotary year 2013-2014. The 2nd Libreng Pustiso was held last February 9, 2014 at posh Bel-Air Village in Makati for domestic helpers, se-curity guards, gardeners and family drivers serving resi-

dents in the subdivision. Ninety-eight (98) beneficiaries now flaunt their "new smiles."

This project activity in Makati was jointly hosted by RC Commonwealth, and done in partnership with RC Makati Poblacion D3800 and the PDA Makati Dental Chapter.

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First Class President Danilo P. Noveno, Rotary Club of Paraaque East D3830, and

First Class President Abella A. Talite, Rotary Club of St. Ignatius D3780, exchange token of sisterhood.

ROTARY CLUB OF PARAAQUE EAST D3830

and

ROTARY CLUB OF ST. IGNATIUS D3780

SIGN SISTERHOOD AGREEMENT

February 28, 2014

St Ignatius signs matched club sisterhood agreement with Paranaque East D3830 By FC President Abella Talite, RC St Ignatius

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Rotaract Club sponsored by Loyola Heights wins multi-district RAC badminton cup By Jesse Tanchanco, Editor in Chief and Past President of RC Loyola Heights

The Rotary Club of Loyola Heights recently sponsored the participation of the Rotaract Club of Greater Loyola Heights in the recently concluded "Magic Ong Badminton Cup" which was organized by D3810.

The sole representative of D3780 emerged as the champions in the Men's Doubles category. The Rotaract team was composed of Vincentzo Mari M. Ursabia and Julius Renzo Soleta. The other teams came from D3810, D3770 and D3790.

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Ang Kampo hosted a welcome dinner for the Vocational Training Team sponsored by District 3720 of Nagoya, Japan, last Sunday, March 16th from 6pm to 10 pm at Cerchio Restaurant and Lounge in Quezon City. District 3720 Governor Matsanori Tanaka and our very own District Governor Francis Rivera and Spouse Peth were in attendance. Also present were PDG Penny Policarpio and PDG Dan Espinosa with Spouse Julie and PP Dan Gonzalez, District VTT Chair. The team comprised of nine doctors and one nurse, and were deployed to train our local doctors at the Quezon City General Hospital on the latest methods and techniques in laparoscopic surgery. It was a night of fun, bonding, singing, and dancing that went well into the night.

Camp Aguinaldo hosts Japanese Vocational Training Team By FC President Robert Camba, RC Camp Aguinaldo

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Camp Aguinaldo holds 2nd Buntis Asembly By FC President Robert Camba, RC Camp Aguinaldo

In consonance with International Womens Month, eighty three pregnant and lactating mothers of project 6, District 1 Quezon City underwent a half day seminar on maternal health and child care, which taught mothers on the importance of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Buntis Assembly is a signature project of

RC Camp Aguinaldo that commenced last year, under IPP Beth Directo.

The speakers reminded pregnant and lactating mothers on the importance of keeping oneself clean, healthy, and fit. It is important to take care of ourselves, even after giving birth. They were also taught on the importance of practicing safe sex. Free laboratory tests including HIV was provided.

Pregnancy bags were doled out filled with goodies such as baby oil, alcohol, face towel, diapers, baby powder, cotton, soap and tissue rolls to the pregnant guests who were more than happy to receive the gifts.

FPC Robert Camba expressed his gratitude to the participants for taking time to attend the assembly know-ing the value of whatever little information that the city health office could share on maternal health and child care in a limited time. The event was co hosted by RC Holy Spirit, RC Cubao Edsa, and RC North Edsa.

Patients often need enormous courage to fight toothache. But with Kampo dentists ready to help and serve, theres no need to lose heart.

Salamat, Rotary Club of Camp Aguinaldo, dentista at nurses! Dahil sa mission ninyo, nabunot ang bulok kong ngipin na di nagpapatulog sa akin, said, one of the kids from the community.

The mission is simple. The need is great. For us it has become increasingly clear how important dental medicine is to health missions.

The Dental Mission for the caddies and families of Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course was indeed a success. Over 100 patients received dental check-ups, dental care and medicine. With the help of our Community Service Chair Rotarian Susan Mendoza and other volunteer dentists and nurses, many caddies and their families were assisted.

Indeed every patient served was worth the sweat. The scene was overwhelming. Many men, women and children in need of dental attention lined up under the

blazing sun waiting for a chance, maybe the only chance they may ever have this year, to see a dentist.

Thank you Rotary, for the opportunity to serve our less fortunate kababayans.

Camp Aguinaldo dental mission for golf course caddies and families By FC President Robert Camba, RC Camp Aguinaldo

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Dear fellow Rotarians,

Growing up in Duncan, Okla., USA, I took it for granted that everyone could read. In my own elementary school, not only were we expected to be reading by the age of seven or eight, we were expected to read upside down. We each

took turns reading books to the entire class, and of course, if you want to read out loud to a group while you show them the pictures, you can't do it the right way up. All the way through elementary school, we did that every week, until it didn't really matter to us which way we were holding the book. I never thought too much about that skill at the time. But a few months ago, on a visit to a Rotary project in Decatur, Ala., I walked into a first-grade classroom and was asked if I would read a book to a class of six-year-olds. Naturally, I was happy to oblige. I sat down, opened the book they had chosen, and started reading to about 30 little kids upside down, just the way I did it back in second grade. In a sense, I was doing exactly what I'd learned to do more than half a century earlier. But as an adult, and especially as a Rotarian, I saw that experience in a different way. I was reading to a group of children who were well on their way to literacy themselves. We were sitting in their class-room, in a school where Rotarians came every week to read one-on-one with children who needed a little extra help. There wasn't any question that every child in that room would grow up to be a literate adult. And all of them took that completely for granted as they took it for granted that adults would care enough to read them a book while showing them the pictures, even if that meant reading upside down. We all know that millions of children all over the world aren't that lucky. That's why we make basic education and literacy a priority in our Rotary service. As we mark Literacy Month in Rotary, we remind ourselves what a gift we are giving when we help a child to read whether it's a child on the other side of the world or right in our own hometown.

Ron D. Burton President, Rotary International

2013-14

RI Presidents March Message Foundation Chairmans March Message

Messages, news and information from Rotary International

Inspire locally, grow globally. Since its inception, Rotary has striven to do the greatest good it can, wherever it can. Local clubs within an international organization have meant that Rotary projects have both local and global effects. But as Rotary looks ahead, and

as The Rotary Foundation builds on the groundwork that already has been laid, we acknowledge the need for new, creative ways of addressing problems. Many clubs here in America provide dictionaries to schoolchildren, for instance, and this is a wonderful way to encourage and support literacy. But are dictionaries the best use of money, in a time and place where students are more likely to look a word up online? What other projects could support literacy in a way that will make a greater and longer-lasting difference? Some exciting partnerships developed between clubs and other organizations during the pilot of the Foundation's new grant model. One that I am fond of is a collaboration that two Rotary districts in California and Uganda formed with two nongovernmental organizations in Uganda. These districts used the new vocational training team structure to send Rotarians and other professionals to Nkondo, where they helped establish a clean water system and a trained health clinic staff. The local government was so impressed, it also pitched in. The vocational training team inspired a partnership with a Ugandan NGO that provides microfinance training and oversight, and another one that works with farmers to produce crops at a higher yield. Rotarians from Kenya and Uganda traveled to District 5340 in California to learn about sustainable agriculture and irrigation, as well as good business practices. In this case, our Foundation was able to provide service that not only meets the needs of a village but empowers and inspires local groups in ways that only Rotary can. Rotary always has engaged in strategic partnerships with other organizations and governments around the world. If it weren't for our global partners, the eradication of polio still would be just a dream. But as we implement our new grant model, strategic partnerships that take advantage of Rotary's global reach at a local level will become even more central to our success.

Dong Kurn (D. K.) Lee

Foundation Trustee Chair

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This page of the eGML must be viewed online to read selected articles in the April 2014 issue of The Rotarian.

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D istrict Governor Francis Rivera and the editors thank Rotarians who have contributed stories and pictures for this March 2014 is-sue of the Governors Monthly Letter. Rtn PP Gani Oro for the pictures used on the front page and Pages 8 and 9.

Zonneth Villanueva of the Jollibee Group Foundation for the picture on Page 3 taken during the Jollibee Group call on President Benigno Aquino III at Malacanang last March 11 where Gov. Francis Rivera represented RI District 3780.

Jose Joemon Montenegro, District Chair for Vocational Training and past president of RC Pag-asa QC, for the story on Page 4 about the baking seminar held last March 15.

Marcia Salvador, immediate past president of RC Holy Spirit and editor of THE DOVE newsletter of RC Holy Spirit, for the story and pictures on Page 5 coverage of the 3rd annual Rotary Family Day

Adel Corpuz, Chair of 2014 District Rotabowl Tournament and past president of RC Camp Agui-naldo, for the coverage and tournament results on Pages 6 & 7.

Danilo Fausto, Past District Governor RI D3780 and head of the D3780 OPLAN Yolanda Team, for the story and account of the mission on Pages 8, 9 & 10.

Andy Que, Interact Discon 2014 Chair and FC President of RC Quezon City Central, and Rick Bugayong, past president of RC Metro Sta. Mesa, for the article and photos on Page 11 coverage of the Interact Discon last March 8.

Andrei Bon Tagum, First Class President, and Rtn. Arnel Mateo, both of RC San Francisco del Monte, for the article and photos covering the first Metro Manila-wide Rotary Invitational Debate Champin-ship on Page 12.

Jolan Salino, FC President of RC Biak-na-Bato, for the article and photos covering the successful Philippine attempt to establish a new Guinness record for Most Number of Organ Donor Sign-Ups held last February 28, on Page 13.

Atchie Baetiong and Mirabel Ceniza, FC President and Executive Secretary, respectively, of RC Cu-bao South, for the story and photos of the clubs 2-day outreach mission in Tacloban City, on Page 14.

Danilo Ferrer, FC President of RC North Edsa, for the article and photos of the clubs several significant service projects in Quezon town, Nueva Ecija, on Page 15.

Merilene Araneta, FC President of RC Diliman North, for the article and pictures of the clubs signature project, Aetas We Care, on Page 16.

Jolan Salino, FC President of RC Biak-na-Bato, for the article and pictures of the clubs signature project on Page 17.

Abella Talite, FC President of RC St. Ignatius, for the photos and account of the clubs signing of sis-terhood agreement last February 28, on Page 18.

Jesse Tanchanco, past district secretary and editor-in-chief of RC Loyola Heights, for the Rotaract story and photos on Page 19.

Robert Camba, FC President of RC Camp Aguinaldo, for write-up and photos of three of the clubs service projects and activities, on Pages 20 and 21.

Recognition of Contributors

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