RC Kalibo Welcomes GSE

Ferdi Geleijnse with host family PP Botoy & Spouse Rencee Villorente

Picture shows (sitting l to r) Rtn. Leny Alcedo, Chris van der Plas, Maartje van Ommeren, Jonaske de Ruiter Hanneke Heesmans, Ferdi Geleijnse, PP Nonoy Macahilig. Standing (l to r) are PP Raphy Tayco, a guest, President Nominee Bing Santamaria, Rtn. Melrose Acaling, Rtn. Zamie Britnell, Rtn. Mona Magayanes, PP Gus Solmirano, PP Botoy Villorente, PP Berting Nakaya, President Elect Pete Ruiz, Rtn. Efren Abayon, PP Vic Santamaria, Rtn. Frank Kennedy, Rtn. Ester Alfaro, PP Vady Marin, Rtn. Tessie Kennedy, President Joel Marcurio, and PP More Morier.

The Rotary Club of Kalibo, Kalibo, Aklan played host for two nights and two days to the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team from Holland. The team was composed of five lead by team leader Ms. Jonaske de Ruiter and four members who are Maartje van Ommeren, Hanneke Heesmans, Chris van der Plas, and Ferdi Geleijnse.

From Dipolog City, the team arrived Kalibo on Monday afternoon, February 8. The Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo headed by its President Nestor Bartolome tendered a welcome dinner and fellowship in their honor.

The party over, the GSE members went with their respective host families. The team leader, Jonaske de Ruiter stayed with her host family: PP Vady and Spouse Nilda Marin. Jonaske is a painter. She is an independent fine arts professional and director of Foundation Ateliers and Gallery Leonardo Da Vinci.

Maartje van Ommeren is 26 years old. She is an intensive clinical/critical nurse. In Kalibo, she stayed with her host family President Joel and spouse Sheila Mercurio.

Hanneke Heesmans, 31 years old is a Geo-Ecologist in Wageningen University, Netherlands. She stayed with PP More and spouse Becky Morier in Buswang New, Kalibo.

Chris van der Plas is a social worker/therapist on child violence protection. He is 32 years old. He stayed with PP Raphy and Spouse Nikki Tayco.

Ferdi Geleijnse stayed with PP Botoy and spouse Rencee Villorente in Badio, Numancia. Ferdi is 33 years old. He is a former inspector of primary and special needs education. Now, he is adviser on primary education, Ministry of Education, Netherlands.

While in Aklan, the GSE team visited the Bakhawan Eco Park, Buswang, Kalibo; the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, RC Kalibo Feeding Project in Linabuan Norte, Kalibo and attended briefing and tour in Aklan State University, Banga campus.

Before they left for Boracay, RC Kalibo honored them with a dinner party and fellowship held in the RC Kalibo Rotary Livelihood and Training Center, Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan.

During the fellowship, the GSE team, in a power point presentation talked about themselves, the history, culture, politics, and economics of their country.

For one thing, they are jolly good fellows: excellent singers and dancers.
Asked what they knew about the Philippines before their coming, the answer was so limited to calamities, kidnappings, and government corruptions among others. Now, what they learned from television and newspapers are proven wrong for the Philippines is a peaceful place to live with kind and hospitable people. They came from Zamboanga, Ipil and Dipolog City before going to Kalibo. /MP