Embracing Humanity

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

"Service above self" is the motto of Rotary Club. There are two Rotary Club organizations in Kalibo which are quite distinct and separate yet united by common ideals and principles. The Rotary Club of Kalibo is headed by President Bing Santamaria and the Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo by Apol Zaraspe both were present together with their key officers at a weekly Kapihan on July 30, 2011.

Other guests included Dr. Vic Santamaria, Dr. Arnold Jayme, Atty. Tony Tabang, Dr. Botoy Villorente, and Mr. Ely Villanueva.

Dr. Villorente said that Rotary Club is a civic, voluntary organization composed of men and women actively engaged in the pursuit of their chosen business and profession or occupation but who has extra time to serve others in need. There must be absolute willingness to join the cause of volunteerism, attend meetings and pay the required membership fee and assessment to finance projects. Admission to the organization is by invitation only not a personal option according to Dok Botoy.

Any member is privileged to: 1. attend meetings, 2. participate in all activities, 3. pay its dues, 4. learn new ideas, and 5. enjoy Rotary (APPLE). Bing Santamaria plainly admits that RC is elitist probably in the sense that pioneers were businessmen and professionals who had talents and financial capability. Majority of them actually belongs to upper bracket of society. However, over the years, the membership has expanded and no longer limited to the above groups.

Rotarians are a network of inspired people to initiate and make positive changes in the community and people. Today, RC Kalibo is 45 years in the service. Worldwide, there are 1.2 million members in 33,000 Rotary Clubs organizations. Clearly, we have shed the elitist tag which distorts peoples’ perception toward us. Moreover, we are not a funding agency as some people think.

RC Kalibo has been on the forefront of health, livelihood and educational thrusts in closed coordination with LGU’s. Of significance is facilitating donation of pediatric equipment to DRSTMH worth P40 million and educational equipment to ANHSAT worth P7 million by Rotary International. Others are livelihood program on food processing among single moms and widows in Malogo, New Washington, and supplemental feeding among pre-schoolers in New Washington, Makato, and Kalibo. It has established a school library in New Washington Comprehensive High School, New Washington.

Dr. Jayme, a pediatrician manages service projects on children education and health. He said that their nutrition intervention is supplemental feeding for the 1st and 2nd degree malnourished children aged 2-6 years old. Duration is 3 months, budgeted at P200 per day (6 days a week) with parents doing food preparation and feeding in Day Care Centers. Closely integrated into this program are health check-ups, distribution of Vit pills, nutrition leaflets and info dissemination. This year, tuberculosis control among children will begin.

Atty. Tony Tabang said that RC is also focused to assist people with legal problems and in the pursuit of justice. His law office is open to the needy in particular and would be pleased to welcome those who seek assistance.

Apol Zaraspe bared his parallel projects on nutrition feeding program, literacy and livelihood. Previously, RC Metro Kalibo has donated 100 wheelchairs for disabled patients at DRSTMH and book donation to public schools in Tangalan and Numancia. A number of "payao" or fish aggregating devices were turned over to fisherfolks in Baybay, Makato to improve their income and way of life.

"While RC Metro Kalibo is an offspring of RC Kalibo, we treat each other as co-equal, and autonomous", said Zaraspe. RC Kalibo and RC Metro Kalibo held a joint induction program of all officers in the evening of July 30 at Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo.

On the whole, Rotary International thrusts are focused for the develop-ment of people capability to make life more enjoyable and meaningful. Rotary theme this year is "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity". /MP