DISTRICT 3820
Santa Rosa, Laguna, evolving into a dynamic growth area and major business hub in recent years, is now a picture of rapid progress. World-class industrial centers sprout and expand, attracting new locators to establish manufacturing plants and operate variuos business. Unilab plans to put up a drug manufacturing zone, a US-based hotel chain is also eyeing the tourist market and establish their presence here. Locators found in Laguna Technopark Inc includes some of the ginatcompanies like National Panasonic, Amkor-Anam and the automotive firms like Ford motors, Toyota, Nissan and Honda, earning the town the title "Little Detroit of the Philippines". Santa Rosa is also the site of the country's first theme park, Enchanted Kingdom and host to the Training complex of the Police' Special Action force.
Yet, amid the images of towering and expansive steel structures which connote development in the area, a spririt is spreading among the men and women who works under or live in the vicinity of these establishments. The spirit is warm and moving --exactly the opposite of teh cold and rigid feeling such structures basically evoke. The spirit is camaraderie for service, the Rotarian Spirit.
The Rotarian spirit began to conquer this town in 1995 when a group of men formed the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa. This undertaking caused the involvement in civic causes of residents coming from all parts of the town. The rapid expansion of membership brought about by the increase in populace laid the groundwork for the organization of another Rotary Club. This club is intended to assemble together those living in the southern part of the town, particularly those coming from San Lorenzo and neighboring villages. Thus, the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa South was born.
Chartering and Awards
The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa South was offiically chartered on January 19, 2000. The formal charter presentation and the Induction of the Charter Officers and the rest of the 31 Members were held at Kalesa Cafe Resort and Restaurant along the National Highway in Dila, Santa Rosa on March 4, 2000. No less than the Governor of Laguna Jose D. Lina Jr, along with the town officials led by Mayor Leon C. Arcillas and Vice Mayor Octavio Ramon L. Lijauco who were also Rotarians graced the occassion.
In a little over three months after, the club would reap major awards in the District 3820 where it belongs. This District covers a wide area, sapnning 10 provinces in the southern Tagalog and Bicol regions -- namely Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.
On June 25 at the District Thanksgiving and Awarding Rites, the club garnered for Rotary Year (RY) 1999-2000 the distinction of being the Most Outstanding New Club and having the Most Outstanding Club President under Category C. In addition, the club is a recepient of the Rotary International Citation Award. The rites occurred at the scenic Dalampasigan Resort, Sariaya, Quezon owned by then District Governor Rafael Tantuco Sr.
Instead of resting on these laurels, the award served as inspiration to all the club members and fueled their enthusiasm to engage in more socially relevant activities.
District - Level Activities
Immediately after the official chartering, the club was able to build a formidable team to participation in the Rotary Games 2000 held at Lucena City om January 22. It won the team championship in the shooting event, third place in the individual shooting event and the second runner-up in basketball event. With these triumphs, it emerged as the overall third runner-up in the whole district 3820.
From March 17 to 18, Charter President Rey Anonuevo together with two other members, attended the District Conference (DISCON) 2000 sponsored by Rotary Club of Sariaya. Vice President GLoria macapagal Arroyo was the guest of honor and speaker of the gathering. The club joined the exhibits and was nominated for installing the best booth. The club's weekly publication --THRESHOLD was likewise considered to be among the best bulletin in the District.
Then all roads led to the Villa Caseres Hotel at Naga City for the District Assembly (DISTASS) 2000 from April 28 to 29. At the District Trunover and Awarding ceremonies (DISTAC) held on June 24 at the Queen Margaret Court Lucena City, the club showed up with the biggest delegation. DG Paeng passed the District Governorship for 2000-2001 to the District Governor-Elect (DGE) Rustice V. Recto Jr. of the Rotary Club of Lipa South.
Club Activities
In collaboration with the Mother Club, the Rotary club Santa Rosa South conducted a medical, dental and legal mission on May 13 at the Santa Rosa Educational Institute. There was free circumcision of around 30 kids, consultation on various illness, minor surgeries on cysts, cauterization of warts, dental treatment amd granting of legal advices to indigents. There was also bloodtyping and bloodletting of some rotarians for the benefit of Red Cross.
The club also involved itself on the mobilization activity which have significance on the local cultural heritage. Spearheaded by the Vice mayor/Rotarian Bing Lijauco, the movement called Kilusan Para sa Karapatan ng Kwartel or KKK aimed to preserved as a historical site an old fort near the Santa Rosa - Silang, Cavite boundaries. There was a goal of gathering signaturies for the petition to halt the development of the site in question into a clubhouse of the armed forces, which are now occupying said area covering 8 hectares. Governor Lina stepped into the disputed and the management of the site was turned over to the municipality of Santa Rosa.
As part of the club's vocational services and special projects, a skill-training program was launched in the middle part of the year. Dubbed "Bigay Talino sa Bagong Milenyo", the program aimed to impart skills specially on silkscreen printing and practical electricity. The former was the topic in one session, while the latter was to be taken up in designated Saturday classes. Graduation rites scheduled on january 6, 2001 shall be the culminating activity.
Action plans were formulated at the Annual Club Assembly for RY 2000-2001 on June 7 at the Predor Resort. projects were identified for each avenue of Service - Club service, Community Service, international Service, Vocational Service and Youth Service.
Rotary club activites would not be completed without fundraising endeavors. Toward this end, the Rotadance 2000 (Dance for a Cause) was oganized on July 15 at the Cabuyao covered court.
Tepok Lamok Dengue Sapok motorcade, compoed of 15 vehicles was initiated on July 24 tocreate awareness on the deadly dicease of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Leaflets and poster were distributed in the busy vicinity of the walternmart shopping center, the different pahses of San Lorenzo South, portions of barangays Malitlit and Dila and at the Santa Rosa Commercial Complex. The printed materials contained on dengue prevention.
Governor's Visit and Multi Club Meeting on August 3 gathered together the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa South, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao and Cabuyao Circle. There were presentation of plans to the District Governor. Also included in the program was the induction of new members of the club.
As part of the youth Service, it hosted the Rotaquiz conducted at two levels -- club level on August 12 while the Area Level on September 9. The venue for both quiz contests was the Don Bosco Caritas School Gym at Laguna Technopark in San Jose, Santa Rosa Elementary and high schools in Santa Rosa participated in the club level, while the coverage in the area level was the whole province of Laguna.
