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Rotary International District 3780, which covers the entire Quezon
City, kicked off today what appears to be an ambitious program of celebrating Rotary's centennial anniversary by holding seven days of
Rotary related activities and events culminating on February 23, the date Rotary was organized in Chicago, Illinois 100 years ago. The
week-long celebration is organized under the direct supervision of the Chairman of the District Conference 2005 Committee, District Chief of
Staff Eduardo "Ed" de Guia.
Hundreds of Rotarians belonging to 89 clubs in the district, donning
their club uniforms and jackets, assembled as early as 6:00 a.m. at the Quezon City Hall grounds where two of the celebration's Opening
Activities are slated to happen.
EVENT NO. 1 - The Anniversary's Opening Ceremonies was held at
the City Hall building's Bulwagan Hall in a breakfast with City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte, Jr., together with Vice Mayor
Herbert Bautista, Quezon City Councilors and Barangay Officials. The Guests of Honor and dignitaries were introduced by Assistant Governor
"Albert "Limbert" Lim. After an exchange of messages between Mayor Belmonte and District Governor Howard, the closing message
was delivered by Centennial Club President Efren Refuerzo of the Rotary Club of San Francisco del Monte, which is the lead host club for the
event. Centennial President Juanito "Nitoy" Nocos of the Rotary Club of Kamuning East, which is the co-host club,
acted as Master of Ceremonies.
EVENT NO. 2 - The group proceeded downstairs to the Covered
Walk area for the RI District 3780 Centennial Exhibit. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was led by Mayor Belmonte and Vice Mayor Bautista, with
District Governor George L. Howard and Spouse Imelda, past district governors and spouses, district officers and club presidents, with the
special participation of the Quezon City Symphonic Band.
The photo exhibit highlighted the various projects of the different
clubs in the district that benefited thousands of Quezon City residents, particularly the underprivileged, the jobless and the homeless.
Certain projects also benefited the students and the youth, through Rotary's leadership development programs designed especially for them.
The lead host club for this event is the rotary Club of Sikatuna.
EVENT NO. 3 - This was followed by a motorcade from the Quezon
City Hall to the Rotary Center in Roces Avenue, Quezon City. The Motorcade was participated in by 100 cars and 100 motorbikes bearing 200
streamers and 600 yellow and blue balloons.
The lead host club that organized the motorcade is the Rotary Club of
Diliman, in coordination with the Quezon City's Dept. of Public Order and Safety, which provided traffic assistance.
EVENT NO. 4 - The group then proceeded to the Rotary Park in
front of the Rotary Center for the Dedication Rites, the switching on of the Centennial clock and unveiling of the Paul Harris Bust
Monument.
This event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa and the
Centennial Presidents.
EVENT NO. 5 - The group then proceeded to the "Puno ng
Buhay" Commemorative Tree Planting activities, which was hosted by the rotary Club of Kamuning East, and took the rest of the day. |
