Club of Narvacan
Raniag The Official Magazine of Rotary Club of Narvacan July 2021 Edition, Rotary Year 2021-2022
LIFE
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE?
CHANGING TEAM
RC Narvacan joins Ugnay Puso Ugnay Buhay
RC Narvacan displays environmental concern
Ramos passes on leadership to Cadacio
SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES
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I AM
RaniagFEATURES
UNSTOPPABLE I Inaugural Address
President Gilbert Cadacio, PHF
n this age of depression, fear and anxiety; when hope is a farce; and doubts seem to overburden our hungry soul, there is still a room for leadership to grow. Likened to a fertile soil, the Rotary Club is a fitting medium for some useful seeds to grow into crops to feed the many and waiting for services we offer. I am lucky to be a seed sown today, and although differently abled, I still germinate to be a study force in this Rotary Year. District Governor Willie Serafica, Assistant Governor/Immediate Past President Gigi Tesoro-Ramos, Classmate Presidents, fellow club officers and members of the Rotary Clubs, guests, friends, ladied and gentlemen, good afternoon. Years ago, I had a great battle. I survived, yet like any survivors, the battle left me a permanent disability. I was crippled, and my movements got limited. My physical appearance changed, and my spirit began to question my very own abilities. I have lost the full potential use of one hand, but not the other. I have become slow in my movements, but I am still moving. There had been many losses, but somehow, they did not stop me. THEY DID NOT STOP ME, because, I saw things in a different perspective. Life is kaleidoscopic, and while others see the other way, I saw the opportunities, and those opportunities help me realize the full use of the other hand; the full use of the limited movements I have; and my unstoppable spirit. This is so, because it is how we see things that determines how well we do things. You can call it a triumph of the human spirit. I would agree. But, triumphs such as this one, begins with fertile grounds. Focus was made by me to the service through Rotary. My active role in the Rotary
Club of Narvacan as the Club Secretary showed how well my life has changed. While I was crippled, it did not stop me from serving in every little way, from planting trees, from watering, from distributing goods, to reaching out to others in the name of friendship and camaraderie. I was a team-player, believing that the strongest man is not he who stands most alone, but he who reaches out to others in the spirit of amity and good will. When I was called upon to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, I never hesitated to accept the challenge. While cognizant of the limitations I had, the club members decided to see what I can do, instead of what I cannot. It only means that the club members had the same mindset as mine, and when such mindset works in synchrony with mind, there can be no stone unturned. ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO LEAD WAS EASY. The CHALLENGE WAS RATHER DIFFICULT. As I am crippled, the world too is. The prevailing infectious disease had closed many doors; it destroyed many opportunities; it changed the nature of certain relationships; it sent many into hunger, thirst and poverty. The global pandemic changed the world, it changed our lives so quickly. And so did the battle I had. WHILE CHANGES ARE QUICK, our responses should always be. Now, the difficult task begins at day one, and in my Presidency, I encourage the Rotary Club of Narvacan members to see the half glass full, not the empty. To see that there is room for every act of kindness despite us experiencing the difficulty ourselves should be the order of the day. Our own difficulties should inspire us to be more emphatic. While changes cripple us sometimes, we should rise and start moving. It should never paralyze our tri-
umphant soul. In the Rotary Club of Narvacan, while we are deprived in numbers, we are not deprived in strength. We continue with the many projects along the seven areas of focus. Mainly, on providing provisions and assistance to the many, not only on basic needs, like food, water and healthcare, but also on social needs, like need peace and order. We should continue to contribute more to the foundation, like there will be more multiple Paul Harris Fellows, and new ones. We have done so much last year with my predecessor despite the pandemic. We will do more as we go a long long way to change lives. It is a challenge not only to the old members, but to the new ones who had been inducted entry into group of distinguished men and women in service of others. There will be no excuses. There are only a few of us in the club, but there were many that we did. Despite my disabilities, I had been awarded an outstanding Rotarian for the past Rotary Year. It does not bring me a bragging point, but an inspiration not only for myself to do more, but for others who have full use of their lives and limbs. If I can and did in the past, with more reason that you do more. We should not see disability change our hungry soul. The club is deprived in numbers, but it has done more. There are many reasons to stop and end the journey, but seeing the destination near with everyone at my side, I became unstoppable. I am unstoppable, because I MAY BE CRIPPLED, BUT NOT LIMPING!
RaniagFEATURES
WE ARE NOT JUST YOUTHS,
not anymore By: KRISTOFFERSON C. MONIS
The age bracket where I belong is still being categorized as “youth.” Countless are the times that I have heard people belittling the capability of youths to initiate change and perform transformation. Little do they know that many of us are growing more advanced than most of them when they were in our age. Seminars, programs, conferences and the like being offered for us, youths, are just around the corner—and I am one of the many youths who willingly join with a purpose to grow more. In fact, Last July 14, the 81st Infantry Battalion conducted a Youth Leadership Summit 2021 to further hone our governance skills
as young leaders, parallel to its theme, “Strengthening and Capacitating the Youth in Advocating Peace and Development as a Future Leaders in their Generation”. Topics like Awareness and Prevention of Drug Addiction, Youth Empowerment, Youth Infiltration, and Values Formation were discussed in detail that heightened our characters, alertness, and cognizance as responsible adherents of the society. Furthermore, the talk delivered by the representatives of the Rotary Club of Narvacan on Leadership and Nation Building, capacitated us with enough knowledge to better perform our duties as youth leaders. It made us more determined to serve because we came home loaded with advice, tips, and information coming from
the people who do not just lead, but also serve. This summit, in general, helped us grow in just a day. They added overflowing learnings I can surely utilize upon stepping out from that conference hall, until I am fully proficient to transfer those lessons to the generations lining behind us. Words will never be enough to prove that we are not anymore the youths adult people perceive to be their liabilities—we are already a part of the unavoidable change and many of us are already labelled as the catalysts of transformation.
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4 RaniagNEWS
RC-NARVACAN HITS TWO EVENTS IN A DAY By: RICADEL CERENO
otary Club of Narvacan (RC-N) conducted the 26th Governor’s visit and induction program of the new members and officers for the Rotary Year 2021-2022, participated virtually by district officers and physically by Narvacan Rotarians at Villa Gloria Beach Resort, July 9. The daylong assembly was divided into two sessions wherein the morning gathering was consumed by the Governor’s Visit Activity of the club. Although the said activity was virtually conducted, its purpose which is to present plans and programs was still directed. Meanwhile, in the afternoon session, the induction program emceed by the newly elected RC-N secretary, Emilio G. Ayson Jr, was steered, in which the immediate past president Atty. Gigi Tesoro Ramos, now the Assistant Governor (AG), delivered her valedictory speech highlighting her gratitude to the support given by the members in all the activities she led during her term. Ramos also emphasized that she has faith to the incoming president which was indirectly seconded by the members of the guild. Members of RC Narvacan awarded the former president with presidential leadership as act of indebtedness to her commitment as their front-runner for the past year. Gilbert Cadacio, the newly elected president, then delivered his heartfelt speech stressing that his special needs will not hinder his will to realize the club’s motto which is, “service above self”. He also expressed his appreciativeness to everyone who carried him to the presidency position, by giving them the assurance that he will perform his duties to fully meet, if not beyond, their expectations. District Governor Willie Serafica, also delivered his message through a zoom meeting, underlining the roles of Rotarians. Furthermore, the new members of RC Narvacan, Dr. Arnel Doctolero, Lt. Col. Isagani Gutierrez, Lt. Col. Marcelo Valdez, Atty. Mark Bernard Taculog, and Atty. Marco Banez were officially inducted through the ceremonial initiation. The new set of officers and members took their oaths thereafter.
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DISTRICT 3790 EXECUTES
GRANT MANAGEMENT SEMINAR District 3790 conducted a Grant Management Seminar though online platform, attended by Narvacan Rotarians, last July 10. Through this seminar, members of Rotary Club of Narvacan expect to be qualified with global grants in the upcoming days because they were able to learn how their club’s future projects be entitled with the above-mentioned endowment.
RC NARVACAN RECEIVES RECOGNITIONS To celebrate the success and achievement of District 3790 for RY 2020-2021, RC Narvacan joined the virtual Year-End Review last June 26. The club and its members received several recognitions for their outstanding performance during the term. While on virtual participation, the club members had their fellowship as they way to celebrate the conclusion of the rotary year, and the appreciation they have received.
RaniagNEWS 5
RAMOS PASSES ON LEADERSHIP TO CADACIO Gilbert Cadacio, the newly elected president of the Rotary Club of Narvacan, accepted the duties when the previous President Gigi Ramos turns over the leadership to him, last June 26. The program kicked off with a presentation from Ramos on her humble accomplishments for the club on the Rotary year 2020-2021, as the elected president, to review their enjoined performance to attain the goals set. She also presented the current status of the club. Meanwhile, Cadacio wholeheartedly accepted the obligation of being the next president, for he knows that his colleagues will be there to support him the way they supported Ramos. His presidency term for the Rotary Year 2021-2022, started last July 1.
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PP EDWIN CONCEPCION, JR. STARTS THE ROTARY YEAR WITH ANOTHER PHF RECOGNITION PP Edwin Concepcion, Jr. starts the year with another Paul Harris Fellow recognition, now his sixth, making him the club member with the most number of fellowship awards. PP Edwin, prior to joining the Rotary Club of Narvacan had been a recipient of GSE Scholarship to New York, USA, sponsored by the Rotary Foundation. This inspired him to contribute more to the foundation that first recognized his achievements in his field of endeavor. During his stint as President for two (2) consecutive terms in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, he had contributed for at least four recognitions, before reaching his fifth one. Now, he begins the Rotary year with
RC NARVACAN JOINS UGNAY PUSO UGNAY BUHAY iming to give hope to patients who underwent Cardio-Vascular surgery, the Rotary club of Narvacan participated in the ‘Ugnay Puso Ugnay Buhay’ program of the Ilocos 2nd Regional VTT and Heart Surgical Mission of the Rotary Club of Metro Pasig District 3800, Rotary Club of Grada Hills District 5280, Philippine Heart Center, and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. The club provided these patients with medicines, milk and simple gifts to cheer them up while they are still recovering from their recent surgeries.
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another one, which may lead to his becoming a major donor. According to PP Edwin, his aim is to become the first member from the club to become a major donor. A major donor receives a crystal trophy, and must have contributed a total of at least US$10,000.00. His contribution is a great start for the Rotary year with Pres. Gilbert Cadacio’s term full of promises and upcoming activities, the contribution to the Rotary Foundation included. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
RaniagNEWS 7 NEW MEMBERS LEARN THE ROTARY WAY A virtual Membership Development Seminar was conducted last July 4 to remind the members and capacitate the newly inducted Rotarians with the general information about the club and its purpose. Insights on effective membership strategies were delivered emphasizing the enhancement of membership through the cultivation of loyalty and quality membership experience. With all the talks delivered virtually, the attendees were able to learn leadership in a Rotarian way.
NARVACAN ROTARIANS ATTEND THREE-DAY WEBINAR SERIES
RC NARVACAN DISPLAYS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN In Partnership with the DENR and Philppine Army, the Rotary Club of Narvacan conducted its annual tree planting activity at Sulvec, Narvacan, last July 20. Guided with the theme “Forest ko, Alagaan ko”, the Rotarians showed their environmental concern, by planting trees at the mountainous area of Sulvec. They said that this activity aims to raise awareness to the society in the importance of planting and saving trees to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and to build a positive relationship and camaraderie in preserving hand-in-hand the ecosystem.
The Rotary Club of Narvacan partook in the 3-day webinar series on “Raising Children with Healthier Hearts & Preventing 3H’s in Adults” last July 20 to 22, 2021. This activity was hosted by the Philippine Heart Center, MMMHMC, Rotary Club of Metro Pasig of District 3800, and District 3790 as a participating district.
Raniag Club of Narvacan
ROTARY CLUB OF NARVACAN EDITORIAL BOARD
RICADEL S. SERENO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NIKKO MARIE REYES ASSOCIATE EDITOR KRISTOFFERSON C. MONIS CONTRIBUTOR DAN JANNIEL A. ANTOLIN LAYOUT ARTIST EMILIO G. AYSON JR.
RC-NARVACAN SECRETARY
GILBERT CADACIO
CONSULTANT, RC-NARVACAN PRESIDENT