Rotary Club celebrates Centennial Year

The twenty third of February 2005 is a milestone in civic history as Rotary Clubs all over the world celebrate the time when a certain compassionate lawyer formed   a group of his profession for fellowship and charitable works.   Since then, the club has grown into 31,936 service oriented clubs with about 1.2 million leaders in their own fields of expertise doing volunteer service for the benefit of their community, environment and lesser privileged brothers and sister.

As Rotary International President 2004-2005 Glenn Estess Jr., states: "Rotary club members have provided more than $1.4 billion for service projects in more than 166 countries.   Rotary supports the world's largest privately funded international scholarship program and sponsors one of the world's most popular youth exchange programs.   We have been leaders in the global fight against polio."

For this year's first hundred years' celebration, thirteen Iloilo-based Rotary clubs will be convening at Sta. Maria Church to attend a thanksgiving service.   This will be followed by a one-hundred car caravan that will motorcade around Iloilo City Proper and end at Iloilo Central Elementary School where they will be treating elementary school toddlers to food & gift packs and a Magic Show!   In the afternoon, the public may view and purchase affordable art works by Ilonggo artists at Hotel Del Rio's executive room. The proceeds of which will be donated to alleviate the suffering of victims of natural disaster at General Nakar with the club of Infanta Quezon partnering with the Council of Iloilo Rotary clubs.   The day's activities will be capped by a ball with members and their Anns and special guests.  

PLDT's tele-conferencing technology will allow a real time link up between the Iloilo clubs and the ones in Bacolod with District 3850's Governor, Madame Nanette Garcia sending her greetings from her hometown.   Rotary International's Glenn Estess, Jr. will likewise send his greetings and invite members to attend the celebrations in June in Chicago   via a prerecorded message .   The GSE team – a group composed of professional leaders who were beneficiaries of Rotary Foundation's international scholarship programs will present a short video clip of their contributions to their respective communities.   Then it's off to the talent show of Rotarians and the ballroom dancing portions of the program with a live band providing the background music. Participating clubs and their Presidents are as follows:   RC Iloilo (Council President) Nonel Gemora; RC Metro Iloilo Atty. Cyril Regalado; RC South Bong Ablona; RC West Joe Hortillas, Jr.; RC Central I.C. Vanessa Ong; RC Iloilo City Tong Somo; RC Jaro Apin Federico; RC Jaro Centraline Nelson Pomado; RC Jaro North and South respectively headed by Yvonne Ybiernas and Cesar Gangoso; RC Midtown Noe Gumayao; RC Molo Jess Arlegui and RC Guimaras Gelyn Garrido. Guidance will come from Assistant District Governors:   Chris Montero, Alex Ong and Tony Salas.