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ontinuity does not rule out fresh approaches to fresh situations.” Dean Rusk, a former US Secretary of State, once said these words, which rang true during the very successful handover ceremonies held recently at District 3820. This handover was something special to the PRM editorial board, because the incoming district

governor is one of PRM’s “very own”.The handover was held on June 13, 2009 at the Pacita Astrodome in San

Pedro Laguna and marked the transfer of the reins of District 3820 from a visibly proud outgoing district governor, Felino “Nogi” Noguera to an enthusiastic lady governor, Isidra Ursula Consuelo “Chit” Lijauco. DG Nogi is a police officer while DGE Chit is a well-respected journalist and PRM’s editorial consultant. DGE Chit is the 4th member of the editorial board family to become a district governor, and joins the ranks of the following former district governors’ representatives to the PRM (DGRs-PRM): PDG Mike Lirio (D-3820), PDG Paco Atayde (D-3810)

CONTINUITYCELEBRATESDISTRICT 3820

By PP Eduardo “Ed” M. Trinidadassociate editor, PRM

“C

The c lub of IPDG Nogi Noguera, RC Tiaong, hands over the banner of the Home Club of the District Governor to the club of DG Chit Lijauco, RC Santa Rosa Centro

District Governor-Elect Chit Lijauco

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and IPDG Jess Nicdao (D-3790).

T he PRM boa rd was in fu l l suppor t o f D G E C h i t ’ s assumption of office and was represented by Managing Editor PDG Sonny Ventura, F i n a n c e M a n a g e r PDG Johnny Aruego and spouse Dorothy, for mer DGR-PRM PP Chochit Tobias, this writer’s spouse Reby and this writer. Editor-in-chief PDG Mar un Ocampo had all intentions of joining but could not because of a fever. He was however ably represented by daughter PP Mai Ocampo, and PP Esther Balagtas of RC Central Tarlac.

The theme of the said handover

was entitled “ A C e l e b r a t i o n of Continuity”. On closer look, the adopted theme is not your regular cliché-d motherhood theme that describes only one year of service, but a well-thought out one that sets the tone for the district’s future.

The celebration was attended by over

She declared that the district will implement

projects that are in line with

the focus of the incoming RI President

John Kenny on water, health

and hunger, and literacy.

DG Chit Lijauco takes her oath of office before the Charter Governor

of District 3820, PDG Mon Cumagun, and in the presence of all the district’s

leaders, some of whom are shown here: DGN Rey Castillo, PDG Darwin Igualada, PDG Calo Calora and PDG

Henry Buban INSET: The MOA signing between District 3820 and one of the

District’s project partners, Embrace, the CSR arm of PMI-Philippines

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500 enthusiastic Rotarians and guests, which were beyond expectations. The impressive crowd included the incoming presidents and district officers, past district governors, Rotarians, spouses and special guests, including the town mayor.

In between receiving guests, DGE Chit was able to give me several details that gave me the impression that she made sure that the affair had the proper symbolisms to make it memorable. It was held in San Pedro being the first area in the district. The décor was predominantly white, with the white fragrant sampaguitas, for which the town is known, being highlighted; the guests were greeted by a beautiful chandelier made of sampaguitas as they entered the hall. And she was later inducted into office by the first governor of the district, PDG Mon Cumagun.

The affair was ushered in by a mass celebrated by no less than one of DGE Chit’s presidents, Fr. Nono Acompanado, who is the Visionary President (RY2009-2010) of RC Goa Partido (Naga, Camarines Sur). In his homily, Fr. Nono made a memorable remark that related to the handover theme and which touched the hearts of those present. He said, “We are the receivers of the past, the protagonists of the present and the fashioners of the future.”

In her inaugural speech, D G E C h i t e n v i s i o n s continuing past programs that proved successful , introducing new ones that will hue to the RI president’s thrusts and that are specific to the needs of the district’s communities, and setting the stage for projects that are planned by 2 future governors.

She declared that the distr ict wi l l implement projects that are in line with the focus of the incoming RI President John Kenny on water, health and hunger, and literacy. In addition to these, she exhorted her presidents to also continue to support

FROM TOP: The continuing leadership of District 3820 represented by IPDG Nogi Noguera, DG Chit Lijauco, DGE Tato Dimayuga and DGN Rey Castillo; IPDS Rodel Umali, IPDG Nogi, DG Chit and IPP Zeny Dictado; the PRM family that includes PP Chochit Tobias, PDG Johnny Aruego, PP Ed Trinidad, PDG Sonny Ventura, DG Chit, Spouse Reby Trinidad, PP Mai Ocampo, Spouse Dorothy, and PP Ester Balagtas.

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R.I.’s passion to rid the world of polio; implement livelihood programs to soften the impact of the economic recession, using Vocational Service to teach skills and instill proper values; continue with projects that protect the environment and set the stage for DGE Tato Dimayuga’s dream to plant millions of trees; adopt l i teracy projects, which is DGN Rey Cast i l lo ’s a d v o c a c y , including the f i r s t - t i m e h o l d i n g o f Model United N a t i o n s Assembly o r

M.U.N.A. in the district to promote the global perspective of the youth.

She also promoted the projects that would answer the common needs of the communities in the district through the “Livelihood Van” and the “Vegetable Garden”. She also announced offering

projects that will be in tandem with the rest of the Rotary districts in the Philippines,

like the International Projects Fair in November, the RotaTree Nationwide Project and the “End Polio” Project in February.

She proudly announced that her ‘Visionary Presidents’ will receive their ‘Passports to Excellence’, which has become a tradition introduced

by PDG Jim Hao, which will guide club presidents on what areas to

prioritize or focus on, and which will summarize points earned in the

process (the points are in diminishing order based on ranking). She said that the passport has consolidated the priorities i n t o t h e a c r o n y m

F.A.M.E.S,

which stands for, and are ranked as follows: Foundation (The Rotary Foundation) (no. 3), Attendance (no. 4), Membership (no. 2), Extension (no. 5) and Service (no. 1).

Af t e r he r speech , she s i gned a memorandum of ag reement with Philip Morris International-Philippines, which will provide funds to eligible club projects under its corporate social responsibility program called “Embrace”. The project will be coordinated by the RC of Tanauan.

The crowd was amused by DGE Chit’s sharing of two events in her personal and Rotary life that she said she could not help but string together – the recent birth of her latest grandchild and the handover—which she said were both celebrations of continuity, one a continuity of her bloodline and the other a continuity of district leadership. She said that continuity is the better occasion to celebrate than a beginning at the start of each year. She said this why Rotary has lasted for 105 years.

The whole event was punctuated by speeches, ceremonies, award-giving, merry-making, entertainment, food and drinks, but what was more evident was the enthusiasm and inspired volunteerism that pervaded the air. District 3820’s and Rotary’s future are indeed, now in DGE Chit’s and these people’s capable hands. v

The Visionary Presidents of District 3820 proudly wearing their official necktie or scarf during their mass induction

“The Future of Rotary is in Our Hands,” says DGE Chit.