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vol. 1 (22)   *   November 30, 2001

November 30, 2001   *   vol. 1 (22)

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     It took a Pangasinense, Six De Vera, to fruitfully organize the Rotary Club of San Fernando La Union on September 26, 1959, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts from philanthropists of La Union. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dagupan, with 33 active charter members, the RCSFU was accepted by Rotary International on November 25, 1959 as the 42nd Rotary Club in the Philippines. Forty-two years after, the club with 62 active members, has flourished to become such a big name in the Rotary World.

     Since its charter, our club has been in the forefront in community service among the rest in the District. We had the honor of receiving two RI Significant Achievement Awards; first was in 1971 for the “Porkies for Goodwill” Project, and the next came in 2000 for the magnanimous total development of Barangay Sibuan Otong. In 1986 we pioneered a Rotary Village Corps in Namtutan, which was the first ever accredited by the RI worldwide. This RVC is still functional in our day. Barangay Calabugao, an adopted barangay of the club in 1998 was adjudged Best Rural Barangay in a City. Another noble one was the Leprosy Eradication in 1984. Since September of this RY we have embarked on a Comprehensive Disaster Management Barangay-based Project for the five calamity-prone towns and barangays in La Union, which we hope to finish by March of 2002.

     As regards Club Service we have gotten by to be the Best Club for couple of years, and during our lean years we remained yet among the top five in the District. We have produced several Most Outstanding Presidents. Since the start of the millennium we have reaped both Most Outstanding Club and President. A good fellowship and mutual confidence among members has been truly our club’s strength. So

seldom do we encounter problems especially in meetings as we have managed to have more than 96% membership attendance through the years. As of July this RY, we have been achieving a 100%. We also take pride in producing three District Governors, one of whom, PDG Ces Mendoza had been a recipient of Service Above Self Award. We had a Rotary Service Center for two decades, but a new one will soon rise to serve as our Rotary Service and Training Center.

     In the early 80’s we have started conducting LUMOPEST and MOPRESA, programs that aimed to honor deserving public school teachers and principals. We continue such worthy programs today if only to encourage teachers to give their best in elevating the quality of our education. In 1996 the club came up with the PDG Rudy Nisce Foundation, in honor of the late PDG, to sponsor 9 qualified students to college per year. By far there have been about ten graduates from various courses. This is aside from the club’s own granting of vocational training and development courses.

     Under the International Service, our club lingers to be the highest contributor to the Rotary Foundation. So far we have received more than P25 million aids for various club endeavors. The latest of which is the Hospital Equipment Repair Training Program, which has started in February 2001. This seeks to help hospitals, especially the public institutions, to become self-reliant.

      In spite all of these, the present leadership vows to further raise the bar of excellence in service. These accomplishments are just drops in the bucket, as we believe there is still much working for and helping to do. After all, mankind is our business.

Call to Order                       Pres.  Richard Dy
Invocation                            Dir. Reggie Chan
National Anthem   
Welcome Remarks               Pres. Richard Dy
Introduction of Guests &
   Visiting Rotarians                    PP Albert Dy
Message of the Governor            DG Mark Go
Induction of New Members         DG Mark Go
Awards and Recognition     VP Rex Mendoza
Introduction of  the Guest of
   Honor & Speaker               PP Rey Bonifacio