The Bridge of Service

A Clear Vision for a brighter Tomorrow

2009-01-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

RCMNE Revives “Love Your Eyes” Project for Young Students

by Pres. Jojo Roxas

The project was implemented in two segments. The first was the free computerized eye examination last Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 2008, where RCMNE brought in licensed ophthalmologists and, literally, had to roll-in the equipment on make-shift carts provided by the school, and examined about 500 students.
The second segment was last Dec. 18, 2008 where some 100 students, who were tested having varying levels of eyesight problems, were given their free eyeglasses as the club’s early Christmas gifts to them. RCMNE also donated several units of electric fans to the school on the same day.
Love Your Eyes 2008 was made possible by a cash grant from the Gilda Lim Foundation as facilitated by RI District 3830, and the generous support of Acebedo Optical.Project Love Your Eyes is now considered as a continuing service project of the club and preparations are on-going for a bigger initiative in Rotary Year 2009-2010. RCMNE looks forward to implementing the same activity for the benefit of 3rd and 4th year students of Torres High School, a public school, in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, whose Interact Club has been sponsored by RCMNE.

The Rotary Club of Makati Northeast (RCMNE) brought Christmas cheers to some 100 students of Maricaban Elementary School with the recent revival of Project “Love Your Eyes,” which provided free computerized eye examinations and eyeglasses to grades 4 to 6 students of the said school located in Maricaban, Pasay City. Initiated during the first term of PP Chito Perlada (who was re-elected for his second term as RCMNE president for RY 2009-2010), Project Love Your Eyes is one of the club’s laudable community and child development initiatives and aimed at helping improve children’s education by enhancing their classroom performance. Studies have shown that many public school students perform poorly in their studies, not entirely because they have limited academic capabilities, but because they have poor eye sight. Providing eyeglasses is something that will help them secure a clearer and brighter future.

The second segment was last Dec. 18, 2008 where some 100 students, who were tested having varying levels of eyesight problems, were given their free eyeglasses as the club’s early Christmas gifts to them. RCMNE also donated several units of electric fans to the school on the same day.

Love Your Eyes 2008 was made possible by a cash grant from the Gilda Lim Foundation as facilitated by RI District 3830, and the generous support of Acebedo Optical.Project Love Your Eyes is now considered as a continuing service project of the club and preparations are on-going for a bigger initiative in Rotary Year 2009-2010. RCMNE looks forward to implementing the same activity for the benefit of 3rd and 4th year students of Torres High School, a public school, in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, whose Interact Club has been sponsored by RCMNE.

The President's Corner: REMEMBER SEPTEMBER

2008-09-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

This is a great month!

I’m most enthralled by the activities we’re cooking up for the Rotary Club of Makati Northeast for September.

We’re days short of our grand induction of officers and members. I am most grateful to our members who sponsored new blood in our Club. There’s IPP Paolo Flores (Mikey Flores), PP Dona Ado (Dado Fonacier), Rtn. Malu Antes (Greten Estella).

Let me make a special recognition to my recruit and soon to be a Rotarian, Mr. Romulo “Romy” Abrigo for being such a dear friend, whose support and trust I truly treasure. Romy has been actively prospecting new members to join our growing club. He has pledged two additional members to join us, even before becoming an official member of the club. One of whom we’ve already met and will also become a full-fledged Rotarian, his tukayo, Romy “Al” Alquitran. I believe Romy and Al and will play critical roles in the re-strengthening of Makati Northeast. Thank you gentlemen!

I’d also like to thank soon to be Rotarian Greten Estella who helped design our club’s signature pro-environment campaign, the 4R sticker. Maraming salamat Greten! We’ll also be looking forward to your recruit as well!

And there’s also the progress on our projects: Love Your Eyes, the renewal of ties with Maricaban Elementary School through Principal Nancy Pascual and the Florentino Torres High School through Principal Rosita Herson.

Our club has also been quite active in NEWGEN 2008 in celebration of the Rotary month of new generations (September). It’s coming up on Saturday, September 27. A gentle reminder to all!

See you all on September 10, Wednesday, 6PM at the Café Villa, Philippine Army Officers’ Club, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Cheers everyone!

Jojo Roxas
President, RC Makati Northeast
RY2008-2009

The New Generation: Torres Highschool Visit

2008-09-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Three of our very able and enthusiastic Presidents went to Torres Highschool last September 2,2008. President Jojo Roxas, PP Jun Avellanosa and PP Chito Perlada made a courtesy call with Principal Rosita Henson of Torres Highschool Tondo. Also present were Ms. Letty Dela Cruz (Interact Club Adviser), Mr. Felix Tumanan (Student Government Adviser), Ms. Abegail Suarez (Interact Club President) and the other officers of our Interact club. It was a venue to discuss the future projects and activities of RC Makati Northeast for our Interact club, as well as for the students, advisers and Principal to get to know our current club president. There are two upcoming activities lined up for the students of Torres Highschool, namely The New Generations conference on September 27 and the District Singing Idol 2 for Solo performers and Chorale on November 15 (RCMNe is the co-host for both activities). It was a fruitful and worthwhile meeting and while there were only three gallant men from RCMNe who came, they represented the club very well and renewed their commitment to support the bright students of Torres Highschool.

The Next Episode: RCMNe's 2nd Decade

2008-09-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

RC Makati Northeast recently celebrated its 11th Charter Anniversary last June 26, 2008 at the Executive Lounge of Citimotors Pasong Tamo Makati. It was a night to celebrate its first 10 years and an opportunity to reminisce at the memories, friendships, projects and success of this young Rotary club. Each past president was honored and given the chance to say a few words on their respective terms and achievements as president, as well as their dreams for the club. Representatives from the club's partner in service (P. Burgos elementary school), specifically our beloved Principal Dr. Erna Doctor and her lovely daughter were present, as well as a good number of prospective members. Our club advisers, PP Perry Noble and PP Tony Chong were at hand, and even current President Jojo Roxas' "classmate" was in attendance, Pres. Raffy Yllana. There were a handful of our Club's friends and regular guests and even a song number from a guest, Rtn. Nikki Junia, who gave a beautiful rendition of our official song "Bridges". After the program, there was singing and merrymaking with PP Perry, Rtn. Nikki, IPP Pao, PP Jun, PP Dona and Pres. Jojo taking turns in giving their best song pieces to entertain the crowd. All in all, it was a memorable anniversary and a sign of very good things to come for the club under the stewardship of its youthful President, Jojo Roxas.

Launching the Dream: team Visit 2008

2008-06-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

The Club recently held its team visit last June 19, 2008 at Elk's Club Makati. This was rather an early team visit as the official start of the "real good ugh ugh ugh" presidents' term is on July 1. 2 members of the Gov. Boyet's team attended, namely Cluster 4 AG Jun Turla and SAG Alex Yague. A lot of our members were present, including SP Paolo, PE Jojo, PP Chito, PP Jun, PP Dona, PP Richard, club adviser PP Tony, Rtn. Malou and soon-to-be Rotarian Rtn. Dado. The visit was a resounding success and it just goes to show that the club is indeed in good hands with PE Jojo taking the helm this year. The "dream" was officially launched with the unveiling of the club's plans for the year.

A fellowship soon followed after the visit at the Elk's club lounge. Three Rotary Clubs joined together for a night of music, laughter and fun. RC Makati Buendia's PE Rick Loyola and Rotary Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas' PE Briggs Merin, as well as 4 of his clubmates, including Rtn Nikki Junia were also present during the "instant" fellowship.

The future indeed looks bright for RC Makati Northeast, and it begins now.

Share the Dream

2008-05-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

We often find ourselves in the middle of the day, our minds simply wandering and drifting, thinking of new and sometimes crazy ideas just to let time pass by a bit faster. I had a vision and a goal when I assumed the presidency of this club last July, 2007. Lo and behold, a year has passed and another leader will step up and assume the post. I have shared my time, talent and treasure for Rotary as President of our club. It may not have been the best in the young, but rich history of my club, yet I'm certain that I gave it my best with whatever resources and support that I had. It could have been better, yes. A bit more fun, of course. But to me, It was a year of learning and discovery. That inspite of all the bad things in this world, there remains the presence of good and sincere souls whose genuine purpose is to help those in need and share whatever they have to those who have not.

My journey as a Rotary President opened my eyes to this fact: That no matter how hopeless things are, there will always be someone who will step up and go the extra mile for others. My fellow sharing presidents served as my inspiration to strive and be a better individual, to think of myself a little less and others, a little bit more. My fellow soon to be past presidents at the club taught me the value of not giving up and not giving in to situations when I was ready to let go and turn back. They reminded me that I could be more and do more if I push harder and ride the storms that come my way. My fellow clubmates assured me that they would be there whatever it takes and indeed they pulled through.

I share these bits and pieces of my experience because a year ago, these were just dreams that I wanted to fulfill. Now that I pass the torch to the next President, Jojo Roxas, I know that he will carry on these dreams and make them real for the club. I know that he will be a fine president, not only because I sponsored his entry to this club (hehehe) but because I believe in his own dreams. I'm confident that at the end of his term as president, he will not only be "real good", but be the "real deal" as well. As the club moves forward on its 12th year, we must all strive to share our dreams and make them real, for our club, our district, and everyone whose lives we touch each and every day of our lives as rotarians.