REDISCOVER BACOLOD DISCON 2008!

Once again, we have renewed our friendship. Strong fellowship among Rotarians anywhere SHIP ROTARY is evident to each and everyone and District Convention is one venue of where we renew our friendship with each other. It was a privileged again this time to be part once more of a great fellowship with fellow Rotarians from all over Negros, Visayas and Mindanao, likewise with some officers from the local District and International District, too.

Last April 3-5, 2008, Rotarians of the whole District 3850 convened at the newest hotel in town, Planta & Residences Hotel along Araneta Street, Bacolod City. The host club, Rotary Club of Bacolod South enjoined all forces to come up with a successful Discon 2008!

It is an honor to have met Rotary International Representative – Director Elect Jackson and L. Hsieh and spouse Juliet during the event. If to rate who will be the best dress of Retro during the second night, it will be Director Jackson. You will agree with me, seeing the evidence in the picture on the side.

The Plenary 1 session theme: “Rotary Shares in our District and in the World” started with an awe-inspiring National Anthem of Republic of China (Taiwan) performed by the students of Tay Tung High School Chorale (since R.I. Rep Jackson and Spouse Juliet is from Taiwan) and of course, the Philippine National Anthem led by the startling performance of the Rotary Club of Victorias Chorale. The address of District 3850 Governor Prince Gerochi on “Rotary Shares in District 3850 Today” is likewise astounding. His leadership this year is from Prince to a King – without a kingdom though (cheers!)

Welcome Fellowship Dinner on the first night of which my partner AG Boy did not showed up ( hehehe), I have to make a stand alone (hu!hu!hu!). Oh well, as I quote what Dir. Jackson said during the opening of the plenary of which he also quoted from Edward Everette: “I am the only one, But I am alone. I can not do everything, but I can do something……”, the rest is history. Not bad, because, some parts of the program were not materialized and it made my appearance too short, unexpectedly! (cheers!) Everybody was starving, anyway!

Plenary Session 2 with the topic “Rotary Shares thru Effective Clubs in District 3850” turned out to be very informative with many elated speakers like Rotary Leadership Institute Chair – PDG Rudy Estrellado; RI Public Image Zone Coordinator PDG Lynne Abanilla (a privileged to have met her for the first time and talked to her about future project); I am so delighted to see once again RI Membership Zone Coordinator, PDG Bobby Viray and his wife whom I met the first time during Boracay Discon 2007 and an impressive interactive table discussion from PDG Sonny Coloma, Jr – Past Rotary Institute Training Leader.

Plenary Session 3 with the topic on “Rotary Shares thru Participation and Contribution of Effective Clubs in the Rotary Foundation” was well facilitated by the dazzling gentleman from Zambonga City – PP Oliver Ong. During the plenary, San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito, spoke on his being a successful leader, being a young government leader. Likewise, R.I. PR Director-Elect Jackson shared Rotary in our World during his speech. It is in this session that The Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members, Major Gift Donors and Paul Harris Fellow were recognized and how significant their contribution to the world, especially for eradicating POLIO.

Plenary Session 4 is on “Rotary Shares thru Successful Service Projects and the Rotary Foundatio.” The session was more focused on Successful Projects of which PDG Toto Cua Locsin served as the moderator, being the most accommodating District Grants Subcommittee Chair. The panel resource speakers were: the birthday golden boy PDG Alex Huang on Water projects, always appealing PDG Lina Aurelio on Literacy project, PDG Mar Nery on Health and Hunger, and PDG Toto Cupin on Matching Grants.

The Best of the Best Talent Dinner Show on the second night was exhilarating. What with the theme costume “Retro 60’s & 70’s, everybody showed up in their best attire ever. The Totong Villaruz Band group made the night more thrilling, they offered non-stop Retro dance music. DG Prince even was obliged to give out prizes on the best dress during the night’s fellowship dinner.

Oh! and please I don't want to miss my hats off and great compliment to PDG Alex Huang for the fantastic singing voice and fellowship with him during the night.

The last day of the Discon the next morning, our Incoming District Governor Emma Nava and District Governor Elect Edgar Sy were presented to the delegates. It was a grand standing ovation for DGE Edgar, as he shared his dream to us about the world in his shoulder, his anecdote on KOLOKOY (by the way, his Rotary Name is Diotay and not Kolokoy hehehe). “Diotay” is small in the local dialect, but when you hear and see Edgar, his enveloping concern on the problem of the world today is worth emulating by our leaders. To those who is not familiar with him, his work with Rotary is encompassing and we look forward to his leadership in the year 2009-2010. RY 2008-09 Incoming District Governor Emms Nava speech was received with standing ovation, too, coupled with shriek blower delegates who has the whistle. (Mind your ears!) It added fun during the plenary, a whistle-exercise....

To those who were not aware, the Centinnial Team led by our gracious host,PDG Nanette Garcia had our centennial cocktail reunion in the afternoon of April 5 at Planta. There were about 12 members who made it and we took the opportunity to give a toast to now District Governor Nominee James Makasiar of Zamboanga City. The Centennial Team is really proud of you and we will be beside and behind you all the way to the next Rotary years to come....It was an honor to be your host and be part of the team, too. The year was my first year in Rotary. It was PDG Nanette who inspired and motivated me to do more for Rotary, indeed it is fun to be with Rotary, life is more rewarding and worth living for. It radiates in her (PDG Nanette) face the beauty of Rotary. It proves that lady Rotarian can make it good, and even better for the community. She is our motherly Governor. Thank you.

The most awaited moments of Discon is the Governor’s Ball on the last night’s event. This is the event of which all delegates has to wear their best formal attire and that the District recognizes all the hard work and best effort of those clubs who performed very well during the Rotary year thru awards. Our club vested 11 major and minor awards, too, to wit: Most Outstanding Avenue of Community Service Award, Best Vocational Project Award (Youth Congress), Best Rotary Community Corp Project Award, Best Community Project (Feeding Program), Best Public Image/PR Award (Tri-Media), Outstanding RCC Award, Outstanding Rotary Club Award (Category B), Outstanding Avenue of Club Service Award, 2^nd Highest Contribution to The Rotary Foundation Award, Outstanding RCC Award, Outstanding Club Secretary Award, Outstanding Club President Award and Distinguished Service Award for IP Megs Lunn being the Fellowship Program Chair & PP Raphy Tayco, Jr. as RCC Chair and 4th Runner-up for AG Noli Sodusta on Rotary Discon Golf Tournament, you made it again, AG Noli. Rotary kids Clouds Lunn, Lenard, Marie & Nicole Tayco, Hannah and Gamaliel Sodusta really had great fun, too. Congratulations RC Kalibo!

It was during the last night that we really did enjoy to the fullest. The party turned out to be like a High School Prom, but only to those who stayed up late until 3 AM, okey. It was an invigorating and reviving night and it’s good we saved the best for last! Open bar, retro musical dances and electrifying Rotarian dancers, too. We could have stayed all night, but everything that is beautiful, has its ending, too. We only can cherish the rest of the event, until we see everyone again next Discon 2009!

MABUHAY DISCON 2008! Congratulations to one and all! You all deserve the best of everything. Good luck to RY 2008-09!!!

Before I end this, I would like to give another SALUTE to DGN Edgar Sy and his management and staff at Bacolod Executive Inn for the very warm and kind service, ever!

As your perpetual or habitual Fellowship Chair, I am more than glad to see everyone! Cheers!