By; Rtn. Mike Banos

The Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro (Mother Club) is taking Rotary International’s Shelter Box project in Sitio Calaanan one step further by taking up the codgels for one whole block of 43 units permanent habitations.

“We are tying up with Habitat for Humanity in setting up the Rotary Compound in the permanent relocation area,” said RCCDO Pres. Ian Mark Q. Nacaya. “the project is being undertaken by the RCCDO Foundation headed by Chairman and Past District Governor and former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula under the supervision of Rotarian Mar Paano, RCCDP President Elect.

The project cover then building of quadruplex units. Each 23 x 40 x 4 meter building costs P320,000.00 with each quad unit costing P80,000.00. Each unit has a net area of 21 square meters but unlike similar quad units, the RCCDO Unit boast of a loft which offers some privacy as sleeping quarters and an in-built toilet facility.

“although the units are small, this doesn’t mean we cannot give the residents some dignity,” said PDG Tinnex Jaraula. “By including the bedroom loft and private toilet, at least we can give them a starting point to step up their future direction.”

The Rotary Compound is also making the available project funds go a longer way with some innovation introduces by PE Mar Paano such as the use cyclone wire instead of steel with insulation in lieu of concrete hollow blocks which have resulted in substantial savings per unit.

In addition, part of the Rotary Compound area will be allotted for a multi-purpose training center for TESDA supervised skills training and double as a Day-Care Center.

“In keeping with the tenets of Rotary International, we are also planning to organize the residents in the Rotary Compound into Rotary Village Corps,” PDG Tinnes Jaraula said,

Initiated by RI President M.A.T. Caparas in 1986 as a means of improving the quality of life in villages, neighborhoods and communities, a Rotary Village Corps is a Rotary club-sponsored group of non-Rotarians who desire to help their own community by conducting a specific improvement project.

“The RCCDO members will provide the guidance, encouragement, organizational structure and some of the material assistance for Rotary Village Corps, whose members would provide the manpower to help their own community,” PE Mar Paano said.

Rotary Village Corps have been organized mainly in depressed ghetto areas of major cities where the groups of individuals need the organizational and managerial skills of Rotarians to undertake valuable self-help community projects.

The Rotary Compound project started shortly by RCCDO Pres. Ian Mark Nacaya after the Sendong disaster with a P50,000 seed fund facilitated by PDG Jun Nolasco. Although the initial plan was only for one quad unit, the response from various donors was so positive pretty soon the club had a P180,000 kitty to work on.

Initially the club considered Balulang for the project site but due to numerous issues involved with that location, the site was moved to Barangay Indahag in coordination with Habitat for Humanity and the DSWD.

The ground breaking for the building was held February 17, 2012 with the project leaders in attendance and guest Habitat for Humanity Philippines Representative Mr. Tots Escalada, DSWD Director Paz Sarino, Guest Rotarian Carmelita L. Vinson of Chula Vista Rotary Club, and representatives of the 52^nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippines Army.

Pres. Ian Mark Q. Nacaya

In the midst of disarray and tragic unhappy events in the city brought by typhoon sending I still wish you all a brighter, more fulfilling and blessed new year.

The calamity that struck us and the many uncomforting situations were a hard-knock eye opener to all of us who are inhabitants and stakeholders of the progress put reversed by the water fell down. Restless and helpless were just simple words that could describe the wrath of nature upon those who were trapped in the danger zone and those who would want the killer water to disappear.

Yet, the score of lives lost and destruction of properties were the ignition of the true nature of men came broadly providing help, support and love to all in need. The unfaithful events stretched the capacities of man to serve his fellows, lived meaningfully the essence of Christmas celebration through sharing and giving.

It hurts us, despaired many, but never forgotten and untouched.

Countless help were gathered in multitude bigger than the strong winds that came with sending. The human force we were able to produce was a snap of fingers readily available bounded on our strength as men for others.

As a club with a mission to deliver human improvement programs in the community, we have initially supplied relief goods and foods through the facility of the Mother’s House of German Doctors. We have responded immediately on the need then of water supply by routing our 4,000 liters of water tanker around the city and the muddy houses of our fellow Rotarians. The undertaking was ably assisted by PP Dodie Lagrosas.

From a consensus among us who joined the club Board meetings called in December, we have agreed to put up Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Village for at least twenty raw houses. For this purpose, we have created a special bank account and donations are continuously pouring in.

We have also reactivated our club’s foundation with list of nominees of trustees for confirmation in today’s meeting.

Our plan to construct a village may be a tall order but with the same strength that all of us have pulled together in this state, we believe we shall be able to accomplish this task.

Over the entry of 2012, your president, president-elect Mar Paano and PAG Manny Alinabon were asked to lead the installation of 408 tents from the Rotary Shelter Box. Now, hundreds of families are enjoying the shelter, first aid support and kitchen materials the Rotary Shelter Box Village have provided them.

I cannot thank you enough for all the support you all have given to our constituents my fellow Rotarians. You have indeed lived by the virtues and values of Rotary as concerned citizens and people of God.

Pres. Ian Mark Q. Nacaya

RES IPSA LIQUITOR.

I am greatly humbled of the show of support of our fellow Rotarians had shown in the past Club functions during our joint Club meeting with our Rotrary Anns on the 1st Thursday and Christmas party on the 2nd Saturday.

At the recent twin events, your presence have reinforced the kind of feeling that we all have towards our chosen club. We have gathered in style and the usual unparalleled numbers. The joint meeting went smoothly with forty one Rotarians and twenty seven of our Anns. That rare meeting was wanting of dull moments; instead, we have had more of inspiring flashes and smiles, which produced several poses.

The party at the residence of PD Tony & Ann PP Malou de la Cruz was another memorable club Christmas program. T’was a convergence of more than forty Rotarians and thirty plus Anns celebrating the yuletide.

These gatherings were made possible thru the efforts of our Rotary Anns and a number of Rotarians who volunteered to prepare the venue and other support extended to make our gathering interesting and colorful.

Indeed, Res Ipsa Liquitor.

I am grateful of the many blessings given us, especially the opportunity of leading our club. Thank you for the entire semester of good memories together in fellowship and in service. As we unfold the second half of this Rotary year, we expect the same interest and enthusiasm amongst us as we unveil brighter club programs and projects for our fellow men.

I, thank you my fellow Rotarians and our beauteous Anns for a wonderful six months.

On this meeting, we shall elect our club officers for the next rotary year and the president nominee for RY 2013-2014.

Let us pay the good fortune, blessings forward!

“To whom much is given, much is expected in return.”

Pres. Ian Mark Q. Nacaya

Before the year ends, we deem it necessary to meet officially our Rotary Anns in a flash-spark fellowship luncheon meeting. What a great way of starting the yuletide season in our respective club uniforms.

Today, we shall also gear up for the second semester design of Kagayanon Club Bulletin. We’ll pose in awhile to prepare for this cover page. My special thanks to our Club Bulletin Chairman and Club Administration Director, PAG John Mark Sarraga and Director Jj Ramnani, respectively, for agreeing to the direction we have set for the next six months of issues of our bulletin. In same breadth, our bulletin is open for your advertisement requirement. A thousand pesos will give you the priority space. Please advise our staff Nimfa of your intention to place ads on our bulletin not later than the 8th day of this month with your design.

May I greet you in advance a happy and a joyful Christmas as we prepare His coming in remembrance of how The Almighty joined mankind to bring our faith closer to His Kingdom. Like Him, our pursuit to accomplish our tasks that could help improve the lives of others is our constant desire. Being one in this club is a manifestation of our interest to help and not be helped by others. We would like to see a community that is ever changing to the betterment. We would like to live in it with full of hope that all will be benefitted of the good natured men and women, we are.

I am happy to receive favorable responses to our call to write and contribute one’s thoughts on any and all matters relative to our club’s development. Your thoughts whether a personal experience in Rotary or an amplification of a time-tested belief, dogma, and style of leadership are very much welcome. Your thoughts are very important to us. Your sharing is greatly appreciated. Initially, we express our thanks to PVP John de Cleene, Rtn Mark Zenski, Rtn Ahmad Eslamlou, Rtn Rey Lomarda, and Direcotor Jj Ramnani for taking time to write their thoughts.

Our Family Corner Column of Director Paul Clarence ‘Popo’ Juarez has now a broad readership amongst Kagayanon subscribers. His ‘Temper Tantrums’ article has changed certain views in parenting: instead of understanding the ways of our kids, we are urged to first understand our own ways to change the behavior of the young. A good guide to all of us, parents. A reference material, which is easily available in our club bulletin weekly. Thanks Director Popo for keeping us updated of researches that directly affect our daily lives.

Another space in our bulletin that has equally a wide following is the ‘Rotarians also Laugh’ by Secretary Ben Elio. His unending stories about the good and the bad, the lawyers, the doctors and the peanuts, among the many mainstay in this space has brought smiles and laughter, during and after the Thursday meetings. Hehe … thanks my speedy Secretary Ben.

Our better halves who showed us the paths to take are the obvious strength why the mother club have led extraordinarily in the District even as an exclusive male club. Truly, our home-makers, our partners. You have made our work in the club lighter. Thank you our Rotary Anns.

May I thank our program coordinator in the last week’s meeting, PAG Chito Sarraga, and the other participants: PD Gus Rodano, PAG Manny Alinabon, Treasurer Vince Valencia, Rtn Mark Zenski and his hyper showmanship while singing a tone of music, AG Manny Along, PP Dodie Lagrosas, PAG John Mark Sarraga, and Secretary Ben.

We also express our thanks to our Anns who joined us in the previous meeting, namely: PP Ching Sarraga, PP Josy Alinabon, President Jessica Elio, and Secretary Juvy Sarraga. We extend our gratitude also to the guests of PS Alvin Benasa, Rtn Elmer Robas and PD Dexter Bandera, Mr. Mike Baños, Mr. Micko Benavente and Mr. Jun Aba, respectively.

On this meeting, we shall be entertained by our in-house singers and we shall be jointly announcing with our Rotary Anns the second quarter-Christmas fellowship activity of our club this RY.

Let us pay the good fortune, blessings forward!