MORE than 400 Rotarians from all over Rotary International District 3870 are expected to attend the Saulog! District Convention 2017 which starts today at Hotel de Susana and Resort at Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
This year’s RI district convention is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Metro Valencia and runs from April 29 to May 1, 2017. It will be participated by the 45 Rotary Clubs that compose District 3870, which covers Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and del Sur, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Camiguin Island, Cagayan de Oro, and Bukidnon.
RI District 3870 Governor Miriam Ruth “Jing” Dablio Dela Calzada, said that to celebrate the 33rd District Conference is to celebrate 33 years of existence as a RI District. She said it is a significant milestone for it is a testimony of 33 long years of making a difference in people’s lives and of being true to every Rotarian’s commitment of Service Above Self.
The event chairman, past assistant governor (PAG) Marlowe C. Selecios, said this year’s theme “Saulog!” (Celebrate!) is fitting for it literally captures the celebratory mood, the jovial temper and the cheerful state of the District. He further said this convention is also a coming-out party of the RCMV, which is hosting an event of this magnitude for the first time.
“This Rotary celebration will reflect the youthful dynamism of RCMV, layered with the rich cultural heritage of Bukidnon province and accented by the daring character and enterprising spirit of the bustling City of Valencia,” he said.
The three-day convention will showcase notable RI District projects that have made great and lasting impact on people and communities and will recognize the Rotary clubs and leaders who made possible these positive changes. The projects manifest Rotary’s six areas of focus that include peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development.
Representing RI President John Germ is RIPR Rolando V. Villanueva, who in his message emphasized that as Rotarians serve the underprivileged, they should not forget to play a significant role in the development of other Rotarians within and outside their rotary clubs, “for we could never achieve our objectives towards our beneficiaries if we ourselves have not been ‘touched,’” he wrote.
To validate and invigorate the Rotarians’ commitment to service, resource speakers have been invited to grace the convention. Plenary speakers include Mr. Tony Meloto, the Founder of Gawad Kalinga (GK), with his topic “Walang Iwanan: Ending Poverty through Caring and Sharing”, PDG Robert Kuan, who is a business maverick, philanthropist and founder of Chowking with his topic “Create, Innovate, Donate: The Secrets to Generating Wealth and Inspiring Donors”, Mayor Romy Tiongco, the former three-term chief executive of Damulog, Bukidnon with his topic“Blessed are the Peacemakers: The Search for Peace amidst Conflict and Diversity”, and RI District 3860 Governor Me’anne Solomon with her topic “Finishing Strong: Tips on How to End the Rotary Year of Service with a Bang!”
As this is the first for RCMV to host a Rotary District Convention, this is also the first for Valencia City which has positioned itself as an exciting tourism and convention destination of the region with its eponymous “Love Ko Valencia” campaign.
“The city government recognizes and values Rotary International as a key partner in progress. Government developmental programs were efficiently and effectively implemented as a result of this partnership. My administration will continue to link with socio-civic and people’s organizations such as Rotary to provide help to the underprivileged even as the City of Valencia continues its remarkable growth and consolidates its position as the economic hub of the Province of Bukidnon,” said Valencia Mayor Azucena Huervas.
RCMV President Mai Estore-Selecios said her club has gone through a lot of preparations to make this celebration worthwhile. As convention co-chair and head of the program committee, she made sure that the event would also have its share of local talents to entertain the delegates.
The event’s performers include Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 winner Roel Manlangit, resident artist and music arranger Mai with rapper Carlo Galili, local dance group Upbeat Dance Company, the classical string ensemble Manupali String Machine, local vocal group The ConChords, singers Chariz and Keisha, and the local ethnic group Bukidnon Tribal Artists.
Discon chair Marlowe Selecios is optimistic that through convention, the delegates will end their Rotary year of service “with inspired spirits, enriched hearts and enlivened souls—rested, refreshed and ready to embark on yet another happy journey of service ahead.” (advertorial / marianne c. selecios)
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