‘The One Philippines’ seeks those who serve others

Batas  Mauricio

THE proliferation of illegal drugs, criminality, corruption, and terrorism in the Philippines notwithstanding, there are still many Filipinos who continue espousing and promoting integrity, harmony, and goodwill in society day in and day out, working tirelessly and, yes, silently and without fanfare, to provide outstanding and remarkable service to the communities where they live in.

These good Filipinos rarely get recognized for what they are doing, but this has not stopped them from demonstrating daily dedication and continued devotion to humanitarian efforts. Do you, our readers, know anyone of them? If you do, you maybe able to help them expand the service they are giving to the poor and needy at no cost to yourself.

The reason is that, a group of Rotarians from Hongkong and the Philippines have banded together to recognize three of these good Filipinos, not with only with plaques or certificates of appreciation, but with cash prizes of P1.5 million and P500,000 for the two others. The awardees will be chosen from nominees coming from our readers or from other interested groups.

This project has already been launched successfully by Rotarians from Hongkong under the direction of  2011-2012 Rotary International District 3450 (Hongkong-Macau-Mongolia) Governor David Harilela. It was called “The One Hongkong”, and is now a yearly activity in that city. It has also grown into District 3450’s first international Humanitarian Award called “The One International”.

This annual award aims to find the unsung heroes of today by accessing the powerful Rotary network of over 1.2 million people. As signified by the Rotary motto, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.

“The One” aims to empower and therefore inspire more people to do more humanitarian service everywhere. In a fact sheet furnished me by Filipina Past District 3820 Governor Ursula “Chit” Lijauco, the current Philippine Tattler Magazine editor, it was made clear that “The One” is a person that truly embodies the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”

I had the occasion to talk with David Harilela when he was here on July 21, 2017, in the presence of Lijauco and Filipino Past District 3790 Governor Rolando “Oyan” Villanueva. David said the Philippines will now have its own “The One”, and will be called “The One Philippines Humanitarian Award”. Lijauco, Villanueva, and another past governor will lead the project.

Nominees for “The One Philippines” can be submitted starting Aug. 1, 2017, Villanueva said, and will end on Jan. 31, 2018. David said the Filipino who will be chosen as “The One Philippines” will receive P1.5 million, while two runner-up nominees will receive P500,000 each. The cash awards will have to be wholly spent for the winners’ humanitarian projects, Harilela added.

In a press statement, Lijauco also said that TOP will donate, in the name of the nominator who nominates the winner, P50,000 to a Philippine Government-approved charitable organization, or to a Rotary club in the Philippines designated by him. The awarding ceremonies will be held sometime in May or June 2018. The other details of this project are now posted in my Facebook account, www.facebook.com/attybatas.

E-mail: batasmauricio@yahoo.com