THE HISTORY OF THE ROTARACT CLUB OF SAN PEDRO EAST

President Sonny C. Urfano took his oath of office as the eighth president of  RACSPE  on August 08, 2009.

Along with him in the Visionary Team who likewise accepted responsibilities are Vice Pres. Joanne Sidamon, Secretary/President Elect Francis Gutierrez, Deputy Secretary Kirby Fortuna, Treasurer Cris Nuñez, Auditor Allan Sorbito, Community Service Director I Carlo del Monte, Community Service Director II  Jeff Morales, Club Service Director I/ IPP Asel Punzalan, Club Service Director II Marney Fajardo, Professional Development Director Ronell Laud, Professional Development Director II Hannah Siman, International Service Director IPP Cristine Reyes , International Director II Jalyn Arciaga   and CICO Radney Hernandez  .

RACSPE was chartered on October 17, 2002 by its Sponsoring Rotary Club– the Rotary Club of San Pedro East .  Tracy Bedico was the Charter President. The club was considered one of the Outstanding Rotaract Clubs in RI District 3820.  In RY 2003-2004, CP Tracy repeated  the leadership and maintained its status of being outstanding.

Charter President Tracy Bedico

The Rotary International celebrated 100 years in RY 2004-2005 with the theme “Celebrate Rotary” and District Rotaract Chairman (DRC) Felimon “Mhon” Brazas was then elected as President.  Fresh from Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) 2004 in Hongkong, DRC Mhon took the club to new heights when he initiated remarkable service projects.

PP Felimon Brazas Jr.

The Pioneers of Change

RY 2004-2005 Sportsfest

Taking Responsibility the Hawaiian Way

The most notable was “Give A Toy, Share A Joy.”  This project aimed to reach out to underprivileged children through ABS-CBN’s Bantay-Bata Foundation.  The club solicited toys and other goodies for that purpose but through the course of donation a turn   of events happened.   Bantay-Bata refused to accept the club’s donation.  Instead, the foundation gave the club a truckload of toys and relief goods.  RACSPE thought that there was no better way of distributing the goods but  to give them to the kids of Southside Dumpsite in San Antonio, San Pedro, Laguna. The dumpsite was San Pedro’s version of the infamous Payatas.  Other non-government organizations supported this project. Among them were Philippine National Red Cross, Junior Philippine Institute of  Accountants-San Pedro College of Business Administration (JPIA-SPCBA), NSTP-SPCBA and Junior Business Executive Council (JBEC-SPCBA).

Several Community Service projects followed.  Meritorious ones were Bigay Puso sa Preso, Visit to Homes for the Aged, Medical and Dental Missions, Anti-rabies Campaign, Anti-Dengue Drive, Disaster Preparedness Seminars, Drugs Awareness Programs and Oplan Kaluluwa.

Give A Toy, Share A Joy

Bigay Puso sa Preso

The Young Once (Visit on Home for the Aged)

Medical Mission

Anti-Rabies Campaign

Anti-dengue Drive

Oplan Kaluluwa

Adoption of Paradise Day Care Center

PP Asel unloads the armchairs for the Day Care Center

Southside Chapel Rehabilitation

Southside Dumpsite Kids Retreat

Give A Toy Share a Joy in Manila

Give a Toy Share a Joy in Manila Zoo

Give a Toy Share a Joy in Nayong Pilipino

Give a Toy Share a Joy in Harrison Plaza, Manila

VP Ramiro Latagan tends the ABS-CBN Foundation Relief Goods

PP Zyra, Dir. Amelia and Dir. Lala deliver service at all cost

Hail, hail the club is all here!

At play in Southside Dumpsite

Give a Toy Share A Joy Side Dish

RY 2004-2005 was also the club’s Advocacy Year for Environment Conservation.  The club actively participated in the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) 2005.  RACSPE helped in cleaning the stretch of Manila Bay in Lahuerta, Parañaque.  Others were the Cuyab River Clean-up. Narra River Clean-up, Tree Planting and various Environmental Fora.

Adoption of Narra River, RACSPE's First Entry to RI Recognition of Rotaract Outstanding Project, RY 2004-2005

Calendola Clean-up

Calendola Clean-up

Sto. Niño Clean-up and Anti-Dengue Drive

Sto. Niño Clean-up Drive

Sto. Niño Clean-up Drive

Sto. Niño Clean-up and Anti-Dengue Drive

Anti-Dengue Drive, Calendola

Cuyab River Clean-up

Cuyab River Clean-up

Cuyab River Clean-up

Cuyab River Clean-up

International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), Manila Bay

ICC

ICC

ICC

Treeplanting

Oplan Green Highways

Oplan Green Highways

Oplan Green Highways

Oplan Green Highways

Nonetheless, the club did not take for granted the development of its members.  Numbers of  Club Service projects were aimed to hone each Rotaractor’s   talents and skills and  were also geared for greater camaraderie and stronger bond.  Yoga session, mountain climbing, swimming, Sports involvement were among other significant forms of  the club’s fellowship.

RACSPE in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas with RAC Downtown Batangas

Anilao

Anilao

Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas

Mt. Maculot

3820 Sportsfest

3820 Paintball Games, Greenfield, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Paintball

Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Quezon

Pahiyas

To further enhance the communication, The First Light– the Official Newsletter of  the Rotaract Club of San Pedro East was born in the same RI Year.  Past President Asel Punzalan who was then the Club Service Director was the first Editor-in-chief.

The First Light

RACSPE bagged its first RID 3820 Most Outstanding Rotaract Club Award.

Most Outstanding Rotarct Club, RID 3820, RY 2004-2005

After the Centennial Year of RI, the first RI Theme “Service Above Self” resurfaced in RY 2005-2006.  DRC Mhon  retained the leadership and was appointed RID 3820 Laguna Area Representative.  Since then Laguna reached its peak of service excellence as the Rotaract Clubs of Laguna became one and united in carrying out joint projects and fellowships.  Laguna Handshake became popular.

At the club level, RACSPE continued its signature projects and even surpassed prior years performance. Club Service Director Asel Punzalan authored “R U 1 of Us?” R U 1 of Us? is a Quiz Bee on Rotary and Rotaract in general and in specific issues, concerns and events in RID 3820. The Quiz bee was introduced in an Area Meeting hosted by Bae Sentral and was supposed to be staged at Area Level only.  However,  DRC Mhon found it necessary to open the bee for the whole district.  The first R U 1 of Us? was hosted by the Rotaract Clubs of Bae Sentral and the first person who proved that she was  “really one of  us” was PP Alma Balahadia of the Rotaract Club of Tanauan.

APRRC 2005 was held in Taiwan and was attended by DRC Mhon, Dir. Anna Murillo and IPP Tin Reyes.

RACSPE hit again and took home its second RID 3820 Most Outstanding Rotaract Club Award.

Sevice Above Self MORCA

Zyra Mae Ordoño toed the line of DRC Mhon in RY Year 2006-2007 as she assumed the presidency guided by the Theme “Lead The Way”.  DRC Mhon was then the District Rotaract Representative (DRR).  With the help of  the DRR, Pres. Zyra led the way and made  RACSPE even more formidable.  She became the District Secretary and at the same time the Editor-in-Chief of The Discerning Eye, the Official Newsletter of the Rotaract Clubs of District 3820.  She even designed the District Rotaract Emblem and authored the District Theme-Live, Serve and Share.

PP Zyra Ordoño-Bambico

Pres. Zyra tied the club with various national and international organizations like Greenpeace.

DRC Mhon, on the other hand pioneered several District Service Projects and made them closer to Bicol Area.  He facilitated relief operations in the most disaster-prone region in the country.

Furthermore, DRC Mhon led District 3820 to international recognition.  He was the Vice-Chair of APRRC Pilipinas-2006 held in Tagaytay City during which the District Anthem- Live, Serve and Share was first heard.  The anthem was written by PP Deney Gene Molino of RAC Tanauan, arranged by PP Geraldine Tenorio of RAC Cabuyao Circle and sung by Dir. VJ Sayson of RACSPE.  The performance was given a noteworthy outstanding ovation.  From then on, the district became popular to other districts.

PP Cristine “Tina” Reyes stepped into the limelight when she accepted the leadership in RY 2007-2008– Rotary Shares.  Tina carried on with the trademark projects of the club.

PP Cristina Reyes

World Rotaract Week Celebration

Tagaytay fellowship

Typhoon Rosing Relief Operation

Typhoon Rosing relief Operation

Radio Station Tour

Medical Mission

Maaga ang Pasko

Bigay Puso sa Paslit

Big Ate and Kuya with RAC Manila Metro

International Coastal Clean Up

DRC Mhon was sent by the District to Michigan, U.S.A. as member of the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team.  Multi-District Information Organization was born and DRC Mhon was elected as the founding secretary.

RY 2007-2008 marked another milestone for RACSPE as the club accomplished new projects and bagged numerous awards and recognition.  The club brought home medals from the MDIO Magic Badminton Cup through the playing prowess of DRC Mhon and Pres. Tina.  Pres. Tina spearheaded joint projects with sister clubs RAC Manila and Manila Metro. A Rotaractor from Budapest Hungary  visited the District and was highly esteemed.

The club hosted R U 1 of Us?  IPDRR Megs Abarca of RAC Lucena South bagged the gold.  On the other hand, Dir. VJ clinched Rotaract Idol Title.

APRRC 2007 was held in Kuala Lumpur and was attended by DRC Mhon, Pres. Tina and Dir. Ramiro Latagan.

Pres. Tina added the fourth Most Outstanding Rotaract Club Award to RACSPE’s collection.

Rotary Shares MORCA

RY 2008-2009 came with the theme “Make Dreams Real.”  Asel Punzalan took the responsibility of leading  the club.

PP Asel Punzalan

DRC then joined the Rotary Club of San Pedro East and was appointed Deputy District Rotaract Chairman (DDRC).  Pres. Asel chaired the District Bulletin Committee and PP Zyra acted as Deputy District Secretary.

The club carried on its trademark projects and opened the same to its sister clubs within and without the District and its sister clubs did the same. Among them were RACs  Manila, Manila Metro, Parañaque Metro Kapwa, Parañaque East Paragon, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cebu South, Tanauan, Calamba Central and Metro Lucena.

Pres. Asel conceptualized Journalism 101 to help the clubs in the District in establishing their own Rotaract bulletins.  MDIO Magic Badminton Cup opened again and DRC Mhon, Rotaractors Tolits and Jolas earned medals.  R U 1 of Us? was won by its author Pres. Asel while Sec. Francis Gutierrez and Dir. Cris Nuñez placed third and fourth respectively.  Furthermore, Sec. Francis ended third placer in the Rotaract Idol.

APRRC 2008 was done in Bali, Indonesia and was participated by DRC Mhon, Pres. Asel and Pres. Sonny.   Copies of The Discerning Eye were distributed to other districts through the effort of  DRR Megs and Pres. Asel.

R U 1 of Us?

Chosen Children Village Visit

Journalism 101

LA Mesa Ecopark Treeplanting

Step-Up

Sports Clinic

Propa-Ganda Project with RAC Metro Lucena

RACSPE-RAC Parañaque Metro-Kapwa Sisterhood Agreement

Milk Feeding with Wyeth, RAC Parañaque Metro-Kapwa

Milk Feeding with Wyeth, San Pedro

RACSPE-RAC Manila Sisterhood Agreement

Gawad Rotaract

RACSPE-RAC Cebu South Sisterhood Agreement

APRRC Indonesia

APRRC Indonesia, Bali Beach Clean-up

Chosen Children Village Visit with RAC Manila

The year was culminated by having the District Turn-over and Awarding Ceremony (DTAC) during the District Assembly (DISTASS).  DRR Megs gave recognition and awards to exemplary efforts of the clubs in the district.

DRC Mhon earned recognition for being DDRC, Pres. Zyra for being DDS and Pres. Asel for being the Bulletin Chair.

RACSPE  got the Meritorious and the Best in Community Service Projects Awards and to top it all– the Most Outstanding Rotaract Club Award, the last being the fifth in   RACSPE’s  winning streak.

Make Dreams Real MORCA

As the RY 2009-2010 unfolds with its theme “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands”, Pres. Sonny lays out his plans and programs several notches    higher than the past achievements of RACSPE.

PP Sonny Urfano

President Sonny C. Urfano took his oath of office as the eighth president of  RACSPE  on August 08, 2009.

Along with him in the Visionary Team who likewise accepted responsibilities are Vice Pres. Joanne Sidamon, Secretary/President Elect Francis Gutierrez, Deputy Secretary Kirby Fortuna, Treasurer Cris Nuñez, Auditor Allan Sorbito, Community Service Director I Carlo del Monte, Community Service Director II  Jeff Morales, Club Service Director I/ IPP Asel Punzalan, Club Service Director II Marney Fajardo, Professional Development Director Ronell Laud, Professional Development Director II Hannah Siman, International Service Director IPP Cristine Reyes , International Director II Jalyn Arciaga   and CICO Radney Hernandez  .

Racspe bagged the Rotary International District 3820 RY 2009-2010 Most Outstanding Rotaract Club Award as the club topped the chart with 100% score.

The prestigious award was formally given to the club during the RID 3820 District Recognition and Awards Ceremony in Alabang Golf and Country Club on May 2010. Four other major awards were also handed to RACSPE.

Racspe won with 100 % grade.  On the other hand , several clubs were named Outstanding.

A specially designed pointing system was used.  Corresponding points were given for every project and were weighted according to category.  Community Service projects were given weight of 30%, Club Service projects were weighted 15%, International Service projects-30%, Professional Development-15% and Public Image-10%.   The club who got the highest percentage was named as Most Outstanding Club while those who earned significant percentages were hailed Outstanding.

In addition, Racspe was awarded with four Special Awards.  The club got the Best in Club Service Projects Award with its Ako ang Pagbabago Campaign.. The slogan was launched in Youtube, Facebook and other social networks to encourage Filipinos start the necessary change. Youth Empowerment, the club’s photo exhibit in SM Muntinlupa won Best Public Image Project.  Project Hope for the Kids of the Dump earned two citations.  This project was named Best in Community Service Project and Best in International Service Project.  Project Hope was the entry of Racspe to RI Recognition of Rotaract Outstanding Projects in RY 2009-2010.  RACSPE failed to be recognized.  Notwithstanding, its Sister Club, RAC Manila won the Over-all International Rotaract Outstanding Project with its Ondoy Massive Relief Operation.

Children and Women Center

Big Ate and Kuya with RAC Manila Metro

VitaMeal feeding

Ondoy Relief Operation

Ondoy Relief Operation

Ondoy Relief Operation

Ondoy Relief Operation

Summary of PP Sonny’s achievements is best shown in the following videos: