THE SCINTILLA

EDITOR’S NOTE

WHY ROTARACT? Serving while learning the beauty of giving

BY: ELYROSE NAORBE

“Rotaract

Club … it’s a

life changing

organization.”

NNN owadays, there are lots of organizations giving services

to various communities in the world. There are different non-

organizations and non-profit institutions that keep on reaching out those

people who need help in the society. One is the Rotaract Club, the so

called "youth arm" or partner of the Rotary Club International in render-

ing valuable help through service above self mantra.

But what really is Rotaract and among the many clubs in the

world, why is it fun to be part of the growing Rotaract Club?

To give you some brief history, Rotaract originally began as a

youth program in 1968 at Charlotte North Rotary Club in Charlotte,

North Carolina. It has grown into a major Rotary-sponsored organiza-

tion of over 9,539 clubs spread around the world and 219,397 members.

It is a service, leadership and community service organization for young

men and women between the ages 18–30. As a club, it focuses on the

development of young adults as leaders in their communities and work-

places. Clubs around the world also take part in international service

projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understand-

ing to the world. "Rotaract" stands for "Rotary in Action",although the

name originally comes from a combination of "Rotary" and

"Interact" (International + Action), the high school level program creat-

ed by Rotary International in 1962.

TTThe purpose of Rotaract is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge

and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their com-

munities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship

and service. To be eligible for membership, prospective members must be 18–30 years of age, show that they

are committed to Rotaract, and show that they are of good standing in the community. After being approved

by the club, prospective members are 'inducted' to become members, also known as 'Rotaractors'. Rotaract

Club is not just an ordinary club being founded in the world. It also serves as a leeway for the youth to take

part in various beneficial projects may it be in education, health, water, poverty, war, or even in slowly resolv-

ing the conflict within or outside the community.

It's fun being in the club because aside from the overwhelming feeling every time you had helped the

community, you can also gain true friends along the way. It's nice to note that despite the busyness of the

youth that involve their personal commitment, they can still find time learning the value of giving to others.

When I started joining the Rotaract Club in my third year college, at first, I think it was just some ordi-nary clubs in the university wherein you will mount some intra-projects and that's it, you're done already. But when the time I got the chance to take some glimpse of the Rotaract world, it simply made me realized that this club I am joining for almost four years already, is something distinct for the reason that it's a life chang-ing organization, giving it's members the chance to be one of God's instrument of kindness and generosity. In Rotaract where duty is voluntarily, you will endure first what they called hindrances and problems which later on, will let you think twice, "Am i really want to pursue this club's mission, vision and goal all the way?" Am I deserving to be part of the Rotaract Club?" etc. Frankly speaking, during my first Rotaract encounter, I also asked those questions to myself, but still, I stand in my own conviction that if you really a true servant leader, you know how to handle the pressure and managed to solve what problem it is because at the end of the day, the feeling of being an accomplished per-son will really bring you up high. In Rotaract, we don't just give fish directly to the people but we teach them on how to fish. Yes, we extend help in the community but let us make sure the latter will also act according to what we require them to do and don't just be dependent to us all the time. Rotaract is a service oriented organization which aims to alleviate lives of other people. Rotaractors, with the help and guide of its Rotarians in Rotary Club, will be always here to serve you in times you need help and in situations you look for support. They serve as catalysts of change in lending hands for the betterment of the community and in the country in their own simple way. So to those students and active leaders who composed the youth sector, we are calling you to be part of our growing organization. The club that always ready to serve, the club that embibes the spirit of service above self, and the club that lives the mantra of serving while learning the essence giving. That is the beauty of be-ing members of the Rotaract Club, the club that fits for you.

THE SCINTILLA

DRR’S CORNER

My Beloved World Class Rotaractors,

Being a Rotaractor for almost seven years already (a relationship longer

than what I have with my boyfriend! Just kidding) I must say that serving

other people in the society is very rewarding. In Rotaract I feel secured, I

learned the value of one's integrity and I believe I am called to serve oth-

ers before myself and I realized that serving is not just a way of life but

it's a way to live fully.

As I started my journey as your DRR, I was doubtful if I can live through

the expectations of people in the Rotary World. But I guess, this was my

calling. To give service, to lead in the most beautiful way I can and to be

an inspiration to all Rotaractors in the District. (I hope I did inspire you

even in a little way.)As your DRR, let me leave you with this simple

words..

Being a rotaractor or an interactor is a sacrifice, a hard sacrifice. But be-

hind this bitter sweet realization is my challenge for all you to stand up

and become what we are expected to be… a beacon of Hope and Differ-

ence to this stereotypical overrated world. Truth is my comrades, our-

selves are precious gifts we are required to share to the world.

To serve others is to minister to others and help others in various ways, it

is not to do it for show or publicity, but simply to enrich and help the lives

of others and your own life. I see ourselves as heroes—ordinary people

who make themselves extraordinary.

We have something that could spark a light of difference in the world.

The day we started committing ourselves to a relationship with Rotaract,

we should realize that we are in an entirely different world from the one

we’ve been the day before.

With this, my fellow Rotaractors, I want you to spread your wings on its

maximum potential. Serve with integrity. Live under the Rotarian values

and BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD. May God bless us all.

Service above self, Joy Ann P. Ardiente, RN

District Rotaract Representative

August 14-16 2015— DISTAS 2015

@ Palmas Del MarBacolod City

November 6-7, 2015—DRR’s Visit

Panay Area

Decemeber 19, 2015—DRR’s Visit

Negros Area

January 23, 2015—DRRE/ DRRN

election

January—DRRs Online Visit with

Mindanao Area

February 19-21, 2016—PROCON

May 20-23, 2016 (tentative) -

DISCON

Every end of the month– Passing of

Reports

DATES TO

REMEMBER

CLUB ON FOCUS: RAC MARAPARA

ROTARACT CLUB OF MARAPARA: A Legacy of Excellence and

Volunteerism The Rotaract Club of Bacolod – Marapara is the official youth

arm of the Rotary Club of Bacolod – Marapara.

The club was chartered in 2009 with the strong support of its

mother club. RAC Bacolod – Marapara focused on establishing a last-

ing presence in the community through the implementation of various

projects and programs anchored on Rotarian values.

The organization likewise, aims on encouraging young people

to become active volunteers for the community. The initial members

who composed the pioneering Rotaract Club of Bacolod – Marapara

are officers and members of TOSPAC-WV (The Outstanding Stu-

dents of the Philippines Alumni Community in Western Visayas)

whose aim is to initially spearhead the club and pass it on the oth-

er youth leaders in the province of Negros Occidental. Past Presi-

dent Aprille Rose S. Nena served as the first RAC – Marapara pres-

ident followed by Elsie Shrine G. Papong, Joy Ann P. Ardiente and

Cherry D. Mijares– all became outstanding students of Negros Occi-

dental and Western Visayas.

Following the expansion of the club, more youth leaders are

encouraged to join the club in order to spread the good causr to other

cities and municipalities in the province.

Rotaract Club of Bacolod – Marapara is currently on the ramp of es-

tablishing more networks within the province of Negros Occidental.

More leaders and more volunteers are being tapped everyday to ensure

the continuity of the organization in the years to come. Some of our

projects include: Brain Feeding, feeding Programs and Health Teach-

ings, medical mission, End Polio Advocacy Program in connection

with Rotary, Coastal Clean Up Drives and Mangrove Plantings, Lead-

ership Training Seminars, Green Revolution Campaign,

#PeacePerfect, Rambol sa Smagol, Aklat para sa mga Bata- Wake Up

and Read, Pamaskua sa Bata.

Best Rotaract Club

(Rotary Discon) - 2009-2013, 2015

Presidential Citation-

2009-2013, 2015

New Generations Award-2013

Some Notable

Citations:

THE SCINTILLA

ENJOYING ROTARACT FOR THE

SAKE OF FULFILMENT

BY: ELYROSE NAORBE

LEI G. FERNANDEZ, 20 years old, a

graduating student of BS Marine Engi-

neering started off his journey in the

“Rotaract World” four years ago.

When he was in his last year in high school, a time when he was trying to maximize his

potentials, both in academics and co-curricular activities, he was then encountered “Rotary” in

one of the seminars that he had attended. It was a leadership training and seminar conducted

by the Rotary Club of Silay, followed by the celebration of Boys and Girls Week, where selected

student leaders of different school were given a chance to sit on a respective position in the

government for a week.

“We had a glimpse of how the city runs and its current standing situations. Seen bad and

good sides of it. Moved by the stories of our under privileged brothers and sisters. That experi-

ence gave me bountiful ideas, inspired me to be socially responsible and opened my mind un-

to a whole new perspective. A perspective that filled my last year in high school with unfathom-

able happiness. My hopes and dreams were slowly being realized,”said Fernandez.

Like every piece of the puzzlebeing placed one by one in its rightful location, he was and

is still thankful for the blessings that he received. He was blessed enough that he wants to share

those blessings with his neighbours.

“And here I am today, been engaging to Rotaract for years now, delighted in the won-

derful journey of public service and professional development. Initiating collaborative change

through our little actions and building stronger relationship amongst our partners in service. Col-

lectively, let’s share our knowledge and expertise to others. For a talent can only be called a

gift when you share it with others.Together, let’s be a gift to the world,”Fernandez disclosed.

ROTARACT IS EXTRAORDINARY BY: ELYROSE NAORBE

“Rotaract is our training ground to be good persons and leaders of the society. And most importantly, Rota-

ract creates “friendship” that is long lasting and we are all “family”.

Those were the inspiring lines uttered by Rotaract Club of WVSU World Class President Chona Sanoy

when asked about how she started enjoying the club’s significant role in the community.

When she was still an innocent child, she enjoyed everything with no worries except on playing and how to

escape from mother’s rule of sleeping in the afternoon. With her cousins, what they like to do are simple

child like things which they cooperatively plan and agree to execute. As simple as that, they haven’t realized

that it was already an act of leadership and management.

“Why am I telling you this? To make us realize that indeed, even with small things that we did as children,

we already got that special skill that needs only to be developed and to be exposed. And once did, that made

us of what we are right now — YOUNG LEADERS”, she added.

She graduated elementary at Martin Tirador ES and high school at Janiuay National Comprehensive

School. Currently, she is a college student of WVSU taking up AB Political Science, a senior. Back then,

leadership was introduced to her when she’s always elected as class president with simple tasks, responsibil-

ities and problems with simple solution. She thought she’s already a well trained leader due to her experi-

ences during elementary and high school, but not until she was elected president of RAC Club of WVSU,

seven months ago.

Rotaract is not just any other organization. It is not like any othr organization. It’s not like managing a

class. It’s not just a one time commitment but a lifetime which requires too much effort in order to manage

its complexity. It requires not like any other service but quality service. Also it requires so much under-

standing and open-mindedness especially in dealing with people.

It requires patience and perserverance. It requires time,

balance, and flexibility. It requires everything that a per-

son could possibly offer because Rotaract is not ordinary,”

she explained.

However, regardless of these struggles and challenges, be-

ing a Rotaract president is an honor for her. Being a Rota-

ractor is an opportunity for them to extend help to those

who need help the most. It is an opportunity for her to be

a gift to the world.

THE SCINTILLA

By Elyrose S. Naorbe, Rotaract District Committee Public Image Director

Around 120 young and active leaders from Rotaract and Interact Clubs comprising the Ro-

taract District 3850 joined the annual Rotaract District Assembly at Palmas Del Mar in Bacolod City

Negros Occidental.

This year‟s theme “Unwrapping Servant Leaders” focused on leadership development as

well as showcasing the hidden talents and abilities of the future leaders who can uplift the good

morale and standard in the society.

The first day was very interactive as all Rotaractors and Interactors welcomed each other

during the evening‟s opening program. They also shared some thoughts about their respective

club projects and goals while enjoying the sumptuous dinner prepared inside the function room.

Present in the event was District Rotaract Chairman John Michael “Kano” Ng who talked about the

Rotaract Basics and District Interact Chairman Doctor Chris Sorongon who profoundly shared the

Interact Basics and The Road to Rotary.

Moreover, Past President Louie Gonzaga was in-charge of giving talks regarding the Rotary

Protocol and Guidelines while District Governor Oliver Ong personally explained the District Vision

and Thrust.

Past District Governor Mark Anthony Ortiz also talked about the Avenues of Service while Dis-

trict Governor Nominee Jundad Legislador explained the Public Image and how it creates impact

in the different issues surrounding within the community.

Past District Rotaract Representative Ace Viñarta who actively inspired all the attendees to

create and plan various activities and projects through Activity Planning.

On the later part of the activity, the participants were divided into three groups – Presidents, Secre-

taries and Treasurers time wherein they were trained on how to focus on their respective tasks with-

in the club. They were also given some exercises to determine their function and purpose so that

they can easily work among other members in the club.

The third day of the DISTAS 2015 was the most memorable day for all the participants as they

all enjoyed the Hawaiian fellowship night and were delighted by the evening swimming fellowship,

karaoke and some sort of mind-blowing team building activities.

Before the closing program, the District team headed by District Rotaract Representative

Joy Ann Ardiente recognized the efforts of all the clubs, Rotarians and other people who gave val-

uable contributions on the success of the event. They also gave two „alkansya cans‟ to each Rota-

ractor and Interactor wherein they will use it in soliciting some amount of money for the Rotary

Foundation and the End Polio Now project.

“We are very thankful to all who attended the DISTAS 2015. It was a very successful and mo-

mentous event for all of us because most of the clubs were present starting from Western Minda-

nao, Panay and Negros Occidental. I hope it will start our new fellowship and friendship as we all

live the mantra of being gifts to the world through service above self ,” said Ardiente.

THE SCINTILLA

RotaCart: Rotaractors’ Way of Teaching Young

Minds

BY: RAC SILAY

Dressed in hand-me-downs, Lito, a seven year-old boy grabbed his worn-out

slippers, crouched on the sack and laid on the ground beneath a mango tree. He is

just one of the many kids who gather in the area upon the call of someone who wore

a green/blue shirt curious to find out what was in store for them.

As a kid, Lito was forced to quit school because his parents’ meager income

couldn’t support their daily needs. His mother strives every morning to do the bulk

of laundry in the neighbourhood while his father toils the field of the so called hac-

ienderos. They cannot suffice the six hungry mouths that need to be filled in a day’s

work. However, Lito has a simple dream --- to go back to school despite the hin-

drances of poverty.

Everything changed when he saw the lad who called them along with the

group of volunteers wearing the same green/blue shirts.

They are the aspiring college students taking various courses. Young leaders and tal-

ented professionals who took up the challenge of propagating literacy to young chil-

dren through a little pushcart called RotaCart, which contains books, papers, color-

ing materials and other school supplies.

This innovative idea was initiated when the volunteers aspire to educate street children

extended into a tangible ground of learning; all jam-packed in a cart of ideas which Rota-

Cart offers.

RotaCart has been the legacy of the Rotaract Club of Silay which started from a humble idea derived from the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year - the Pushcart educator Efren Pe-ñaflorida, then transformed into a celebrated continuing community project. The Rota-ractors’ dream is to build satellite libraries in every community in Silay City and this cart contains books and other learning materials funded by various benefactors is a stepping stone for this dream to be realized

THE SCINTILLA

RAC ILOILO CITY JOINS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL

CLEAN –UP

BY: WCP DENNIIS PEDROSA

Nowadays, people have been throwing their garbage irrespon-

sibly. Most of these garbage end up in rivers, coastal areas, side-

walks, etc. This problem results to stagnant water and can affect the

surroundings and its inhabitants. This could also result to dengue or

other health-related problems to those who are residing in the affect-

ed areas.

In accordance to this, the Rotaract and Interact Club of Iloilo City

made ways to lessen the effect of this problem by joining the Na-

tionwide Celebration of the International Coastal Clean-up of the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources last Sept. 19,

2015.

This coastal clean-up aims to wipe out or if not, clean the gar-

bage that stacked up in the Jaro River. Members of different com-

munity organization including Rotaract and Interact helped in pick-

ing up garbages which filled up numerous sacks.

The residents near the area also helped in cleaning the river.

Satisfaction can be found in the eyes of the volunteers after the back

breaking clearing of the coastal area.

―It’s good to know that in our little ways, we were able to ex-

tend our help in maintaining the cleanliness of the environment.

Even in our little ways, we can make a great difference for the envi-

ronment. If everyone would be responsible in handling their wastes

then maybe the environment will never have to suffer‖, says Ped-

rosa.

PROJECT TRU HERO: MARAPARA’S COMBATIVE

PROJECT

BY: WCP JOHN PAUL ITAAS

Gerard Way said, “Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.”

Heroes are part of our culture. They represent us far more than just entertainment- they

represent a moral idea that somewhere, somehow, someone can stand and make a difference. A hero is

someone who changes lives in a positive way and nothing more is a better example than a policeman.

Their simple self-sacrifice for our country and their ability to influence individuals to be morally upright

contributing much to the society’s though tagged with contempt and judgement is our modern definition

of heroism.

Down under was a partnership made between Rotaract Club of Marapara and the Region-

al Training Center 6 PNP Class Kidlat under the humble leadership of P/Supt Benliner Capili to give birth

to Project True Hero- an initiative to restore the stereotyped, pre-judged morale of the policemen through

series of self-enhancing and community building activities as a vital catalyst of change in our society.

Project TRUE Hero covers the following projects:

OBSERVE. BELIEVE. SHARE. REPEAT (RAC Marapara Leadership and Teambuilding Activity)

To kick- off Project True Hero, this activity was done to extract the best of our hero’s workforce through

Leadership Talks embodying Rotaract and Rotary’s ideals on leading a community and Teambuilding

exercises to foster trust and better communication.

#PEACEPerfect-

#PeacePerfect is an advocacy project in promoting Peace within self, colleagues and within the commu-

nity involving the policemen as the no. 1 peace builder of our society. Arming this project, several activi-

ties were formed as a manifestation of the value of peace such as Hugs for Peace, Hand Print Com-

mitment Advocacy for Peace, Hundreds of Letters for Peace and Peace Lens.

RAMBOL SA SMAGOL

Rambol Sa Smagol is an initiative to answer the call of providing flip flops or slippers to people whose

feet are bare. RAC Marapara and Class Kidlat distributed more than five hundred pairs of slippers to rec-

ognized communities such as the Home for the Blind, GK Villages and some far flung communities.

Concluding the activity is a follow-up feeding program who teaches kids the importance of health

through nutrition and health hygiene.

THE SCINTILLA

Offshoot the Mangrove Planting Legacy

A coalition of 389 Rotaractors and policemen started a green revolution in Bacolod covering around a

thousand mangrove propagules in an answer to the need for recuperating Mother Earth. A 12 kilometer

walk from RTC 6 to Mansilingan started the activity and was concluded by a coastal clean-up in the ar-

ea. A true hero for the environment was indeed shown.

Red Alert Blood Letting Activity

An initiative to give gratitude to the SAF Fallen 44, RAC Marapara spearheaded a bloodletting activity

which attracted 200 prospect donors. The blood donation activity was done in partnership with the Phil-

ippine Red Cross and RTC 6 . This event turned out to be a success and support from different sectors

is a testament of solidarity with the commitment to give honor to the SAF Fallen 44.

PROJECT True Hero is an ongoing project which started November 2014 with PNP Class Kidlat of

RTC 6. This project made RAC Marapara’s ideal in making a visible difference into life

PANAY AREA NEGROS AREA

THE SCINTILLA

WHAT TO WATCH OUT: