In order to get to know one member per month, the Breadbasket editor chose me as the recipient of the May's ROTIAN of the month. I am really honored but don’t feel I deserved it. I have been a lurker all the time.

It was the late PP Peter D. Wulff (Razor) who introduced me to ROTI and made me subscribe to the ROTI mail lists. I enjoyed the ROTI General list the most and still do. I admired the fellowship, the wit and the humor. I sometimes participated then, but often I was not quick enough, as my English was not of the free flowing kind.

Last January 12, 2009, the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands continued the Supplemental Feeding Program in Seselangen Elementary School and Dona Raymunda Verzosa Elementary School, both in Sual, Pangasinan.  The Club Supplemental Feeding Program is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Banos which provided thirteen (13) boxes of the Vitameal and Congressman Arthur F. Celeste of First District Pangasinan who provided six (6) cavans of clean rice.

Last March 20, 2009, the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands signed a sisterhood agreement with Rotary Club of Manila at the Office of the City Mayor, City Hall, Alaminos City, Pangasinan.  The Rotary Club of Manila was represented by President-elect Ben Santos while the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands was represented by President Henry R. Onia and Incoming President Antero “Roy” R. Magno.

Someone whose identity is lost in time once said "To have a friend, you must be a friend." Friendship is at the heart of Rotary, in ways that may sometimes be overlooked. Rotary is commonly described as an organization dedicated to fellowship and service – both of which are dependent on friendship, and both of which faacilitate further friendship.

Around 9:00 in the evening of May 8, 2009 (Friday), Club Director Danny Gapasin, Jr. received a text message from Real Good President Henry Onia of the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands, to wit:

"Gud pm. Alaminos City is badly damaged when d eye of Typhoon Emong passed thru it. RC Hundred Islands makes an appeal 4 fudstuf, used clothes, G.I. sheets & other relief goods. Thanx n advance."

The 3790 District Conference was recently completed and featured many great motivational, leadership, and Rotary speakers.  One of the highlights was a presentation by the first Philippines team to conquer Mt Everest.  The expedition took place in 2007 and the three Filipinos stressed the need to develop teamwork in any unit to achieve the best results.  They continued their discussion as to how good teamwork is applicable both business and Rotary clubs.  

 ShelterBox Response Personnel came to assess the damage and to determine whether the beneficiaries are entitled to receive the ShelterBox. In a club meeting of the Hundred Islands Rotary, SRP Team Leader Peter Pierce and Lyndon Tumblyn explained how they were sent to the Philippines to help the victims of Cyclone Emong.

A more detailed story after the ShelterBox are delivered to the intended beneficiaries.

-President Henry Onia, Hundred Islands Rotary, D3790, Philippines

In 1975 I was invited to present the program at the Rotary Club of Loves Park, Illinois (District 6420).  I must have done an acceptable presentation since I was invited to join the club.  My father was (and is) a Rotarian so I knew a little about Rotary.  I dropped out of Rotary when we moved to Michigan in 1983 then joined the Rotary Club of Muskegon (District 6290) in 1990.  I served ¾’s of a term as club president in 2000-2001 before a job change and move necessitated my resignation.  I joined the Rotary Club of Lynchburg, Virginia (District 7570) and served as club president in 2006-2007.  I currently serve as the District 7570 Disaster Committee Chair. 

Rotarians are putting their marketing, musical, and athletic talents to work to raise funds for Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.  Here are a few examples from clubs in countries around the world.

SWITZERLAND:  Rotarians in over 200 Swiss cities and villages mobilized on 13 September, National Day Against Child Paralysis, to sell packets of sunflower seeds for US$0.75 each in support of Rotary’s challenge.  Endorsed by local political leaders and health officials, the effort raised more than $669,000 according to initial reports.  Overall, organizers expected to raise one million Swiss francs or over US$900,000, says Andreas Kleeb, of the Rotary Club of Zug-Zugersee.  “We are sure we will reach it over the next few months.”

The Rotary Club of Hundred Islands is one among the forty three (43) non-government organizations which participated in the NGO Night of the Alaminos City Fiesta held last March 21, 2009 at the Bonifacio Monument at San Jose Drive, Alaminos City.

This is the first time that the City Government of Alaminos recognized the non-government organizations in the city and allowed them to participate in one of the nights of the week-long festivities.  These non-government organizations are those which were given accreditation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the Alaminos.