By Rotarian Irineo “Irin” B. Onia

An old adage says, “All work and no play makes Juan a dull boy.” The officers and members of the Hundred Islands Rotary would not allow this to happen to them. Inspite of their hectic schedules in attending series of inductions of different clubs in the district, they organized themselves and held an out-of-town activity last July 19, 2008. The activity which they called Coastal Clean-up and Club Family Day held in Cabongaoan, one of the remotest barangays of the Municipality of Burgos, Pangasinan.

The place is located in the western portion of the said town overlooking the South China Sea.  The road leading to the place is 85% concrete and could be reached within 45 minutes drive coming from the Poblacion of Burgos. The group assembled in front of Municipal Hall of the town and left for Cabongaoan at 9:00 A.M. 

The affair was attended by the following Rotarians with their respective families:  Past President Augusto “Gus” Ferrer and wife Rose, Past President Oscar “Oca” Tolentino with wife Tina, President Henry Onia with wife Jowa and kids Yahoo and Yehey, Immediate Past Vice President Delia “Delz” Cardenas and son Kenken, Vice President Ma. Concepcion “Beng” Briones and son Lance, Director Crelita “Cre” Doctor, Assistant Director Domingo “Doming” Doctor, Jr., Auditor Vicente “Vic” Rabago with wife Rotarian Lucia “Ching”, Sergeant-at-Arms Justo “Jazz” Bergonia with wife Evelyn and two kids, Rotarian Irineo “Irin” Onia with wife Eldie, Rotarian Marcelina “Celing” Cabrito and 3 granddaughters, Rotarians Jeanne Rendon and Marius Manzano and Spouse Victor of Rotarian Fely de Leon with daughter.

It was a “bring and share your own baon affair” so every member brought with him his baon consisting of the usual Filipino food favorites such as: pansit guisado, pansit malabon, lechon manok, paksiw ng lechon, grilled pork barbecue, fried fish and many others.  For snacks, they had puto, boiled corn, peanuts, pop corn, bananas, etc.

Assistant Director Doming being the host of the affair, butchered one goat which was served for lunch.  While waiting for lunch time, there were informal exchanges of ideas among members regarding problems on how to raise the badly needed funds to finance on-going as well as future projects.

Rotarian Ching suggested that the sisterhood agreement with the Rotary Club of Mactan be renewed by inviting the new set of officers to Alaminos.

Rotarians Celing and Irin agreed to pursue the plan to solicit funds from abroad particularly in the US considering that 7 of the 9 children of Rtn Celing are permanent residents thereof and are all gainfully employed.  Furthermore, Rtn Celing promised to do her best to help her children in the solicitation campaign.  According to her, to be more effective in the campaign, they should be armed with a Solicitation Letter when they go around to prospective donors.  Said letter must be ready before the end of August so she can bring them when leaves for the US.

The cleaning aspect of the affair was done before lunchtime.  The Rotarians were able to collect two (2) sackful of debris scattered along the shore line of Cabongaoan.

The affair ended at about 3:00 pm and everybody returned to their respective homes fully recharged happy and relaxed after a respite from their busy schedule of activities.