Monday, August 11, 2008 Lion dignitary to induct officials
THE country’s highest Lion dignitary will be in Cebu City today to induct the new officers of three Visayas-based Lions clubs.
Lions International director nominee for 2009-2011 and Metro Manila’s former past district governor Michael S. So will induct the officers of the Cebu Capitol Lions Club, Bacolod Capitol Lions Club and the Iloilo Fort San Pedro Lions Club at the Sacred Heart Center, D. Jakosalem St.
So was elected only recently during the May state council convention of the International Association of Lions Clubs in Baguio City.
He will be introduced by past state council of governors chairman Nelson L. Go, according to Zosimo A. Quezon, Jr., incoming president of the Cebu Capitol Lions Club.
The Cebu club is hosting the joint induction this year.
At 40, So is the youngest international director so far to represent the Philippine Lions in the international organization.
So speaks many languages, his asset in the international body. Even before he reached the age of 21, he had already found pleasure in providing means of income for those who have less in life, especially when the country’s unemployment rate was at its peak.
Likewise, So, who was personally sponsored into Lionism by his father Lion Juan So, then president of the Pasay City (Host) Lions Club, who extended his arm into many charitable organizations in the country such as the Home for the Aged of the Philippine Chinese General Hospital, Calixto Scholarship Foundation and Volunteer Fire Brigade Association, among others.
He also supported several Lions Clubs programs and projects not only within his home club and district but also nationwide.
He has stretched his personal outreach projects to include elementary school buildings, shelters and fire trucks.
Accomplishment
A recipient of awards and citations here and abroad, his latest accomplishment raised the international visibility of Philippine Lions through the “Campaign SightFirst II,” being the fourth highest lead individual member donor worldwide.
Among those to be inducted are Cebu Capitol Lions Club president Zosimo A. Quezon Jr.; first vice president Ernesto F. Carreon; second vice president Werner Mark J. Rosal; third vice president Ruben Dy; secretary Dominidico R. Butawan; treasurer Tee Kian Hua; Lion tamer Anita R. Yen; Lion twister Roberto R. Medina and director for membership William Tejano. The one-year directors are Bienvenido M. Tan, Orlando M. Tan and Doming U. Teyu; while the two-year directors are Jose Dizon, George Gocuan, Jerry F. Go and Tomas M. Villanueva.
Bacolod Capitol Lions Club president Eusebio Maranon Jr.; first vice president Allan Kilayko; second vice president Ma. Gemma Cheryl Pingkian; secretary Zenaida Parcon; treasurer Melinda Tan; chairman for membership Johnny Chua; assistant chairman Alfonso Manayon; tail twister Honorato Tonogbanua; Lion tamer Joules Villanueva; auditor Wenona Yokota; and business manager Luisa Tonogbanua will also be sworn in.
Iloilo Fort San Pedro Lions Club president Samson L. Averia; immediate past president Ramon Sullano; 1st vice president Julito Memoracion; 2nd vice president Dwight Trasadas; secretary Arturo Araneta; assistant secretary Ma. Rebecca Sullano; treasurer Bernard Bebit; Lion tamer Lorenzo Abangan; and tail twister Felipe Lim, one-year directors Jocelyn Dadison, Anita Lim and Alvin Puruganan; two-year-directors Pepito Lim, Apolonio Dadison, Emerito Mantalaba, Jonathan Saus, chairman, committee on membership Ramon Sullano and members Samson Averia and Anita Lim will also be inducted.
