“CONNECT. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Always be a step ahead. Be confident. Act confident. Be passionate. Work for something you love. Work at where you are great at. Have a mission that the world needs. Be open to change. Be innovative. Create the future. Focus.”
Rolando “Oyan” Villanueva was inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital in 1999. He eventually became the club’s President in 2004-2005. Prioritizing service above self, he became the district governor from 2009 to 2010. His selflessness accords him with a major donor level 2 of the Rotary Foundation. He is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital, a club having the distinction of the First 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club and the first and only Multiple Paul Harris Club in District 3790.
Among a long list of impressive roles in Rotary International, he presently serves as the Chair for “THE ONE Philippines Humanitarian Award”. He is currently the assistant zone promotions chair for Zone 10A in next year’s 2021 Taipei Rotary International Convention, likewise, the zonal promotions chair in the recent and successive RI conventions in Honolulu and Hamburg. He was a member of the Young Past District Governors ad hoc committee advising the Rotary International board in 2017-2018 and the Regional Rotary Coordinator for the Philippines and Indonesia covering Zone 7A in 2012-2015. He was the President Rotary International Representative to various conferences to RI Districts 3300 Malaysia (2013), 3870 Valencia City, Bukidnon (2016-2017), and 3360 Thailand (2019). It is with pride to say that there are only 500 Rotarians in the whole world who are chosen to represent the RI President in a district conference worldwide! His expertise and charm have indeed won him numerous invitations as representative, trainer, speaker, moderator and guest in various Rotary conventions worldwide.
PDG Rolando “Oyan” Villanueva is a Medical Technologist, a graduate at the Loma Linda University of California. He earned a masters’ degree from the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, Philippines with previous specialized courses from the University of California at Riverside and the San Bernardino Valley College. His professional acumen has brought him to the heights as one of the leading companies in the coffee and petroleum industries. Presently, he manages an Italian coffee espresso machine importing and distribution company that also carries coffee flavoring, ingredients for bread, confectionery and pastry here and abroad.
Being active in the community, he holds membership in the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, Baguio Association of Restaurants and SKAL Makati (a Tourism Personality Awards which is an annual event honoring individuals whose achievements and contributions have created an impact on the tourism industry). He also previously served as the past National President of the Association of Pilipinas Shell Dealers Inc. Due to his outstanding performance, passionate involvement in the community and active participation in various service-oriented organizations, he was chosen as one of the “Outstanding Citizens of Baguio City” in 2018.
Certainly, Rolando “Oyan” Villanueva is a great man to emulate. In parting, he quotes Helen Keller, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Tolitz Villanueva (tolitz69glock@yahoo.com).