THIS is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again. - Paul Harris 1935
It was by destiny that a new Rotary club will be born. A stronghold of 26 active individuals who shared the same ideas came in unity to form their own service organization, an offshoot from the vast membership of the Rotary Club of Baguio North. These pioneering members came into harmonious relations together in presenting and discussing plans, issues and concerns.
They held their meetings at a modest school cafeteria, the PSD Canteen of the University of Baguio, strengthening their footing and continuing to do what they loved most, that is brotherhood, fellowship and service.
"All told it was to be, until that fateful day on April 7, 1999 when sponsorship for its prayer would be carried through the auspices of notable Rotarian friends and then Club Presidents John Kim and Ely Refuerzo of the Rotary Clubs of La Trinidad and Baguio South, respectively. And with able intercession of then 3790 District Governor Tony Angeles, the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital (RCBSC) was born, with its charter presented in Angeles City, Pampanga."
This year, the RCBSC celebrates its 22nd year in service with recognition to its past presidents CP Virgilio Bautista (April-June 1999), PP Kane Chanbonpin (1999-2000), PP Romeo Chan (2000-2001), PP Eric Jonthan Picart (2001-2002), PP Dr. Rey Anthony Leung (2002-2003), +PP Dr. Carlos Dumlao (2003-2004), PDG Rolando Villanueva (2004-2005), PP Ed Borromeo (2005-2006), PP Rafael Ding (2006-2007), PP Ricardo Liquete (2007-2008), PP Kenneth So (2008-2009), PP Dr. Romeo Concepcion (2009-2010), PP Dr. Alberto Atiwag, Jr. (2010-2011), PP Dr. Antonio Tactay (2011-2012), PP Atty. Joris Karl Dacawi (2012-2013), PP Dr. Edward Dogui-is (2013-2014), PP Dr. Frederick Mars Untalan (2014-2015), PP Josef Angelo Martires (2015-2016), PP Rommel Alcid (2016-2017), PP Paquito Marquez (2017-2018), PP Jose Antonio Baltazar (2018-2019), and IPP Cecilio Cid III (2019-2020). As of this day, the RCBSC has proudly produced (1) Governor, Rolando Villanueva, (5) Assistant Governors, Rey Anthony Leung, Romeo Concepcion, Kenneth So, Alberto Atiwag Jr. and Josef Angelo Martires; and (2) Cluster Secretaries Josef Angelo Martires and Rommel Alcid.
In terms of District Events, the RCBSC has hosted 6 District Assemblies (DISTAS) during the term of Rey Anthony Leung, Carlos Dumlao, Rolando Villanueva, Josef Angelo Martires, Jose Antonio Baltazar and my term; a TRISEM during the term of Rommel Alcid; and (3) District Conventions (DISCON) during the term of Rafael Ding, Kenneth So and Romeo Concepcion.
With regards to contribution to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) that finances health, hunger and humanitarian projects (more notably the End Polio Campaign and projects of the World Health Organization), the RCBSC had its highest foundation contribution in the district in 2008-2009 during the term of PP Kenneth So, with an all-time high donation of US $ 37,100.00. In close second were contributions during the terms of PP Romeo Concepcion and PP Rommel Alcid. In the RY 2009-2010, the club was recognized by Rotary International as the first 100% Paul Harris Club for District 3790. In RY 2016-2017, the club was also recognized as the first, and as of to date, the only 100% Multiple Paul Harris Fellow Club of District 3790. Currently, more than majority of the members are recognized, as Multiple Paul Harris Fellows while the rest are Paul Harris Fellows. The Major Donors are PDG Rolando and Carmencita Villanueva (Level 2); CP Virgilio and Lilia Bautista; PP Kenneth and Marybeth So; Pres. Tolitz and Brenda Lee Villanueva; and PP Paquito Marquez.
In the RY 2018-2019 alone, PP Anton Baltazar had reported 151 activities and 7.2 M worth of service projects. The RCBSC was one of the 10 top clubs in the district. Furthermore, a Rotary International Citation with a Platinum Distinction was given to the RCBSC during this year.
In the district level, the biggest grant was given for the water treatment plant of the RC of San Fernando, La Union thru PDG Rolando Villanueva. In the international level, a global grant for a Human Milk Bank project in partnership with the RC of Timog, QC during the term of PP Anton Baltazar through PDG Panding Nisce was instituted.
For more than a decade now, the RCBSC has also been sending poor but deserving students through its college scholarship fund with the Baguio Scholarship Foundation and its sister club, the RC of Tokyo Rinkai. They have produced several honor students and board topnotchers who are now gainfully employed as educators in various institutions of learning.
The RCBSC has established a Rotary Community Corp (RCC of the Women of Dizon-Manzanillo) that was eventually recognized by the District as a Matt Caparas Service Awardee. For youth involvement, the RCBSC has been maintaining multi-awarded Interact and Rotaract Clubs in the University of Baguio and the Saint Louis University, SAMCIS. To widen its reach in serving the community, the RCBSC has identified various partners in service both in the government and other civil society groups. Among them are the LGU of Baguio, the Dept. of Labor and Employment, the Benguet Dental Assn., the University of Philippines Alumni Assn., the University of Baguio, Organo Gold Philippines, PSD Café, Agetyeng Travel and Tours, Blu Coffee, Granville Supply Chain Management and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Today, the club has 38 active members and an honorary member, who continue to meet in the humble school cafeteria along General Luna Rd. A place that the RCBSC shall forever, call a home.
(tolitz69glock@yahoo.com)