CLOSE to 700 Rotarians from District 3850, which covers Negros Occidental, Panay, and Western Mindanao, attended the two-day virtual District Convention hosted by District Governor Louie Gonzaga and his club, the Rotary Club of Bacolod North.
It was the first full virtual convention in the history of District 3850 but it went seamless and successful.
At first, Gov. Gonzaga wanted it differently. As District Convention Chair, JunJun Jalandoni and Bobby Tinsay said there was no let-up of a planned face-to-face Discon which was supposed to be held at the state-of-the-art Hua Ming Ayala campus gym.
However, alternative plans were being drawn out as well which included a blended event -- both physical, good for 200 attendees, and the rest will be virtual. In the end, when Covid-19 cases rose drastically in the province and Bacolod, the plan was abandoned and organizers went full virtual.
A turnout of 700 was unexpected but the line-up of speakers, as well as the chance to interact with fellow Rotarians whom you get to see during this annual fellowship, made many block off their schedules to grace the event.
Speakers talked of relevant issues on coping and surviving this pandemic. It was a great line-up that included motivational speaker and celebrity, Anthony Pangilinan; Hanky Lee of The Henry Hotel chain; Joey Marcelo of Sante International; former NEDA Executive Director, Ernesto Pernia; microbiologist Fr. Nick Austriaco; and young Rotarian leader, Arianna de la Serna, the president of RC Antique.
A virtual reunion of Gov. Gonzaga's wards during a Group Study Exchange in Brazil that included banker Illa Luzuriaga-Hilado and Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco brought tears to his eyes.
Local dignitaries also sent their greetings including Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson who happens to be a member of RC Bacolod North, Bacolod Cong. Greg Gasataya, Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran who is also a Rotarian from RC Bacolod or the “Mother Club.”
Future District Leaders were also introduced by Past District Governor Jundad Legislador which included Incoming District Governor Edwin To of RC Zamboanga City done virtually, District Governor Nominee John Michael “Kano” Ng of RC Metro Iloilo and District Governor Nominee Designate Maria Ester “Matè” Espina of RC Bacolod Central who attended on-site at the Base in Mandalagan, Bacolod City.
Indeed, it was an achievement and Gov. Gonzaga and his club acknowledged that much of it was with the help of Event Director, Rene Hinojales and his team -- Easter Anne Doza, Zadhea Solinap and Marian Seldres and the technical team led by Gary Liza and his Leo Vision team and of course, District Secretary Carlo de la Cruz and District Rotaract Representative Jeric Chua.
Rotary District 3850 led by Governor Louie Gonzaga successfully holds a 2-day virtual District Conference on April 23-24, 2021. (Contributed photos)