ABOUT 500 Rotarians in Western Visayas and Western Mindanao gathered at the Rotary 3850 District Conference (Discon) held at the Garden Orchid Convention Center and Palacio del Sur in Zamboanga City on March 3 to 5.
Rotarians gathered to attend the annual convention held in Zamboanga, also the home of Rotary 3850 District Governor Oliver Ong and Lady Carol who belonged to the Rotary Club of Zamboanga City.
The convention was anchored on a theme: “Enjoy Zamboanga...Enjoy Rotary.”
K.R. Ravindan, president of the Rotary International for 2015-2016, sent his best wishes for an enjoyable and productive district conference. “I look forward with you all to a wonderful and historic year, in which Rotary will indeed be a Gift to the world,” he said.
Governor Ong greets his fellow Rotarians Bienvenidos. “Now is the time to inspire others, honor great men and women, relax too, and rejuvenate. Let’s learn and have fun. Create good and lasting memories. Be more energized when you go back to your respective clubs. I am totally proud, excited, and grateful for your presence and support to our 2016 Discon,” he said.
The conference was graced by Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar, Senator Paulo Benigno Aquino, Rotary International President’s Representative Past District Governor Robert Gallagher, Dr. Margarita “Margie” Go-Singco Holmes, Past District Governor Guillermo Tumangan, PDG Rafael Garcia III, DG Jose Bengzon III, PDG Ernesto Choa, PDG Marcos Hermoso and PDG Roberto Kuan.
PP Edwin To of the Rotary of Zamboanga, who chairs the Discon Committee, has truly inspired his fellow Rotarians and urged them to continue serving and to be a gift to the world in the years to come.
The highlights of the Discon were the welcome fellowship dinner themed as “Rotary Flower Power party,” the interesting and hot topics discussed during the conference and the grand Governor’s Ball held at Palacio del Sur.
It was a night of glamour and fashion.
The Rotary Clubs in Bacolod City were well represented by its respective presidents, officers and members. They also brought home various awards in the many facets and fields of service.
The Rotary Club of Bacolod East led by Benjamin Souribio bagged 12 outstanding awards, which include Most Outstanding Club, Most Outstanding Club President, Best in Public Image, Outstanding Club in Public Image, Best in Club Bulletin, Best Vocational Service Project, Most Outstanding Club in Vocational Service, Most Outstanding Family of Rotary Project, Best Family of Rotary Project, Best Rotary Spouse Club, Most Outstanding Club Service and Most Outstanding Every Rotarian Every Year.