President’s Column
by Ann Pres. Biema Along

The month of December is the busiest month for everyone and so with our club.

We had a joint meeting for the visiting Taiwanese Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee at VIP last December 3.   It was a well attended meeting with 21 Anns and 29 Rotarians in attendance.  

On the following day, December 4, we had the yearly gift giving for the children of Purok Tabaco at the Tourism Hall.  The children and some parents presented dance numbers thus making the affair livelier.  The Anns distributed gifts and lunch to the children.  They had their hands full.  The affair ended with an inspirational talk from the Barangay Captain.

For our December project, The Rotarians and Anns went caroling for three days from December 7,8, and 9.  Treas. John de Cleene was our coach on how to sing the Christmas carols beautifully.  PP Bern Gabaon’s sister Boyboy and daughter Megan took turns on accompanying us on the guitar during our caroling. This project gave us a total revenue of P 55,890.00 which after deducting all excpenses will be divided equally with the  Rotarians.

December 12 was our much awaited Christmas party, which was held at the residence of Lady Tere Sarraga.  PP Ching, being the Chairman for the drink contest , divided the group into three.  After all the meetings, planning, and preparations for the contest, the three groups were able to present their own invention and beautiful presentation.  Judges were chosen to name the best drink and presentation.  The group of PP Vicky Blanco, PP Sammy, Director Alvin, Incoming Treasurer Ben and Ann Jessica, to name a few came out to be the winner.  Everyone had fun playing the games prepared by Assistant Sec. Riza Rodano.  Of course, the emceeing was done by the able Ann Angie Dael.

Last but not the least of the activities was the gift giving at SM last December 28 for the boys of Boy’s Town.  The boys also prepared some beautiful dance numbers and heart warming songs.  The boys went overflowing with with happiness with the different gifts they received from Lady Tere, PP John Mark and PP Ching, PP Luigi and the Rotarians and Anns.  They were also treated to a sumptuous lunch courtesy of PP Sammy and PP Vicky Blanco.  

All these activities for the year 2009 are all worth the time and effort we all have extended to our club.  It is most gratifying to be able to share our blessings for the less fortunate brothers and sisters of ours.

We now look forward to more activities for the year 2010.  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU AND  YOUR FAMILES.