President’s Column
by Pres. Manuel U. Along

WELCOME DG FE ‘BING’ JUAREZ  and Party!

We welcome to our club today, our Dist. Gov. Fe ‘Bing Juarez and her party. The district governor visits all the clubs in the district. Today is our turn to receive and brief her on our club leadership plan. This is also our chance to have fellowship with her as she stays with us for the next couple of hours.

We had quite a good physical attendance last week. Thirty (30) present out of fifty one (51). Let us maintain the drive for a high physical attendance and aim for a bigger number  like 35-40. To be able to meet that goal, let us intensify our efforts in recruiting more members. We already have inducted five new members and more are in the pipeline. We would come out ahead even if we lose a couple or two.

As some sort of bonus, we were pleasantly surprised by the presence of our member,  PDG Tinnex Jaraula, mayor of our city. It has always been a pleasure to listen to his updates re the goings-on in the city. We are glad he was able to squeeze into his busy schedule, an attendance in our club. We hope to see more of you PDG Tinnex.

NEW GENERATION FORUM – Sept. 18

Every year, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro conducts a new generation forum for selected students from various public and private high schools in the city. During the forum, the students ask questions from the panelists we have invited for the occasion. This year we had panelists from the Comelec, Department of Education, City Council (our very own Ian Mark Nacaya), media, PDEA, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), and Dr. Randy Te representing the field of medicine. Ninety plus students and advisers showed up at 1:30 PM and many energetically participated in the open forum that we got pressed for time to conduct the election of the youth city officials. By the time we finished electing the youth city mayor, vice-mayor, and councilors, it was past 6:00 in the evening. It was already 7:00 in the evening when we adjourned as the students were briefed by city hall officials on the schedule of  this week’s activities, which the city has declared as Youth Week.

I applaud the hard work given by the director in charge, Alvin Benasa,  and the forum chairman, our new Rotarian Ben Elio, in ensuring a successful implementation of the project. Thirty five(35) rotarians and anns were there to help and support this activity. They are the following: Dietmar and Vilma Schug, Ian Mark Nacaya, Alvin Benasa, Luigi Sarraga, Mike and Marissa Turner, John Mark and Ching Sarraga, Chito Sarraga, Lady Tere Sarraga, Ferdie and Janet Bernasor, Sammy and Vicky Blanco, Ric and Bern Gabaon, Naeem Iqbal, Carlo and Monette Romero, James and Luz Pamparo,  Jecs Soriano, Aida Gonzaga, Ben and Jessica Elio, Nanay Evangelista, Tony and Malou Dela Cruz, Manny Alinabon,  Danny Camat, Angie Dael, Sarah Hipona, and of course, Biema. I salute all of you for your sense of commitment and involvement in our club’s activities.