D-3800 Leads Attendance at Historic Joint PCRG-PRMF Induction
PDG Jaime “Jimmy” A. Cura (D-3830), PCRG Secretary, 2010-11
Rotary governors – past, present, and incoming - and their spouses from District 3800 led more than 180 participants at a historic joint induction of the officers and trustees of the Philippine Council of Rotary Governors and the newly-organized Philippine Rotary Magazine Foundation, Inc. on September 19, 2010 at the Sunset Pavilion of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.
PDG Jaime “James” O. Dee, who was governor of D-3800 in 2006-2007, was sworn in as PCRG Chairman, while PDG Antonio “Tony M. Quila of D-3830, last year’s PCRG Chairman, took his oath this time as newly-elected PRMFI Chairman. Inducted along with Dee and Quila were the officers and trustees of their respective organizations.
No less than past RI vice-president Gary C. K. Huang flew in from Taiwan to do the honors of administering the oath to the PCRG inductees and delivering the keynote address for the occasion. Past RI Director Rafael “Paing” G. Hechanova of D-3830 administered the oath earlier to the PRMF inductees and also delivered a special message.
Huang complemented the Philippine Rotarians for the vibrant, balanced, and comprehensive range of service projects that Rotary has undertaken in the Philippines through the years. He recalled his years as an insurance professional under the Yuchengco group of companies, which enabled him to regularly visit the Philippines and make many friends in this country.
Hechanova recalled the founding of Rotary in the Philippines in 1919, with the establishment of the first Rotary club in Asia, namely, the Rotary Club of Manila in February of that year. He rallied the Philippine Rotarians to support current initiatives for Philippine Rotary, through the PCRG, to bid for the hosting of the RI Convention in 2019, as a fitting way of celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rotary in the Philippines.
PCRG Chairman James Dee was introduced through a short but powerful audio-visual presentation that documented his life’s preparation for his current leadership roles as successful businessman and a respected leader in Philippine Rotary. Noted for his humble, soft-spoken, and unassuming ways, Dee was cited for his generosity and dedication in taking on various Rotary assignments, including the chairmanship this year of the PCRG and the vice-chairmanship of the Asian Breakfast Committee at the forthcoming Rotary International Convention in New Orleans, USA.
PRMFI Chairman Tony Quila was cited with a Leadership Award as outgoing PRCG chairman for his efforts in finally organizing a separate institution, through the newly-established foundation, that would ensure the continued publication and professional management of the Philippine Rotary Magazine, instead of being totally dependent on the volunteer efforts of Rotarians who are also busy with other concerns.
Nine out of ten incumbent district governors in the Philippines attended with their respective spouses. Seven governors-elect, and four governors-nominee also graced the occasion. Largest attendance from among the 10 districts in the Philippines was registered by D-3800, home district of the new PCRG Chairman.
Ably assisting Chairman James Dee and PCRG vice-chairman for Metro Manila PDG Eduardo “Ed” E. Tumangan of D-3810, was PDG Edison U. Ang of D-3800, who was special aide to PRIVP Gary Huang and organizing committee chairman for the event. Spouses Elena Dee and Malen Ang led a very active ladies’ committee that took care of backroom support, particularly in generating attendance, soliciting raffle prizes, arranging the venue and menu for the occasion, and the fellowship program that followed the formal induction ceremonies.
Emcees for the evening were PCRG vice-chair for the Visayas and Mindanao, PDG Fe “Bing” R. Suarez of D-3870, and PCRG board secretary PDG Jaime “Jimmy” A. Cura of D-3830.
