MidYear Review
Sec. Neslie Carol C. Tan, RC Wack Wack

    It is pleasing to note that this year’s MidYear Review held at the Manila Polo Club last January 29, 2011 was well attended, with 155 registered participants from different Rotary clubs of District 3800. Clearly, RC Wack Wack (with all its officers, members, and spouses) has given its full support under the firm yet cheerful guidance of Pres. Jun Padre and PE Jo Vigden. And most especially, it is worthy to acknowledge our District Chairwoman PP Christy Barroga who impressed us with her composure despite the (understandably) extremely stressful job as she collected, computed and explained the midyear performance of the various clubs – definitely not easy tasks as revealed by DG Jun Farcon and admitted by PP Christy herself. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she is backed by PP Nelson Aspe (who resolutely manned the Complain Desk).

    But all these efforts were well-worth it since RCWW recognizes that hosting this year’s MidYear Review was a privilege. As emphasized by DG Jun Farcon, the “Father of MidYear Review”, this event was indeed one of the key events in the Rotary year. It marks the halfway point – encouraging everyone to pause for awhile to take stock of and give appreciation to our achievements thus far. We are greatly heartened by DG Jun Farcon’s, District Chair PP Christy’s, and PDG James Dee’s commendations on the good efforts (especially the touching service projects) of the clubs in the first part of the Rotary year. Hopefully, in the process of looking back and assessing what we have accomplished so far, we may regain our strength and renew our resolve to proceed with our journey to stay true to building communities and bridging continents. Indeed, we do feel encouraged when DG Jun Farcon rallied everyone to continue doing better and even double our efforts in the latter part of this Rotary year. This review benefits the clubs by preparing us for what is still ahead, and as discussed, what else still needs to be done - be it in our membership, club administration, service projects, public image, or in The Rotary Foundation. It reminds all clubs to conscientiously monitor our performances, making sure that it is holistic (tapping all the areas of Rotary) and aligned with the general theme of the Rotary year and the motto of Rotarians.

    All the District Chairpersons: PP Jun Angeles, PDG Fabie Enriquez, PDG James Dee, PDG Mickey Ortigas, Jr. and PDG Mac Hermoso gave informative reports on the different committees they are handling. Everyone even had very interesting and inspiring messages to share, but one insight (which was stressed by PP Christy Barroga and echoed by PDG James Dee and PDG Mickey Ortigas, Jr.) truly worth noting was the idea of realigning our focus away from mere accumulation of points, but to offering real, heartfelt, and much-needed service to different people. After all, the Rotary motto is “Service Above Self.” May we all continue with the rest of this year with true service.