DISTAS 2010 - Really Global!
Rtn. Bassie Cruz, RC Marikina North

    DISTAS 2010 was held on April 24, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City . Preparations for this very important event in the Rotary calendar started as early as December 2009 under the co-chairmanship of PP Deo Salumbides and PP Ching Umali of the host club, the Rotary Club of Marikina North.

    As early as 6:00 AM, delegates from the different clubs in the district arrived and filled up the lobby to register and get their convention kits. With just over 600 participants preregistered on April 22 and no on-site registration, the host club was surprised when more than 200 delegates registered on site, bringing the total number of Rotarians and Spouses registrants to over 830 delegates and Guests, surpassing the number of attendees on record.

    By 7 o’clock a.m., a lot of people were getting their photo ops with District Governor Elect Virgilio "Jun" Farcon and DGE Lady Zeny. The processional of incoming district officers and President Elects ushered the start of the ceremonies and by 9:30 am, District Governor Rudy San Felipe, called the plenary to order and turned over the proceedings to District Governor Elect Jun.

    Opening prayers was led by PP Efren Afuang and the national anthem by PE Dodjie Leyva of the host club. Introduction of dignitaries and roll call of delegates was made by IDS Tom Rocamora followed by the welcome remarks of DISTAS Chair PP Deo Salumbides. District Governor Rudy then gave his inspirational message. Incoming District Secretary Tom Rocamora introduced the DGE to the plenary followed by a short audiovisual presentation of DGE Jun's bio ala SUPERMAN. DGE Jun then presented the RI Theme and Thrusts as well as the District Goals. The New District Theme Song was introduced to the crowd by Rtn. Rafael Amaranto of RC San Juan West together with District singer PP Florinio Dela Paz of RC Marikina.

    By 10:00 o’clock a.m. breakout sessions for the different participants started. District Officers and PDG's from the different districts facilitated the sessions. To name a few, PDG Roberto Viray of District 3780 , PDG Lyne Abanilla of District 3810 , PDG's Jimmy Cura and Sonny Coloma of District 3830 , PDG's Edison Ang, Efren De Guzman, James Dee, Mickey Ortigas, Fabio Enriquez and Mac Hermoso of District 3800 while PP Cory Quirino was the resource person for the Spouses participation. Sit down lunch was served at noon, and the continuation of the breakaway sessions continued after the short break. By 4:00 o'clock p.m. the closing ceremonies started with a recapitulation of the lessons learned and the passage of a resolution increasing the contributions of each club to the Governors Fund. An acknowledgement speech was delivered by DISTAS co-chair PP Ching Umali after which DGE Jun gave the closing remarks and adjourned DISTAS 2010.

The Fellowship Night of DISTAS 2010

    After a two-hour break, a sumptuous buffet dinner was served as delegates wearing different international costume started pouring in. After dinner the International Fellowship Night went into full gear as Zone 1 to 8 delegates participated in the DISTAS 2010 Global Parade around the ballroom in a very festive mood and atmosphere. The Unity dance was introduced and performed by each zone when they reached the front of the stage.

    The floor seemed to rumble as dancers did their acts and audience responded with deafening cheers. The evening was sizzling hot with music provided by a live band playing bouncy numbers. PP Toto Mina and Spouse Millet Lorenzo of the host club emceed the evening to excitement. A very entertaining Egyptian Dance performed by the Visionary Presidents in their sparkling costumes, which showed a lot of skin, delighted the audience. Lots of raffle prizes, mostly household appliances were given out in between program numbers. The live band played dance music that turned up the heat and party Rotarians grooved to the beat and danced till you drop and got high from the pulsating music. Line dancing was the evening’s fare as a DI demonstrated and guided everybody that even someone with two left feet can follow the dance. Whew!!! What a way to get high.

    DGE Lady Zeny Farcon delivered an inspirational message and acknowledged everyone who made the affair a resounding success. One defining moment came when “Best in Costumes” winners were announced. Grand winners were couples Raffy and Sp. Minda Garcia in their very colorful Mexican costumes and ISAG Bobby and Sp. Racquel Zamora in their Igorot costumes. Other winners were Gerry Pestano who wore a Korean costume and Sunday Pineda in Egyptian Prince Costume and another wearing an African costume and Mongolian attire. It was truly a very successful and spectacular evening. The whole day and night affair success was overwhelming. The Rotary Club of Marikina North is indeed honored and privileged to have hosted this year’s DISTAS and would like to thank DGE Jun and DGE Lady Zeny entrusting this important event to RCMN.