Under the leadership of RCWW Global President Emiliano Padre, DISTAS Chair Alberto Vizcocho, Co-Chair Renato Pineda, and Oversight Committee Chair PP Nelson Aspe, the full force of Rotary Club of Wack Wack (with all its members and their spouses) ably and enthusiastically hosted this year’s District Assembly on April 30, 2011 at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila, Mandaluyong City. This event marks the potential magnificence of the incoming rotary year to be led by the Majestic Team. As our Majestic Governor Rafael “Raffy” Garcia III reminded everyone, DISTAS is one of the key training programs that prepare Rotarians for their tasks as leaders. This event offers Rotarian leaders the opportunity to learn their roles and responsibilities, and more importantly, understand how each makes up the whole of the club and connects with the whole district to ensure that we truly and effectively “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.”

    DISTAS 2011 provided us with the comprehensive line-up of training sessions. Various district officers (with the special participation of the competent and inspired Global Team members who have been through a successful year under Governor Virgilio “Jun” Farcon, Jr.) generously shared their wisdom to the new batch of rotary officers and members to ensure a smooth transition and effective rotary year ahead. The incoming Majestic Presidents and Vice-Presidents learned the art of public speaking courtesy of PP Sedfrey M. Candelaria and the power of Servant Leadership as explained by PDG Jaime A. Cura. Meanwhile, incoming Club Secretaries and Treasurers started preparing for their roles and responsibilities in the sessions handled by DS Tom Rocamora, IDS Jun Zafra, and IDT Gani Dominguez. Other essential trainings were also provided: Protocol by PDG Efren de Guzman, Club Administration with PP Bobby Rosadia, Membership by CP Maricris Lim-Pineda and PDG Marc Go, Public Relations with PP Rose Imperial, Service Projects with PDG Pepe Peralta, and The Rotary Foundation headed by PDG Mac Hermoso, PP Manny Reyes and PP Albert Ang. Of course, the lovely and ever-supportive spouses also had their productive workshop to prepare them for the next rotary year. The heartfelt testimonials that ensued are proofs of a successful DISTAS training this year.

    But DISTAS is not just all work and no fun. A festive fellowship among Rotarians followed where friends met old friends and even made new ones while being serenaded by Rotaractor Rey Pineda, treated with a vibrant dance performance by the host club and rewarded with exciting raffle prizes. With the success of this year’s DISTAS, we’re sure to greet a very warm and festive ¡Hola! to the Rotary Year 2011-12. Bring on the Majestic Rotary Year! We are, as challenged by our Majestic Governor Raffy, “READY TO SERVE!”