LCP Rowena Bato
April 15, 2009 marked a significant date to Rotary Club of Metro Dasmarinas (RCMD). It is the start to put into action the motto “Service Above Self”. Looking back more then ten years ago, this club though having a lean number of members continued to exemplify the services under the various areas of focus.
RCMD started with a bang when during the Charter Presentation, 10 members pledged to become Paul Harris Fellows and to top it all, declaring their line up for Club President nominee for the next ten years. Awesome is the right word to describe the beginning of RCMD headed by the club’s Charter President, Atty. Miriam Clorina.
As the current Life Changing President, I joined RCMD during the Inspirational Year of PP Anthony Dechosa. As an eager new member, I witness how he was able to work wonders in continuing significant projects of the club initiated from previous years of past presidents.
To highlight a few of the projects existing during the year I joined, a Mobile Xray, a project through Rotary International Global Grant in partnership with Rotary Club of Manila Metro, was initiated by Past Presidents, GP Leticia San Antonio, CMP Kenneth Khoo, and BCP Barbie Dechosa, was turned over to Cavite City throught the leadership of PP Tony Dechosa. Casa Dei Bambini San Giuseppe in Silang, Cavite is an orphanage adopted by the RCMD through the intiative of PPs, BCP Angie Paycana that provides shelter to unpriviledged children. RCMD decided to adopt this institution and became part of one of the sustainability project of the club up to this year. Bayani ng Lansangan, another worthy project that was intiated by the club through the effort of Rotaract. This project not only provide assistance to the beneficiary but importantly the recognition and dignity accorded to them.
Every year members pledge to contribute to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Fund as our way of support to the global objective of TRF and its desire to reach as many beneficiaries it can with the collective effort of Rotarians around the world.
Another priviledge is to be a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), and we are proud to say that more than half of our club members are PHF. Its gives us the honor to be part of history in serving and change lives for the betterment of the meaning of it.
Through the years, each president embodies the tag line ”Rotary People in Action” which is evident as they present their genorosity in different projects in various communities around District 3810.
More than a Decade of Service, this picture better represents the Past Presidents who molded this Rotary Club in making difference year after year in making changes in the lives of its beneficiaries, in serving communities that provided hope to continue the fight inspite of all the adversities in life.