The past week had been a very hectic but gratifying experience for RC Metro Iloilo. An immersion which opened our hearts to the plight of the victims of the calamity which struck our province. Through the generosity of RC Guimaras, together we gave more than 1,000 bottles of purified water to the residents of Brgy.Bakhaw,Mandurriao, Iloilo City last Thursday. Then, on Saturday together with IPP Kano, we represented our club at the induction of RC Downtown Manila where gratefully we were able to receive the following: donations of 220,000 Yen and two (2) boxes of assorted clothes from our Japanese Rotarians; P10,000 cash and one (1) box of medicines from RC Downtown Manila; and cash donation of P25,000.00 from RC Manila Metro.

During last Thursday’s board meeting, our club was also able to raise P20,000.00 cash from the directors and some members. Our coffer is still open for more contributions from those members who have not shared. These donations will be used for the club’s outreach program to the flood victims. The RC Metro Iloilo is likewise committed to support the medical mission of the PMA/IMS. The first of the said medical mission was held last Sunday at Leganes where we donated P25,000.00 for medicines. I am thankful to our members who were present last Sunday at the evacuation center at the Leganes covered gym. I would like to request more members to participate in our next medical mission at Mina on July 9 and at Leganes on July 11, 2008.

To my fellow Metro Rotarians who have been victims of the recent flood, let us not allow our Christian values to be destroyed by a calamity, we should continue to extend our help to our brothers who are in worst condition. Let our healing process start by helping others.

Lastly, I would like to remind everybody to attend our induction on Saturday, July 12, 2008 together with your spouse. Help me campaign for attendance. Let’s make our dreams real by starting this Rotary year with our attendance at our induction.