Having to implement several projects in the last days of the past year is our way of saying goodbye to the year 2008. A good number of blood donors heeded our call to donate blood during our continuing blood letting project at the Guimbal District Hospital last December 17, 2008. At that time, we also donated one wheelchair to a 16 year old girl who is afflicted with polio and has no means to go out of her house because of poverty and her situation. She was so happy and said that the wheelchair was the best Christmas gift she has ever received in her whole life. IPP Kano Ng and PP Ronnel Quiñon were also busy interviewing and screening our prospective patients to qualify for a free operation to be performed by Filipinos and American surgeons in their Medical and Surgical Mission to Iloilo City on the last week of January 2009. It was such a very memorable and touching way of ending the year 2008.

Last December 21, 2008, our Christmas Party at Anjawan Beach Resort was a successful family affair, well-attended by with our members bringing along their spouses and children. It was a sight to behold! All those who were present enjoyed the whole day of fun, food and fellowship!
Congratulation to Sec. Toto Tanagon as our club’s President-Elect for Rotary Year 2009-2010, and for accepting the challenge to lead our club and continue the noble tradition of our club in serving our less fortunate fellowmen and to uphold the legacy that our previous leaders had build up for the last 30 years.

Half of my term had passed, and it was a very challenging yet rewarding and memorable one despite some unpleasant events that cropped up along the way. All our success cannot be realized without the help and cooperation from my fellow Metro Rotarians. For the remaining half of my term, let us not be contented with the gains we had achieved but altogether we will strive more to attain greater heights for our club.

Reminder: We will have our 7th Monthly Regular Board Meeting on January 8, 2008, 7:00 PM at Ocean City Restaurant.

A happy and prosperous New Year to all!