TRANSFORMING YEAR 2021 - TOKEN 6,1

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

RCKE in the light of the Pandemic

KAMEASTERS IN ACTION

ROTARY NEWS

RCKE in the light of Pandemic:
Kameasters in Action
Profile of Rotary International
President for RY 2020-21
The EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: In A Silver
Lining
PRESIDENT’S CORNER: A Year Like
No One
EDITORIAL: Service, As it is Always
above Self
FEATURED SECTION
NEWS CORNER

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

PROFILE OF RI PRESIDENT FOR RY 2020-21

Holger Knaack

President 2020-21
Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-
Mölln,Germany

Knaack is the CEO of Knaack KG, a real estate company. He was previously a
partner and general manager of Knaack Enterprises, a 125-year-old family
business.He is a founding member of the Civic Foundation of the City of
Ratzeburg and served as president of the Golf-Club Gut Grambek. Knaack is
also the founder and chair of the Karl Adam Foundation.A Rotary member
since 1992, Knaack has served Rotary as treasurer, director, moderator,
member and chair of several committees, representative for the Council on
Legislation, zone coordinator, training leader, and district governor.He is an
endowment/major gifts adviser and was co-chair of the Host Organization
Committee for the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg.Knaack
and his wife, Susanne, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and
members of the Bequest Society.

As I look back on 2020, I reflect on how our lives have changed. The I was president of my club when COVID-19 hit, and many members
global COVID-19 pandemic brought pain and loss to many of us. didn't yet have Zoom. Only 10 of our 53 members participated in
And for almost all of us, our daily lives, family time, and work also the first Zoom meeting during the pandemic. I thought that
changed this year. But we've made it to the end of this difficult reaching out and getting guest speakers from around the world to
year, not on our own but by reaching out to one another, as we engage our members would help. Many Rotary leaders, a Rotary
always do in Rotary. With each passing year, I become prouder of Peace Fellow, and even RI President Holger Knaack visited virtually
our organization. and spoke to our club. Meeting attendance improved, while we
I will choose to remember 2020 as a year of great change and reduced running costs by cutting out meals. Some members who
strength for us; Rotary didn't stop, despite the pandemic. We worked outside our city and had missed our meetings even
removed obstacles, found new ways to connect, and embraced rejoined us. Registering our online meetings on My Rotary
new approaches to service, such as online projects and virtual enhanced contacts with clubs across the world, and the joint
fundraising. I have invited two Rotarians to share their stories meeting addressed by Holger attracted more than 300 visitors. We
about how Rotary grew stronger this year. also raised more funds as members and visitors contributed to our
projects. To continue being flexible for all, we are now offering
When the pandemic shut everything down, our emerging e-club was hybrid meetings. For me, 2020 has been the best year in Rotary as
already providing digital service, including internationally. Fourteen U.S. I've made many new friends. -Blessing Michael, Rotary Club of Port
women and I, members of multiple Rotary clubs, were using WhatsApp Harcourt North, Nigeria
to mentor women entrepreneurs in rural Costa Rica, helping them to
grow their ecotourism business, RETUS Tours [the subject of the These stories should give us all reasons to be optimistic about
magazine's May cover story, "Nature & Nurture"]. The project has Rotary in the year ahead. We are not just surviving; we are
grown, with 30 Rotarians now providing consulting and help with the gaining strength. We are discovering how resilient our
RETUS website and social media. Most importantly, we continue organization truly is. We are seeing for ourselves how Rotary
building relationships and empowering these women to transform their Opens Opportunities — even during pandemics — to grow,
own lives, and we are doing it online. I've even helped one of the connect, and engage our members and the communities we
women, Rosa, prepare a presentation in English for an online serve.From our home in Ratzeburg to yours, Susanne and I
international conference. While our engagement with the Costa Rican would like to bid you and your family the warmest of season's
women still requires some hands-on activity, the most transformative greetings. We can't wait to see the good things that 2021 will
impacts haven't had to be in person. -Liza Larson, Rotary E-Club bring.
Engage and Rotary Club of Plano East, Texas

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In a Silver Lining

Taking Care of Rotarian’s Mental Health

in this time of Pandemic

PP ALAIN JOMARIE SANTOS

It is significant to know that there must be a balance
of mental health and well being in this most
challenging time. The pandemic has given us impact
that could be debilitating and is inducing mental,
emotional and physical stress. The thought of fear
and paranoia makes around us to be unbearable,
incapacitating and weakening. A sound Mental Health
is a state of well being in which a person deals with
the many life stresses, being productive by realizing
their potentials, and seeing the silver lining beyond
the boundaries of what is perplexing. It is important
in the response and recovery in this time of Covid19,
and makes us functional in our relationship with our
family, our community and in our work.

For many Rotarians, the pandemic has unleashed the 5.1.Do not spread fake news that can be
good out of the bad and the best out of the worst. distressing.
Many clubs have used the technology in serving their
objectives and are given a free rein to conduct 6.2.Share positive stories of people recovering
projects, community outreach programs and manage and had regained their life routines
their meetings while observing the minimum level of
health and safety protocols and standards.The World 3.Follow the minimum safety standards and
Health Organization have suggested considerations,
that would take care one’s mental health. 7. protect yourself from being exposed to the

1.Give priority to yourself at this time. Take virus
enough rest, sufficient and healthy food. Feeling of anxiety must be overcome, A
Engaged in safe physical activity, and do not heavy feeling is a possible experience for
lose contact with family and friends. you and the closest to you in the current
situation. A sound mental health and a
2.Stay connected and maintain your social healthy well-being are two things that must
networks via telephone or electronically not be ignored and must be given full
attention in order to continue doing what
3.Protect yourself and be supportive to others. we use to do, what we love to do and what
Working together as one community can help a Rotarian must opt to do.Service above self
create solidarity in addressing COVID-19 persists to remain, in its true meaning,
together. without sacrificing safety and jeopardizing
one’s mental health and well-being.
4.Acknowledge the role played by healthcare
workers in supporting people affected with
COVID-19 in your community..

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

A Year Like No One

TP JOSEPHINEPADILLA

2020 is a year that will forever be etched in the minds of all Slowly, we took small steps and did our service projects
peoples of the world for generations. On March 11, 2020, in many ways than one. Our meetings were held via
the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared a Zoom. Viber is our best friend. Once in a while, the TPs
pandemic that was caused by coronavirus or what is now managed to hold some face-to-face meetings. Like
known as Covid19. Buzz words abound like keep safe, stay school children hearing the bell for recess, we were
safe, WFH or work from home, quarantine, face masks, exuberant and super excited to see each other, minus
face shields, zoom, Google meet, virtual meetings, online, the usual physical hugs!
frontliners, viber, messenger, virtual hugs, social The clubs in the District bravely launched projects,
distancing, and many more. Never have all social media “fighting Covid19”. As if Covid19 was not enough, a series
platforms been utilized to its maximum capability. The of strong typhoons hit the Philippines in succession.
pandemic has brought out the best and the worst of From South to North and to the Eastern part of Metro
humanity. All over the world we have seen heartwarming Manila people were needing help. Super Typhoon Rolly,
acts of kindness, solidarity, resilience, inventiveness, and an extremely powerful tropical cyclone that made landfall
entrepreneurial spirit. Rotary clubs all over the world have in October 2020 in the Southern part of the Philippines.
been in the midst of extending help to those who are in In November, Typhoon Ulysses, a powerful and deadly
dire need. There were no “borders” for giving help. The typhoon struck the Northern part of the Philippines and
Rotary theme for 2020 – 2021 is “Transformation”. This caused the worst flooding in Metro Manila also affecting
year’s presidents are called Transforming Presidents or the eastern part of Metro Manila, Marikina and Rizal
TPs. Little did we know that the transformation will be this provinces. Our club participated the “AHON” (Pilipino)
impactful. We live in a new normal now. Rewind, our batch relief operations led by District Governor, Johnny Gaw Yu.
graduation scheduled late March 2020 was cancelled due Our club managed to do our service projects, despite the
to quarantine and other health protocols restrictions. pandemic situation, through the able leadership of our
Instead, we were required to take the online courses in Service Project Chair, Jocelyn “Joy” Suello. Headstrong
the Rotary portal. It was a big challenge for all of us to and determined, Joy, led our club’s service projects from
complete the 28 or so courses. Our battle cry, “No- “fighting Covid19”, to relief operations, to caring for
President-Left-Behind”. We helped one another to make frontliners, and other projects for Rotary’s 7 areas of
sure that all of us will be able to complete the online focus.
courses in time for the oath-taking. We all did it with flying I cannot thank enough my club members who were
colors! always there to support our club projects. They are my
cheering squad and that makes my load lighter. Looking
On July 1, 2020, we took our oath of office, virtually. back, we were able to do projects despite the challenges
Connected via Zoom from wherever we were but most of posed by this pandemic. I am very grateful that we bade
us from the comforts of our homes that has been 2020 goodbye unscathed, still with worries and fears as
transformed into home-office dwelling. We were all the corona virus is still lurking around but grateful to our
excited to wear our Rotary president’s pin, official uniforms God for keeping us all safe. With undaunted faith and
unwary of what lies ahead of our presidency and went on prayers, we still look forward to 2021 with full of Hopes
to take our oath office….”So, Help Me God”….. What a that this pandemic would soon end.
fitting end statement of that oath. Fast forward, the TPs
officially performed our duties but the thought of Covid19 Truly Service Above Self, People of Action, Together
staring at us or lurking behind us sends us a tingling and a We Transform!
fearful effect.

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

EDITORIAL

Service, As It Is Always Above Self

Taking Care of Rotarian’s Mental Health

in this time of Pandemic

FIRC TP John Louis Benito

Economics and psychology would attest to the fact, through A novel First Inspiring Rotaract Club during a novel
their researches, that human beings are already at the point of pandemic for this generation with a novel coronavirus
diminishing returns. We have created a world based on spreading. Everything maybe new, but the actions being
competition and materialism that we find ourselves asking planned by the First Inspiring Rotaract Club is not novel, at
corny questions such as “what is happiness?”, and “what would least its roots are not novel. For service is not novel. Service
be my meaning and fulfilment?” Regardless of belief, principles is history, service is the past, service is the present, service
and philosophies we do have a doctrine to follow but still, from is the future, and service is life.
time to time, asked these questions. Are we to find ourselves In enacting our functions virtually, it is indeed a struggle,
degenerating? I guess no. Maybe it is a matter to always and we know it would always be. We have our own personal
remember that all of the world’s complexities have simple roots. problems, but nonetheless seeing ourselves as one with our
If we are no longer happy with many and sophisticated things, fellows, we are continuing. No special words nor conditions
maybe it just means that we go simple and less. If tangible to think about, we keep on walking through.
accomplishments and resources would no longer make us Organically, our skills and experiences in “tree planting” are
humans, maybe the intangibles will, which may mean that we bearing fruits. It is not easy. For one thing, since everything
must go more inside ourselves and less of looking and making is almost out of hardship, all of the fruits it bear are sweet
things outside. albeit few. But we are moving forward on our little way.
We in the First Inspiring Rotaract Club are also plagued by such Little it maybe but it is still a step, a compassioned and
questions, who isn’t anyway? We crave for meaning and honest step. To see one receiving a temporary relief due to
fulfilment. It may just so happened that in our way of looking her health conditions, two receiving a developed sense of
inside, even though we are from different backgrounds and are wellness and relaxation, an unknown number that could
honed by different experiences and ideologies, we have found a have received relief goods and messages of help and
common denominator-SERVICE. But how to start? thoughts from our social media page, two teachers learning
No one among us do have any background on Rotary or Filipino Sign Language to bridge the inclusive
Rotaract prior to this. For one, this realization may result to a communications gap for our fellow disabled, and even cats
perception of “eliteness” and start slow and observe for a while. and dogs being given by Christmas presents, they are our
But on the other hand, the realization that any organization, has awards, and it is more than the best recognition we could
their own unique and distinguishable contexts and cultures. have from the community.
These contexts and cultures, even though different, do share They are not only few, but they are imperfect, and we do
universality among other organizations including Rotary. Rotary accept that it is. Service is not meant to be perfect nor to be
is community as we can say that community is Rotary. subject to perfectionist recognitions. Service is for humans
Communities call for service for better or worse, so is Rotary. and the environment they dwell and it would be fine to
have all good humane elements. Imperfections due to
How about the calling “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”? There is no problems and/or unfortunate circumstances should lead
pondering needed, ALL SERVICE ARE ABOVE SELF. There is no service to something better and a call for its continuation,
service that does not require to reach and create a bridge development and sustainability for the next generations to
towards others. Service is always above self, for it is always come. It is perfectly fine to be imperfect, but we will
transcending above ourselves, and it is always meant to be as is. continue to do our best, and we will continue to go through.
In the name of service, the First Inspiring Rotaract Club will
Two things further from this realization would signal a unique continue to serve, with and through Rotary and its good-
beginning for us. We are going to begin the First Inspiring willed fellow servicemen, for the community.
Rotaract Club without any blueprint of its past, truly new but Service, as it is always above self.
has a lot of potential to amount something worthy. We are also
going to begin the First Inspiring Rotaract Club amidst the time
when it is needed the most.

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

FEATURED SECTION

“ ”Winnita WTeaekingVCealrae rodf Reo-tYarsiaong’s Mental Health
D E P U T Y iDnI StThR IiCsTtSimE C eR EoT AfRPY a, ndemic
REGION 4

“A woman with character and grit.” -PP Jenny

From a passionate Assistant Governor and a Paul
Harris Fellow; to a loving and supportive wife and
mother of four. AG Wee is a great example of leading
Rotary District 3780, Region 4.

AG Wee is the founder of “Frutaspamore” under the
service project that continuously helping families to
provide adequate income and opportunity to be an
entrepreneur.

“ ”Julia Julie S. Gubot
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY&
CLUB ADMINISTRATOR

“Selfless, Dedicated, and Committed.” -PP Alain

One of the selfless Past-President and hardworking
Executive Secretary since 2016, PP Julie is known to be the
life saver of most of the past presidents aside from her
dedication towards sharing her time and effort to do
community projects.

PP Julie have been passionate to be part of every learning
sessions of Rotary to teach and assist current and
incoming President.

EDITORIAL STAFF TP JOSEPHINE PADILLA

PP ALAIN JOMARIE SANTOS PP JULIE GUBOT

EDITOR-in-CHIEF PE VINO SOSA PE VINO SOSA
LAYOUT EDITOR
FIRC TP JOHN LOUIS BENITO

CONTRIBUTORS

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

FEATURED SECTION

“ ”Taking Care of Rotarian’s Mental Health

JocelyinnthisJtoimye oAf P. aSnudeelmlioc

CHAIRMAN, SERVICE PROJECT

“One of a service oriented and driven person-Rotarian.”
-DDCOS Aiza

A dedicated Service Project Chair whom everyone deeply
admires from her bloodletting, peace talks, and tree

planting projects. PP Joy came across boundaries to
connect with various people to unite and provide medical
assistance.

PP Joy tirelessly organizing service projects in
collaboration with various organisation that benefited
schools, barangays, and underpriveleged communities.

THE
BUSINESS
SECTION

“I followed my heart’s desires and it led me to the kitchen; the
secret to good cooking is passion.“

One of the fellow rotarians, The media platform helped her
PP Jenny Velasco, brought her share her passion and delicacies
passion out in the biz amidst the that led her to venture an online
pandemic with such exquisite on the side business.

dishes delivered to your PP Jenny also share her creation
doorstep. PP Jenny’s online for a cause and provided several
facebook page “Jenny’s Kitchen: packed lunch meals for the front
Cooking from home.” Have been liners.
servicing customers in the metro
and near provinces. Jenny’s Kitchen

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT

VOLUME 5, ISSUE NO. 1. MARCH 2021 EDITION

NEWS CORNER

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMUNING EAST
PERFORMANCE REPORT