Each presidency comes with a different flavor, determined by the advocacy of the incumbent. The Jesuit-educated Conrado “Jun Jun” Dayrit chose the rehabilitation and reformation o bo f drug dependents as the signature project of his. term. The government's " “Oplan Tokhang" (literally,to knock) had hugged the head lines since the past year owing to the police authorities punitive action against drug users-in fact, it had become so infamous that "tokhang" was chosen by CNN in 2018 as the word of the year. A spiritual man who takes the Bible to heart, President Jun Jun strongly believes that drug dependency is best overcome through thehumane approaches of rehabilitation and reformation.
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An Ode to the Filipino,from the Past to the Present: President Jun-Jun's love for the Filipino immediately manifested itself, not just in the choice of his signature project, but in his theme for his Induction Ball. The 52nd induction saw the Club's members, their Anns and guests dressed in their best Filipiniana gowns and formal Barong Tagalog, exchanging compliments while sipping wine, aslechon-the all-time favorite Filipino fiesta food-was served by The Peninsula Manila hotel staff.
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When President Jun Jun took to the podium, he gave a persuasive speech directed to the passive members, challenging them to engage themselves in the activities of the Club. Citing the three Ts that contribute to the success of volunteer organization-Time, Talent and Treasure-he made it clear that he needed the members' time the most.
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The evening's guest of honor was District Governor Edwin Afzelius, who was introduced by PDG Robert Kuan.
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A cake was wheeled in for three birthday celebrators: Past RI director Paing, DG Ed Afzelius and President Elect Fred Pascual, and the birthday song was sung,
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The Club grew by four members. A recordof 51 Paul Harris Fellows were pinned.
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The entertainment part of the event, titled "OPM Through the Years," expressed the romanticism and sense of humor of the Filipino through OPM (or "Original Pilipino Music"). A seamless parade of popular Filipino songs took the fascinated audience through the decades, performed with authenticity by the Club"s members and their Anns. Induction Chairman Louie Aseoche, First Lady Cecille Dayrit and Ann Mimi Valerio, Entertainment Committee co-chairs, delivered a memorable evening.
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Partnering with Sanlakbay for Drug Rehabilitation: President Jun Jun chose to partner with the Archdiocese of Manila for its parish-based drug rehabilitation program, "Sanlakbay Para sa Pagbabagong Buhay" (One Journey Towards a Renewed Life), which takes in drug dependents who had earlier surrendered to the police under "Oplan Tokhang." Sanlakbay's program was compassionate and gentle, an approach that harmonizes with President Jun Jun's life principles. The program believes that healing is deeply-rooted when patiently grounded on unconditional love and the Christian faith.
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As its initial step. the Club made a donation worth P600,000 to Caritas Manila, which was tasked by the archdiocese to run the program. The donation consisted of a brand-new Suzuki utility vehicle, a laptop, a printer, and a 55-inch smart TV.
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When the Club received word that another rehabilitation center by Caritas Manila was being established. it donated P600,000 in cash.
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The Club participated in a mass at the San Sebastian Church that welcomed 400 former drug dependents to the Sanlakbay program, celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The event marked the convergence of the Catholic Church represented by Cardinal, the Philippine National Police (PNP) represented by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Oscar Agbayalde, and Rotary, represented by Rotary Club of Makati President JunJun Dayrit.
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The second leg was launched at the San Ildefonso Parish in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati. President Jun Jun Turned over communication equipment including an Epson printer, a Lenovo laptop, and an Epson projector. A second batch of 50 "kalaybaks" ( teen slang for comrades in a journey). former drug dependents, chose to chane their lives.
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A total of 139 have graduated from the program.
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Assisting a Mental Health Facility: President JunJun then addressed mental health by supporting the Brothers of Mercy, an institution that takes custody and care of the abandoned and neglecteed
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LEFT: President Jun-Jun interacts with a male patient from the mental health facility supported by the club.
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Past President Felix and Tessie Amparo, President JunJun and Cecille Dayrit, and Louie and Tessie Aseoche visit the Brothers of Mercy that manage Hospicio de San Juan de Dios, a facility for men with mental illnesses.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cardinal Luis Tagle receives the key of a mini cab from President JunJun , a donation from the Club to Caritas Manila under the Sanlakbay project.
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A parish priest blesses the donated mini cab.
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mentally ill men, the unwanted "taong grasa" and village crazies we shun. Located at the Hospicio de San Juan de Dios in Bocaue, Bulacan, the facility is home to 100 mentally ill male patients.
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President JunJun and other members of the Club make the tedious trek to Mt.Pulag Elementary School in Benguet to turn over school supplies for the students.
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Members turn over communication equipment to the San Ildefonso parish in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati.
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The Club covered the facility's utility bills and the fee of a psychiatrist throught a monthly donation of P14,500, funded by First Ann Cecille's donation of US$21,000 coursed through Give2Asia. She had been supporting the facility for 15 years.
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A Rigorous 21-Hour-Journey to Turnover a School: Prior to President JunJun's term the Club raised P109,000 to rehabilitate the Mt.Pulag ELementary School in Kabayan, Benguet. The repair was completed in time for the opening of the school in 2017 and was ready to be turned over to the school officials. The municipality of Kabayan is located almost at he peak of Mt.Pulag. Although the area was hit by Typhoon Gorio, a team led by
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President JunJun bravely decided to take the trip to the school. Together with Past President Reggie Nolido. Director Chris Ferareza and Director Peter Manzano with his Ann Pam, President Junjun courageously pushed through. With nary a complaint, the group put all thoughts of their treacherous trip, cramped legs and lack of sleep aside when they finally reached the place in the inclement weather. They smiled as the Club's Thankful Beneficiaries welcomed them warmly.
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The delegation brought other gifts:two brand-new 40-inch LED TVs, three DVD players, educational CDs, and 160 raincoats and pairs of boots for rhe students. Director Louie Aseoche donated two TV/Monitors.
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Altogether, the rigorous trip took 21 hours, with brief stop-overs for meals and leg stretches. It was service above self at its best.
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"Stop TB Now" Reaches Tacloban: The enduring "Stop TB Now" project was brought by the Club to Tacloban City in Leyte where 26 children afflicted with tuberculosis started treatment that would take six months. In the party with President Junjun and Ann Cecille were Past District Governor (PDG) Tony Quila, Stop TB Now Chairman Chito Cantada, Wash and Pizza Lou, Johnny Ang and Secretary Boy Arteche, a native Taclobanon, who hosted his co-Rotarians at the Arteche-owned Hotel Alejandro and the Arteche island by the foot of the San Juanico bridge. The Kankabato Rotarians hosted the welcome dinner, which was graced by Tacloban Mayor Cristina Romualdez,.
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After the project launch at the City Hall,the group proceeded to the Guindapunan Elementary School in Palo,Leyte, for the turnover of over 500 books to the school library, a donation to RC Kankabato-Tacloban from the Club's BATS Project.
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Funded by a US$85,000 Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation with RC Taoyuan(a sister club) as international partner, and the Punta Fuego Village Foundation as cooperating organization, the Tacloban run was supported by the city government of Tacloban and its city health office, RC Kankabato-Tacloban,and long-time partners Pediatrica and Kabisig ng kalahi.
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Help to Typhoon Victims: Less than two weeks before Christmas, Typhoon Urduja flooded entire residential areas in Tacloban, and forced families into cramped evacuation centers. President Junjun collected P285,000 from Club membersin just fours days, plus mattresses,beddings and towels. On December27, Director Chris Ferareza and Chief of Staff Ron Dotaro took an early flight to Tacloban and sepnt the entire day handing out relief goods, sleeping mats and blankets at the evacuation centers. They turned over a check for P51,000 to the TaclobanCity Health Office for the construction of three waitings tents. Through these efforts,468 families were helped.
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Typhoon Vinta Struck Davao and Bukidnon on December 23, turninng roads into chest-deep rivers. The Club responded once again by shipping out P30,000 worth of relief goods to Valencia City in Bukidnon that were later distributed to 70 families in time for New Year's Eve.
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HEALing Rotary Homes Residents: In commemoration of Rotary's 113th anniversary in February 2018, President Junjun introduced the HEAL program (or"Home Education and Livelihood") to the residents of Rotary Homes, former informal settlers who lived by the banks of the Paranaque River and polluted the waterway. The Club partnered with the Multinational Foundation Inc.(MFI) to provide an alternative means of access to K-12 quality education for out-of-school youth and adult learners throught home study sessions and tutorials in designated eCenters. The Club pledged to sponsor the education of 8 school dropouts aged 12 to 33.
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Aside from the learning sessions, the beneficiaries received school bags, school supplies and educational materials. For the other residents, the Club conducted livelihood training on manicure, pedicure and hair cutting.
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"That Lovin' Feelin'": "That Lovin' Feelin'" simply sparked delight. in a concert named after this popular song of The Righteous Brothers, the Spirit of ' 67 Bandplayed the music of the 60s and the 70s reminiscent of the highschool days of many in the crowd of about 300, who sang,swayed and gyrated in the cramped dance floor. it felt more fun than what it was-a fundraiser for the Club's humanitarian projects. For President JunJun, First Lady Cecille and event chair Past President Tito Panlilio who had to attend to a myriad of details during the night, it was well worth it. despite the short prep time, the event netted a tidy P700,000.
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