RC Freeport Zone (Subic Bay)

 

The Rotary Club of Freeport Zone (Subic Bay) was founded in the spirit of the true ideals and Object of Rotary—of truth and fairness, selfless service, and faithful friendship and fellowship…

 

It was this vision of a new Rotary club - with a deeper commitment and conviction to the principles of Rotary - that inspired Raul Peralta, then centennial president (RY 2004-05) of the Rotary Club of Subic Bay to go about the arduous task of Rotary extension.

 

As he envisioned, the new club would be situated in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, where the sun meets the sea, and the bay opens up to the ocean. Like the Freeport Zone, the new club would open up to new horizons and reach out to the world. Like the port, the club would carry enormous loads to fulfill its commitment to Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self.” Like the ships, it would transport and carry out Rotary’s mission to promote universal goodwill and understanding.   

 

As soon as he arrived from the U.S. in July 2005, after attending the Rotary International (RI) Centennial Convention, PP Raul immediately set out the formation of the club by listing down names of potential Rotarians. With equal passion and commitment, his wife Rosario (aka Otchie) helped him in inviting prospective members. Six of his co-members in the Rotary Club of Subic Bay, namely, Erlinda Arzadon, Marilou Visican, Catherine Mae Quintana, Jesus Judge Arinduque, Kenneth Peralta, and Ma. Renalin Briones joined the proposed club.

 

The first formal organizational meeting was held on 4 August 2005 at the Meat Plus Café, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Aside from PP Raul and the six former members of RC Subic Bay, the others who attended were: Mary Ann Pascua, Min Kyung Hoon, Haidee Bilog, Jojie Guan, Roberto Roxas, Michael Magisa, Rose Baldeo, and RC Subic member Eduardo Encio. The group decided to call the club Rotary Club of Freeport Zone and that meetings shall be held on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM. Subsequent meetings followed at Meat Plus Café and at the Spanish Gate Restaurant and other prospective members attended, including John Dionisio, Michael Babao, Gemma Cruz, Carissa Salva, Soon, Judge Renato Dilag, another member of RC Subic Bay joined the provisional Rotary club.

 

The club meetings were then held regularly at the Bayfront Hotel, along Waterfront Road, SBFZ. The hotel’s president is Min Kyung Hoon and its manager is Haidee Bilog, who are both members of the club. The club became known in the district as the provisional Rotary Club of Bay Zone 101. More new members joined, including Johanna dela Cruz, Jennifer Santos, Peter Parco, Von Rodriguez, Julio Son, Ceasar Roson, and Earl Chanfoo.

 

Being truly committed to the mission of Rotary, the club immediately embarked on several community service projects, despite its provisional status. Among such projects were: a year-round twice-a-week feeding program for malnourished grade school pupils, a seminar on the law on anti-violence against women and children (R.A. 9262), giving of school supplies to poor elementary school students, SEA Games mural painting contest, Christmas gift-giving to poor pupils, Christmas gift-giving to an indigent community in Dinalupihan, Bataan, Christmas adopt-a-child, and a medical-dental mission in Iba, Zambales.

 

Charter President Raul also focused on building a strong foundation for the club, being on its infancy, by maintaining regular meetings, holding numerous fellowship parties and other activities, and attending district and other clubs’ functions. CP Raul also published a weekly bulletin. A continuous Rotary information campaign was done and prominent Rotarians were invited as guest speakers. Other Rotarians took note of the provisional club’s adherence to Rotary ideals and goals and gave much needed guidance and moral support. Most of all, it was Past District Governor Jesus “Jess” Lindayag and Past District Governor John Paul “Jaypee” Cadaing who gave much help to the club. Other Rotarians gave support by attending the club’s meetings and functions, some of whom as guest speakers, namely: PDG Jess Lindayag, PDG Jaypee Cadaing, PDG Vitt Gutierrez, PP Don Masson, and AG Abner Tayco.

 

Upon the support of PDG’s Jess Lindayag, Mariano Un Ocampo III, Alvin Gonzales, Vitt Gutierrez, and Jaypee Cadaing who was the District Governor’s Special Representative in the formation of the club, District Governor Florentino Bishop Cinense endorsed the club to R.I.

  

On 20 September 2006, the Rotary International approved the charter of the Rotary Club of Freeport Zone (Subic Bay).