March 31, 2011, Muntinlupa City

Rtn. Minda Santillan, RC Alabang Lampara

The District Conference (DISCON), perhaps the most anticipated event in District 3830, was held last March 18 – 19, 2011 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. It was one spectacular and truly memorable event for us all.

An excited delegation from the Rotary Club of Alabang Lampara (RCAL) composed of CP Danny Abinoja, GP Alex Flora with Lady Daisy, PP Mar Castillo, PE Edd Santillan, Dir. Sim Dayrit, Sec. Shirley Bulaquia, Rtn. Hazel Ong, Rtn. Janet Kim and yours truly. The GSE delegation from D9700, Australia was under RCAL’s care on that DISCON opening day. Composed of members Joanne Barton, Frank Dyssen, Dane Hendry, Libby Skipworth, with Team Leader PP Graeme Mclean, the team was fetched from the AIM by the RCAL team and treated to a lunch at Sofitel’s Spiral Restaurant by our hardworking president GP Alex Flora.

After the registration formalities, the Rotary Window exhibit was opened by District Governor Ed Alvarez. After which, a photo session was held with Past RI Vice President Robert “Bob” Cerwin, RI Pres. Ray Kilinginsmith’s special representative to DISCON 2011. Joining him were DG Ed, District Governor-Elect Billy Villareal, district officers, club presidents, club officers and their spouses. The upbeat welcome by the New Orleans Festival Group featuring the Rosarian Brass Band, stilt walkers, jugglers and showgirls, made the atmosphere all festive that we felt like we were in a fun circus or in the midst of big fiesta celebration. Everyone was joyful and wearing beautiful smiles all around.

Opening the Plenary Session I, DG Ed delivered his State of the District Address. The many excellent accomplishments of District 3830 under his leadership is very inspiring and well deserving our heartfelt congratulations. Part of the governor’s presentation was the District Disaster Management program, which was initiated by RCAL’s CP Danny Abinoja. It is the first of its kind in D3830 and has now been emulated by the other 9 Rotary districts in the Philippines. CP Danny certainly deserves our gratitude for his untiring support and dedication to Rotary. After the governor’s speech, we were honored to hear PRIVP Bob Cerwin deliver his keynote address.

The celebration, “mardis gras to the max!,” started around 6.30 PM with the entry of delegates and guests. The talent show was truly fantastic, beautiful and exciting. Each group’s performers wore colorful costumes based on a specific theme and amazed us with their well-choreographed dancing and singing. Our very own CP Danny, GP Alex and Rotarians Sim, Hazel and Shirley, donning beautiful artistic costumes, showed their talents on stage that made all RCALians proud. Everyone was excellent, but the Orientique Group’s presentation was adjudged the night’s best performance. The winners of the District Basketball Tournament were given their prizes and air tickets for the RI Convention in New Orleans in May were raffled off. The first night was ended with lots of dancing and fellowship.

The second day was as busy and exciting as the first. DG Ed and DGE Billy hosted breakfasts for their respective officers and guests while a Rotary Spouses session, led by Lady Mariz Alvarez, was being held simultaneously. The spouses session topic about “Creating an Appealing Image” by Lady Elizabeth “Maling” Francisco of Image by Design, was a hit to all attendees. We were also serenaded by PP Inky Reyes, the Rotarian with a golden voice. Lady Mariz gifted everyone with plenty of chocolates and nice scarves.

The Plenary Session II, with the theme Bigger, Better, Bolder, started at 9:00 AM followed by Plenary Session III (The Rotary Foundation), and Plenary Session 1V (Conference Business Matters). Special prizes were raffled off in between sessions and ended at around 4.30 PM. RCAL-sponsored GSE Outbound Representative to Netherlands, Chiqui Amancio and her group presented some awesome Philippine cultural dances, which they will also perform in the Netherlands.

Plenary Session V was the closing ceremonies followed by the much anticipated Governor’s Ball, a formal gown and black suit affair. We were serenaded by the popular UP Jazz Ensemble and Music from the Deep South by Bo Cerrudo, and the Opera Belles. The Governor’s Waltz kept our mood swaying with the music and the special performance by governor’s family was very lovely. It was another wonderful evening to remember.

Indeed, Rotary is one big family full of love and full of unselfish service.  DISCON 2011 was a fitting tribute to the dedicated men and women of D3830 for another successful Rotary Year.