The leadership of the Rotary Club of Virac changed hands last week, with Hope Creating President Maria Cleofe R. Laynes relinquishing her post after a year capped by the club’s being recognized as the top 8 out of 155 clubs nationwide.
Laynes turned over her post to Magical President Aurora E. Araojo in a ceremony at the Tandu Coffee, Catanduanes Midtown Inn last June 28, 2024 with Bishop Luisito A. Occiano, himself a Rotarian with RC Naga, in attendance.
The outgoing president recently received received the Governor’s Distinguished Service Award for achieving Rank 8 Outstanding Club out of 155 clubs in District 3820, and Rank 1 among the clubs in Area 4 Bicol Region.
The award was given by District Governor William Delloro during the prestigious District Recognition and Awarding Ceremony (DRAC) on June 15, 2024 at Aquamarine Events Place, Lipa City, Batangas. The DRAC is an annual culmination ceremony that gives recognition to outstanding achievements, projects and initiatives of the different clubs in the district.
Laynes also received the Leadership Service Award, and the Rotary Club of Virac garnered numerous awards and citations like the Legacy Project Excellence Award for its RCC Cabihian Women’s Farmers Group, Best in Club Bulletin Content, Best in Public Image, Best Diseases Prevention Treatment Champion Award, Youth Empowerment Pioneer Award, Mother and Child Wellness Champion Award, and many more.
Likewise, Virac Rotarians who have at least 15 years of active service in Rotary were awarded the Years of Service Award (YOSA) during the DRAC.
In attendance to receive their prestigious plaques in Lipa City were: Past Presidents Alfred Morales Aquino, Susan Ordinario, Danilo Silva, Joselito Urgel, and Maricel Zantua, all with 18.5 years of service.
Other YOSA awardees from RC Virac who weren’t able to attend the awarding ceremony but received their plaques during the turnover ceremony were Past Presidents Minerva Morales (16.5 years), Gregorio Sarmiento Jr. (18 years), Elisa Nilda G. Alberto (18.5 years), Franklin C. Bonales (18.5 years) and Vietrez P. David-Abella (18.5 years).
Five days earlier on June 23, the club turned over a carwash showcase (equipment and starter set of detergents) to the San Miguel Construction Workers Association (SMCWA), with HCP Laynes and SMCWA President Rommel T. Marin signing the memorandum of agreement.
Replacing Laynes at the helm of the local club is Magical President Aurora E. Araojo, who was originally tabbed as the club secretary but accepted the board’s nomination after president-elect Normilyn Zafe-Marino begged off for health reasons.
In accepting the responsibility of steering the club for Rotary Year 2024-2025 despite the lack of preparation, Rtn. Araojo vowed to face the challenges with the support of the officers and members.
On the other hand, Msgr. Occiano shared that after he was ordained as bishop of the island diocese, he told himself that he would be at home in Virac as it has a Rotary Club.
He said he has been a member of RC Naga for 15 years now, with the camaraderie and support of its members enabling his parish to conduct trainings and programs for the community.
He cited the hog dispersal project he conceptualized in San Jose, Camarines Sur, where the parish and RC Naga distributed an initial 10 piglets and 25 kilos of starter feeds, with each recipient family to give back three piglets to the parish.
After two years, the bishop said, the program managed to distribute a total of 120 piglets, showing how RC Naga has been instrumental in uplifting the life of the poor in the Partido area.
“We need people who will partner with our parishes,” he urged, adding that the presence of the Rotary Club in the community brings hope to the people.
He likewise underscored that the island needs ethical leaders who will help the Church, who are able to live by the Rotary’s Four-Way Test of the things people think, say or do.