2013 DISTASS : A Fun Learning Experience

2013 DISTASS : A Fun Learning Experience

 After a very successful District Conference held in Subic, the Rotary Club of Sta. Rosa Centro had an even stronger representation to the District Assembly for Rotary Year 2013-2014 held last May 18-19 at Lima Hotel in Batangas with an 11-member attendance.

 Rotarians from all over District 3820 flocked to the Main Hall of the hotel, welcomed by a huge tarpaulin with a photo of a smiling District Governor-Elect Danny Ona garbed in naval attire and executing a snappy salute.  At about 2:30 p.m., the Parade of Dignitaries started, wherein our very own President Elect Doray Lucero carried our banner.

After a colourful dance number, DG Dennis Sunio called the District Assembly to order.  Soon after, all the Distrct 3820 clubs were acknowledged; each announcement highlighted by cheers, hoots, and whistles from the animated crowd.  Not to be outdone, our club cheered at the top of our voices (and helped by friends from other clubs as well), and as a result, we won the “Best Cheer” award, as announced by the host club.

DGE Ona presented the Rotary International theme as well as the thrusts and goals of District 3820 in the coming RY 2013-14, serving as a guide for all clubs to follow in their respective plans and programs for the coming year.

To the crowd’s delight, the special guest speaker was again Dr. Siva Ananthan, who also graced last year’s DISTASS.  Dr. Siva once again regaled us with his anecdotes that sent everyone in stitches.  Like last year, his talk gave us a wealth of knowledge and lessons on how we could better enrich our lives as Rotarians.

That night’s Fellowship was something different because everyone was dressed in white pants and the 2013 Distass shirt, which are the requirements to be able to win in the raffle.  Another requirement was that one should be dancing to be able to claim his/her prize.  The latter requirement is enough encouragement for the Centro ladies to join the line dance for hours!

The following day, after the Call to Order by DGE Ona, an inspirational lecture on “How to have a positive outlook in life” was delivered by Mr. Jojo Recio.  Then it was time for the break-out sessions held in different function rooms of the hotel.  RC Sta. Rosa Centro participants went their separate ways to attend the sessions, meeting again for lunch at the Main Hall.

After lunch, DGE Ona delivered his Incoming Governor’s Message, followed by the Business Meeting to approve several proposals, one of which is the construction of a Governor’s Office in Batangas which will necessitate an increase in the Governor’s Fund.

The hosts held the highlight of the event till the very end, which is the raffle of the grand prize, a cruise trip for two at the Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  After the announcement of the lucky winner from Batangas, the Rotarians from District 3820 bid each other good-bye, and till the next District event!