Rotary Club-Dumaguete South past president Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria led City officials and Rotary dignitaries in welcoming delegates and guests to the Rotary District Assembly held May 13 and 14 here in Dumaguete.
Two-hundred fifty delegates from Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, Surigao, Tanjay, Bais, Bayawan, and Dumaguete, all manifesting their belief in the motto Service above self converged here in the City for its regular activity.
Each delegate got a “passport to bargains” from local participating business establishments.
Neil Ray Lagahit, president of Rotary-South, was chairman of the entire activity, and during the fellowship, was ably assisted by his fellow Rotarians and their spouses who rendered a rousing Law Vegas style dance number led by Dumaguete First Lady Maisa Sagarbarria.
Rotary-Mother Club led by President Nehru Yurong did a reprise of a Michael Jackson number, prefaced by a “Jennifer Lopez on the floor” interpretation by spouses Kitty Gonzales, Baby Villamil, Eppie Ramada, Grace Obanana, Ging Bausin, and Cecil Gonzales.
President-elect Demetrio “Roy” Larena II and Sec. Bong Gaitera and all the other elected presidents and secretaries have their work cut out for them; Rotary projects are ongoing whole year round.
It was heartwarming to see delegates from different places in the Philippines converging in our City for a laudable activity. In the past week, the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen & Professionals, led by Engr. Fred Magallano and Dr. Leonardo Cabrera, brought to our City 4,000 of their members for their national convention.
Most of us are familiar with their motto printed in many areas: Be honest even if others are not, even if others could not, even if others would not! The woman of the hour, Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, was keynote speaker, emphasizing the need for integrity in public service and the difficulties of one who discovers and exposes corruption in government.
In the same affair, Commissioner Mendoza encouraged the Christian businessmen and professionals that public servants who quietly do their job in accordance with their oaths of office do get recognition.
With civic organizations holding their regional or national conventions in Dumaguete City, it is time for the local Tourism officials to review their strategies in making our City the preferred convention destination.
The coming of Rotary Distas and BCBP to our City are just two examples of the kind of tourists or visitors who come to our City for official reasons but also to savor our hospitality and relaxing ambience. No need to make copycats of gimmicks and other tricks to attract tourists. Those who are inclined to engage in environmental tourism, educational/values formation conferences or national conventions bring more tourism revenues to our City.
There may be other civic groups who can bid for national conventions to be held in Dumaguete. This is a more realistic strategy as each of those delegates who came and had a positive experience may eventually be goodwill ambassadors of our City. They bring back to their places of origin positive memories of this City of Gentle People.
There should be a concerted effort to make sure that our City will have a competitive advantage as a convention site. All the local hotels, resorts, restaurants, supermarkets, and other related enterprises must come together to devise a feasible and coordinated marketing plan.
Congratulations to Mayor Chiquiting and to Bimbo for hosting a successful Rotary DisTas!
