President’s Column
by Ann Pres. Biema Along

Our first GMM of the year was on July 9, 2009 and our very first theme was to wear different headgears or head pieces.  Everyone participated and came with their own versions of beautiful head pieces. The special ladies were asked to judge who wore the best headpiece and Treasurer Aida Gonzaga won the award.  

Our first project of the year was the Back to school and Feeding program held at Purok Tabaco last July 11, 2009 at 9:00 in the morning.  July being a nutrition month, the anns together with the Rotarians, led by President Manny, distributed school bags, toothbrushes with toothpaste (courtesy of Ann Nora Villamala), and snacks to  one hundred (100) children.  Seeing the joy in the children faces proved that our project was a success, and above all it reconfirmed our commitment to continue having projects at Purok Tabaco.  The Anns in attendance were PP Malou, Ching, Vicky, Bern,Treasurer Aida, Secretary Marissa, Directors Juvy,Angie, and Ann Vilma, Terry, and Lorie.

On July 18 we again had the same project at Purok 1A at Gusa, beside the house of PP John Mark and PP Ching Sarraga.  I would like to thank all those who donated and came to the project itself.  We were able to distribute school bags complete with school supplies, and shakoy donated by PP Tere.  John and Dainty Bebak also gave the center two wall fans and 14 meters floormat.  Ann Nora Villamala gave the children toothpaste and toothbrush set, while Director Juvy and PP Chito distributed slippers to the children.  PP Nitz, Secretary Marissa , Director Luz, and Ann Pam took care of the burgers and drinks for the children.  Last but not the least we would like to thank PP John Mark and PP Ching for the school supplies given to the teacher and the sumptuous breakfast and lunch they prepared for all the attending Rotarians and Anns. PRO Josy, PP Bern, Director Angie, Luz, Treasurer Aida and Asst. Treasurer Sarah, and PP Vicky were also present to lend a hand to the students.  It is heartwarming to see all the students very happy when they got their bags and other goodies from us.  

Our first On To Project led by Chairman PP Jecs was at Dahilayan, Bukidnon last July 16. PP Jecs invited the Anns for lunch and pajama night out at their vacation residence at Mountain Pines.  Anns Pam, Luz, Marissa,PP Tere, Nitz, Ching went up ahead of the others to have lunch with PP Jecs.  PP Montching, Anns Sarah, Aida, and I followed by 1:00 in the afternoon.  After showing us around we had merienda at their house and all those who were not sleeping there went back to the city.  

The place of PP Jecs was so refreshing, with cool and clean air which was a breather from city life.  We enjoyed the fresh and cool air at the gazebo, then when it was getting cold, we moved back in the house.  We slipped on to our pajamas and continued to talk, talk, talk, and filled the whole quiet subdivision with our laughter.  Dinner was then served and having eaten so much we went out in the veranda to enjoy more the cold air and continued our chitchatting until we were all tired and sleepy. Tita Tere and Tita Montching shared a room while PP Ching, Anns Sarah and Aida, and I had the whole loft to ourselves.  We definitely had a good night sleep.

Since we had no agenda to discuss for August, we opted to cancel our meeting in lieu of the first fellowship of the Rotarians last August 6.  It was as usual a well prepared party with PP Josy chairing the affair.  The Anns had 4 August celebrants.  They were PP Divin, PP Josy, Director Angie, and Asst. Sec. Riza.  Each one of them had a cake to blow.  The affair was fiesta inspired since it was our fiesta month.  PP Josy invited the dance troupe and they rendered some of our national dances.  They even invited some Rotarians and Anns to try the tinikling.  The affair would not be complete if there was no singing.  It was indeed a beautiful and enjoyable fellowship.

The Anns have decided to visit the aged at the St. Joseph Home this coming September 12 since September 13 is Grandparent’s Day.  I have appointed Director Ophie to chair this project and the Board approved a budget of P 2,000.00 for the gifts we will give the residents of this home.  I hope that we can all come to share our blessings with them.