History of RC Biak na Bato

In the beginning...

With the name evocative of our nation's heroic struggle against foreign domination, the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato prides itself on a storied past while at present it wages an altogether different struggle; community service, goodwill, global peace and understanding. Early in 1982, an idea whose time had come was fleshed out and given deeper meaning by the prime movers of the Rotary Club of San Francisco del Monte (RCSFDM). It was the organization of an extension club called the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato.

At that time, RCSFDM was headed by President Danny Reyes who, two decades later, became District Governor in Rotary Year 2001-2002. The whole idea got a boost when District Governor's Special Representative Tony Pascual met with the club officers, namely, PR Pros Crescini; Mart Pantaleon, past auditor; Ness Tecson, director; Rotarian Pete Morales and guest Ravenal Santos. They met precisely to pave the way for the formation of the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato. 

Consequently, on Febuary 23, 1982, seventeen prospective charter members together with five RCSFDM steering officers held an organizational meeting at La Hermosa Steak House along Quezon Avenue. Thereafter, regular weekly meetings for the preparation of the charter documents were held at the same venue every Tuesday evening with Mart Pantaleon at the helm who, ultimately and quite fittingly, rose as a charter president of RCBNB. Then, ultimately, the Rotary International approved on May 25, 1982 the charter of the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato with 32 charter members. Since its inception, the RCBNB has dynamically evolved into a service organization and every "Biakero" (a term of endearment as every member of RCBNB is fondly called) fortunate enough to ascend to the position of club presidency has invariably left a legacy of selfness service to fellowmen. 

... It's evolution 

The honor roll of club presidents includes: Mart Pantaleon, Baby Santos, Ness Tecson, Manny Angeles, Freddie Ceballos, Boy Dizon, Jun Dumlao, Ces Marquez (+), Jun Asuncion, Carding Solomon (+), Ding Deloria, Tito Nabua, Ping Fernandez(+), Danny Espinosa, Fely Medina, Aspy Talapian, Rudy Barot(+), Steve Balcon, Diegs Untalan, Lito Mendoza, Jun Belgica, Dino Labro, Efren Docena(+) who had a once-in-a-hundred-years distinction of serving as Centennial President during his term as club president for RY 2004-2005, Fred Licos and Jess Esase, Jojo Ablog, Flory Fedalgo, Alford Alvarez and Non Sariba.

About seventeen summers ago, in 1990, PP Manny Angeles, being a dentist himself and understandably inspired along his line of profession, thought of a project that would zero in on the dental health of the less fortunate and underprivileged among us. Looking back, we all know that such a rare spark of inspiration proved quite contagious, it further uplifted the spirits of the club members and propelled them to greater heights in community service. In no time at all ”Libreng Pustiso” evolved into a club effort increasingly becoming known far and wide for its selfless brand of service to fellowmen.

Our "Libreng Pustiso" program is far more than a run-of-the-mill civic undertaking; it is, on the contrary, a firm and long-term commitment of our club, addressing aggressively a felt need among the urban poor who are invariably saddled with financial burdens and consequently their health concerns are often grossly neglected. Hence, to see them smiling with confidence is already a just reward and enough reason for us to continue and Rotary history of the community service after sixteen years of dedicated dental outreach missions.

On the other hand, Ten Outstanding Metro Manila Cleanliness Aides Awards (TOMMCA Awards) is truly unique and, perhaps, unprecedented in its advocacy to institutionalize a collaborative partnership between the private sector and the government in strengthening meritocracy in public service and giving honor and due recognition to the lowliest government workers, namely: the street-sweepers in the country's leading metropolis. This project was pioneered by PP Jun Belgica.

The Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato takes great pleasure and pride in having launched successfully this laudable project three years ago in close coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) located in the National Capital Region.

At its most ideal, this event is in perfect harmony with a wise saying in the Good Book that he who humbles himself shall be exalted. This, in essence, will serve as a strong motivating factor for our 'unsung heroes" engaged in the seemingly humdrum task of cleaning up our city streets.

Viewed in this contest, and given its enlightened vision to champion cause of the "masa" but excellent workers in the government service, the TOMMCA Awards -- for all the inspiration, hope and pride that it brings to our street-sweepers -- should be steadfastly pursued as a lofty annual project. Moreover, aside from the material benefits and justifiable pride of the awardees and their loved ones, other government workers are inspired by the TOMMCA Awardees' high work ethic to aspire likewise for excellence in their field of endeavor. 

.. other club accomplishments

The Tubig ng Pag-Ibig (artesian well) project has successfully addressed a basic resource need such as potable water for the poorer section of adopted communities in Talayan-Sunshine Village and Veteran's  Village in Quezon City. Briefly stated, in order to push forward the frontiers of this beneficial community service, we brought our Tubig ng Pag-ibig project to as far as the depressed area of Calamba, Laguna. Other continuing projects are feeding programs benefiting mostly indigent urban poor dwellers and malnourished children, although the latest of which was conducted in early December in the national penitentiary in Muntinglupa where around 500 inmates were treated to hearty packed lunches. PP Ping Fernandez, proponent of the feeding program for Muntinglupa inmates, said a similar undertaking in response to a growing clamor will be held in February 2005 - this time, specifically for the benefit of death convicts numbering about 1,073. 

Feeding program is a strong suit of the RC BNB as exemplified by PPs Tito Nabua and Steve Balcon who spearheaded a number of feeding campaigns in various places such as Home for the Aged in Gold Acres in a laudable effort to bring cheer and personal warmth to the abandoned, weak and sickly elders in the sunset of their lives. Going strong is the Free Computer Education which has given out-of-school youth technological knowhow and opportunities for employment and self-advancement. It was first launched under the watch of PP Danny Espinosa at Brgy. San Antonio, Quezon City where 186 youngsters were directly benefitted.

In expanding the horizon of our Rotary world, the RC BNB took off to organize its first extension club under the leadership wings of PP Ness Tecson. Thus, in 1984-85, PP Tecson in his concurrent capacity as DGSR led in forming the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato Silangan (otherwise known as RC Queen Avenue) with Rene Santos as its charter president.

Together, both clubs hit the ground running by embarking on dental and medical outreach missions benefitting 2,000 indigents in several barangays in Quezon City with the all-out assistance of Asian Mobile doctors coming from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The second extension club, the Rotary Club of Valencia with Albert Lim as charter president, was organized in 2002 by PP Danny Espinosa as DGSR. 

The steadfast commitment of the RC BNB to the overall goals and aspirations of the Rotary International is readily evident in the fact that our club has been contributing to the Rotary Foundation with two major donors in the persons of Rtn. Chuck Mathay and PP Freddie Ceballos. During the cetennial presidency of Efren O. Docena, the club boasted of 42 Paul Harris Fellows on top of the rare feat that it had been honored as 100% sustaining member Rotary Club!

It was also under the stewardship of PP Efren Docena that a sister club, the Rotary Club of Masambong, was organized under its Charter President Don Flordeliza.

...district and international activities 

The Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato has participated actively in international activities, more particularly in the Group Study Exchange Program Hosting. The club has often hosted visiting exchange teams from various Rotary districts overseas. In a gesture of traditional of Filipino hospitality and warm welcome, the doors of club members' homes were opened wide to receive young professionals in the advancement of global understanding and goodwill. Three past presidents over the years were appointed GSE team leaders, namely: Manny Angeles -Washington DC, Danny Espinosa - Denmark and Ness Tecson - Australia.

Among the past presidents who attended the Rotary International Convention were the following: Baby Santos - Birmingham, England; Freddie Ceballos - Anaheim, California (where the first Filipino RI President, Mat Caparas, was inducted); Danny Espinosa - Indianapolis, USA and Singapore; Diegs Untalan - San Antonio, Texas; PP Steve Balcon-Singapore, Chicago and Utah.

In inter-club sports arena, an effective venue for promoting camaraderie and fellowship, the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato is widely regarded as a dominant force -- the team to beat especially in bowling tournaments. A look at the club's track record shows that such a reputation is rooted on solid foundation. Consider: RC BNB won successive bowling titles from RY 1992-1993 when the First Governor's Cup was introduced by then District Governor Bimbo Salazar through RY 1996-1997 and RY 1998-1999.

Since 1980s RC BNB has been the perennial champion in duckpin bowling meets. Like all good things, however, the winning streak somehow snapped at the closing games of the District-wide Centennial Duckpin Bowling Tournament hosted by the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato from October 3-December 5, 2004 at the Farmers' Plaza, Cubao, Quezon City. In the final overall standing, the club garnered 1st Runner-Up in both Class "A" and Class "0". A Biakero said, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, that the club had no choice but to play the role of a gracious host to the hilt, even to the extent of playing second fiddle. RCBNB again hosted Rotabowl 2010 held at Sta. Lucia Bowling Lanes in Cainta, Rizal. Last year, once again the Biakeros bagged the 2nd Rotabowl 2011 championship in "Class C" by a convincing margin.

RC BNB also played lead club host in the Midyear Conference 2000 with PP Ness Tecson as chairman. It earned plaudits from Rotarians in the district and, significantly, then DG Mo Libunao rated the club's preparations as "excellent." The club has manifested leadership qualities and well-rounded expertise in managing major district affairs by hostine the President-Elect Training Seminar held aboard the Super Ferry at Sarabia Manor in Iloilo City. It, moreover, hosted the Past Presidents Fellowship District affair in a strong bid to strengthen and deepen bonds of friendship among past and present leaders in District 3780. In a grander manner, the RC BNB took up the cudgels as lead host club of the resoundingly successful District Conference (DisCon) held at CAP- John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City from March 4-7, 2004. To stage an event of this magnitude is no mean feat by any yardstick and it was accomplished under the term of PP Dino Labro - and, of course, such an accomplishment was made largely possible with the generous support extended by then President-Elect Efren Docena. In fact; without meaning to, the DisCon hosted by RC BNB set a benchmark against which future DisCons would be invariably compared. Rotary Year 2006-2007 marked twin milestones in the history of the RC Biak-na-Bato. The first was the election of a full-blooded and true-blue Biakero, Danilo "Dan" Espinosa, as District Governor, at a time - and this was the second milestone -- when the club was auspiciously celebrating its silver anniversary.

During the term of IPDG Dan Espinosa, three (3) new clubs were chartered, namely, RC Broadway, RC Central Fairview and RC Pearl of the Orient. He also increased the District membership by 200 new members and produced One Hundred One Thousand US Dollars (US$ 101,000.00) for the Rotary Foundation.

Some memorable highlights of his term were the Midyear Review held in the famous island of Boracay, the District Conference held in the country's summer capital of Baguio City and the Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Tagaytay City.

Toward a shared vision...

Like a good seed sown on a fertile ground, the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato constantly cared for and nourished through the years by the nurturing hands of its illustrious club presidents and members has now grown tall. Figuratively speaking, it now bears fruit and provides comforting shade for fellow travelers in this world. 

And like a tree growing towards the life-giving sun, the very same sun that exudes light and warmth to our common world, the Rotary Club of Biak-na-Bato will strive at all times to seek moral ascendancy by strictly adhering to the Rotary 4-Way test in all its various undertakings.

Finally, in heeding the clarion call to scale greater heights in every Avenue of Service and to help forge broader peace, goodwill and understanding worldwide, our mission and vision will always be guided by the beacon light of the Rotary International.