Rotary Club of San Francisco del Monte
Continuing the Tradition of Excellence of Service
in Rotary
The Rotary Club of San Francisco del Monte (RCSFDM) was chartered on February 27, 1971. This was the 3rd club to be organized in Quezon City , under Charter President Procopio “ Ely” Eleazar and then District Governor Benny Santos. For the past 38 years, RCSFDM has achieved a remarkable record of service in Rotary.
The young RCSFDM, led by then Pres. Luis “Louie” Lopez, was immediately recognized in 1972 – for its outstanding service and assistance to the flood victims in Central Luzon. Our newly chartered club was among those who spearheaded the massive relief and rescue operations when the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Bulacan was devastated by flood just before martial law was declared in 1972.
The first ever “Rotary Hour” television program became the Club’s signature project in 1977, under then Pres. Jesus “Jess” Casus , and was hosted by Rotarian Ronald Remey, a well known TV personality in the 70’s. RCSFDM was recognized and became well known nationwide because of this popular TV program which was aired regularly over GTV Channel 4.
In 1979, it was the first Rotary Club in Quezon City to construct its own “Rotary Center” building at the corner of Mayon and Malaya St., Quezon City. Under the leadership of then Pres. Antonio “Tony” Pascual (now PDG) , and Pres. Manuel “Manoling” Monroy (now PDG), the SFDM Rotary Multi Purpose Center was completed with the support of sister clubs here and abroad.
For the next 25 years, the SFDM Rotary Center became the venue of the Club’s vocational and community service projects such as the free medical-dental service, free livelihood training programs in dress making, cosmetology, hair science, reflexology, computer literacy, electrical repair, refrigeration and airconditioning technology. It served as a child day care center for indigent families, and home of the SFDM “Soup Kitchen” feeding and nutrition program, and such projects as : “Save a Sight”, Anti-Rabies”, “Free Dentures”, “ Free Harelip Operations”. The SFDM Rotary Center served as testament to the Club’s outstanding commitment to serve through Rotary.
In the decade of the 80’s, RCSFDM rose to become one of the biggest Club in then R.I. District 380- which extended from Quezon City to Appari and all the provinces of northern Luzon. No less than Rotary International Presidents Stan McCaffey And Royce Abbey (RY 1988-89), visited the Club’s SFDM Rotary Center. Under the leadership of then Pres. Lorenzo “Lore” Veneracion, Efren Aquino and Soriano “Sor” Mercado, the Club gained ‘international recognition’ through the many “sister club” relations established in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the USA. By the end of the 80’s, RC-SFDM has established an impressive track record of service in Rotary.
In the decade of the 1990’s the Club was recognized for its new signature projects: “Sampung Guro, Isang Rotaryo”, “Isang Libro, Isang Rotaryo”, “Libreng Almusal”, “Puno ng Buhay” and the “Filipino On Time”.
In RY 1995-1996, under the leadership of then pres, Dominador “Butch” Javier, RCSFDM was conferred the rare distinction of being elevated to the District 3780 Hall of Fame for having been awarded as the Most Outstanding Club of the District for five (5) consecutive years.
Known as the “Premiere Club” of the District, RCSFDM has produced five (5) District Governors from its ranks. Past District Governor (PDG) Pros Criscini (RY 1986-1987), PDG Tony Pascual (RY 1988-1989), PDG JL Pete Morales ( RY 1990-91), PDG Manoling Monroy ( RY 1996-1997), and Centennial Gov. George Howard (RY 2004-2005).
RCSFDM celebrated Rotary’s 100th year in RY 2004-2005 as the lead host club for the District Conference (DISCON 2005), and its very own George Howard ( also known as a founder of the Filipino On Time Project), as Centennial district Governor. The club led the centennial celebration of District 3780, and was recognized as Most Outstanding Rotary Club for RY 2004-2005, Rotary’s Centennial year.
Now 38 years old, the RCSFDM remains among the strong and effective Rotary Clubs in R.I. D-3780. As Rotary begins a new century of service, RCSFDM has taken the lead in the crusade for “children-in conflict with the law” (CICL) – helping to rehabilitate and re-educate yputh offendersdetained in the National Training School for Boys in Tanay, Rizal by providing skills abd livelihood training programs, and free legal assistance to reduce their period of detention. Trough the leadership of past presidents Arnold Guerrero and Boyet Tabao, the club now stands in the forefront of Rotary’s effort to address the problem of juvenile justice system.
In 2007-2008, under Pres. Louie Pangulayan, RCSFDM launched its first-ever “Mobile Surgery Unit” (MSU) – and which to date has provided life saving and timely surgical services to _____ patients in Quezon City; Marikina; Bacolor; Pampanga; Hagonoy, Bulacan; San Mateo Rizal , Gapan, Nueva Ecija, and the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinglupa, Rizal. It has travelled to Legazpi City, Albay on its first joint District medical mission in October 2007; and to Virac, Catanduanes in January 2009. Spearheaded by Rtn. Jim Sanchez and Rtn. Len Abogado, renowned reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons, and VP Ronnie Yap, whose company constructed the MSU from a 20 footer container van, the MSU aims to bring top quality surgical services to indigent communities, especially those with no access to hospital facilities.
-As compiled from the Club’s records by PP Rufino “Penny” Policarpio.
