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Luisa was a five year old bright eyed girl playing in the fields of Sta. Maria when one day she disappeared. Luisa's frail little body was found slumped in the muddy rice paddy, badly bruised and beaten. Today, death has stolen her dreams and will never become a reality.
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District 3770 incoming Officers, Past District Governors, and other Rotarians gathered last 24 May 2008 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City to rise to the call of Rotary International's theme of Make Dreams Real for RY 2008-2009 with a challenge of Reducing Children's Mortality Issues.

District Assembly (DISTAS) 2008, hosted by the young and vibrant members of the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Santa Maria led by its President, Leonie C. Francisco, aimed to brief and equip 320 participants coming from 65 clubs from Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Isabela, and the Mountain Province on their upcoming roles and responsibilities.

DISTAS 2008 introduced innovations on the DISTAS format starting with the processional and introduction of the Assistant Area Governors, Club Presidents and Secretaries, Deputy Governors, District Officers, the DISTAS Chairperson, Past District Governors (PDG), and the District Trainer, some of whom were accompanied by their spouse. District Governor (DG) Rogie Fragante and District Governor Elect (DGE) Lito L. Jose were at its end marching side by side with the Philippine and District flags bearers. It was a real poignant opening ceremony.

Emcees for the event were the host club's Vice President, Annie Roldan, and Auditor, Lou Capili.

DG Rogie Fragante, delivered his remarks with his usual optimism, by recounting the District's accomplishments and thanked all his sharing presidents and district teams. His words of encouragement to the incoming officers were "there is much to be done but can be comforted by the thought that much has been accomplished, a lot more than what is intended to be done."

DGE Lito Jose then encouraged his new District Team Partners to "Go Back to Basics…" to contemplate on our competence and willingness to go beyond our commitment of serving our community." He emphasized the importance of putting every detail at the center of discussion to be able to appreciate the condition and direction of the District. DISTAS 2008 should trigger all plans and programs for RY 2008-2009 in the four avenues of service, from Club management, to service projects, to public image, to international commitment.

He also added his support for the program on the eradication of polio in the world, to immunize the world's children against the diseases that cripple or rob them of their lives, and then distributed cans to all clubs presidents within the district to solicit donations for this worthy cause. Let us make the children of the world understand the spirit and true meaning of future, let us make them experience the magic of dreaming. Together with these children, let us all MAKE DREAMS REAL.

Sessions on Public Speaking conducted by the DGE Spouse and Past President Sally Jose and on Leadership by PDG Tito Enriquez were held for the Presidents. Sessions on Roles and Responsibilities were presented and moderated by Past District Secretary Rino del Rosario for the Club Secretaries and Treasurers.

Newly appointed chairpersons attended breakout sessions for their respective committees, namely Service Projects, headed by PDG Ted O. Briones, Public Relations under PDG Romulo O. Valle, Jr., Membership under Past President Alberto Cruz, Club Administration under District Governor Nominee Ricardo San Diego, and The Rotary Foundation, headed by PDG Mauro C. Villamar.

In a reconvened general assembly in the afternoon, each group representative then presented the summary of the group's learnings, followed by an open forum with DGE Lito L. Jose, PCRG Chair Jun Aniag, PDG/District Trainer Efren M. Martinez and PDG Ogie Villamar comprising the panel.

At the end of the day - what makes this assembly truly successful? Is it the painstaking efforts to organize and coordinate by the Rotary Club of Mutya Santa Maria alongside with DGE Lito and spouse Sally, and District Trainor Efren? Is it the comfortable facilities and the delicious food? Is it the nice and practical raffle prizes brought home by the lucky winners? Is it the experience and learnings shared by the resource persons? Or, is it the great desire of every individual who will go back to make dreams real?
Reality begins…

by: Immediate Past Pres. Leony

Visit Rotary District 3770 Photo Gallery: DISTAS2008 Pictures are now online!