15/09/2025
One starfish at a time: Rotaract induction in Samar inspires youth to serve
โCommit your time, talent, and service,โ urged Atty. Isagani Togonon as the Rotaract Club of Ibatan-Calbayog and Interact Club of Calbayog City High welcomed new members during the Urugpod ug Pagpasidungog 2025 Basic Orientation and Induction Ceremony in Calbayog, Samar on September 13, 2025.
With the theme โUnite for Good,โ the ceremony placed the spotlight on service-driven leadership, stressing that commitment matters more than resources in carrying out community initiatives.
Rotaract Club president Vince Cabella, dubbed the โGame Changer President,โ led the induction of members, pledging to continue the clubโs advocacy under Rotary Internationalโs guiding motto, โService Above Self.โ
Keynote speaker Atty. Togonon, Past Assistant Governor of District 3860 and former Rotaractor of Divine Word University, recalled his own beginnings in the movement. Asked once what he could contribute, he had answered, โWara ak kotse, wara ak kwarta, pero mayda ak orasโ (I donโt have a car or money, but I have time). He reminded Rotaractors and Interactors that the true measure of membership lies in commitment, time, and talent.
To drive his message home, Togonon shared the parable of The Boy and the Starfish, urging the inductees to value even the smallest acts of service.
โKun mayda kit usa nga tawo nga nabuligan bisan kun diri naton nasolbar an problema sa bug-os nga Calbayog, pero nakabulig kit sa usa nga tawo, dako na iton nga bagay,โ he said.
The story, much like the ceremony itself, emphasized a simple truth: while no one can solve every problem, each small act of service makes a differenceโone starfish, one person, one community at a time.
Caption | Jade Edan Salas
Frame | Jamea Reece Maribojoc
