ROTARY CLUB OF CENTENNIAL QUEZON CITY
BRIEF HISTORY
The Rotary Club of Centennial Quezon City, began with the dream of three committed Rotarians; Erlynda “Ynday” Mijares, Rufino “Raffy” Mijares, & Marilyn “Marlyn” Lozano. They are the three pillars who conceived the idea of putting together 100 men and women to form a Rotary Club and get it chartered on June 12, 1998 to coincide with the cou
ntry's celebration of its 100th year of independence. Once hit the minds of these three Rotarian never regained their original dimensions. Soon, the gigantic task to charter the club began in earnest. On February 21, 1998, the three organizers, aided by some friends and acquaintances, started the organizational meeting on February 21, 1998. They voted to name the club, the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Quezon City, and sought the granting of the charter by Rotary International through its Southeast Asia Service Center. Their application for membership was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Quezon City, North, Balintawak and Diliman. Buoyed by their initial success and the honor of being the first club in the Philippines to gather 100 men and women for their charter, they waited confidently and firmed up preparations for their charter presentations. But news from SEACS offer problems in their membership and club name changed their dream into a nightmare. Given just a few days to change more than 70% of future members and secure the support of a minimum of 40% of the existing clubs in the district, prospects for chartering the club on Independence Day seemed shattered. But the organizers, armed with their courage and determination and emboldened by the unqualified support of District Governor Gil E. Divinagracia took the challenge head on and complied with the requirements in the nick of time. The club was chartered with the new name - Rotary Club of Centennial Quezon City - on their dream date June 12, 1998. SEAC chose only 30 menders to be chartered, which were to the disappointment of the organizers. The 70 were registered as new members. Elected charter president was Ynday Mijares, who was chosen Most Outstanding Rotarian, Rl District 3780 (club level) for RY 1996-1997; Pres-Elect. Rufino “Raffy” Mijares: Vice Pres. Angel “Angel" Cruz, Treasurer - Avelina “Belen" Bermido; Sec. Marilyn Lozano; PRO – Bethel “Bethel” Shima; Auditor- Jose ‘ Matibag, Marshalls Artemio ‘ Tem’ Mendoza & Mabini ‘Benny’ Valentin; Directorlub Service - Rufino “Raffy” Mijares, Vocational Service – Evelyn “Evelyn” Brigino, C ommunity Service – Josefina “Fina” Parilla, International Service – Cresencio “Cris” Garcia & Youth Service – Leoncia “Nene” Dimagiba. After breaking records in the district with their 100 members (30 charters, 70 new members) during its charter presentation on June 12, 1998, the club set out to pursue its great dream in Rotary Year 1998-1999 - under the steady hand of CP Ynday Mijares. Greatness not only comes from responsibility but also from the pursuit of one's great dreams. In Rotary Year 1998 – 1999, RCCQC dreamed bigger. These dreams made into pleasant reality, are their signature projects; “Bring a Friend”, “Read-Me-A-Book”, "Gift giving to 500 Street Children”, and “Adopt a Mountain” a project that envisions the reforestation of 2000 hectares provided by the Department of Natural Resources Under Memorandum of Agreement signed with the club. All these achievements have come from the club's commitment to service and excellence, a commitment to serve others without any thought of material rewards. But people say that when good things are done, gratitude and recognition spring eternal from the human heart. So as expression of gratitude and recognition, the following District awards were given to the Club at the Awards Night, District Conference ‘99 by Gov. Nemie Peralta. Presidential Citation from RI Pres. James Lacey Most Outstanding Rotarian (District) - RY 1998-1999
CP Ynday R. Mijares
Highest Annual Giving Contribution to TRF
Most Outstanding Club Membership Biggest club in D-3780)
Award of Excellence (from ADG Alex Bautista) CP Ynday R. Mijares
Most Outstanding Rotarian of the District CP Ynday R..Mijares
From all these, it may be said that the Rotary Club of Centennial Quezon City has, in RY 1998-1999, to “Act with Consistency, Credibility, and Continuity.” Rotary Year 2000-2001 and beyond, the pursuit of excellence will not waver. It will be sustained under equally committed centenarians with Raffy Mijares
