One of the many reasons why people travel is not just to see scenic wonders of the world or to meet new people and make friends, but to experience new CULTURES as well.
Just recently, I had the pleasure to be invited as Guest Speaker to my former club, the Rotary Club of Meycauauyan Uptown and to discuss to the group the proposed Cervical Screening Caravan with the Honorable District Governor Bienvenido “Jon” Alonzo of Rotary International District 3770.
I recalled great memories of my short stint with the Rotary Club since way back to 2014. But because my place of business had shifted in Manila by 2015, I joined in later a Rotary Club belonging to Rotary District 3810. Like traveling, the CULTURE of Rotary clubs is unique in so many ways.
The Rotary Club of Meycauayan Uptown was chartered in 1994. The club recently celebrated its 26th Charter Anniversary slated February 1. Of its 26 years in existence, they have accomplished not so many clubs I know today have done. Highlights of their achievements can be summarized in just six words: “Most Outstanding Club for ELEVEN Years”. Yes, you read it right the first time. Yet if you come to think of it, they are just an average-sized club enough to pass charter strength. “I guess they were all cohesively meant to be and have the attitude to pay the highest respect and regard whoever sits as Governor of the District, staying out of politics like what a club should do.”
During their meeting, I learned about their proposed water project in Minalungao. Minalungao is a place in Nueva Ecija with more than 200 family residents but with no potable water supply. Nearly all houses have an improvised tricycle that is used to fetch potable spring water in a river about 1 to 2 kilometers away.
The project is up for a global grant with the assistance from Past District Secretary Lyndon Wong of Rotary International District 3780.
Proposed Cervical Screening Caravan
In attendance during the talk was the Honorable District Governor Jon Alonzo, Members from the Rotary Clubs of Meycauayan Uptown and Meycauayan Gold and other visitors from different clubs. The talk went well, leaving everyone engaged to help fight end cervical cancer in the Philippines.
In line with the upcoming Cervical Cancer Awareness Month observed in May, a group proposal was made to embark on a five-leg FREE Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Caravan. The caravan is planned to start in an area in Bulacan, then heads up north to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Isabela and finally in Cagayan in 5 to 7 days covering nearly all areas governed by Rotary International District 3770. The project is dubbed as “CerviQsyo Rotaryo 3770 Para Sa Mamamayang Pilipino“, a first of its kind promoting cervical awareness and screening area per area to women 21 years and above. Cervical Cancer screening shall be conducted inside the Philippine Cancer Society Mobile Bus that can screen up to 200 patients per day using the CerviQ mobile application. The Internet shall be provided by BigSky 2.0 – We Are IT Philippines Inc. (WIT), the leading Satellite Broadband Service Provider in the Philippines. The cost of the screening shall be given FREE to all participants while sponsorship shall be made to Local Government Units and philanthropists to aid in this awareness campaign.
At the moment, there are already four areas inclined to support the activity as listed as follows:
Cervical Screening Caravan Bulacan Host:
- Rotary Club of Meycauayan Uptown – led by Assistant Governor Armando “Sandie” San Diego, and President Laureano Andan
- Rotary Club of Santa Maria – District Governor Bienvenido “Jon” Alonzo
- Rotary Club of Meycauayan Gold – President Linda Nieves Moll
Cervical Screening Caravan Nueva Viscaya Host:
- Past District Governor Maria Nonette Tiam
Cervical Screening Caravan Isabela Host:
- Rotary Club of Cauayan – President Lani Alivia
Cervical Screening Caravan Cagayan Host:
- DDG Martin Gumarang – Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow
Assistant Governor Liza DR Mora – Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Citadel
Dr. Bogs Rivera is a Radiation Oncologist by Profession and Founder of the CerviQ medical app. For more information, please visit his website: https://endcervicalcancerph.com/