Lions Club inductions had made me busy these past weeks. Last July 20, we had our joint club inductions of Cavite ASMEPPS 103-A PMJF, of which I was elected President, and Saint Francis of Assisi College 104 PMJF, headed by my wife China Marie Deferia MJF.
In my early years in Lionism, I wondered what the acronyms signify. LCI means Lions Club International, and the 103 and 104 on our clubs represent our creation on the 103rd and 104th year of Lions. The MJF means the member is a Melvin Jones Fellow, a foundation established to receive donations from members worldwide. The PMJF represents Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and follows 2PMJF, 500PMJF and so on and so forth.
On July 27, we went to Baguio to attend our twin club’s 5th Induction Ceremony. Baguio Family and Friends PMJF is as old as Cavite ASMEPPS. You might be wondering why they don’t have the 103-104 on their name. The tagging of these numbers was a prerogative given to the district governors.
Clubs that have signed a twinning agreement are like sister clubs and pledge to support each other from celebrating their induction annually to their service activities. I am amazed by their performance as best club of the year in their district. Their past president is now Second Vice District Governor Ralph Eduardo Yambao, 10PMJF, and will be governor two years from now. SVDG Yambao is the better half of my ELLI (Emerging Lion Leaders Institute) batch mate FVP Ln Steff Bautista 4PMJF.
Our other twin clubs are the Bohol Chocolate Hills Lions Club and Bacolod City Hosts Lions Club. Our partnership with BCHLC was a result of being seatmates at a table during an international affair of LCI at Manila Hotel in November of 2022. Through the courtesy of Mactan Lions Club President Richard Ng we were introduced to Pres. Ln Lani and the rest was history when Dr. Janet De Guzman asked them to become our twin club.
The first club, one of the biggest and oldest in Visayas and the Philippines, was conceived when we met PDG Ramon Manojo PMJF and Lady Sony Manojo at LCI MD (Multi District) convention in Iloilo sometime in May 2022. PDG Ramon assured us that he will sponsor the twinning which was done on his birthday on December 27, 2022. It was one of the memorable service activities we had. The Bacolod City Hosts welcomed us with open arms and full support.
As if not yet full with invitations, we have also attended the Dasmariñas Lions Club PMJF 38th Induction last August 3 in Tagaytay led by Pres. Ln Romeo Casauay, 3PMJF. Dasmariñas is one of the strongest clubs in our District 301-A2. This is where my ELLI classmate Pres. Arem Alvaran MJF came from, prior to chartering his Magiting Lions Club.
This LY started with our feeding and diabetes causes for the community of Soldiers Hills IV, Molino 6, Bacoor last July 1, graced by no less than DG Sol Wilfredo Flores 30 PMJF and Cab Sec Prof. Eloisa Olivera, DCS Celia Rasing and PZC Dr Castillo and Treasurer Ln Nilda Alipasa and other members. This was followed by the simultaneous distribution of cleaning materials to public schools in Dasmariñas, Imus and Bacoor on July 26.
This August, in collaboration with various clubs led by our chartered club Cavite Business Circle CP Ln Marisol Clavesillas, together with PP Dr Janet De Guzman and Las Pinas and Naga Cam Sur Philippine Dental Chapters, we will bring services to Naga City.
Too early to tell, but various clubs are again as early as the first quarter, are hungry to roar and bring their services to other communities nationwide. Truly, they have hit the ground running in their first month of office. When there’s a need, there is a Lion. ||
