SO, I’M counting the weeks characterized by a dry spell because the plants are really withering; their leaves mercilessly turning brown and flaky even with frequent watering. Yes, that’s me, the water girl and I love the task!
Finally, this week started with a drizzle – this was Sunday afternoon, and guess what, nightly downpour – hurray! – except that the rains charitably tagged along the twins: thunder and lightning!
Lightning is scary for people. It can kill. Thunders are scary for animals, especially dogs. No matter how tough they are, the frightening sound of thunder terrify them. They hide underneath tables, chairs, and what have you!
Anyways, as I am writing this piece this Tuesday evening, it rains yet again. I am not complaining even if my rhinitis is visiting and interrupting my schedule today: meeting and recording because such is life! We just need to respect the seasons and our bodies. Instead of grumbling, let’s just listen to the rhythm of the pouring rain.
***
Lions, Roar!
I had a fun week last week particularly hosting the joint induction ceremonies of Bohol Island Lions Club and Bohol Lady Lions Club of Tagbilaran City. This is my second year to host their twin event and this year is remarkably more fun! I guess because I am more familiar with the officers and members that I totally feel at home. I think familiarity is synonymous with my being sentimental. Like my father told me, “You are like your old man, Bett, a sentimental fool.” That’s fine. I like being sentimental. It makes me human.
In relation to the event, let me highlight the gist of the inaugural address delivered on August 17, 2023, by Caroline Lungay Rubillar, newly inducted president of Bohol Lady Lions Club held at Reyna’s The Haven and Gardens in Tagbilaran City.
“Organizations such as the Bohol Lady Lions Club which we have birthed as charter members, grown, nurtured, and continued to support up to this day and age, has honed us in many areas of leadership and relationship-building. Even the ticklish issue of conflict resolution can be gently tackled in our midst because we have a shared history.
As a group, I’m proud to say we have bonded over the years, and this solidarity will carry us no matter the changes of leadership and seasons.
As an engaged Lions Club, we have always been guided by our global causes. We unite our organization’s service around five global cause areas: Diabetes, Vision, Hunger, the Environment, and Childhood Cancer. These are the areas that we can make a profound impact by using our combined resources, special talents, skills and abilities, and our collective passion, to help our Boholano communities manage their present-day difficulties.
What could be more satisfying and fulfilling than helping our fellow Bol-anons? Nothing compares to the satisfaction of helping our fellow men and women.
As your new President, I know that the task of leading will not be daunting because as I have mentioned earlier, we have formed a sisterhood and solidarity that has withstood tests and trials over the past four years of our existence! I am personally aware that we are all committed to undertake service projects that will benefit the most deserving communities.
This position to serve has transformed us into advocates of positive change. Advocates to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos, and fellow Bol-anons.
As we aspire to do more and roar, allow me to highlight a brief historical context about our Filipino culture that seamlessly matches Lions International’s global causes. Our Filipino culture promotes Bayanihan; Kung sa Bol-anon pa, Tinabangay. This is uniquely embedded in our Filipino culture, and markedly present, in the cultures of our fellow ASEAN countries. Nowhere is bayanihan more evident than during calamities and disasters that we, as Lions, – anywhere; everywhere – promptly respond to!
I mention this because I want to emphasize that even if we are global as an organization, the causes that we promote, and advocate, are close to our Filipino culture and history. The outlook maybe global but the service is genuinely Filipino!”
***
The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie/PN
