Esther A. Vibal
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DISTRICT 17 Issue No. 4 WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN: Re-focusing on Zonta’s Core Mission The Governor’s Chronicle Biennium 2010-2012 Issue No. 4 August- December 2011 IN THIS ISSUE 1 Governor’s Message 2 - ZI pres. meets the press 4 3 Pre-Post Conference Board Meetings 4 JMK Winner - Kathleen Barretto 2012 CONVENTION 5 - AE Winner - Onvaree Techakesari - Award of Chiangmai President 6 Z Club of St. Michael’s 7-12 July 2012 7 New Club of Pasay & Environs 8 District Conference Highlights Torino, Italy 8 - Sunset Reception 9 Welcome Dinner for ZI President 10 Registration Market Place 11 Photo Exhibit 12 - Governor’s Meeting - First Timers’ Orientation - Delegates & Alternates 19 13 Opening Ceremony 16 Business Sessions 20 Inspiring Stories 21 Memorial Service Workshops One of the many rewards of membership in Zonta International is the fellowship that comes 24 Governor’s Awards from being part of an international organization of individuals who share a commitment to 26 Closing Ceremonies improving the lives of women around the world. The International Convention is a wonderful 28 Photo Gallery opportunity to enjoy this fellowship by connecting with members from around the globe. 28 Members who have attended Convention in the past will tell you that they have made lasting 30 Area 1 Activities friendships at Convention while learning more about Zonta International and its efforts to 32 Area 2 Activities advance the status of women worldwide. 34 Area 3 Activities The Zonta Governor’s Chronicle is the oƥ cial pub- 36 Area 4 Activities Make your plans now for the 2012 Zonta International Convention in Torino, Italy-a city rich in lication of Zonta International District 17 com- 38 Area 5 Activities history, culture and natural beauty. prising the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, 40 Area 5 Activities Singapore & Malaysia. It contains articles on the programs and activities of the District 17 Governor 42 Area 6 Activities and the clubs comprising the district. Postal ad- 44 Esther Vibal dress: P.O. Box 8795, Dasma. Village, Makati 1222, 45 Tribute to Leonor Ines Luciano Philippines. Fax: +632 8106703. Email: ZIDist17@ gmail.com. <www.zontad17.org 46 Sendong - Success Stories Back Cover Editor: Erlinda E. Panlilio Design & Layout: Maria Morris Zonta Convention in Torino, Italy Cover photo: (top) IP Dianne Curtis with DG Beng Puyat and PIP Livie Ferry (bottom) District 17 Board (2010-2012) TEAM SHINE Logo Design : Maria Morris Governor’s Message “May you live in interesting times.” This well-known into the southern part Chinese proverb can be said as a blessing or a warning, of the Philippines (Area but the emphasis is always on living the experience. This 3) when most residents saying could quite possibly best describe the events that of Cagayan de Oro, occurred in District 17 in recent months, since the 16th Iligan and Dumaguete Zonta International District 17 Conference in Manila. were asleep. It swept away everything with a I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all devastating flash flood in our district for their part in a very successful and that rushed down the fulfilling district conference. It is only because of the mountains, destroying active participation of every District 17 Zontian that properties, infrastructure, the conference unfolded without a hitch; the fruits of homes and human lives. This our labour have been bountiful. There are too many unprecedented calamity is likened highlights of the conference to mention but a great to a reverse tsunami similar to the many are represented within the pages of this current disaster that hit Aceh, Indonesia many years back. The issue of the Governor’s Chronicle. In a letter from our Philippines had never experienced a disaster of this Zonta International Representative and International magnitude before. President Dianne Curtis, she noted that our District Conference was on par with that of an International While it is very easy to be shocked and horrified by Zonta Convention. She said that we should be proud of the extensive havoc that these natural disasters have our excellent achievements. wreaked upon us, many District 17 Zontians took it as an opportunity to shine and be in the forefront of where This biennium proved to be overwhelming, as District their presence was needed. I am so proud of the noble 17 continued its harvest of international awards. Ms. work that many Zontians of our district have selflessly Kathleen Barretto of the University of the Philippines, our extended toward relief efforts and rehabilitation to help District winner, was chosen 2011 International Recipient alleviate the suffering of women and families afflicted of the Jane M. Klausmann (JMK) Scholarship in Business by the various calamities in recent months. I am proud Award. Ms. Onvaree Techakesari of Thailand, a student of the Area 6 clubs who have banded together to assist of Queensland University of Technology in Australia, in the relief efforts of one of their own clubs. Likewise, earned the elusive Amelia Earhart (AE) Fellowship Award of the Zontians of Cagayan de Oro II who managed to for the second time for her work in Aerospace Studies mobilize quickly to contribute to relief operations and to (2010 & 2011). With the AE Fellowship, District 17 has disseminate information on what was happening on the achieved a clean sweep of the international awards in ground. And I am proud of the many clubs and individual one biennium, a rare feat in itself. The pride I feel for all Zontians from our district who have donated generously our District 17 international award winners (JMK, YWPA, to aid the disaster victims in their time of need. Our AE and the Emma Conlon Service Awards) is beyond thanks as well to our many Zonta friends around the words. I hope that our District continues to inspire our globe who have pledged their support to our district in winners towards paths of greatness. these heartbreaking times. Unfortunately, with great joy comes great sorrow as our We are nearing the end of this biennium but we still have District was plagued with natural disasters in five of our so much to do. The job of a Zontian is never-ending and six Areas. Only Area 2 was spared from nature’s might. will require great passion and compassion as always. Barely a month after the District Conference, Typhoon There need not be an extraordinary event like a natural Pedring (International name Nesat) surged into the city disaster for us to act. It is our imperative as Zontians to of Manila (Area 1 and 5) and the neighbouring provinces act on behalf of our charges, the women of the world. of Laguna and Pampanga. The storm damaged the Let us move ever forward with our T.E.A.M. S.H.I.N.E. sea wall facing Manila Bay and caused considerable spirit and take pride in our noble work of empowering flooding to surrounding areas, including the site of our women in these most difficult times. District Conference, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The northern part of the Philippines (Area 4) has always been in the path of typhoons. This time it was landslides Yours in Zonta Service, and continuous torrential rain that battered it. Even with careful preparation, Thailand (Area 6) has suffered the worst annual flooding in decades, leaving cities and towns submerged in floodwaters for months. Many Thai Zontians have been affected by this, most especially the Zonta Club of Phitsanulok which is still in a state of Georgitta “Beng” Puyat recovery. Most recently, just a week before Christmas, Zonta International District 17 Typhoon Sendong (International name Washi) slammed Governor 1 ZIP Dianne meets the Press International President Dianne Curtis met the Philippine Press at a Press Conference-cum-lunch arranged by District PR & Communications chair Erlinda E. Panlilio two days prior to the official opening of the 16th District Conference (Discon). President Dianne represented the International Board as she observed the Conference proceedings. Flanking her at the head table were Conference chair PIP Olivia “Livie” Ferry and Governor Georgitta “Beng” Puyat. Discon chair Livie opened the press conference by welcoming the press, represented by newspaper journalists from the major dailies and some magazines, as well as two television channels. In a PowerPoint presentation, she briefed the media on International President Dianne Curtis as the star of the Zonta International, its brief history and goals, and its Press Conference international service projects around the world that are administered by the Zonta International Foundation. Governor Beng likewise thanked the media for coming and briefed them about her district goals as well as the composition of District 17. At the lively open forum that ended the PressCon, IP Dianne fielded questions from the media while she was being videoed by the TV stations and photographed by the press photographers. She was gracious enough to agree to have one-on-one interviews with writers who wanted to ask their own questions in private. In the following days, several major newspapers carried her photo and stories on her and Zonta International, and on the District Conference, thus giving Zonta good visibility. IP Dianne remarked that she had never been ZIP Dianne addresses the Press interviewed so much! A member of the media poses a question at President Dianne DG Beng shows the media a copy of the Conference issue of her Governor’s Chronicle 2 DG Beng gave the first copy of the 16th District Conference Handbook to ZI Pres. Dianne, which contained, among others, the Governor’s Report as well as the Reports of the Area Directors, OMC Chair, By Carol Balotro, District Secretary District Treasurer, and District Committee Chairs. Amidst the anticipation Discon Organizing Committee Chair Olivia Ferry also and excitement of gave an update on the preparations for the Conference.