News & Events

METRO TARLAC ROTARIANS and URDANETA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CHAMPION CANCER WARRIORS FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCERS

It may seem as though Rotarians and high school students have nothing much in common, given their differences in age and experience. However, on September 12, Metro Tarlac Rotarians and Urdaneta National High School students were bonded by their passion, in supporting the cause of poor children with cancer.

The 4300 students of Urdaneta National High School, under the leadership of their principal, Mrs. Remedios Z. San Juan, shared part of their days allowance to help other kids like them have a better chance in fighting cancer. About half of them together with nursing students from the City College of Urdaneta, had attended a September 11 forum on cancer awareness where James challenged them to start getting involved in worthy causes so that their life can be more meaningful and they can make a difference, The forum was organized by the office of Mayor Amadeo Arteriz Jr and coordinated by City Administrator Rufino Ronaldo San Juan VI and Dr Perla Cornel, Asst.Schools Division Superintendent.

In Tarlac City, the Rotary Club of Tarlac Metro spearheaded the Bike for Life project as part of their "Sow the Seeds of Love" campaign to be of greater service to those in need, most especially poor children and their families . The combined efforts of current President Freddie Miclat, Club Service Director and Project Chairman Glenn Caritativo, the Council of Past Presidents: Dennis Go, Val Guinto, Al Doria, Fred Sabado and Rickie Garcia and the support of Rotarians Cesar Decena, Gene Sapasap, Ner Passion, Mark Manabat, Armin Ibarra and other Metro Rotarians, made the teams stay in Tarlac both meaningful and eventful. Rotarian and Vice Mayor Mike Tanedo served as host for the teams stay .

The Cancer Warriors Team was met in San Manuel by a caravan led by Past President Dennis Go. From there, the team grew bigger as bikers from various towns in Tarlac joined in; 40 bikers from Gerona, 30 bikers from Moncada and about 60 bikers from Tarlac City Bisikleta Club led by Metro Tarlac Rotary President and biking afficionado Freddie Miclat. The whole contingent was then welcomed in the town plaza by City Mayor Genaro Mendoza , Vice Mayor Mike Tanedo and Sangguniang Panglunsod officials.

In the afternoon, Metro Tarlac Rotary hosted a forum in the City Hall attended by about 400 Barangay Health Workers and city employees . In said forum, Provincial Health Director Dr. Ric Ramos suggested that the Sangguniang Panglunsod take steps to recognize and designate the month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month, considering that in Tarlac, childhood cancer is the number three cause of childhood deaths. Dr. Cathy Pascual shared her experiences as a pediatric oncologist and provided vital information on recognizing signs and symptoms of childhood cancer . In response to James appeal for local officials to support the cause of children with cancer, Mayor Genaro Mendoza allocated an initial amount of P50,000 to set-up a cancer ward in the provincial hospital and organize support programs for children with cancer .

In the evening, the Rotary Club of Metro Tarlac hosted a fellowship, dinner and pledging session for the Cancer Warriors Team. James recognized the teams efforts in ensuring the successful Bike for Life campaign in Tarlac City. He invited them to be partners in helping achieve the dream of making Tarlac a regional center for treatment and care of childhood cancers. He also challenged them to declare their Thursday meetings as a NO SMOKING session in solidarity with the Clean Air Campaign and having a safe, healthy environment. The Metro Rotarians accepted the challenge and declared themselves CANCER WARRIORS ready to LEAD the FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCERS.