Rotarian History

CLUB HISTORY
The Rotary Club of Lipa “An Association of Representative business and professional men” as conceived by Paul Harris, was organized on January 12, 1954 with twenty-eight (28) charter members, under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Batangas. The charter president of the Rotary Club of Lipa was the late Ricardo “Dick” Bonillia, President and Founder of the Lipa City Colleges. He continued to serve as President of the club until June 1957 when President Armando Mendoza took his oath of office as the next president.
After 25 years, during the term of President Sam Bueser the membership increased from 32 the preceding year to 64 for that year, it was also during this 79-80 that a new club Rotary Club of Lipa South was organized and chartered thru the efforts of PP Ray Dimaano, 78-79 and PP Sam Bueser, 79-80. Then Rotarian Mon Cumagun of the Rotary Club of Lipa became the charter President of the new Club on Nov. 17, 1979.

The Club and the Community
The Club has been very active in its service to the community. The various projects planned and executed are clearly visible in the infrastructures that were put up to serve the population and/or enhance the beauty of the place. Foremost of these are the Claro M. Recto monument initiated by PP Armand Mendoza; the beautification of the Plaza Independencia thru the efforts of PP Ado Luz and PP Pepe Segismundo; the Juvenile Detention Center constructed during the term of PP Ed Publico; 4 units of two-room school building constructed during the terms of PP Nora Manalo and PP Rene De Grano with funds solicited by then Rtn. Katy Katigbak; the Physical Therapy Center constructed on the lot donated by PP Noli Macasaet, with funds raised thru the herculean efforts of PP Katy Katigbak and other club members; the road signs to help the motorists, erected by PP Dita Maralit;
Other projects although not in marble and concrete are not less important. We have the nutrition projects during the time of PP Pinong Mojares with funds donated by the Rotary Club of Mt. Issa Australia and followed by the nutrition project generously supported by the club under PP Katy Katigbak; the educational grants given by Lipa Rotary Foundation Inc. during the time of PP Tomy Reyes and later on with funds from our sister club from Yaita, Japan managed by PP Nick and PP Jun Villa. High School student completed their four year course; while PP Tony, PP Dita and PP Nora down to PP Rene and PP Katy two-year vocational courses were offered free to deserving students. Fund raising activities such as caroling, raffle, derby, golf tournamants, etc. were undertaken to provide funds for projects among which are the medical/ dental/ optical missions, gift giving for indigents and prison inmates, relief goods for victims of natural disasters, contribution to organizations in need of funds etc. Solicitation and distribution of books to different Barangay high schools initiated by PP Eddie Segismundo and followed up by PP Ray Dimaano, PP Sam Bueser, PP Sonny Lozano, PP Nick Katigbak, PP Jun Villa, PP Teddy Katigbak; an Alay Lakad led by Tommy Reyes produced funds that served as seed money for the Lipa Rotary Foundation Inc.; The Rotary Foundation conceived and made operational by PP Eddie Segismundo serves not only the clubs in the immediate vicinity but also other clubs in District 3820. other club projects such as installation of Four-Way Test billboards in strategic location, offices, School Buildings and business establishment; career guidance talks in different barangay and private high school participants in various campaigns like polio plus, anti rabies, dengue prevention and control, other health sanitation and safety programs. We have hosted RYLA seminars and so with taxation seminars as PP Alex Semondac did. PP Dita Maralit, PP Nora Maralit, PP Nora Manalo, PP Rene De Grano and PP Katy Katigbak have organized Rotary Village Corps (RVC) engage in Livestock (Swine) production in Barangays Tipakan and San Salvador.; Outstanding Public Elementary School Teachers awards for 1998 and 1999 which were given by PP Katy Katigbak and PP Mary Ann Sayoc respectively. Both Teacher Awardee received P10,000.00 each and their respective schools also received P10,000.00 each.