A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The idea of establishing the Rotary Club of Marikina East was conceived during the term of RC Marikina North Past President Wilfredo “Willy” Caballa. The Club was formed by the late DGSR Eduardo “Ed” Sumulong with the support of PP Edy Jose “Edman” Manzanares, PP Ildefonso “Ilde” Abasolo, Rtn. Glen Guerrero, Rtn. Pye Sabio and Rtn. Mel Santos and with the authority of DG Ric Chua Tiong Bio in RY 1992-93. RCME was chartered on May 25, 1993, covering the eastern area of Marikina City namely Concepcion Uno, Parang and Nangka.

The over-riding concern about the proliferation of drugs especially among the youth caught the attention of CP Martin "Virtudz" Virtudazo in RY ’93-94. He launched and vigorously pursued Anti-drug Abuse Awareness. In ’94-’95 PP Elizar “Boy” Marigza implemented the Marikina-wide Quiz Bee Contest, and the setting up of two Four-Way Test Markers.

Year ’99-’96: PP Rolando “Dong” Luna focused on health with the Polio Plus Program, Anti-Tetanus Drive Program for children and women of childbearing age, in cooperation with the Dept. of Health.

96-’97 was the year when PP Armando “Boyet” Espeleta administered the Deep Well Project at Marikina High School and Saint Mary’s Elem. School thru the WCS Program of Rotary International. PP Boyet also pioneered the Rotaract of RCME and donated Waste Baskets for Marikina High, Parang High and H. Bautista Elem. School.

Year ‘97-’98 under PP Castelar “Dong” Borja, RCME hosted DISTAS 1998.

PP Wilfredo “Willy” Banzon (’98-’99) introduced the Micro-Lending using the Grameen system to the club’s Rotary Community Corps members in RY ‘98-’99. During his term two Interact Clubs and a Rotaract Club were organized.

During the term of PP Alfredo “Jun” Abellar, Jr., RCME’s activities reached new heights with the hosting of the District Family Shootfest of RY ’99-00, the District Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) 2000, the Search for the Most Outstanding Public Servant of Marikina City, and the Phil. Army National ROTC Speech Contest at Camp Aguinaldo. Membership recruitment and development was likewise intensified.

The term of PP Joeffrey “Jeof” Madarang (’00-‘0l) RCME performed a dental outreach program, book donation and the Vitamin A supplementation.

The following Rotary Year, PP Ricardo “Ric” Nicolas’ (’01-’02) continued the feeding program in Balubad, Nangka, co-hosted RYLA and held Cooking Demo in Parang and Nangka. RCME sponsored 50 nursery students at La Colina Day Care. Hosted the RCC District Assembly and installed an additional Four-Way Test Marker at the boundary of Nangka and San Mateo. It was during his term when RCME was awarded as one of the most outstanding club in the district.

In ’02-’03, PP Esmeraldo “Esmer” Tepace, RCME hosted the District Valentines Party, donated books at La Colina Day Care Center, and continued the sponsorship of 50 nursery students.

RY ’03-’04, led by PP Robert “Bobby” Araullo, the club hosted PETS 2004 and co-hosted RYLA. His term was focused on the commitment and quality of members resulting to the termination of eight (8) members, including three (3) past presidents, by the Club’s Board of Directors for failure to attend regular meetings and non-payment of dues.

With only 11 members left, Centennial President Miguelito “Mike” Cruz (RY ‘04-’05) worked with frenzied dedication to invite and recruit promising members. The Club inducted 17 dynamic and Active Members and one (1) Honorary Member, bringing the total membership to 29. Two (2) RCCs were reactivated, three (3) new RCC’s were organized and chartered, one (1) Rotaract and 1 Interact were reactivated, 1 community-based Rotaract was chartered. It was during this term when RCME was again awarded as one of the Most Outstanding Club in the district, capped with a “Membership Development and Extension Award” from RI President Glenn Estess.

RY ‘05-’06 with IPP Bong Ubaldo at the helm, RCME continued its tradition of excellence in Membership Development with the induction of 8 new members bringing total membership to 37 active members. Various service projects were implemented making it possible for RCME to garner its third Most Outstanding Club in the District Award.

The Rotary Club of Marikina East maintains its commitment to Rotary’s motto SERVICE ABOVE SELF. With the leadership of Incoming Pres Rommel Cruz, the club will continue to grow and reach out to humanity. Until the end, we will exert efforts to increase the number of quality members, sponsor more clubs, intensify and expand its services.