Last Friday (November 16), ‘Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’ turned one... It was quite timely that we’ve been invited to grace the Rotary Club of Downtown Session’s regular meeting as a speaker on social media influence corresponding with Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s relevance. Surprisingly, they also awarded us with a certificate of appreciation for Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s contribution along today’s social media generation; “app”tly, it generates different expressions.
Being a new Rotarian myself from the Rotary Club of Baguio South, they invited our club to join them instead. It was an overwhelming support from both Rotary clubs wherein, on behalf of the ‘Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’ group, we’re likewise appreciative of their initiative to bestow us with such further source of inspiration.
True enough, it’s fitting that Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s essence and inclination on positivity harmonizes with this year’s Rotary Club’s theme, “Be The Inspiration”... And from that of their primary motto, “Service Above Self”, it likewise complements Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s enjoined fundamentals.
Within our first year, idiosyncrasies among members though vary; yet, one principal objective is to put balance on dissimilarities and susceptibilities. However, other than having to maintain our sense of responsibility within a generally acceptable and respectable level, there is likewise this moral imperative to upraise our sense of commitment. More so for a group with 50k+ diverse membership count currently, our ethical and social obligation should correspond with our flexibility in adapting to changes particularly our stand on proper yet universal decorum tantamount to a better Baguio.
From my initial concept of simply reliving the good ol’ memories to our “mingling of senses” through and for a common ground, it’s imperative that we further broaden the extent of our perception. Much like how it apparently started with such a “vision” to fulfilling a mission - from My to Our to We... Thus, on behalf of my co-administrators (Teddy, Joseph, Marvin, Dolly, Kim), the acceptance of the Certificate of Appreciation for the creators of Uncles and Aunties of Baguio, I received the recognition with member Eric Coronacion with the concept of him representing anyone of the members as one whose open-minded love for Baguio is a common denominator. One doesn’t have to be directly involved as an administrator or anything to that extent for me to share this honor with. Much like how everyone, through Eric, is us. It’s all of us Uncles and Aunties. This is ours. We created this.
“My, Our, We” may aptly be like how we “MOW” the lawn... we’ve “created” this communal greenery (“our grassland where we graze” as Uncles and Aunties of Baguio), and to rather maintain such beautiful greenery, we weed out the unwanted plants and trim it to its agreeable growth for a parklike backyard. This is our playground yet we play responsibly.
By ‘play’, we mean play on the field more than play the field. Accordingly, every one is a playmate; there shouldn’t be bad blood; not even how we’re all “Uncles and Aunties” but because it’s the right thing to do regardless of affinity and societal orientation. This is in relation to changes and potential betterment of our collective embodiment as Uncles and Aunties FOR Baguio moving forward.
Because despite of the fun from back then that shaped our characters in the present, collectively, we could still have a character-shaping fun-filled future. Growing old is inevitable but maturity could be a choice. And it starts with choosing positive. It shouldn’t be that difficult considering there shouldn’t be options. In that sense, love for Baguio shouldn’t be optional. We don’t have to choose sides, we simply and maturely choose Baguio.
Much like being invited to be and as a Rotarian, it could as well be a “calling”. We rather call it service... Thank you Rotary Club of Downtown Session for the acknowledgment. And thank you to our Rotary Club of Baguio South family for the trust and support. To "Uncle" Sir Alex Aquino, I couldn't thank you enough. To our Uncles and Aunties of Baguio community, let us thank ourselves. Now, let us “mow” the lawn...
Being a new Rotarian myself from the Rotary Club of Baguio South, they invited our club to join them instead. It was an overwhelming support from both Rotary clubs wherein, on behalf of the ‘Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’ group, we’re likewise appreciative of their initiative to bestow us with such further source of inspiration.
True enough, it’s fitting that Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s essence and inclination on positivity harmonizes with this year’s Rotary Club’s theme, “Be The Inspiration”... And from that of their primary motto, “Service Above Self”, it likewise complements Uncles and Aunties of Baguio’s enjoined fundamentals.
Within our first year, idiosyncrasies among members though vary; yet, one principal objective is to put balance on dissimilarities and susceptibilities. However, other than having to maintain our sense of responsibility within a generally acceptable and respectable level, there is likewise this moral imperative to upraise our sense of commitment. More so for a group with 50k+ diverse membership count currently, our ethical and social obligation should correspond with our flexibility in adapting to changes particularly our stand on proper yet universal decorum tantamount to a better Baguio.
From my initial concept of simply reliving the good ol’ memories to our “mingling of senses” through and for a common ground, it’s imperative that we further broaden the extent of our perception. Much like how it apparently started with such a “vision” to fulfilling a mission - from My to Our to We... Thus, on behalf of my co-administrators (Teddy, Joseph, Marvin, Dolly, Kim), the acceptance of the Certificate of Appreciation for the creators of Uncles and Aunties of Baguio, I received the recognition with member Eric Coronacion with the concept of him representing anyone of the members as one whose open-minded love for Baguio is a common denominator. One doesn’t have to be directly involved as an administrator or anything to that extent for me to share this honor with. Much like how everyone, through Eric, is us. It’s all of us Uncles and Aunties. This is ours. We created this.
“My, Our, We” may aptly be like how we “MOW” the lawn... we’ve “created” this communal greenery (“our grassland where we graze” as Uncles and Aunties of Baguio), and to rather maintain such beautiful greenery, we weed out the unwanted plants and trim it to its agreeable growth for a parklike backyard. This is our playground yet we play responsibly.
By ‘play’, we mean play on the field more than play the field. Accordingly, every one is a playmate; there shouldn’t be bad blood; not even how we’re all “Uncles and Aunties” but because it’s the right thing to do regardless of affinity and societal orientation. This is in relation to changes and potential betterment of our collective embodiment as Uncles and Aunties FOR Baguio moving forward.
Because despite of the fun from back then that shaped our characters in the present, collectively, we could still have a character-shaping fun-filled future. Growing old is inevitable but maturity could be a choice. And it starts with choosing positive. It shouldn’t be that difficult considering there shouldn’t be options. In that sense, love for Baguio shouldn’t be optional. We don’t have to choose sides, we simply and maturely choose Baguio.
Much like being invited to be and as a Rotarian, it could as well be a “calling”. We rather call it service... Thank you Rotary Club of Downtown Session for the acknowledgment. And thank you to our Rotary Club of Baguio South family for the trust and support. To "Uncle" Sir Alex Aquino, I couldn't thank you enough. To our Uncles and Aunties of Baguio community, let us thank ourselves. Now, let us “mow” the lawn...