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Woman of Substance

How long can you serve as IIW Board Director? A it is relevant now, and it will be relevant in the future.
Board Director may serve for a maximum of 2 It is relevant because there are so many people who
years only, but must be elected annually. will need our help, and we will always be there to
help. (This is an excerpt of my speech delivered at
You have reached the top ladder as far as IWCPI
the National Induction of IWCPI last July 11, 2020)
is concerned. Presently, you are serving on your

second year as a member of the International

Board of Directors. My question is: where do see What is the secret of a member’s longevity in an
yourself in IWCPI five years from now? I will organization? The secret to longevity in an
continue to serve in Committees where the organization is the adherence of the members to its
National President will appoint me, like vision, mission, and core values. But at the same
CoNomElec, Constitution, etc. Having served as time, members must be able to accept and adapt to
IIWC Board Director qualifies me for nomination as the current situation. We should welcome and
Treasurer, Constitution Chair, Vice-President or embrace changes, such as what is happening now
President. The only Filipina Inner Wheel member during this pandemic. Leaders should be the ones to
who became IIW President was Esther Vibal for the bring about change and not simply watch things
Inner Wheel Year 1983-1984, and that was 37 change. (This is an excerpt of my speech delivered at
years ago. I would like to offer myself to serve in the virtual induction of D383 last July 15, 2020)
that capacity after serving either as IIW Treasurer

or Vice-President. Another element that stands out is your very loving

Don’t you think this Organization is redundant, relationship with Past District Governor Jun. How
did you meet? How long did it take him to dribble to
especially that Rotary International has opened
its doors and has been aggressively campaigning his goal? When you finally said yes, when did you
get married? Where was the honeymoon? Jun and I
for the recruitment of women, also noting that
both organizations have similar aspirations? were classmates in the CPA Review School. I got his
Many IW members were invited to join Rotary but attention because of my long hair. He thought I had
discipline because according to him, his two sisters
opted not to become members because they
cannot attend the weekly meetings usually held in played with their hair. At one point they had long hair,
then they cut them, and then curled them. My hair
the evening. They prefer IW, where they meet
only once a month, and where projects/activities has always been long. As for me, he caught my
are done during the daytime. Those who joined interest when he topped the pre-board exams. He
became very popular after being # 1 in the Pre-Board.
Rotary have not given up their membership in IW
because they think that all-women fellowship is I asked around who Farcon was and when I eventually
saw him, I must admit that I was judgmental. I told
different, as it is fun and enjoyable.
myself, “He does not look smart at all.” Maybe
Is Inner Wheel still relevant?IW members because he was very quiet, sitting at the last row at
the back. I was not attracted to him yet at that time.
selflessly conducted projects during this COVID-19
pandemic. We are the modern-day heroines who It was when he asked my seatmate to be introduced
to me that I got to see him up close. He was actually
choose to become relevant in our society. In these
tough and challenging times, we can still help and handsome, very reserved and dignified looking. He
make a difference. We have shown that no virus then volunteered to bring me home because I lived in
San Juan and he, conveniently, stayed in Cubao. He
can stop us from helping and caring for others.
This is what we do best, and for many of us, was surprised to learn from my friends that I have not
had any boyfriend. As considerate as he was, he did
helping others, especially those in need, has
become a way of life for us. Is Inner Wheel still not court me yet because he did not want to distract
relevant? I say with conviction, a resounding yes, it me. After the review and the board exams ended, we
went on our separate ways.
is very much relevant. It is relevant before,

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