BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER Animals play a significant role in man’s life. They keep us company in our homes and make us feel secure. They calm our emotions. Simply said, they give us joy. They are part of our families and we are not complete without them. Ownership of pets, while it is undeniably part of the human life, carries with it attendant responsibilities. How man takes care of his pets and animals in general has far reaching effect not only in his home but in the community that he lives in specially in the matter of health and wellness. This is the reason why Rotary Club of Makati Olympia is championing the cause for responsible pet ownership. It takes its cue to launch this advocacy as September is the World’s Anti Rabies Month. It has partnered with the Makati City Government Veterinary Services Office and the Animal Welfare Coalition as well as the LGU of Barangay Olympia to carry out this program. To start the campaign, a series of lectures on Rabies and its menace to the community was done last September 16 to Grades 5 and 6 pupils, the parents and teachers of the Jose Magsaysay Elementary School. Dr. Jasmin Oliver and Ms. Mona Consunji of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) gave the lectures. Mr. Joey Tiosayco with pooch Altha demonstrated how rabies can kill through a mini skit. Dr. Pinky Manalastas, City Veterinarian and members of AWC were on hand to grace the occasion. The Launch signals RCMO’s start of the information dissemination drive for said advocacy. It shall participate in the World Anti Rabies celebration from September 24-28 at the Podium and the Round Table Discussion on the National Rabies Program 2010 on October 15, 2010. It shall also work for the registration and vaccination of pet dogs and continue to conduct information to the community on Republic Act 9482 which is the Anti Rabies Act of 2007. Message Message Message Message of the of the of the of the RCMO RCMO RCMO RCMO President President President President Today, I was very blessed to experience an extraordi- narily fulfilling day. Dir. Ju and I went to Batasan to have a meeting with our very own PP Grace Pagka- tipunan who works at the office of Congressman Freddie Tinga of Taguig for some projects. While we were registering to get our entry pass, I noticed a woman with a Hydrocephalus baby. She looked scared and worried but the Mom in me sensed desperation in her. I approached her to ask if somebody from Congress was helping her. Apparently, she came to Manila out of sheer need for medical attention for her little Ashley. I thought of RC Paranaque whose signature project is for this special need. Classmate Ted Narcisso responded positively. I also got in touch with the project’s contact person at National Children’s Hospital. (In July, I happened to sit with her during the Induction Ceremonies of RC Makati West.) Without hesitation, she had the baby brought early the following day for assessment and help. Wow! That was fast. When Mom and the baby left, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for God’s gift that Rotary is. It is an instrument to help even those we meet by chance. Rotary teaches us to be sensitive to the people and circumstances we find ourselves in. As PDG Butch Francisco mentioned in his recent talk about the duties and responsibilities of members, we are all by vocation, Rotarians. It is a calling which by the Grace of our Lord we have responded to become. Let us not miss on this life-changing and life-giving opportunity. The OLYMPIANS The Official Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Makati OLYMPIA VOL 01 NO 06 • SEPTEMBER 2010