“We have great stories to tell.”
Those were the simple, yet compelling words that Atty. Bernardino “Bernz” Amago IV uttered that still resonates with me to this day. In that spirit, allow me to share mine.
As the new Rotary year begins, the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente continues to pursue its goal of discovering young leaders in the community, strengthening the spirit of volunteerism, and ultimately growing the Rotaract family. To turn this dream into a reality, the club goes full throttle in search of aspirants, those who want to become full-fledged Rotaractors, and have them attend the basic orientation seminars. One of such events did take place last July 9, 2022 at Casino Español. And I, an aspirant for the second time around, attended this seminar.
Tracy Catherine Talledo (ninth from left, standing), Director of Community Service, pose with Rotarian Atty. Bernard Amago IV (third from left, seated), and the rest of the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente, at the conclusion of their Basic Orientation Seminar at Casino Espanol, July 9, 2022.
Before anything else, let me provide a quick but very significant backstory: I came across Rotary four years ago as a participant in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). There, I met current Rotaract District Secretary JN. Vianney Dagandan, a fellow participant, and he introduced me to Rotaract. A few months later, there I was, an aspirant, then officially a Rotaractor. Everything was going well. I was an active member. I couldn’t be happier. But things took quite a different turn, and I was struggling, physically but more so mentally. I couldn’t function well, let alone show up for Rotaract activities. It was then I realized that I had to take a step back.
Tracy Catherine Talledo (farthest right, standing, last row), Director of Community Service, pose with the rest of the Rotarians and Rotaractors of Cebu Fuente at the conclusion of their 15th Club Induction and District Rotaract Representative Handover Ceremonies at Casino Espanol, August 27, 2022.
But being outside of Rotaract teaches you one profoundly important thing; you never lose your Rotary way. It is never really gone. Wherever you go, whoever random people you meet, whatever little things you do, it stays in you. It is what Atty. Bernz said, “You will see that, when you become a Rotaractor, you start to see changes in you.” A little act of kindness here, a little act of kindness there. And little did I know, I was up and doing exactly what I was doing back then as a Rotaractor. So, I found my way back.
Tracy Catherine Talledo (twelfth from right, standing), Director of Community Service, pose with the volunteers from the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente and University of Cebu during the “Five-in-One” mental-health community outreach program at the T. Padilla Sports Complex, Cebu City, May 31, 2022.
Rotary has helped me find healing by being a person for others, and by giving the world what it truly needs—hope. So, what makes our stories great? It is because they are real. They are from real people trying to do better every single day and helping others in whatever way they can. They are from real people, though while struggling, still manage to get up to go give someone a smile. Rotary does so much good in the world, and our stories are proof of that.
Tracy Catherine Talledo (fourth from left, standing), Director of Community Service, and the rest of the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente during the Club’s Christmas Party at Tower Two, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, December 8, 2022.
