District 3830 opened its 2019 district conference (DISCON) with a serenade of the Rotarians by the Council of Governors (COG). A first in the district’s history, the serenade demonstrated the unity of the district leadership and the full support of the past governors for the incumbent governor, District Governor (DG) AL MONTECILLO.
Following the opening address of the RI President’s Representative (RIPR), RI Director (RIDE) SURGEON LIU CHI TIEN, the governors went up the stage to congratulate him and his spouse, GRACE. But when the RIPR and his spouse were escorted back to their seats, people noticed that the governors remained onstage with their backs to the audience. Then the opening strains of “Heal the World” filled the hall. One by one, the designated soloists among the governors turned around to face the audience, microphones in hand, to belt out their assigned lines. Then all the other governors turned around together to complete the song in unison, with appropriate choreography.
The first song segued into the next, “We Are The World” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time.”
When the governors held hands to take a bow, the audience burst into loud applause and cheers. There was a hint of both relief and pride on the faces of the governors as they acknowledged their new appellation as The COG Chorale.
Credit for the innovation belongs to DG Al and the Discon Organizing Committee that conceived the bold idea. The governors were particularly grateful to Past President (PP) JUOR BUTED of the Rotary Club of Makati Dasmariñas who arranged the songs and rehearsed the governors. Also, to PP RHODA SALAS of the same club, who patiently herded the initially reluctant governors through several practice sessions until DISCON time.
— By Jimmy A. Cura, past district governor, District 3830
See more photos in the July issue of the Philippine Rotary Magazine.
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