SINGAPORE AS A COUNTRY (EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS DURING APRRC 2009)

Below is my list of amazing and interesting personal experiences and observations of Singapore as a country:

-GOOD URBAN PLANNING. It seems there is a specific place assigned for malls, residential and schools.
-CONDOMINIUM IS THE USUAL HOUSING. Considering the small land area, I think this is really practical for Singapore.
-THERE IS NO SINGLE FACE IDENTITY FOR SINGAOREANS. People are combination of Malays, Chinese and Indians.
-SINGLISH IS THE ENGLISH ACCENT. This is a bit of Bristish and Chinese accents.
-THERE’S NO RICE DURING BREAKFASTS. Surely, there will be noodles and Tofu! PDRR Oliver told me to “Forget about rice!” :).
-FOODS ARE NORMALLY SPICY. There is always a plate of chop chili on the side. I missed the sweet and salty dishes! Haha! :)
- SINGAPORE IS A DISCIPLINED CITY. Locals dubbed it as “Fine City”. There is an iron hand in implementing policies. I heard that the shuttle that took the delegates to Clark Quay was barred by policemen simply because the Rotarators started having fun, singing, and obliviously standing while in the bus. The rule, it is not allowed to stand inside the bus while in motion!
- TAXI LCD MONITORING SYSTEM. All taxis have small LCD monitor showing the plate number, name of the driver and taxi bill status.
- ALL MALE SINGAPOREANS UNDERGO MILITARY TRAINING. Rotarator Andy Liu told me this while he kindly escorted fellow 3780 Rotaractors in the airport going back to Manila. They all knew karate and how to use the gun! Anytime, if the government will call them, whatever their professions are, they will serve as guards of their country. Singapore’s army is all of its male citizens. Amazingly, I can sense the patriotism and not because they all are simply required to undergo military training.
-THERE IS SUCH THING AS “GAY PROSITUTION”! I discovered this while strolling in Clark Quay.

EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS DURING THE ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ROTARACT CONFERENCE (APRRC) 2009

The Asia Pacific Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) is an annual conference for Rotaract Clubs in Asia Pacific. This year’s APRRC Singapore is a recollection for me as participant and organizer. Aside from being part of the organizing committee as the country host for APRRC 2006 in Tagaytay, Philippines, my last participant APRRC attendance was during the 1st APRRC in Hongkong way back in 2003.

I think this year's APRRC was truly an “Asia Pacific” with the presence of Australia, China, Guam, and Korea. I was a bit surprised but we also had a Rotaractor from Germany. Some districts and countries included the APRRC fanatic like Taiwan (largest delegation), Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Hongkong, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, among others. There were about 400 participants from 21 countries that attended the event. This year’s APRRC country was hosted by Singapore of Rotary International District 3310.

Below is my list of APRRC 2009 Unforgettable Experiences / Observations:
- I should not be alone to represent my club next time.
- It is more challenging to deliver a talk in front of non fellow Filipinos!
- One can really propose a marriage in APRRC!
- High heels kill especially if the plenary venue is far from the hostel or dorm.
- White is the non-conventional color of blazer to set formality.
- Wearing great national costume attracts cameras, whether foreigners or fellow Filipinos.
- Bannerette should be satin type next time and not of tarpaulin material. It is so heavy to bring back undistributed ones so I really made an effort to give it all away :). However, I still have 25 out of 150 pieces!
- Aikido is a very interesting non-deliberate self defense.
- The $200.00 sensor key. It was really amazing how security system is very high tech.
- Foreigners usually easily appreciate and fall in-love with Filipinas!

Asia Source 3 Camp Journal – Day1

It's funny introducing myself. This is my first time to represent two hats! I’m officially representing Rotaract and STI Munoz. As stated in my proposal, Rotaract Cubao will surely use this training for the upcoming technical and community related activities. However, my company will directly benefit since the training is really technical in nature thus, they recognized this event as official business. Its really fun doing two things at the same time - passion for Rotaract while officially working too!

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction as venue set a provincial and secluded mode. It is nice to hear the sounds of crickets! No aircondition needed due to natural cold weather.

Everyone was wowed by the Philippine style of welcome night. The foreigners were so amazed by the Philippine dances. Among the many dances were Banga, Tinikling, Sayaw sa Bangko, Malong, Singkil, and others. The last dance was the Philippine national dance – Tinikling. The dancers selected few and mostly foreigners to try our national dance. Its funny seeing how German, Korean and Indian danced Tinikling. By the way, the dancers picked me also and I enjoyed Tinikling. They thought I am a foreigner! Haha :)! Looks can really be deceiving!

My first hand lesson was about available grants from Japan and Italy. Through simple chit-chats also, I now have given a strategy on how to attend the next Asia Source Camp in Vietnam in 2011.

The first night and day were light and very welcoming. Everyone wore a smile and hello. I’m looking forward for the “official” first technical day today.

What a coincidence that my roommate is a former Rotaractor from Cagayan De Oro!

How Can Open Source Help Rotaract?

How can open source help Rotaract? Below is the initial list. You may add club / district problems encountered you want to give possible solutions. Please reply immediately to be included in the agenda. Suggestions are very welcome from Rotaractor / Rotarian IT experts and enthusiasts…

It’s official business but I am officially representing Rotaract Club of Cubao or Rotaract per se. This is in preparation for upcoming Asia Source 3 Camp come November 6-13, 2009.

-Tools / System that will empower certain community / organization:
1. Interactive Information Repository
- database of history, updated number of members / clubs every quarter, news compilation, minutes of the meetings, pictures, and other organization information archive
-features should include poll vote, chat, text messaging
-with appropriate access and restriction

2. Learning Tool / Module for Tutorial
-this is intended for target community’s tutorial on computer literacy
-should have basic, average and advance levels

3. Quick assessment tool in times of disaster
-can provide how many are affected
-in what area
-what are the needs (according to priorities)
-should have validation scheme
-should be quick

4. Satellite Office Set-up
-OS and applications are all open source

Pursuit Of Wellness

Since blogging is another way of sharing and helping, I think it would still be proper if I will share my company’s recent workshop on “Law of Laws”. I felt lucky enough to know and rediscover some of these “inner” things at an early age and should share to both hungry body and soul and to those who simply wants to know.

The inner “Pursuit of Wellness” topic covered wellness of body, mind and spirit. It talked about Universal, Emotional, Social, Vocational and Social Laws. I simply summarized the topics since deeper reflection is called that might bore you :) and only gave emphasis on the “Law of Purpose Through Service”.

LAW OF LAWS:
I. Universal Law
1. Law of Esprit or Inner Joy
2. Law of Personal Accountability
3. Law of Unity

II. Emotional Law
1. Law of Stress Hardiness
2. Law of Emotional Choice
3. Law of Developmental Motivation

III. Social Law
1. Law of Human Dignity
2. Law of Present Living

IV. Vocational Law
1. Law of Life Mission
2. Law of Purpose through Service
3. Law of Stewardship

V. Spiritual Law
1. Law of Forgiveness
2. Law of Gratitude
3. Law of Personal Peace

On “Law of Purpose Through Service”…

Rotaract is the only thing that came out of my mind when this law was discussed. Some of the agreeable and reflective points for “true blooded Rotaractor” :) were:
-Mission is not about what comes back but what goes out
-Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value
-When we serve, our idea of the nature of helping expands. We grow.

I like the last point on growing. Personally, Rotaract simply expands my horizon of developmental growth on different aspects including lovelife!

Also, one of the striking points is “When you know your center, go there and don’t move. Just BLOOM where you are PLANTED!”.


Note:
I should give a better descriptive summary on my next story telling.

ASIA SOURCE 3 FREE $400.00 REGISTRATION DUE ROTARACT

Amid chaos and problems, I am happy to share with you that I have been selected to participate in Asia Source 3. I was granted with $400.00 registration due to my Rotaract involvement. I will be representing Rotaract Club of Cubao and Rotaract per se along with other 142 Asian participants.

The event will focus on free and/or open source software (FOSS). I will be joining TRACK FOUR (Joining the FOSS Community / Using FOSS Tools) and hoping to learn as much as possible. I’m hoping that the event will help me to contribute effectively in our information management system and IT related activities for community, Rotaract and MDIO.

Please don’t hesitate to email me your queries / suggestions / concerns in relation with the event to Rotaract and MDIO. We might come up with a productive idea / project out of your suggestions.

Indeed, many thanks to ROTARACT!
________________________________________________________________________

ASIA SOURCE 3 (Second call)
07-12 November 2009
Silang, Cavite , Philippines


MABUHAY! (Long live!) and get ready for Asia Source 3!

If you are a FOSS advocate, an enthusiast or end-user, a developer or even a newbie who strongly believes in building capacities and empowering humanity with the use of Free/Open Source Software, we look forward to welcome you to Asia Source 3 to connect, cooperate, and collaborate – the FOSS way.

The International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3 with support from InWEnt Capacity Building International, Germany, ASEAN Foundation, and Open Society Institute Information Program and co-organized by Tactical Technology Collective and Aspiration bring ASIA SOURCE 3 to the Philippines on 7 to 12 November 2009.

The third event of the Asia source camp series, two of which have been held so far – in Bangalore, India in 2005 and Sukabumi, Indonesia in 2007 – the 6-day learn-and-share event will be held at the lush greens and quiet cool environs of the YEN CENTER – home to the Headquarters and Regional Center for Asia of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) – located in Silang, a landlocked municipality south of Metro Manila, within the historic Province of Cavite.

In the tradition of previous camps, Asia Source 3 will bring in participants from the Asia , who share common goals of pursuing the Free/Open Source Software advocacy and its promotion and use among non-profit organizations, small-to-medium enterprises and youth networks.

Asia Source 3 allows applicants to choose one among four (4) FOSS-themed track sessions:

Track ONE: Managing Your Information

- As technology continues to pervade human activity, digital information will accumulate at a phenomenal rate. As megabytes turn to terabytes and into petabytes, managing content will become a challenge. This track aims to focus on different approaches to organizing information using free and/or open source software.

Track TWO: Migrating to FOSS

- Free and/or open source software are easy to install and fun to use! But how do you get your colleagues, friends, and organization to experience the same? Track two participants will share best practice and lessons learned in initiating and maintaining a FOSS culture within their organizations.
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Track THREE: Broadcasting Your Information

- Now that you have all your files neatly organized and under control, you need to share these to the world and let others benefit from your own resources. FOSS content management systems, knowledge management tools, social networks, and mobile technologies make sharing easy and affordable. If you want to maximize your reach on the Net, this track is for you.
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Track FOUR: Joining the FOSS Community / Using FOSS Tools

- FOSS is all about community. AS3 aims to bring seasoned FOSS developers into the camp and allow cross-pollination of ideas and techniques. Case studies will be shared from at least three projects. The track will focus on tools, organization and strategies for community building.
The track will provide participants with an actual in depth working of successful FOSS projects, that may allow them to participate or setup their own.


DATES: This is a six-day long workshop, to be held in Silang , Philippines from the 7th to the 12th of November 2009. If you would like to participate, you will need to attend the entire event, which means arriving in Manila on or before the 6th and leaving on or after the 13th of November 2009.

FEES AND SUBSIDIES: Participants will arrange for and fund their own travel to Manila . Once there, transport to the venue from the airport in Manila will be provided. We ask for a participation fee of 400 US dollars to cover meals and accommodation during the meeting. In case you are unable to cover your travel or participation costs, please indicate in the application form below. Subsidies are available for qualified participants.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This is an event for experienced professionals and individuals actively working with marginalised communities and small-to-medium enterprises in Asia , with experience in information and communications technology (ICT). Camp participants will be advocates, technologists, software developers, designers and strategists who have used OR PLAN TO USE free and/or open source software (FOSS) in their line of work. They need not be experts but need to have a proven aptitude in the use of technology tools and have basic computing skills.

We are interested in a range of skills and expertise, be it in advocacy, software development, design and technology. We are particularly interested in applications from a wide range of individuals coming from non-government organizations working with marginalised sectors to small-to-medium enterprises involved in the use of ICT.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. To be eligible to attend, you will need to send a completed application form by the 11th of September 2009 by noon GMT.

2. All participants at the Asia Source 3 Camp are required to be proficient users of computers, and to be familiar with free and/or open source software.

3. All participants must be available from 6th till the 13th of November 2009.

Applications from women and those within and working with the youth sector are highly encouraged.

Download the application form here: http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/2nd_call_asiasource_3

TYPHOON ONDOY DISASTER

Last night (September 27, 2009), the MDIO Pilipinas available officers and DRRs had an emergency meeting. It was an unusual presence since not the majority of MDIO officers and DRRs were present. The assessment was, six (D3780, 3790, 3800, 3810, 3820, 3830) out of ten (10) districts were affected. DRRs, Rotaractors and Rotarians were also victims.

It was shocking since it is not usual that NCR including Metro Manila (it serves as control area) was flooded reaching to the roof of 2 to 3 storey houses.

RI 3800 (Marikina area) is the major devastated area. Until now, rescue is still going on for victims trapped in their houses.

With major devastation all over, the agreement was, respective DRRs should mobilize their own resources for their respective areas of responsibilities. All local help and concerns will be handled by respective DRRs. However, since 3800 is the major devastated area and seemingly over long time to recover, all outside (international) RAC Philippines donations will be allotted them.

If you are Rotaractors, Rotarians, Interactors and entities outside Philippines who simply have the resources to help, please contact mdiopilipinas_ondoy2009@yahoogroups.com. All queries will be solely responded by our MDIO Chair but all communications will be in this e-group so all transactions can be read by all DRRs and DRCs and for transparency purposes.

The should be one month rainfall was received in less than five (5) hours that damaged the properties and claimed lives of 78 people as of this writing.

I know you can do something to help.

Below is the MDIO Chair Message.

Dear Fellow Rotaractors,

Greetings!

Last Saturday, September 26,2009, Philippines was devastated by typhoon "Ondoy". Many Filipinos were greatly affected specifically those who resides in the northern and central part of our country.

In this regard, we are seeking your generosity by extending your help to the typhoon victims.

The Multidistrict Information Organization Pilipinas is now starting to collect donations in form of cash and in kind (clothes, food, medicines,etc. ). Any donations that you can give will be a great help and will be highly appreciated.

For more info, please email the undersigned at mdiopilipinas_ ondoy2009@ yahoogroups. com

Thank you and God bless!


Yours in Rotaract Service,

IPDRR Imelda "Megs" Abarca
MDIO Pilipinas Chair, RY 2009-10
Rotaract Club of Lucena South
Sponsored by RC Lucena South
RI District 3820