NG HEI FAT CHOY!  February is a merry month of festivities. 

February 5 marks the official turn of the Year of the Rabbit to Year of the Golden Dragon. The Chinese New Year is the greatest holiday event among the Chinese and having considered it as the Lunar Year of the Dragon many believed that it would be an auspicious year. Chinese families consider the Dragon as the "ultimate animal" thus, its rule will bring forth favorable events. Let us keep our fingers crossed that the Year of the Dragon will bring about favorable changes in our economic situation.

A month long celebration of our City Town Fiesta have already started since the start of the month of February. Our City Fiesta is celebrated with many nightly shows, pageantry, and marvelous activities not to mention the baratilyo and mouthwatering foods being sold in almost all corners of the City.

Incidentally, we Rotarians have our own fiesta celebration on the 8^th of February. It is actually a double celebration since we are promoting for and in behalf of the Pindangan Ruins and it is an early celebration of the Day Of Hearts. And since it is a double celebration, it will also be a Mega Celebration showcasing the talents of the Rotarians.

For us Rotarians, we are celebrating February as World Understanding Month. As mandated by the Rotary International, we must have weekly meetings with emphasize on "understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace." In response, we will be hosting the inbound Summer Youth Exchange Team from Saitama, Japan on the 28 of March and GSE Team from Brazil on April 2-4, 2000. Being host to these exchange teams will not only foster good fellowship but is a remarkable way for international exchange of culture, ideas and projects.  Besides being host to these Exchange Teams, our club has projects specifically aimed to provide understanding on the needs of our fellowmen. One of these projects the provision of artesian wells to people of our three adopted Barangays. This project aims to provide potable water supply to the residents of these barangays. Another project is the SPED (Special Education for Special Children) Application for Matching Grant, which will help promote equal opportunities for the specially abled members of our community. Likewise, we have started with the Toilet Moulding Making. This project is aimed at providing better hygiene to the populace of our three adopted barangays. This is in cooperation with the University of Perpetual Rizal, Provincial Health Office & Red Cross.

Like the rest of the world in this year of the Dragon, we are hopeful that these projects will promote better world understanding.

e month of February is very special in the Rotary calendar since it is designated World understanding Month.  The month also includes the Anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, now designated World Understanding and Peace Day.  In designating World Understanding Month, the Rotary International board asks all Rotary clubs to plan programs for their weekly meetings and undertake special activities to emphasize "understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace."  To observe this designated month, many clubs arrange international speakers, invite youth exchange students and international scholars from schools and universities to club meetings, plan programs featuring former Group Study Exchange team members, arrange discussions on international issues, present entertainment with an international cultural or artistic theme and schedule other programs with an international emphasis.  Many clubs take the opportunity to launch an international community service activity or make contact with a Rotary club in another country.  It is a good month to initiate a Rotary Fellowship Exchange, a 3-H project or encourage support for Polio Plus and other Rotary Foundation programs.  World understanding Month is a chance for every club to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service- Rotary's continued quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world.

PERISCOPING RYLA by Sec./PP TONY YEE

Feb. 11 2:00-4:00 PM On site Registration, Assignment and Designation of Quarters      Air Force City, Clarkfield
4:30-9:00 PM Orientation & Groupings/ Fellowship Night & Entertainment    with K-9 Show

Feb. 12 9:00 AM Opening Ceremonies

   Tips on Parliamentary Procedure - PDG MAR UN OCAMPO III
   Leadership & Management  - CP Cesar Go
        PM  Outdoor Activities/ Camp Fire / Talent Night

Feb. 13 8:45 AM Vitamin A - PDG RUBEN HENSON
   Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation - Rtn. ADRIAN DENNIS
   Basic Communication - PP LOI ECHAVARRIA
   Keynote Speaker - HON. ROBERTO PAGDANGAN
            12:00 noon Luncheon and Awarding Ceremonies
              1:31 PM HOME SWEET HOME