By Manila Standard  | May 11, 2024

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam–A Filipino has been named as president of the Rotary Club of Saigon International (RCSI).

John Bayarong is a lecturer at the RMIT University in the city. His appointment made history because he is the first Filipino club president in the rich but abbreviated history of the organization in Vietnam.

(John Bayarong, a native of Olongapo City, was also a news writer. He wrote formerly for Olongapo News and The Manila Times. – Ed.)

The first Rotary Club was chartered in Vietnam 1952, but the Rotary Club ceased all operations in 1975 after the victory of the resistance against America. In its place, clubs based abroad took the cudgel of continuing to address social concerns by working with national and local public institutions. 

“Credit to the government for legislating a social enterprise registration that allowed our club to be recognized. They understood that international service organizations are willing to work with them, hand in hand, to support their programs however we can,” Bayarong explained, noting that in just two years, five clubs were chartered nationwide.

 RCSI, in its website, said that “with the chartering of RCSI and its twin club, the Rotary Club of Saigon (RCS), Rotary International is now able to maximize support by tapping the assistance of clubs around the world.”

 The Rotary Club also said clubs are moving quickly to provide service to the communities. On March 31, Rotary International, together with RCSI and 12 South Korean clubs, funded the heart operations of 70 children with congenital heart diseases. This was on top of last year’s heart surgery operations for 30 kids. 

“The funds for the heart operations of 100 kids totaled 3.01 billion Vietnamese dong ($123,000),” Bayarong said, adding that he wants the program to continue during his term, hoping that they could help “hundreds more.” He said that this would be possible with the support of other Rotary clubs abroad.

 Bayarong, 52, emphasized that fellowship and service are the driving motivations of every Rotarian. Three weeks ago, he joined some 20 doctors and nurses from the US-based Alliance for Smiles (AFS) who conducted a clef lip and clef palate surgery mission. Around 70 kids were operated on at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the Mekong Delta. 

‘The project was hosted by our twin club, RCS, and since I am not a medical expert, my service was to be a doorman-cum-entertainer. The patient line was long, so I had to manage it, and along the way, I entertained the kids and the parents as well,’ he happily recalled.

This year, clubs in Vietnam are lining up scores of projects and events that include building water sanitation stations, improving book collection and facilities at public schools, providing free arm and leg prosthetics, environmental clean-up, and many more.

‘And I want more Filipinos in Vietnam to join the Rotary. I wish more kababayans would take the challenge and lead the clubs. We have a culture of sharing, and here is a great opportunity for service,’ he explained, saying that the jolly nature of Pinoys will help ‘make the community work enjoyable and engaging.’ 