An evening of nobility

ZONTA Club of Iloilo II’s civic-minded and charity-oriented females held their inductions rites recently at Boracay Ballroom, Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, dahlings!

Anilao Mayor Ma. Teresa Debuque was installed as club president. This charming lady has many notable awards and citations under her belt, including the Punong Bayan of Excellence, the Regional Awardee of Presidential Linkod Bayan, and the National Gawad Parangal (most Outstanding Local Chief Executive in Social Welfare and Development Services). Likewise, she is the first Filipino chosen by the European Commission and Polish Presidencia of the Council of European Union as panelist to the Spotlight on Decentralization. Under her leadership, the municipality of Anilao was a hall of famer for DILG Excel Award in Local Governance in the whole Region.

In Debuque’s speech, she states that she will "reinvent the contingent I will be heading for Biennium year 2012-2014 for our club to continue to make a difference, a difference that copes and helps through our  volunteerism to empower women through education and providing them with livelihood skills and opportunities.”

The other newly inducted officers were Vice President Melinda Tinsay, 1^st VP Cecile Gison, 2^nd VP Gloria Castro, Recording & Corresponding Secretary Niera Totengco, Treasurer Vedette Tania Ong, Assistant Treasurer Ivy Gurrea, and PRO Prima Buckley.

Also present during the induction were Zonta Iloilo II Board of Directors: CP Ruth Javelosa, PP Sandra Gomez, PP Chona Bondoc, PP Susan Florete, PP Marissa Hortillas, PP Terry Sarabia, PP Marilen Locsin, PP Mafelou Agriam, PP Lynnie Denila, PP Tess Dulalia, and outgoing PP Gladys Cordero.

Mingling with the elite members of the club were 4^th District of Iloilo Cong. Ferjenel Biron, M.D., and Iloilo City Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III who both shared inspirational messages.

Benefactors and partners of the club’s projects were also given recognition with certificates that evening.

Zonta Club International Area 3 Director Anita Sanchez gave recognition to outstanding Zontian Achievers after installing Zonta Club of Iloilo II’s new set of officers and members.