“Palanyag “, old folks say, is the original name of Parañaque formally of Rizal province for long decades now in Metro Manila since the unlamented Marcos era. A book of Spanish historian Cavada recorded the year 1572 when Parañaque was founded as a town. But Buseda, another historian, seemed to have disputed his claim when he chronicled 1850 as the founding year, a report substantiated by Father Juan de Medina, a later historian.
Be that as it may, Parañaque, formerly Palanyag, is now the fastest growing town south of Metropolitan Manila area. More recent history shows the town became an independent municipality on March 27, 1901 by the provision of Act No. 1625 of the Philippine Commission in the early part of the American regime.
Legends tell us the word ”Palanyag” evolved from a Tagalog expression “pa-la-yag”, meaning “about to sail off”, (the town was a fishing village nesting beside Manila Bay, which explains the etymology). Later, people started calling the town “Parañaque”, reportedly derived from the Spanish vulgate “paraque” meaning “stop here” A gateway to Manila, from Southern Luzon provinces before entering the capital.
Former rice beds and salt fields of the town have now been converted into plush subdivisions, commercial centers and industrial centers all due to modernization. The town’s original inhabitants now also find themselves enrich with the company of new residents from other parts of the country as a result of economic and social movements in the national capital region.
Because of this population movement, the Rotary Club of Parañaque, the first Rotary group organized in Parañaque, found itself composed mostly of non-original residents. For a tradition-rich town like Parañaque or Palanyag, this felt odd. Although it was unfortunate as it showed that the club had gone cosmopolitan. This “odd” feeling prompted the leadership of the first Rotarian group, mostly non-originals and with a sprinkling of originals, to do something about it. They thought of forming a new Rotarian group. This new group would showcase members from the original families in Parañaque. They felt this to be a welcome variation.
The point was not to draw a dividing line, but rather to show unity in diversity for community service. This was within the true spirit of Rotary International. By organizing the new club, they intended to show, not diverseness, with was the sign of weakness, but plurality – a mark of strength ! The old and new joined by a common goal and at the same time relating their respective peculiarities. They intended to cast aside “otherness” in order to realize a new common identity!
It was in this light that Rotarians Cesar G. Yatco, Rolly Suarez (charter president and former president of Rotary Club of Parañaque, who were both Parañaque non-originals) and Rotarian Ernie Sanchez (of the Rotary Club of Panday Pira but a Parañaque original) met in Max Restaurant in Baclaran.
They were to plan foundation of Rotary Club Palanyag. A decision to proceed was reached. The Marquez Brothers, Eric and Charoy, both Parañaque originals but Bagumbayan Rotarians, joined the three by helping invite prospective members of the proposed Palanyag group.
The first orientation meeting was held at the Philippine Columbian Clubhouse in Plaza Dilao, Manila on September 4, 1985. This was followed by three other meetings at the new San Dionisio Credit Cooperative building in Parañaque on September 11,18,and 25, 1985. The proposed charter members completed their constitution and by-laws and then elected their charter officers in an organizational meeting held at the Philippine Village Hotel.
Seasoned Rotarians, incumbent Parañaque Rotary President Dads Punzalan, Rolly Suarez, Peping Adriano, Cesar Yatco, Dan Angeles and Al Hernandez (among others) steadfastly guided the new group. Dads, with his loving and fatherly support, and Rolly with his wisdom on Rotary principles and ideals. Al injected his “vitriolic” humor and whose antics the new Rotarians immensely enjoyed.
The charter officers and members of the Rotary Club of Palanyag represented the cream in the professional and business circles of Parañaque. As intended, most of them belong to the “original families “ of the suburban town. Within a few months after their organization, they showed remarkable signs of precious growth, not so much in numbers as in the quality of performance.
Even prior to their charter presentation they had already launched the “Pagamutan ng Bayan” for the benefits of the indigents in Parañaque on April 26, 1986. There were gratifying results. They serviced 687 medical and dental patients from the depressed areas.
The club planned various programs on how to serve the community on the true Rotarian tradition. Fellowship activities and projects aroused and promote cohesiveness among the members. The regular meeting sizzled with enthusiasm, intelligence and wisdom. All these pointed to a productive future.
Fellow Rotarians from neighboring clubs began to enjoy attending their make-up meetings with the new “Palanyag” group. Joint meetings with other Rotary clubs were also started.
The Club’s Bulletin was named “Salambao”. A salambao was a fishing device made of a movable wide net mounted on a bamboo craft (balsa) and came complete with a small nipa hut to shelter the enterprising fisherman. The salambao was a peculiar sight on the Parañaque River and became symbolic of the town’s traditionally calm and stable way of life. The bulletin’s first issue came out March 18, 1986 and it has unfailingly continued its weekly issues.
Through the years, RC-Palanyag moved on with vibrance and enthusiasm. It carried on with the tradition of excellence as exemplified in the numerous awards and recognition it has earned from the District most notable of which were the first Overall Most Outstanding Club President and Overall Most Outstanding Club for PP Jun Bernabe; the Most Outstanding Club Award during the term of PP Christopher Rodriguez; Most Outstanding Club and Most Outstanding President Category B during the term of PP Gus Tambunting and PP Arnold Quibilan; and of course, the 13 major awards the Club won during the term of PDG Romeo V. Cruz and later on duplicated by PP Rene Alicbusan in RY 2003-2004. The term of PP Roland Reyes also harvested a lot of awards and citations during RY 2005-2006 after he made various innovations and focused strongly on membership development and selected community service projects.
But more significant than all these awards are the humanitarian projects and activities that touched the lives of thousands of people and made their lives better, a bit more convenient, a bit more decent. In the process, it touched our lives, changes us into the better person that we are now and makes our lives more worth living.
