ZONTA International Club of Iloilo City Inc., a global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy, held a fun run on Nov. 9 in celebration of its 100th year in the service. The celebration was held a day after the centennial celebration of Zonta International all over the world.
The program started with a prayer led by Vice Area 3 Director (VAD) Teresita Apistar and the Zonta song led by President of Zonta Club of Iloilo City, Inc. Kristine Chan. VAD Teresita Apistar, with the assistance of President Kristine Chan, handed out the certificate of appreciation, loyalty awards, centennial club awards, certificates of participation to the Z Clubs. The Golden Z Club goes to the University of San Agustin, two New Chartered Z Club to Iloilo City High School and another Golden Z Club to St. Paul’s University of Iloilo. The certificates of participation were handed to the West Visayas State University’s College of Communication Student Council headed by Prof. Rica Market Obsequio, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and University of San Agustin.
Francis Cruz received the certificate of appreciation in behalf of the city government as one of the sponsors. The other sponsors were: SM City, Globe, More Power, Panay News Inc., Brig. Gen. Rene Pamospusan, Iloilo Mission Hospital for the ambulance led by Dr. Matias T. Apistar, Sr. and Dr. Matias Jr., Drone and Man power by Mark Apistar, Shirt Network, video camera by Wonder Photo Shop, Dova, Theresa’s Bakeshop, Apistar’s Food Catering and Services, Josmef Medical Supplies, DHAN Czar Marketing and GMA Network.
The Loyalty Awards were released to Ruth Jarantilla, Eleanor Cejar, Ma. Armelita Lazarraga, and Perla Arguelles for more than 40 years of service in Zonta International. One of the beneficiaries, Ma. Rosalie Abeto Zerrudo also received her Centennial Club Award under the “Inday Dolls” project.
Before the fun run began, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Z Club gave an intermission number, then a two-minute Zumba warm up took place.
Pres. Kristine Chan, assisted by Merly Ajayi, handed the prizes to four winners of the fun run.
The headquarter of the Zonta Club of Iloilo City Inc. is located at Tanza where they also have the Tilipunan Community Center and office for almost 42 years. They have 12-barangay beneficiaries and 75 preschoolers and students. All the projects focus on the beneficiaries with activities including the annual fund-raising concert with University of San Agustin and the donation of blood to save lives in coordination with Iloilo Mission Hospital.
The club directly attends to the improvement of the lives of women and girls through clubs, medical missions, livelihood, lectures, and more. With the holiday season just around the corner, Zonta will give gifts to the children and families in Tilipunan as well as the distribution of 200 blankets to women prisoners under the “Utod Ko Habolan Ko” program.
According to Area 3 assistant director Teresita Apistar after the conclusion of the fun run celebration, “I’m proud to say that the event was a successful one, the rain stopped because of the help of the prayer warriors behind me. God is good to us.”/PN
