Message from the District Governor

2018-2020 Biennium Issue Three- June 2020 The Voice of District 17

Message from the District Governor

The Worst of Time is also the Best of Time

Dear Zontians of District 17,

Before we realize, half of Year 2020 is gone. While we were

busy with 16 Days of Activism in November last year,

COVID-19 quietly slipped into our lives, and our lives have

changed completely. Who will imagine a microscopic-size

virus can destroy the World’s equilibrium, take away lives,

make the whole World standstill.

Zontians in District 17, after the initial shock, restore to our

routine tasks. We have not forgotten our mission and vision.

We stepped up and carry on our tasks without fear. Very

quickly I see Zontians across our six area organize resources

within their clubs and start giving. In this issue of newsletter, I extract from reports received on projects

Zonta clubs conducted. We should be proud of our contributions to the communities we serve. We not only

GIVE, we also ACT. We respond to the needs by donating medical equipment, medical masks, ventilators,

hand sanitizers, food, cash…… There is no end to the list.

We ACT: Zonta Club of Cebu II supported the production of PPEs for #SOSCebu coalition to keep 120

workers employed at 7 manufacturing companies in 4 Cebu cities to produce protective clothing to medical

staff. Within one week, over 1,000 pieces are produced. Similarly, Zonta Club of Cebu I, Zonta Club of La

Union and Zonta Club of Davao II also organized production of PPEs for distribution. Zonta Club of Iloilo

City II organized female Inmates to produce face shields for distribution to local hospitals. These service

projects illustrate Zonta mission in empowerment of women, job creation and at the same time show support

and care for our local communities at times of pandemic. COVID-19’s damage to the world economy is

unprecedented. But the strength of Zontians in District 17 bring hope in the dark.

As you know, the International Convention in Chicago is cancelled due to COVID-19, but the election and

voting continue. Club Presidents received club mailings from Zonta International and must have registered

your club delegates and alternates. Between 30 June to 8 July, delegates can voice your views via

VIEWPOINTS and watch candidate videos. Delegates will receive link to vote on 3 July and can vote online

between 3-8 July. This is also unprecedented. But in Zonta, we make things workout beautifully.

A soft reminder that District 17 meeting will be held virtually on 4 July, 2020. This is the finale of the

Centennial biennium. Our International President Susanne von Bassewitz and International Liaison

Margaret Bateman will join this meeting. I shall deliver the final report of the district and President Susanne

will give her speech. Please join to show your support and witness the installation of the new District 17

Board and Nominating Committee by Past International President Olivia Ferry.

Biennium 2018-2020 is a challenging biennium but we managed to deliver our best to Zonta. Watch out for

the District Governors Report on 4 July 2020. Meanwhile, keep safe!

Teresa Lin

District 17 Governor 2018-2020


Zonta International President’s

recent released message

Dear Zonta members,

Who would have foreseen that, within only a few days, lives for almost of all us

have changed dramatically in order to slow down the spreading of COVID-19?

Many of you are experiencing not only shelter-in-place mandates, with all the

difficulties and sad consequences that come with them, but also much more

forceful impacts on your own health and that of your loved ones, on your

businesses and on your jobs.

While in these times of hardships and uncertainty, we are full of concerns, we

also experience heartwarming acts of solidarity. Yesterday afternoon, in the vast

courtyard behind the building I live in, a DJ performed for all of the neighbors.

And, at 6 p.m. throughout Germany, people were playing or singing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from their

balconies or at their open windows.

This is a time for us to reach out to the people we are connected with, among them our fellow Zontians. The

idea of supporting each other is in Zonta’s and all Zontians‘ DNA. Together, we are finding creative ways to

help and encourage each other. Already, I received an e-mail with only a subject line: "How are you?". We

are called upon to open our ears, eyes and hearts to think of ways to respond to this unprecedented situation.

One example of how it especially affects women and girls is the increased risk of domestic violence.

I just wanted to let you know that my fellow Board members and I are thinking of you. We are sending you

our best wishes. Like you, we work hard to keep up with our tasks. You can be assured that we will inform

you as soon as we can about major Zonta business decisions and developments.

Warm regards, and stay healthy and safe!

Dr. Susanne von Bassewitz

President

Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation


District 17 Zonta Clubs’ immediate actions in the

communities during COVID-19 pandemic

Despite the hardship and the uncertainty of the fight of COVID-19 worldwide, our sister Zontians

respond quickly in servicing for the relief of the communities. This sends a lot of encouragement and

support to the people in needs. Thank you all for your dedicated work and commitment in this

challenging time.

Area 1

Zonta Club of Greater Rizal 1 donated 5

boxes of aerosol and 40 pcs. of face shields to

Pasig General Hospital

Zonta Club of Mandaluyong San Juan II

donated PPEs, face shields and alcohol to

hospitals.

Zonta Club of Marikina responded to the request of Amang

Rodriguez Hospital, Marikina for

PPEs and donated powdered milk.

Zonta Club of Pampanga & its

Environs distributed 15 intubation

boxes to 10 different hospitals.

Zonta Club of Antipolo donated a washing machine

and detergents to Antipolo

City Hospital System III.

Zonta Club of Baliuag

distributed rice and

noodles to 51 marginalized

families especially the

ones with impoverished

women and children.

Zonta Club of

Pampanga & its Environs donated

relief goods to 30

families of Brgy.

Maros, Mabalacat,

Pampanga


Area 2

All 10 clubs in Area 2 joined hands on an Area 2 service project to sponsor COVID-19 Love Bags for

vulnerable families through Harmony House, a one-stop anti-domestic violence service agency in Hong

Kong. Special thanks to Zonta Club of Kowloon for coordinating the purchases of all supplies, the kick-off

ceremony as well as pledging a sum on par to double the number of Love Bags.

Zonta Club of Hong Kong East donated 5,000 face

masks to elderly people living alone. They also

collected 10,000 pictures of smiling Hong Kong

people as their 40th anniversary celebration activity.

The aim of the activity is to raise the awareness of

positive psychology in the community and spread

the positivity during the COVID-19 outbreak.

(https://m21.hk/zontaHKE/smile/album/)

Zonta Club of Hong Kong II delivered 43,000 surgical masks to 5 NGO partners in Hong Kong. These

supplies will be distributed to their frontline health / center workers, and also to the underprivileged

community as part of emergency support programme.

https://m21.hk/zontaHKE/smile/album/


Area 3

Zonta Club of Cebu I distributed surgical

and improved face masks and (PPEs) to 3

government hospitals though its livelihood

project, which offers employment to the

sewers at Budlaan Center.

Zonta Club of Cebu I donated the essential stuff to the

frontliners of Cebu City Medical Center

Zonta Club of Zamboanga City delivered livelihood

supplies to Persons under investigation (PUIs).

Zonta Club of Cebu II supported the

production of over 1,000 PPEs’ in just 7

days and kept 120 workers employed at 7

manufacturing companies in 4 Cebu cities.

Zonta Club of Cebu II donated materials

to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in

the BJMP-Mandaue City Female Ward.

Zonta Club of Iloilo City distributed over 400 packed

meals to the frontliners of the different hospitals in the City

and adopted mothers at the Zonta Club Tilipunan Center in

Tanza.

Zonta Club of Davao City 1 served breakfast to nurses at

the hospital and lunch to police at the check points.


Zonta Club of Iloilo City II leaded a group of

female inmates in Gen Luna to produce PPEs

(face shields). They face shildes were distributed

to different hospitals in the cities, while the

women earned a living for their families.

Zonta Club of Tacloban’s donation to frontliners of

hospitals.

Zonta Club of Davao II organized people joining

together to help providing PPEs for frontliners.

Zonta Club of Iloilo City II donated Thousands

of food packs, groceries, face masks, face shield

and PPE suits II to health care workers and

frontliners of 6 different hospitals in Iloilo City

Zonta Club of Bacolod donated PPEs Happy Coats.

Zonta Club of Cagayan de Oro 1

distributed food packs to officers at the

check points.

Zonta Club of Cagayan De Oro II donated PPEs to

different hospitals.


Area 4

Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya delivered food and

water to the frontliners of hospitals and policemen

stationed in checkpoints.

Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya delivered PPEs and

masks to health workers administering directly to

COVID-19 suspects.

Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya brought cupcakes

and porridge to frontliners in PLT Hospital as well

as those stationed in Bayombong

Zonta Club of Nueva Vizcaya sent face masks,

water and biscuits to frontliners in the province.

Zonta Club of Tuguegarao donated relief packs to

the mothers and the newborn during this Pandemic.

Zonta Club of Tuguegarao distributed food packs

and antibacterial materials for health workers,

tricycle drivers, street sweepers and others.

Zonta Club of Baguio offered the use of its

building as an isolation building for COVID-19

suspected patients.

Zonta Club of Baguio arranged a lecture on

COVID-19 with Baguio Medical Center.


Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte donated 200 face

masks to Governor Roque Ablan Sr Memorial

Hospital for the use of mothers and families in the

Zonta-adopted ObGyne Ward and paediatric ward.

Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte donated 200 face

masks to medical and health workers of Bacrra.

Zonta Club of Aparri distributed the important

goods for frontliners in Town ( Alcohols , Surgical

Face Mask , Vitamin C )

Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao distributed

food packs to selected single mothers who are in

need of help during this Enhanced Community

Quarantine.

Zonta Club of La Union produced PPEs

continuously and donated them to the frontliners.

Zonta Club of Trinidad donated PPEs and

Medical Supplies to 3 Hospitals in the Benguet

Area


Area 5

Zonta Club of Makati & Environs donated relief

materials worth over P450,000 to more than 1,000

individuals and 1,300 families in their 19 projects.

Zonta Club of Pasig Foundation donated 170 PPEs

and P70,000 to hospitals, they also distributed food

packs to homeless individuals.

Zonta Club of Muntinlupa & Environs donated

important goods and cash to 6 medical centres.

Zonta Club of Makati Ayala donated P100,000 to the

Phil. General Hospital Medical Foundation and P50,000

worth of 100 PPEs to the Manila Health Centre in Del

Pan, Tondo City of Manila.

Zonta Club of Laguna donated more than 570

food packs, 4,600 face masks/PPEs and cash to

beneficiaries since the total lockdown of the city.

Zonta Club of Naga & Camarines Sur made cash

and in-kind donations to frontliners at the medical

centers.


Zonta Club of Metropolitan Pasig donated face masks, PPEs and food pack worth over P1,300,000 to more

than 15,000 medicals in various hospitals.

Zonta Club of Las Pinas donated PPEs, face

shields, alcohols and food packs to various

medical centres.

Zonta Club of Makati – Paseo de Roxas gave hygiene

kits and food packs worth over P500,000 to more than

1,880 beneficial individuals.

Zonta Club of Alabang distributed 19,000

food packs and 1,000 kits of toiletries.

Zonta Club of Fort Bonifacio donated hygiene kits to 3

hospitals.

Zonta Club of Metro Ortigas donated hygiene kits, and

food packs to medical and non-medical frontliners.

Zonta Club of Metro Greenhills

provided clean food and saw PPEs to the

frontliners.


Area 6 Director Poungthong Anantanasuwong together with district 17 committee vice chair and sister

zontians from Zonta Club of Bangkok I, Bangkok V, Bangkok IX, Bangkok XI and Khon Khaen

donated cash, food and medical equipment worth in total approximately 50,500 USD to support doctors and

health workers in our fight against COVID-19. Medical equipment such as mobile ventilators, PPEs,

surgical masks, hand sanitizers, food and cash were donated to various hospitals in Bangkok and other parts

of the country, Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute and Ramathibodi Foundation was two of the

recipients.

Zonta Club of Bangkok Club VIII donated hygiene kits and food supply to ramathibodi hospital and phra

crown klao hospital.


A Series of Activities in the past few months

Area 1 Celebrated the Zonta Rose day at Wackwack Golf and Country Club on March 8, 2020.

Zonta Club of Manila 1 hosted a gender and development seminar on January 25, 2020.

Zonta Club of Marikina hosted their 21st GMM

and installation of new member on February 11,

2020.

Zonta Mandaluyong San Juan II Health Care

project in Bustos.


Zonta Club of Greater Rizal I joined Walk for

Life. Speakers talked on issues affecting human

life and solutions to mitigate the sufferings of

women in early pregnancy and childbirth. Natural

family planning was also discussed

Zonta Club of Mandaluyong-San Juan I

awarded project. Lectures on women rights, value

of family, knowledge and skills on how to relate

with opposite sex and defend women and girls

from violence were given to 10,851 students in 25

elementary and high schools.

Zonta Club of De Valle Verde donoted money

to purchase rice and canned foods for 200 families

of Brgy. Tandang Sora, Quezon City, a depressed

area.

Zonta Club of Marikina conducted Love

Revolution Talk to 551 students to tackle about

relationship between love and sex and

consequences associated with pre-marital sex.

Zonta Club of Singapore organized a fun run/walk with 45 participants, to create awareness about

Project Pari and its mission – to inspire and enable young women from lower-income families to attain

a positive outlook of the future and to become responsible contributors to society.


Area 2 Joint Presidents 2018-2020 & 2020-2022 meeting and Area 2 Director Lucy Wong passing the

Area 2 flag to Maria So Vice Area 2 Director.

Area 2 first ever virtual area meeting on May 30, 2020 was attended by over 110 members from Hong

Kong, Singapore, Macao and Malaysia.

Area 2 Zontians representatives at the reception lunch for China Federation of Women Delegates on

Women’s Day and CNY and Women’s Day receptions by China Liaison Office.


Area 3 held the 2020 District 17 Area 3 Meeting on February 21 to 23, 2020 at the Bai Hotel, Cebu City.

Empowered and inspired women gathered to discuss the Club's continuing and short-term projects with

the highlight on child marriage, violence against women and gender equality.

Zonta Club of Cebu I joined the Women's Month with a line-up of March activities :Rose Day awards of

Valuable Zontians, Social Networking of first Woman of Worth (WOW) awardee, and The election of the

BY 2020 - 2022 Officers.


Zonta Club of Cebu II joined "Raise the Vibration" to celebrate Women's Day in Central Bloc, IT Park,

Cebu City. Members first read the poem, "He Gave Me Flowers Today", and distributed yellow roses to the

women in the audience, accompanied by information about Zonta International and issues related to

improvements of lives of women.

Zonta Club of Cebu II attended the Mandaue

City weekly Flag Ceremonies since it fell on the

day after Women's Day. The women

demonstrated an Equality sign, calling for

equality among genders. The men demonstrated

the sign that means: "into our hands lies he

solution to end violence".

Zonta Club of Iloilo City II in partnership with Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc & Iloilo City Police

Office launched the Sto Nino Flaglets Project where the women inmates prepared 8,000 flaglets for

Dinagyang 2020f to promote the “Women helping Women” theme.


Zonta Club of Cagayan De Oro II celebrated Rose Day with the Philippine Island Kids Inc. (PIKI) in

Barangay Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro City.

Zonta Club of Davao City II organised a

nutritional awareness and feeding program

for kids.

Z & Golden Z Club organized Mental Health

Awareness Workshop for Grades 5 & 6 students.

Area 3’s Club officers Training In March 2020

Zonta Club of Cebu II joined the Vagina

Monologue and continued to bring the advocacy on

Women’s rights and stereotypes on stage


Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte celebrated the 3rd anniversary of Usapang Babae, the partnership radio

program of Radyo Pulipinas, Inc. Members shared and discussed topics from gender equality to COVID-

19 prevention during the program.

Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte celebrated International Women Day with a “WE Make Change Work for

Women” parade together with Z Club and Golden Z Club of MMSU Lab HS and College of Teacher

Education. It was a very colorful, well attended parade, most men paraded in women’s’ attire, signifying

their love for women and their strong cooperation to end violence against them, and their will to change

the society into a happier one to live in for both genders.

Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte established their new building.


Zonta Club of Tuguegarao held a motorcade to celebrate Women's Month 2020. After the motorcade,

Zontian Dr. Evelyn Puzon-Guzman gave free dermatological consultation and skin medications to

participating women.

Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao unveiled the

signage of the girls dormitory PENHS which they

started in 2015, and they supported the latest

construction of the dorm's division and temporary

kitchen.

Zonta Club of La Union San Fernando City

turned over the cash donation to Red Cross for

Taal victims.

Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao, Zonta Club of Tuguegarao and Zonta Club of Makati Paseo de

Roxas Foundation Inc. in partnership with LGU-Tuguegarao City, gave recognition to ordinary women

with extraordinary life stories that highlight the strength and the character of a Cagayan. They offered a

free bone screening to the first 100 women.


Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao and Zonta Cub of Tuguegarao joint celebration of Women’s day.

Area 5 held a ROSE DAY event to give loyalty awards to 10/20/30/40 /50 year members in celebrating

Women’s Day.

Zonta Club of Makati-Ayala and Zonta Club Makati & Environs sponsored the Cameleon Negros

Center to support their work for the healing and protection of young girl survivors of sexual abuse in the

provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.


Zonta Club of Makati Legaspi held a WISE caravan (well being initiatives &support for the elderly).

Workshop consisted of lectures on common ailments of the elderly ie rheumatism diabetes hypertension

osteoporosis dementia and their prevention, kinetic activities games and vaccinations were also provided.

Zonta Club of Laguna arranged a gift giving to the

abused children in Calamba Laguna to celebrate the

Women’s Day.

Zonta Club of Bangkok II, Zonta Club of Bangkok VII and Zonta Club of Bangkok XI jointly

organized a workshop on Stop Violence Against Women and Stop Teenage Pregnancy with more than 300

girls attending. It is an important campaign for a celebration of Zonta 100 years.


Zonta Club of Bangkok I visited Zonta Diary Village in Chombueng, Ratchaburi. Zonta Village is one of

the club sustainable project to introduce the occupation in raising dairy cattle to farmers. Nowadays, Zonta

Village has been able to run various activities by itself. The factory has processed raw milk delivered by

farmers to dairy products, in various forms. Moreover, they also gave 100 eyeglasses to farmers in the

village in honor of Zonta International Centennial Anniversary.

Area 6 director, Poungthong Anantanasuwong together with ZID Lalivan Karnchanachari, LtG Chavali

Osathanugrah and sister zontians congratulated Sireetorn Kuharat, 2019 Amelia Earhart Fellow as she

shared her experiences at her alma mater in Chonburi, Thailand.


Installations of the New Officers

Congratulations to the new leaders 2020 – 2022 and a big thank you to the leaders 2018-2020 for your

support to Zonta and endorse our work with fantastic performance!

Installation of Zonta Club of Hong Kong & Zonta Club of Victoria

Area 6 organized club officers installation ceremony for the Biennium of 2020-2022 on Saturday, June 20,

2020, at The Berkeley Hotel, Bangkok


Condolences

Frank Lin

Frank P. C. Lin, husband of District 17 Governor Teresa Lin, passed away on 15

January 2020 after nine months of fighting to live. Mr. Lin had a successful career in

petroleum industry in North Asia. With his sense of humour and his love in writing he

became a popular blogger linking his friends and colleagues in a close group. Mr. Lin is

a great supporter of Zonta. He attended Zonta events frequently, supported donations to

Zonta International Foundation and acted like a brother to Zonta sisters. He will always

be remembered fondly by Zontians who know him.

David Leung

David Leung, late husband of Patricia Yeung, DisCon Organizing Committee chair and

father of District Secretary Esther Leung, passed away in early January 2020. A

mathematician by training, David showed an avid passion in art, music and languages.

He lived life to the fullest, enjoying good food and wine, travels and jokes. He will

always be fondly remembered as a loving and supportive husband / father and a loyal

friend to those who know him well.

Anthony Joseph

Ledesma Lim

Anthony Joseph Ledesma Lim, beloved husband of Zontian Lizette Jean F. Lim passed

away at New Year Day 2020. Lizette Lim is District 17 Area 5 Vice Chair of

Membership Committee and Vice Chair of Centennial Anniversary Committee. She is

also Incoming Area 5 Director. We wish Anthony rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.

To get the latest news of Zonta visit www.zontad17.org and www.zonta.org

To get the news of ZID17 visit http://www.zontad17.org/zontad17_2016/index.html

Join us at the Facebook group of ZID 17 https://www.facebook.com/groups/zontaD17/

http://www.zontad17.org/

http://www.zonta.org/

http://www.zontad17.org/zontad17_2016/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/zontaD17/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/zontaD17/

Message from the District Governor

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