The 2010 May/June GSE (Group Studey Exchange) team from the Phillipines have been hosted by Sandton for a few days in which they have seen the sights, visited our projects, and given us some information regarding their home country. One thing we diodn't know is that the Phillipines is an island country with over 1000 islands!

Now we have many Rotarians (especially the divers!) who are putting the Phillipines on their travel itinaries.

At our meeting on the 1st June are:

At the back are International Director PN Herbert, Kees, Pres Graham, Paul, Aldwin, and in front, Leslee, AG Lynne, and Bea.  

Rotarian and PP Dr. LYNNE LOURDES LUCENA is the GSE 3820 Team Leader. She is a board certified Adult and Paediatric Neurosurgeon whose cases involve traumatic brain injuries, stroke, brain and spinal cord tumours and congenital cranial and spinal malformations. She serves the people of the Bicol Region (population around 4.5 million). Presently, an Assistant Governor (D 3820 Area 4), she was the first lady president (57th) of the oldest club of District 3820, the Rotary Club of Naga. An avid traveller and a scuba diver, it has been her dream to visit South Africa and go on a safari and now that dream will be a reality, thanks to Rotary!!
I am ALDWIN ROY P. BALTAZAR - I am a dentist, I have my practice here in my hometown of Cabuyao, Laguna and also in Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. I'm into General Dentistry and Orthodontics. I also work as a Clinical Instructor in my college, working under the Oral Surgery Department of the College of Dentistry, University of Perpetual Help Laguna. Aside from that I'm also the University Dentist of University of Perpetual Help-GMA in Cavite.
I'm into sports like basketball, I like the outdoors especially beaches. I love to explore places. I like to go out and explore different places. I love to learn lots of stuff regarding my profession,.
LESLEE S. NATIVIDAD - District 3820, Rotary Club of Calamba
After graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2003, I was hired as an instructor in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. I am tasked to teach various Psychology courses such as General Psychology, Social Psychology, Filipino Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. At present, I am about to finish my Master's Degree in Social Psychology and is completing my thesis work on a topic related to discrimination, stereotype, stigma, and gender. Later on, I plan to pursue further graduate studies and do work on topics related to my interests. Hopefully, I can visit several universities in your country, interact with fellow Psychology faculties, observe how your education system works, and hopefully learn something that I can share to my colleagues and students when I come back. At the same time, I am very much interested in the apartheid and I would love to learn more about it through exposures such as museum visits and other activities that can help me broaden my understanding on the said social experience.
I am an adventurer and risk-taker by heart. I am also fascinated with anything and everything about culture. Hopefully, after our brief stay in your country, I will have a better understanding of who the South Africans really are, and I have tried new things that only your country can offer.
MARIA KARISMA BEA B. AGARAO - nominated by the Rotary Club of Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Bea is 25 years old and was born in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna where she received a B.A in Communication Arts. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Psychology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Right after graduating from college, she had a short stint as a writer for a radio and a television program. But as of the moment, she intensely enjoys teaching literature (Philippine literature, American literature, Afro-asian literature) to college students. She enjoys reading, watching basketball games, taking pictures, and getting involved in church and community activities.

Since passing the Bar exams in 2001, I was immediately involved with the Judiciary as a Clerk of Court until 2006. Afterwards, I transferred to the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) where I am currently working as the District Public Attorney of San Pedro, Laguna. The mandate of the PAO is to provide free legal assistance and representation to qualified indigent clients. We represent them in criminal, civil, labor, agrarian and administrative cases. However, the bulk of our clients are in criminal cases where I am currently handling around 450 cases. I hope to meet my fellow public defenders/counterparts in South Africa and possibly learn from them. I also hope to visit various courthouses to experience and observe first hand how the justice system works.
I am an avid basketball fan and also occasionally play airsoft and practical shooting. I also hope to visit famous and historical places in South Africa if given the chance.