The Dumaguete City Host Lions Club - Through the Years 1950 to 2010

The Dumaguete City Lions Club was organized on March 19, 1950 with 27 young professionals and businessmen committing themselves to serve their community through the objectives of Lionism. Meetings were held at Park Hotel with then Deputy District Governor “Nene” Bascon and International Lions Club representative, Lawrence Atwood, giving inspirational talks on what a Lions Club is all about.

The charter of the Club was penned on May 3, 1950 and was formally presented in a gala affair on December 2, 1950, with the Cebu Lions as the sponsoring Club.

Under the able leadership of its first President, Lion “Nanoy” Sandiego, the charter members made of their name “DOERS” a reality and of the motto “WE SERVE” their guiding motivation.

The wives of the Lions, who were very active, organized themselves into the Dumaguete Lionettes Club on July 8, 1962.  On May 19, 1985, this was officially chartered by Lions International as the DUMAGUETE LIONESS CLUB, with Past District Governor Zoilo Dejaresco as the Inducting Officer. Charter President Mariant Escaño-Villegas would become District President  of 301-B in 1987-1988; Vice President Multi District 301 Philippines, 1988-1989;  and President Multi District 301-Philippines, 1989-1990, the first from the Visayas.

The DUMAGUETE LEO CLUB was born under the sponsorship of the Club on March 28, 1970 with 40 charter members, mostly of students from ages 12 to 27, and a sprinkling of young professionals.

The METRO DUMAGUETE LIONS CLUB was created on September 17, 1987, and chartered on March 2, 1988.

In December 1980, an Inter-Club Twinning between the Dumaguete City Host Lions Club and the Sumoto Lions Club, of Awaji Island Japan, took place in Tokyo, Japan. Signatories were President Lion Mauricio Piramide and Lion Kunio Urakami.

On April 12, 1989, the Dumaguete City Host Lions Club had another twinning ceremony with the Bacolod City Host Lions Club. Signatories were President Lion Gene Duran and Lion Lorenzo Geroso of the Bacolod City Host Lions Club.

The Club celebrated its 50^th Golden Anniversary last March 25-26, 2000. The Golden Anniversary was graced by 27 members of the Sumoto Lions Club and the Bacolod City Host Lions Club.  Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the Filipino-Japanese-American Amity Memorial Shrine in Sagbang, Valencia, and the re-twinning ceremonies of the Dumaguete City Host with the Sumoto Lions Club and the Bacolod City Host Lions Club.  Signatories for the re-twinning ceremony with the Sumoto Lions Club were Lion President Katsaji Kinoshita, Lion Secretary Kensaku Shibata, Lion President Geronimo Villegas, and Lion Secretary Leo Cabrera.  Signatories for the re-twinning ceremony with the Bacolod City Host Lions Club were Acting President Lion Mario Garbanzos and Lady Lion Maly Legaspi (Bacolod City Host); and Lion President Geronimo Villegas and Lion Secretary Leo Cabrera (Dumaguete City Host).

The Club celebrated its 55^th Charter Anniversary last February 19-20, 2005 through a renewal ceremony with its sister clubs.  Lions from the Sumoto Lions Club, Bacolod City Host Lions Club, Bacolod Traders Lions Club, Mt. Kanlaon Lions Club, Bacolod Katipunan Lions Club, Metro Dumaguete Lions Club, and the Dumaguete Leo Club graced the occasion.  Signatories for the re-twinning ceremony with the Sumoto Lions Club were Lion President Chisui Kumata, Lion Past President Kunio Urakami (original signatory for the first club twinning in Tokyo, Japan), Lion President Royani Dy, and Lion Past President Mauricio Piramide (another original signatory of the first club twinning).

55th Charter Anniversary Celebration

Signatories for the Bacolod City Host Lions Club were Lion President Kumar Amarnani and Lion Secretary Grace Benitez together with Lion President Royani Dy and Lion Secretary Angeline Dy.Life Membership Awards were also presented to Lion Past President Antonio Ramas-Uypitching Sr. and Lion Roy Cang for having been an active member for more than 20 years.   The 25 years Monarch Award were also awarded to Lion Past President Geronimo Villegas and Lion Past President Mariant Escaño-Villegas, MJF.

The Club recently celebrated its 60th Charter Anniversary last February 20-21, 2010 with another renewal ceremony with the Sumoto Lions Club and the Bacolod City Host Lions Club.

60th Charter Anniversary Celebration

Signatories for the Sumoto Lions Club were President Yasuhito Yoshii and Lion Incoming President Yasuhiro Oku together with Lion President Angeline Dy and Lion Past President Mauricio Piramide (original signatory of the first club twinning). Signatories for the Bacolod City Host Lions Club were Lion President Leonilo Del Carmen and Lion Secretary Merla Raz together with Lion President Angeline Dy and Lion Secretary Rodolfo Juan.

Being in existence for 60 years, the Club will continue its commitments to the community that is: “To Serve” through “Lionism”.