Denmark, Lithuanian Rotarians meet Filipino counterparts
March 25, 2011
THE five-man delegation of Rotarians from Denmark and Lithuania were a mixed group of civil servants, a journalist and a banker but the group had one goal in mind — meet their Filipino counterparts and learn as much from them.
The group arrived in Pampanga under the care of the Cluster 4A presidents of the different Rotary Clubs in the area. They are part of the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program.
The program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers.
The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.
The GSE team was composed of Lina Balsyte (Journalist), Adrej Afanasjev (Radiologist), Vygintas Grinis (Civil Servant), Lars Lundgrand (Banker) and Trine Hoegild Jensen.
Culture shock
Balsyte, in an interview, said that their experience has been unique and interesting. Aside from the differences in the conduct of Rotary meetings and programs, Balsyte said their group has been very surprised of the relaxed attitude of Filipinos, our lack of that sense of urgency and our carefree attitude towards life.
“People here are more relaxed. We love the experience the people are nice and we are very happy of the results of the visits various rotary clubs. We learned a lot,” Balsyte, a fellow journalist, said.
The group was particularly impressed with the personal touch that the Rotarians here demonstrate in the conduct of their missions, though the group noticed that there are differences in the kinds of programs based on the needs of the people and their culture.
“We learned a lot from the process that are involved in the conduct of Rotary programs here,” team leader Grinis said.
The group was also treated to a various local attractions in Pampanga. They were toured to various old churches, tourist attractions and treated to Kapampangan food and delicacies.
The foreigners were also subjected to the fun attractions of the communities where they stayed. They were also treated to jeepney and tricycle rides.
Kapampangan Rotarians who housed them in their respective homes showed them the best of what Filipino hospitality has to offer.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2011/03/24/denmark-lithuanian-rotarians-meet-filipino-counterparts-146680
The location is convenient for visitors to go out of town from Manila in a short getaway with family and friends traveling north to Angeles City Clark Pampanga. Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.
Residents of Manila travel north to Clark Pampanga to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort, unwind and relax for family bonding at hotel lake picnic grounds. Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers sumptuous cozy Christmas dinner, for wine lovers, Clark Wine Center provides exciting shopping options.
Residents of Manila, tourists from Hong Kong, Macau, China, Korea and Taiwan arriving in the Philippines looking for famous restaurants serving good food and fine wines travel out of town towards the north to wine and dine in fine dining restaurants in Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark. Highly recommended rest bar and fine dining restaurant near Manila is Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar in Clark, Philippines.
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Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
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Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
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