Lighting the Way: The Stirring Challenge on Service and Integrity at the D3800 Rotaract SODA

Past President Roland Cardinoza of the Rotary Club of Marikina North, Senior Assistant Governor of Zone 4 (Marikina, Rodriguez, and San Mateo) of R.I. District 3800 presented a strong exposition for modern leadership during his recent talk. Addressing the Rotaractors of District 3800 at their State of the District Address (SODA) on October 11, 2025, his speech, "Be The Guiding Light Towards Progress and Service" was less a typical motivational address but more a firm directive.

The entire session revolved around a simple, yet profound image: a single, glowing light source pushing back against total darkness. Cardinoza did not waste any time. He challenged everyone present to "Elevate" their personal standard and become that source of clarity. He hammered home the quote from author Katrina Mayer, "Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark", making it clear that true influence is measured by how effectively one helps others navigate their own challenges.

To demonstrate that this capacity for great service exists in everyone, Cardinoza took the audience on a journey through history, focusing on "Mga Kabataang Naging Tanglaw" (Young people who became a light). The key point: age has never been a barrier to monumental achievement. Just as important, SAG Roland showed this legacy is alive and well today. He celebrated contemporary difference-makers like Jose Gabriel “Gab” Mejia and Cris “Kesz” Valdezmin, and proudly spotlighted the winners of the PHYLA 2024. He seamlessly tied these examples to the biblical directive from Saint Paul: our ultimate goal is to "set an example... in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”.

For him, all of this sums to one significant motto: "Service Above Self". This isn't just a feel-good slogan; it's a commitment that should guide every choice, especially when personal desire and duty are at odds. He was clear about the three areas where this principle is most often tested: (1) Putting community needs ahead of personal time and convenience, (2) Putting ethical behaviour ahead of seeking recognition and prestige, and (3) Upholding standards no matter how uncomfortable or entitled one feels.

Underpinning this entire framework is integrity. Cardinoza quoted Mayor Benjamin Magalong and then defined the term using Thomas Smith’s uncompromising words: "Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching” . This implies that service is an intrinsic, quiet practice – not a performance for public approval.

The address ended with a sense of lasting hope, drawing on the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi: "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle”. Cardinoza's message left the audience with one clear goal: to light their own candle and help others move forward. This is essential to the 100 Rotaract leaders who attended the SODA of DRR Alvin Rey Ferrer on October 11, 2025 at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School in San Juan City, where Rotaractors were gathered to be updated on the first 100 days of the Rotary Year and hear updates on the future activities of the district.

Written by: PP Karl Robles, RC San Juan East