- 17 hours ago
Leadership that serves beyond titles and beyond borders.
Today on Beyond the Headlines, we sit down with Rotary District Governor 3860 Angel Jong Fernandez, Jr. to talk about Rotary’s mission, community impact, and how service continues to shape lives across Cebu and beyond.
From humanitarian work to leadership in action, discover how Rotary moves communities forward.
Today on Beyond the Headlines, we sit down with Rotary District Governor 3860 Angel Jong Fernandez, Jr. to talk about Rotary’s mission, community impact, and how service continues to shape lives across Cebu and beyond.
From humanitarian work to leadership in action, discover how Rotary moves communities forward.
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LifestyleTranscript
03:36And this is not about anything else, but Reggie has been my sounding board, so when things really get tough
03:44and I have to roll with the punches, I lead with others.
03:49I listen to others, and like I said, I play sports a little bit, I play music just to unwind.
03:57But for the most part, a conversation like this is my way of recharging. It's like setting directions as to
04:05whether we're still on the right track and so on.
04:08And what's in your playlist?
04:09Because you said you listen to music, so Reggie influenced me quite a lot. Reggie loves jazz. I used to
04:19play a lot of alternative and pop. Maybe not known to a lot, but I used to play in a
04:28band.
04:38So that's why I'm going to go to clubs.
04:43I think I'm going to go to clubs.
04:46Now, because in every leader, there's always a spot that it's coming from.
04:56So from your personal experience, so that's since birth until the present, what particular moment shaped and influenced your life
05:05now that you're leading a district in Rotary?
05:09Well, there are so many competing, conflicting forces, competing interests in the district, if not the Philippine Rotary.
05:25And so I would say my hook there is how do you strike a balance? How do you kind of
05:32meet the expectations of these competing forces?
05:36I think for me, I think for me, that's the most difficult challenge because of too many conflicting interests.
05:44And you have to make some really difficult decisions.
05:47And so this year we call ourselves game changers and, you know, not just a lip service, but we have
05:55had to make some difficult changes or difficult decisions that may not even be popular among other Rotarians.
06:02And so, well, I think that's my first hugot as far as far as leading the district is concerned.
06:08I used to just be contented to be happy and smiling and laughing and, you know, raising glasses with my
06:16fellow Rotarians.
06:16But when you lead the district already and all of a sudden you're with folks with so many conflicting interests,
06:23that's the hugot, I would say.
06:25So how do you, because I think whether Rotary or anywhere else, especially when you are a leader and you're
06:32also visible, criticism would be part of the territory.
06:38So how do you handle criticism, especially when it gets personal, especially with social media these days?
06:44Right, right. Well, it's a part of the ballgame and you just have to listen and you just have to
06:54talk to all of these concerned persons.
06:57And, for example, before coming to this interview, I was talking to different committee chairs about our upcoming tree planting
07:05and we were trying to figure out which one is the best location, for example.
07:10I thought which one is the best plant.
07:12Yeah, that would have been a more difficult question to answer.
07:16But fortunately, we're just talking about where is the best spot and so on and so forth, just to really
07:23make sure that what we do in Rotary is sustainable.
07:27So, yeah.
07:28And so speaking of Rotary, among the things that at least I've heard and learned about Rotary is the four
07:36-way test.
07:37So can you help our viewers also understand what it is about and why it's not just something that Rotarians
07:47say in every meeting?
07:49Yeah, funny, DJ, because it's the four-way test that's the framework, if I could call that as one, in
07:58everything that we do.
08:00It's a test.
08:01And recently, there were even talks that we'll have to add one more to the four-way test.
08:08And now it would become the five-way test.
08:10And the fifth question is, is it fun?
08:13So just in case some of our fellow Rotarians haven't heard of that.
08:17But the four-way test really is a simple guide for us to make sure that everything we do is
08:23aligned to what is true for all and what is serving the best interest for all.
08:32You're correct.
08:32It's easier said than done.
08:34And there are decisions I made that I have to go back to the four-way test, even if it
08:41would not be popular.
08:44And to be truly honest, it's a tough one.
08:49It is.
08:49It's a tough one.
08:50And because now you don't get to please everybody.
08:54And I think that's not the reason why we're here.
08:57We always have to make sure that truth prevails.
09:00It is fair to all concerned.
09:02And it's beneficial.
09:04And it will create lasting friendship for everyone.
09:07That's at the core of what we do as Rotarians, DJ.
09:09So I'm guilty of having this impression that Rotaries are largely about meetings or dinners or lunches or toasting.
09:20That's part of Rotary.
09:22Yeah.
09:22Pero what are we missing?
09:24Rotary is meant to go beyond fellowships.
09:28Rotary is meant to go beyond just meetings and drinking.
09:33That's, you know, that's all part of it.
09:35But fellowship really strengthens different clubs and relationships.
09:39But Rotary really is meant to create impact in the communities.
09:42That's the most important part.
09:44And it gives us meaning as Rotarians, you know, because otherwise we're just a social drinking club.
09:51And so we have to make sure that community service projects are integrated, incorporated into what we do.
10:01We plan for this.
10:02We raise funds for this.
10:03We share stories about how we improve the lives of others because of Rotary.
10:10Yeah.
10:11But just to make it very clear, we love fellowships.
10:14That's the means to an end, no?
10:16Yeah.
10:16So given the projects that you've seen through time, like when you started as a Rotarian, even now that you're
10:27leading the district, which particular project or projects, maybe just one or two or three, that changed you as a
10:37person?
10:40Well, one would be the signature project of our mother club, the Rotary Club of Cebu.
10:45That, for me, is truly impactful.
10:47I have seen this before.
10:49You have very good stories shared by our Cebu.
10:53But this year, I've worked closely with the club president of Rotary Club of Cebu, Charles Ong.
10:59And I saw it firsthand how Rotary can change the lives of infants, of parents, give them hope, working on
11:09what seemingly impossible situations.
11:13But then again, given solutions by Rotary, working on operations on congenital heart disease and all that, it's truly impactful.
11:21And Rota Plas, as well, if I could share, is also one of the amazing, truly meaningful and impactful projects
11:29that truly influenced me and inspired me to be a Rotarian and to do more.
11:34It's not just me, but I saw Rotarians as well, including club president Walter Ong, another Ong.
11:43Another Walters also.
11:44Yeah, another Walter, who even shed a tear, DJ.
11:47Would you believe that, in those projects, in those missions?
11:50And it is life-changing, I would say, though.
11:54It's life-changing.
11:55So you cannot help but be shaped and influenced by these unfolding events in front of you when you see
12:06these projects.
12:07Yeah.
12:07So now we have a couple of civic organizations that I know.
12:12So I know Lions.
12:13I know there's also JCI.
12:16There's also Zonta.
12:20And other groups.
12:22But what makes Rotary distinct from all these other civic organizations?
12:29I have...
12:30Yeah, Zonta.
12:31It's interesting because I was also invited, not to be a member, but to be part of their programs in
12:37the past.
12:38And all of these civic organizations are excellent organizations, very good platforms.
12:45And we all mean to create an impact in the communities that we all serve.
12:51But I know Rotary very well because I've been embedded in Rotary since 2008.
12:57And Rotary, I would say, is different because we're not a stiff organization.
13:06I would say that while we hold fast to tradition, I think Rotary is also very flexible.
13:15And we adapt and we evolve to the changing times.
13:18I think that's the strength of Rotary.
13:20And you can see now Rotary is extending its arms to young Rotarians, young leaders like you below 40, right?
13:28Can I say that?
13:29And trying to get as many professionals to really diversify the community.
13:37So I think that's the strength of Rotary.
13:40That's why we have evolved over the past 121 years old as we celebrate Rotary Week this week.
13:47And this is in line also with the four-way test and the practices and the culture also within Rotary.
13:58But now that the world and even the country were faced with certain challenges that's aligned to integrity and good
14:06governance.
14:07Now, what's Rotary's piece inside in terms of upholding credibility in businesses?
14:16Well, that's one of the most difficult challenges right now, DJ.
14:20The country is faced with these serious issues and concerns.
14:26And Rotary plays a very important role because not to mention a lot of leaders as well in public service,
14:36even in politics, are Rotarians.
14:38And you can count on it that these leaders would uphold the four-way test.
14:43It's not easy, but then again, we have Rotarians in the political arena or in the field where decision makers
14:53are involved.
14:54And hopefully we can influence.
14:58We have a voice, but I would say it's not that strong yet to really truly influence.
15:05That's why we need media personalities like you.
15:08We have to work with media to spread the word, to share our story, and to really get everyone involved
15:14in what we do.
15:17If I may add, if the leaders are Rotarians, I think we have a better chance of trying to sort
15:24out all of these issues economically, politically, and so on and so forth.
15:30And at least from what I learned, a lot of decision makers are actually Rotarians as well.
15:40So that's a good place to start.
15:43Right, right.
15:43My next question is on the other side.
15:46Because some people are thinking that Rotary is just for the rich and influential.
15:52What are your thoughts about this one?
15:54Well, it used to be, I would say so, because it used to be an exclusive organization of the who's
16:01who in the society.
16:02And that's true.
16:03We kind of take that away from folks who think of Rotary like that.
16:07But like I said, Rotary evolved.
16:08And Rotary has to be inclusive in order for it to become even more impactful.
16:16So it's not just about sharing treasures, it's also about sharing your very own time and your very own talents
16:24that the ones we treasure don't have.
16:28So we need all those three T's, so to speak.
16:31And so we have to be inclusive as much as we can.
16:35So I think this is already quite connected to what I wanted to ask you next.
16:40What kind of person would thrive in Rotary?
16:44Wow, that's a very good question.
16:47To start with, there are different personalities in one club, for example.
16:52And as a district governor, I have to move around, go visit all these 101 clubs, and I get to
16:59meet different personalities.
17:00I would take that as a blessing, as a privilege, to rub elbows with these different personalities.
17:06But I think there's no standard personality, DJ.
17:11DJ, I have spoken to a lot of introverts in Rotary.
17:15I, for one, is also an introvert.
17:17Would you believe that, right?
17:18And you are pointing at yourself as an introvert, really?
17:20I don't think so, DJ.
17:21I also don't think so.
17:26And I meet a lot of really good leaders who would rather just sit down in a corner.
17:31But when you give them opportunity, they would shine.
17:34So I think there's no standard cookie cutter in terms of what sort of personality will make one a truly
17:40very good Rotarian.
17:41I think what truly counts there is the intent, the heart, if I may say that, to serve and to
17:46go out of their comfort zone and talk to people and all that.
17:51One of my challenges is when I go to the clubs, I get to speak to the charter members, to
17:58the charter founders whose age is twice as mine.
18:03And how do you strike a conversation?
18:06So it helped me develop the way I relate to other folks.
18:12So it's not about being you, an outgoing person, or you being an introvert.
18:18But it's really about your interest, your intention to be part of a movement.
18:23I think that's what truly matters.
18:26And you've mentioned being an introvert.
18:29It's not part of the set questions that I prepared.
18:32But I know that we have…
18:32I'm a very shy person.
18:34Yeah.
18:35I'm convinced.
18:36But I know that we have a lot of viewers also who are young and introverts also and who are
18:45yet to find their voice.
18:48So as an introvert yourself, and I also learned and know that you're one of the best speakers, not just
18:57in the district.
18:58Where did you learn that?
18:59I learned it from myself.
19:00No, no, no.
19:01No, I learned it through my research that you're one of the best speakers, not just within the district, but
19:08also in the country and even in the international space of Rotary.
19:12So what would you tell the introverts to also consider this path and how they can do it?
19:20Well, Rotary is a very good leadership platform.
19:24I've met Rotary is a very good platform.
19:25I've met Rotary who shared with me that, you know, if I may excuse myself this year because I'm so
19:30busy, I'm taking up MBA, I'm pursuing my doctorate and so on and so forth.
19:34So I tell them, come on, Rotary is the best MBA platform you could ever have.
19:39And this is where you really get to solve real life problems.
19:43And so if you are an introvert person and you need to develop your interpersonal communication skills, this is the
19:50best platform for you.
19:51This is where you can hone your communication skills, your interrelationship skills, your problem solving skills.
19:57There are a lot of problems in the communities that we should solve.
20:01And I think that's where Rotarians are very good at.
20:03That's where personally for me, I was at least somehow up to a certain extent was able to develop the
20:10way I solve problems, I suppose.
20:12And that's what Rotary did to me.
20:15So for the young ones out there thinking or maybe on the couldn't make their mind, this is the best
20:26leadership platform that I can share with you.
20:28And the other thing also is there are highs and lows also on leadership in general.
20:36So when things are not going well or not moving as you planned, originally planned, where do you draw your
20:46strength to keep going?
20:47Interesting.
20:48I call one of the PDGs, past district governors, and drink whiskey with them.
20:53No, kidding aside.
20:54But I also do that.
20:56Well, I speak to our elders.
21:01So I speak to those who have been there, who have done that.
21:06And in this kind of situation, what did they do?
21:08And so that's how I sort of like keep myself constantly to the north, if I may say that, and
21:17listen to them.
21:18And listen to them.
21:19What would they do if they're in my position?
21:22And to recharge, like I said earlier, I always try to go back to the reason why I started this
21:29in the first place.
21:30So why did I join Rotary back in 2008?
21:36And it's sort of like put me in the center again and aligns everything that I do and it gives
21:41me meaning.
21:41And all of a sudden, I'm recharged.
21:44And why did you join Rotary in 2008?
21:47Did I join Rotary for 2008?
21:49That's a very good question.
21:50You know, when I came here, my spouse, Regen, we came back in, well, I studied here in San Carlos
21:57and came back here in 2008, if I'm not mistaken.
22:02No, 2006, I guess.
22:04And then I joined Rotary in 2008.
22:05And why did I join Rotary?
22:08Well, I was invited by past president Ed Lim Tinko, who is now in Canada, to join the Rotary Club
22:15of Mandawi.
22:16And I met a lot of really inspiring people there, DJ, the likes of past teacher governor Dodong Alegrado, who
22:23runs the Maribagu Blue Water Resource Group and other business interests.
22:28And I was sort of like hungry for knowledge.
22:32I was hungry for experience.
22:33I didn't know anything about the business landscape in Cebu.
22:37I think that's primarily my interest at that time then.
22:42And then they shared with me what Truly Rotary is all about.
22:45And the rest is history, as they say.
22:47And one of the principles or the taglines or the mottos is service above self.
22:55Right, right, right.
22:56What does this mean personally to you?
22:59It is about making an impact on the lives of others.
23:06Rotary may mean many things for Rotarians.
23:09For non-Rotarians, they would probably be wondering what is that.
23:13But Rotary, when you say service above self, it's about providing clean and potable water to the remote, poor villages
23:23and barangays in the mountains.
23:24It's about helping the unemployed single mother take good care of her children.
23:30It's about that hungry little child who needs food on the table before he goes to school.
23:36That service above self is all about without expecting or asking for anything in return.
23:43So, this week is Rotary week.
23:47Exactly.
23:48But just in case, knock on wood, Rotary would disappear tomorrow.
23:53Oh my goodness.
23:54What would the world lose?
23:58Oh wow, that's a very good question.
24:01That is something I could not probably fathom or imagine, DJ.
24:07But if ever that happens, the world will lose a lot of good in the world because Rotary is our
24:15platform in doing good in the world.
24:18While the world may not be perfect, there are a lot of sad stories, there are a lot of fake
24:24news going on and so on.
24:25It is Rotary that provides all of these good things in the world.
24:30And we've been doing good for the last 121 years.
24:35That's why as district governor this year, my battle cries to grow Rotary, to expand more this good that we
24:42do in the world.
24:43And we could never afford to lose Rotary.
24:47We are a beacon, a shining example that humanity has hope.
24:55And we can never go wrong in investing in humanity.
24:59And that's what Rotary is all about.
25:01I'm enjoying this conversation so much, but I'm just down to my last three questions before I will also lose
25:08my job because you obviously do better.
25:10Come on.
25:12When is your day off? Just let me know.
25:18But anyhow, if there are people also who are watching who also wants to help or wants to share their
25:26talents,
25:27but they do not know where and how to start, what would you tell them?
25:33Oh, good. Thank you for asking that question.
25:35One of the things I tell Rotarians when I go around the district, we are located in the most part
25:42of Visayas and Mindanao.
25:43And, you know, I tell everybody, especially Rotarians, that everyone is a Rotarian.
25:48Everyone is a Rotarian.
25:49They just don't know it yet.
25:51So it's a responsibility to share with them this beautiful story.
25:54And you can join us, approach a Rotarian.
25:57If you don't know one, well, at least now you know me, you can go to our district website.
26:02That's District 3860.
26:04That's our website.
26:05And we have a link there which is dedicated for our membership.
26:09Or you can follow me in my Facebook.
26:12You know, like I said, DJ, I'm an introvert.
26:15I don't even do Facebook before.
26:17But now I have to share this beautiful story.
26:20I have to post as much as I can so that more people can discover us and know about us.
26:25And I can also see that you have a wide range of followers.
26:30And I meant that in a good way.
26:32Because that also means that the story that you want to share is also resonating.
26:38With a lot of people.
26:39So, there's so many things because you're still young.
26:43You're under 40.
26:45Just like you.
26:47And then there's, even if your term as district governor will have to end.
26:53But I'm sure that there's still a lot more possibilities and opportunities that you can continue to make a difference.
27:00But just for this context, on your term as a district governor, what do you intend to leave behind?
27:06Not as projects, but as values.
27:09As values.
27:11Rotary is for everybody.
27:12Okay?
27:13So, that's, I think, the first value that I would have to leave.
27:21That rotary is meant for everybody.
27:26It's not just for a select few individuals.
27:31I think that's the message I'd like to share.
27:35That we should grow rotary.
27:37We should involve as many as we can.
27:39And, of course, we have to continue creating impact because that's what this is all about.
27:45For the Rotarians, I say that don't just organize projects.
27:49Projects is not enough.
27:50I would encourage everybody to come up with lasting legacy service projects.
27:57I mean, no one leaves forever.
27:58So, the only way for us to leave a lasting impact is to make sure that what we do remains
28:05there and stays there until kingdom come.
28:07And so, those are the values and the legacy, I would say, I'd like to leave that rotary has grown
28:13in the year, rotary year 2025-2026.
28:19Our contributions to the foundation also has been steadily growing.
28:24And, we have left lasting impact through the service projects.
28:30As to your other question as to what will I do after my term, I have to speak to my
28:35spouse, Reggie, about that.
28:39So, before we let you go, just like the rest of the guests that we've been having here, beyond the
28:45headlines, beyond your title, Angel John Fernandez is?
28:52Well, I'm just a simple guy sitting in a corner trying to make a difference in the community and doing
29:02my very best to lead with others.
29:04Not lead others, but lead with others.
29:08Well, that's the best way to end this conversation.
29:12But, I think we will still have more coffee in the future, but you did not or I did not
29:16offer one.
29:17It depends.
29:18Maybe after this?
29:20But, thank you very much for joining us today for sharing not just your journey, but also your heart and
29:27your vision.
29:28And, as we end today's conversation, one thing is clear.
29:32Behind every initiative, every project, and every meeting, there are people who choose to serve.
29:38Not for recognition, but because they believe in making a difference.
29:42I'm DJ Moises, and this has been Beyond the Headlines, where we don't talk about just the news, but we
29:48also talk about purpose and possibility.
29:50Have a good afternoon.
29:51Have a good afternoon.
29:52Have a good afternoon.
29:56Have a good afternoon.
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