The Inception & District 81
Fourteen years after the first Rotary club was organized by Paul P. Harris in Chicago, the Rotary movement reached the shores of the Philippines when the Rotary Club of Manila, the first Rotary club in Asia, was chartered in June 1919.
Thirteen years later, RC Manila sponsored the birth of the first Rotary club outside Manila and the second in the country - Rotary Club of Cebu - on November 26, 1932, with 26 charter members. This was followed in 1933 by the organization of the Rotary Club of Iloilo.
The Creation of District 81
In the early days, Rotary clubs were under the direct supervision of the President and the Board of Directors of Rotary International. During the presidency of Arch Klump in RY 1916-17, clubs were divided into districts.
In RY 1936-37, R.I. created District 81, the first district in Southeast Asia. It was composed of 26 clubs: 22 from Mainland China, 1 from Hong Kong, and 3 from the Philippines. RC Bacolod was born soon after.
District 81 was briefly changed to District 96 in RY 1937-38 (the same year RC Baguio was organized) but was recreated in RY 1938-39 with George Malcolm as its first District Governor. Under his term, RC Dagupan, Davao, and Dumaguete were chartered.
First Historical Gatherings
First District Conference
Manila (RY 1938-39)
214 delegates from 5 clubs
First District Assembly
Iloilo (RY 1938-39)
14 Rotarians present
Second District Assembly
Cebu (1940)
66 delegates present
The War Years & Reconstruction
During the Second World War, all eight clubs in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio, Dagupan, Davao, Dumaguete) were disbanded.
1945
RC Dagupan became the first club readmitted to R.I. Post-war rebuilding begins. M.A.T. Caparas serves as the first Filipino trustee of R.I., and Carlos P. Romulo becomes the first Filipino honorary trustee of The Rotary Foundation.
RY 1945-46
Theodore L. Hall (DG 1939-1942) serves again as Governor of District 81, overseeing the readmission of RC Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, and Manila.
RY 1946-47
Gil J. Puyat becomes the third Governor of D81 and the first Filipino District Governor. RC Iloilo readmitted; RC Tacloban and Tarlac organized.
RY 1947-49
Mariano Lichaoco (RC Dagupan) becomes the first non-Manila elected DG. In 1948-49, Ben Gaston (RC Bacolod) becomes the first DG from outside Luzon. RC Cagayan de Oro chartered (April 22, 1948).
The Evolution of District 3860
As Rotary flourished in the Philippines, the geographical boundaries required constant redistricting to manage the rapid expansion of clubs across the archipelago.
R.I. changes D81 to D48. Vicente L. Faelnar (RC Cebu) becomes the first Cebuano DG. Ramon Ponce de Leon (RC Dumaguete) serves in 1954-55.
D48 (35 clubs) changed to D385. Hernando Pineda (RC Cagayan de Oro) becomes the first Mindanao DG. Subdivided in 1964-65 into D380 (Luzon) and D385 (Visayas & Mindanao).
Redistricted from D385. 30 clubs formed D386. Mariano S. Ilano Jr. (RC Cebu West) becomes the first DG. Covers Central/Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao.
The Final Form: District 3860
In RY 1991-92, during the term of PDG Johnny Asencio, the zero was added, officially establishing the modern designation of District 3860.
District Area & Geographical Coverage
Rotary District 3860 is composed of the Clubs located in Central and Eastern Visayas, Negros Oriental, and Mindanao Oriental. It represents a vast and diverse territory united by the spirit of service.
Regions & Provinces Included:
- Cebu
- Negros Oriental
- Bohol
- Siquijor
- Leyte
- Samar
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Oriental
- Davao Occidental
- South Cotabato
- General Santos
- Compostela Valley
- Sarangani
The Period of Expansion
Following the initial charters, the district experienced waves of monumental growth. By March 2000, District 3860 celebrated the charting of exactly 100 active clubs.
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1950s: RC Butuan (1954), RC Catbalogan (1956), RC General Santos City (1957).
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1960s: Seven new clubs including RC Cebu West, Koronadal, Tagum, East Davao, Ormoc, Digos, South Davao.
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1970s: Rapid expansion adding 22 clubs across the region.
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1980s: 19 clubs added by 1985.
Clubs Chartered per Decade
Roll of District Governors
This comprehensive record documents the leaders who steered the district, alongside their official home clubs and the annual Rotary International Theme associated with their year.
| Rotary Year | Theme Logo | District Governor | R.I. Theme | Home Club / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938-39 | - | George Malcolm | - | District 81 |
| 1939-42 | - | Theodore L. Hall | - | District 81 |
| 1945-46 | - | Theodore L. Hall | - | District 81 |
| 1946-47 | - | Gil J. Puyat | - | District 81 |
| 1947-48 | - | Mariano Lichaoco | - | RC Dagupan |
| 1948-49 | - | Ben Gaston | - | RC Bacolod |
| 1951-52 | - | Vicente L. Faelnar | - | RC Cebu |
| 1954-55 |  |
Ramon Ponce de Leon | 6 Objectives | RC Dumaguete |
| 1957-58 | - | Hernando Pineda | - | RC Cagayan de Oro |
| 1960-61 |  |
Joaquin L. Panis | You Are Rotary-Live It! Express It! Expand It! | RC Cebu |
| 1963-64 |  |
Alfonso C. Oboza | Meeting Rotary's Challenge In The Space Age | RC Davao |
| 1964-65 | - | Leonardo F. Gallardo | - | RC Bacolod |
| 1966-67 |  |
Vicente Lozada, Jr. | Better World Through Rotary | RC Cebu West |
| 1967-68 |  |
Leon M. Garcia, Sr. | Make Your Membership Effective | RC Davao |
| 1970-71 |  |
Federico Reyes | Bridge the Gaps | RC Cebu |
| 1971-72 |  |
Leonor S. Lozano | Goodwill Begins With You | RC Cebu West |
| Birth of District 386 | ||||
| 1974-75 |  |
Mariano "Marianing" Ilano Jr. | Renew the Spirit of Rotary | RC Cebu West |
| 1975-76 |  |
Salvador "Bading" A. Angala | To Dignify the Human Being | RC West Davao |
| 1976-77 |  |
Luis M. Fran | I Believe in Rotary | RC Ormoc |
| 1977-78 |  |
Jorge P. Royeca | Serve To Unite Mankind | RC General Santos |
| 1978-79 |  |
Manuel E. de Veyra | Reach Out | RC Cebu |
| 1979-80 |  |
Honorio "Hila" Hilario | Let Service Light the Way | RC Davao |
| 1980-81 |  |
Graciano Militante | Take Time to Serve | RC San Juanico |
| 1981-82 |  |
Arturo P. Pingoy | World Understanding and Peace Through Rotary | RC Koronadal |
| 1982-83 |  |
Quintin "King" Doromal | Mankind is One-Build Bridges of Friendship... | RC Dumaguete |
| 1983-84 |  |
Honesto "Totoy" Cabarroguis | Share Rotary, Serve People | RC East Davao |
| 1984-85 |  |
Jose P. Lardizabal | Discover a New World of Service | RC Cebu West |
| 1985-86 |  |
Armin Cucueco | You Are the Key | RC General Santos |
| 1986-87 |  |
Roque "Roqs" Tiu | Rotary Brings Hope | RC San Juanico |
| 1987-88 |  |
Antonio "Tony" M. Garcia | Rotarians United in Service, Dedicated to Peace | RC West Davao |
| 1988-89 |  |
Cesar "Sar" G. Estalilla | Put Rotary Into Rotary-Your Life | RC Cebu Fuente |
| 1989-90 |  |
Herminio "Hermie" I. Villano | Enjoy Rotary | RC East Davao |
| 1990-91 |  |
Margarito "Tito" Redoña | Honor Rotary With Faith and Enthusiasm | RC Tacloban |
| Evolution to District 3860 | ||||
| 1991-92 |  |
Juanito "Johnny" Asencio | Look Beyond Yourself | RC Dadiangas |
| 1992-93 |  |
Xavier "Xav" C. Ledesma | Real Happiness is Helping Others | RC Metro Cebu |
| 1993-94 |  |
Nicanor "Nick" R. Del Rosario | Believe in what You Can Do - Do what You Believe In | RC South Davao |
| 1994-95 |  |
Arcadio "Dodong" Alegrado | Be a Friend | RC Mandaue |
| 1995-96 |  |
Reynaldo "Boy" I. Reyes | Act with Integrity, Serve with Love | RC East Davao |
| 1996-97 |  |
Vicente "Toting" Solis | Build the Future with Action And Vision | RC Tacloban |
| 1997-98 |  |
Jesus "Jess" Veneracion | Show Rotary Cares | RC General Santos |
| 1998-99 |  |
Antonio "Anton" B. Florendo | Follow your Rotary Dream | RC Cebu Port Centre |
| 1999-00 |  |
Raoul Hilario | Act With Consistency, Credibility, Continuity | RC East Davao |
| 2000-01 |  |
Jose Ma. Luis "Toto" Cupin | Create Awareness, Take Action | RC Cebu West |
| 2001-02 |  |
Ramon "Monet" Tirol | Mankind is Our Business | RC Central Davao |
| 2002-03 |  |
Pablo "Pabs" Quianzon | Sow the Seeds of Love | RC San Juanico |
| 2003-04 |  |
Roberto "Bert" Dormendo | Lend a Hand | RC Bislig |
| 2004-05 |  |
Raymond "Ray" Patuasi | Celebrate Rotary | RC Cebu West |
| 2005-06 |  |
Evelyn "Len" Abellera-Magno | Service Above Self | RC South Digos |
| 2006-07 |  |
Fernando Almeda | Lead the Way | RC Metro Surigao |
| 2007-08 |  |
Joseph Michael "Yumi" Espina | Rotary Shares | RC Cebu Fuente |
| 2008-09 |  |
Pablito "Billy" P. Parilla | Make Dreams Real | RC Matina Davao |
| 2009-10 |  |
Antonio "Tony" G. Veneracion | The Future of Rotary Is In Your Hands | RC General Santos |
| 2010-11 |  |
Teodoro "Ted" B. Locson, Jr. | Building Communities Bridging Continents | RC Cebu Port Centre |
| 2011-12 |  |
Leoncio "Nonoy" P. Villa-Abrille | Reach Within To Embrace Humanity | RC South Davao |
| 2012-13 |  |
Peter "Perok" M. Rodriguez | PEACE Through Service | RC Ormoc |
| 2013-14 |  |
Edgar "Ed" R Chiongbian | ENGAGE ROTARY - CHANGE LIVES | RC Cebu |
| 2014-15 |  |
Remegio G. Salanatin | Light Up Rotary | RC Sta. Ana Davao |
| 2015-16 |  |
Salvador G. Estudillo | Be a Gift to the World | RC Central Tacloban |
| 2016-17 |  |
Mary Anne A. Solomon | Rotary Serving Humanity | RC Cebu Fuente |
| 2017-18 |  |
Art O. Tan | Rotary: Making a Difference | RC Central Davao |
| 2018-19 |  |
Benjamin "Bing" M. Garcia | BE THE INSPIRATION | RC Marbel |
| 2019-20 |  |
Philip N. Tan | Rotary Connects the World | RC Cebu West |
| 2020-21 |  |
Rodel Riezl Reyes | Rotary Opens Opportunities | RC East Davao |
| 2021-22 |  |
Anna Louisa Bumagat | Serve to Change Lives | RC Ormoc |
| 2022-23 |  |
Lilu Alino | Imagine Rotary | RC Cebu |
| 2023-24 |  |
Rozanne "Twinkle" Gamboa | Create Hope in the World | RC Downtown Davao |
| 2024-25 |  |
Caroline Andrade | The Magic of Rotary | RC Kandaya Tacloban |
| 2025-26 |  |
Angel "Jong" Fernandez Jr. | Unite for Good | RC Mandaue (Incumbent) |
Other Historical District Governors
Historical records cite these esteemed Past District Governors (PDGs) who served the region, organized by their primary home clubs:
Geographic Origins of PDGs
Based on the 40 Rotary Governors identified in the 2005 summary record.
Top PDG Producing Clubs
Distribution of historical leaders across primary constituent clubs.
