LIONS International Multiple District 301 — Philippines will host the 60th Orient and South East Asia Lions (OSEAL) Forum with an expected attendance of 10,000 Lions Club members from the Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Guam, Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries in South East Asia.
The 60th OSEAL Forum, with the theme “Steadfast Together,” will be held on November 2 to 5, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Lions International is the largest service club organization in the world, with more than 1.3 million members in 49,000 clubs serving 200 countries and geographic areas worldwide. Since their founding in 1917, Lions have been around the world, rallying around the five global causes of vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer, and diabetes.
As a global organization, Lions International organized member countries into eight ( constitutional areas worldwide, with the Orient and South East Asia Lions under Area V. All constitutional areas are represented in the International Board of Directors of the Association.
The annual forum, according to Past International Director Michael So, who is also the forum’s chairperson, is critical to the association’s success and serves various purposes.
So said Lions and Leos (young individuals organized by Lions to work hand in hand with their adult counterparts in humanitarian service) come together and share their experiences and service stories during the yearly event. It is also where members gain access to training and key objectives of Lions International. All Lions and Leos are invited to forums within their constitutional areas and encouraged to participate.
Past Council Chairperson (PCC) Robert Roque Jr., the forum’s vice chairperson of operations, said Lions International recognizes area forums as venues to promote the principles and objectives of the group; for training, educating, and motivating district (made up of at least 35 Lions Clubs) and club officers; provide for the exchange of information and discussion of service activities, including opportunities for cooperative service projects; and for advancing the interests of the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
The 60th OSEAL forum will kick off with the International President’s Golf Cup to be held at the Villamor Air Base Golf Course in Pasay City on November 2, 2023.
The Young Leos will have a Special Olympics service project during the forum, which will include seminars on improving club services, membership growth, and retention. A seminar on Mission 1.5, which is aimed at increasing the present membership of 1.3 million to 1.5 million, will also be held.
PCC George Ong-Tan, the forum’s Convention Committee chairperson, said Lions International President Dr. Patti Hill and other international executive officers are expected to attend the event. The forum will be presided by So.
Among the major sponsors of the 60th OSEAL Forum are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Manila Bulletin, and Bevi Beauty Elements Ventures, Inc.
