Cebu Jaycees:

How A Small Crystal of Idea Transformed into a Diamond of Nation Building?

By Fernan D. Salibongcogon

This year marks the 75th Diamond Anniversary of JCI Cebu, Inc., a local organization of JCI Philippines that has been sparkling positive contributions since 1948. As we celebrate this milestone, we have never forgotten our humble beginnings which inspired us to radiate to the unknowns and challenges through the years. Like a diamond that can let humans see the spectrum of visible lights, our evolution can shed light on various perspectives on why Cebu Jaycees is the Cebu Jaycees it is known today.

JCI Cebu’s remarkable history can be traced back to June 1948 when John D. Simmons introduced Jayceeism to young professionals in Cebu at the time. This marked the genesis of Jayceeism in Cebu when it was just still a small crystal of idea and a vision. But that point sets a dimension that would define a promising legacy of identity. The idea turned into a collective action leading to the formation of Cebu Jaycees, the second oldest chapter in Asia, after Manila Jaycees.

Fulvio Pelaez, a young lawyer, was the first Chapter President who founded and inaugurated Cebu Jaycees with a special event that served over 3,000 indigents with free meals. The pioneering chapter president then traveled to nations with the flourishing Jayceeism movement just to build relationships with the larger JCI community. After returning from other countries, he was inspired to spread the Jayceeism movement to neighboring provinces and transform its latent Americanized agenda to a Filipino at heart. The chapter eventually hosted the National Convention in 1951 three years after it was formed. At the dawn of Jayceeism in the Country, Cebu Jaycees was already a dazzling leader of positive change benefiting our countrymen.

From its formation, Cebu Jaycees was the only Filipino-oriented youth leadership training organization known in Cebu for a decade. The presidents that followed Pelaez led the chapter to new heights as it became a breeding ground for notable Cebuano personalities like the Late Chapter President Marcelo Fernan, who was the only Filipino to have served as a Chief Justice and a Senate President, and the Late Chapter President Eduardo Gullas who became a Governor of the Cebu Province. But the growth and development of the chapter were fueled by the strong support of pioneering members that supported their respective chapter presidents who have inspired people to brilliantly work together for community development.

A few years after its formation, Cebu Jaycees’ commitment to addressing the needs of the local community became increasingly evident through various projects and initiatives. A leader in touching the lives and moving people into action, Cebu Jaycees was not just able to deliver responsive projects but also produced a generation of leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and themselves.

The organization’s legacy inspires and empowers individuals to take on leadership roles and become visible in their professional fields and the community. This investment in people has always been the greatest investment of all time within the culture of Cebu Jaycees’ membership agenda.

In 1957, just before its 10th Anniversary, Cebu Jaycees became a shining crystal again as it was once chosen as the Most Outstanding Chapter of the Philippines. The chapter continued building international relationships through “Operation

Brotherhood” and started to excel at fundraising drives. It was also during this time that the Cebu Jaycees Clubhouse was constructed, earning the chapter a special citation from the JCI World Congress held in Manila in 1956. The clubhouse, the first JCI clubhouse in the world, was a permanent venue for meetings and social functions and was accessible to the public for socio-civic and educational activities. The clubhouse was an important piece of our colorful history that witnessed the growth of Cebu Jaycees. It was home to the chapter’s greatest gems who served our country locally and nationally. While the clubhouse’s operations came to halt when the Provincial Government of Cebu recalled and used the public lot where it was built, its legacy has continued to shine the future generations with inspiration including the present members of Cebu Jaycees.

The years of community service and leadership development and continuous growth have set this culture of success that was passed down to the next generations and turned them into not just changemakers, but servant leaders. This masterpiece of our self-identity allowed us to illuminate the future awards its members or programs may earn with sparkling intention and encompassing impact. It was not the awards that inspired our members to engage with social projects, but it was our noble intention to help others.

The awards, however, serve an important function in our culture being a symbol of continuous growth that needed to be seen, touched, and achieved by the younger generations. We have always attached a meaningful sense to our milestones with qualitative and quantitative value to measure and describe our growth and success. It is in this way that the culture is deeply instilled in the thinking of the next generations.

In 1959, JCI Boys Club was conceptualized to help curb juvenile delinquency among young boys through sports and recreation. At the height of the project’s success, there were a total of twelve clubs in various parts of Cebu City. This project garnered the chapter its second World Congress special citation. In 1960, the chapter sponsored the Sheram’s Circus whose proceeds went towards the construction of a children’s playground in San Nicolas and six basketball courts in Cebu City’s public schools. In these years, the chapter strongly promoted better citizenship and conducted “Operation Filipino Flag” where Philippines flags were donated to various schools and government offices. There were many other notable projects during this time and the decades that follow, however, it was Filipino citizenship that is core to that mesmerizing crystal that transformed into the diamond of today. Our people, the Filipino people, have always been the biggest stakeholders Cebu Jaycees has served and the nonnegotiable aspect of Cebu Jaycees. Since the chapter’s inception, the idea that turned into collective action was always about nationbuilding and development.

By the end of 1967, the chapter stood out even further with its close coordination with the government, private and public sector, the chapter received numerous iconic awards, including two international awards, one for Extension and Membership and another for Community Development Program. The chapter also won the Most Outstanding JCI Publication in the Philippines together with several members who earned individual awards.

The year established precedents to maintain the priceless privilege and honor to be a premier leadership development organization. It manifested in last year’s success for a historic multiawards haul during the 42nd Visayas Area IV Convention in Samar with 17 QUADRO awards including 3 BEST OF THE BEST Awards – Most Outstanding Chapter, Most Outstanding President & Most Outstanding Local Project, 3 Merit awards, Public speaking Champion and a total of 32 nominations.

During the 74th National Convention in Surigao, 5 TEMIONG awards including the BEST OF THE BEST - Most Outstanding Local Project, 4 SINAGTALA Awards, National

Public Speaking Champion, 100% JCIPEA Efficiency Awards, and a total of 16 Nominations during the 74th Temiong Awards.

During the late seventies and the early eighties, the general state of the nation is uncertain. Yet, the Cebu Jaycees remained a safe venue for the men of noble pursuits to uplift the community and collaborate amidst political differences. For the first time after almost two (2) decades, the chapter members conducted most of their meetings outside the clubhouse as the iconic structure halted its operations. The members attempted to revive the clubhouse one time by having it used again for the induction of new members, but with the current political landscape of the nation at the time, partnership with the government was a major challenge. Despite the challenges, the chapter was able to produce its first member to become the National President of JCI Philippines. During this time, the chapter publication was also changed from the “Jaycee Eye” to “The Nucleus” which was continued until today. The publication became a platform to uplift the spirit of brotherhood among the members during a difficult time. In fact, it was once awarded as the Most Outstanding Publication, and last year, the same publication earned the category of the BEST OF THE BEST award which is a manifestation that the younger generations of Cebu Jaycees never forget the success stories that shaped our culture.

Fast forward after many decades of devotion to its advocacy, Cebu Jaycees has stood its ground. Our culture is evolving as younger generations take place, but our evolution is guided by the shining crystals of success and a strong commitment to creating relevant projects and initiatives for the betterment of society. We have shown that we are not just an organization of men, but a powerhouse of ideas turned into reality.

By nurturing our members with talents and inspiring them to pursue their passion, the Cebu Jaycees are shaping and transforming a brighter future for the people of Cebu and the entire nation - the core of the Cebu Jaycees shimmering diamond we proudly present to the nation and the world!

Marc is one of the principal engineers in one of the government agencies. Loves to play video games. One of his sought-out dreams is to become a macho dancer.

Dexter is a lawyer by profession. Apart from being a lawyer, Dexter rides on the tiktok trends, making his own videos for his fans. He is usually confused if he really looks like Elmo Magalona or Jericho Rosales.

Niño is nursing supervisor, educator, and trainer. He loves reading novels, designing, crafting stories and playing online games. An introverted person, Nino is always seen talking on stage.

A partnership and portfolio officer by profession. Mike has his heart for theater arts. He always brings with him a handkerchief and a face towel.

Homer is a financial analyst and a global market equities trader. He is fond of reading Japanese and Korean comics. When he’s stressed, he usually goes to a Japanese restaurant.

Jeff is a telecommunications contractor. He is a committed being to anything outdoor that includes cross fit and trail runs. He also believes he drinks too much.

Carrel is a businessman. He enjoys playing online games and believes that because of his interest in online games, he is able to solve problem really quick. His goal is to become the strongest online gamer in the world.

A software engineer, financial adviser and a corporate trainer. Robert is addicted to collecting shoes (as a NEE) and other collectibles. A neat-freak he says who gets bothered when things are out of place.

An International Navigational Officer, Dan John (a.k.a DJ) is also a food enthusiast who cooks and bakes original recipes with his available resources in the fridge. He has circumnavigated the world and have visited 50 countries and counting.

Mark is a digital marketing profession who definitely loves eating. Working without food drains his energy real fast!

Lenbi, also known as Enn Enn, is a registered psychometrician and at the same time, one of the Executive Director for the Central Visayas Network of NGO’s. He loves playing musical instruments and does stalking as a hobby. He can easily sleep while travelling.

Jurex is a PR, Communications and Worldwide marketing manager by profession. He has a passion in Indie Filmmaking. He changes his hair color depending on his mood.

A nurse, a host and a real estate salesperson, Daryll is into fitness, sports, photography and videography and definitely, loves to hang out with friends over coffee, whiskey or karaoke. He loves watching Korean Drama series.

A key accounts specialist of an FMCG Company, Lloyd loves playing basketball and badminton. As a matter of fact, he is ambidextrous.

An account executive and a contractor, Ryan loves cooking and at the same time, going to the gym. He can touch the bottom of his wrist with his index finger.

Chen is a Clinical Psychologist who is a sucker for Mexican food. He loves reading and definitely games!

A software engineer manager by profession, Nel loves endurance sports such as obstacle course race and triathlons. He still, can grow his hair if he wants to. But he doesn’t.

An email marketer and coffee shop owner, Adrian loves coffee, gym and badminton. He can be very competitive in games. And take note, he doesn’t drink instant coffee.

Jacques is a sales and dealer of a car dealer company. He loves joining Ironman Triathlons and open water swimming. He likes avocadoes and durian.