One summertime in April 21, 1950, when a group of twenty nine leading Vigan businessmen, professionals, and government officials held a luncheon meeting at the Tanos Hotel, an old building in the east of Plaza Burgos in Vigan to formalize the organization of the Rotary Club of Vigan. This historical and momentous meeting was spearheaded by Dr. Emilio M. Javier, the former RI District Governor, his successor, Dr. Fernando Manalo, and Major Delfin Sian, the President of the Rotary Club of Baguio then.
The groundwork for this organizational meeting was laid by Col. Pedro Dionisio, PC Provincial Commander and former member of the Rotary Club of Baguio with the assistance of Eloy Bello, a Bigueno lawyer. The two prominent personalities had previously made arrangement with Dr. Javier and Gov. Manalo regarding the formation of a Rotary Club in Vigan under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Baguio. Col. Dionisio, although not a native of Vigan, being born in Malolos, Bulacan had a strong interest in community service. It was his ardent desire to conduct and offer outreach programs to the people which led the way to the organization of the Rotary Club of Vigan.
After Dr. Javier’s inspiring talk on the objectives of Rotary, the Provisional Club was organized and formed with the following elected officers: Col. Pedro Dionisio – President, Catalino Paraiso – Vice-President, Jose Burgos – Secretary, Fortunato Domingo – Treasurer, Edilberto Donato – Sgt. at Arms, and Eloy Bello, Narceo Sambrano, Felix Vergara – Directors. Later, Jose Burgos and Fortunato Domingo transferred their residences. Marino Rivas, Sr. and Honorio Donato were elected to replace them as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
With the formation of the Provisional Club, the necessary application papers for membership to Rotary International were prepared and submitted to the head office in Chicago, Illinois, USA through then District Governor Emil Javier. Due to the strict enforcement on the limitation of club membership by classification, several changes in the original classifications of the charter members had to be made. After two months of anxious waiting, the club was finally admitted to membership by the Rotary International under Charter No. 7571, Rotary District 48, on July 5, 1950 during the term of RI President Arthur Lagueux. However, Col. Dionisio, the President of the Provisional Rotary Club of Vigan was transferred to another province before the Club’s charter was received from Rotary International. Thus, Atty. Felix “Lix” Vergara was elected to replace Col. Dionisio as President and earned the distinction of being the first President of the Rotary Club of Vigan.
On August 12, 1950, the inauguration and charter presentation of the Rotary Club of Vigan was held at the Provincial Capitol of Ilocos Sur. This memorable event was attended by then Secretary of Commerce Cornelio Balmaceda as guest of honor and speaker, Ilocos Sur Governor Perfecto Faypon, and Vigan Mayor Mariano Formoso. His Excellency, President Elpidio Quirino and RI President Arthur Lagueux sent congratulatory messages. Past District Governor Emil Javier presented the charter of the Rotary Club of Vigan. The charter members were: Miguel Aguinaldo, Ricardo Avila, Eloy Bello, Maximino Bello, Jose Burgos, Socorro Chan, Severino Dagdag, Sr., Pedro Dionisio, Fortunato Domingo, Edilberto Donato, Honorio Donato, Mariano Favis, Ignacio Florendo, Mariano Formoso, Zoilo Hilario, Vicente Lazo, Catalino Paraiso, Vicente Paz, Jesus Reyes, Marino Rivas, Sr., Narceo Sambrano, Jose S. Singson, Manuel Singson, Primitivo Singson, Ramon Singson, Francisco Soller, Arturo Tongson and Felix Vergara.