President's Corner

The DISCON was definitely a huge success in terms of attendance, program of activities which included quality guests of honor and keynote speakers and grand fellowships in style. The weekend was definitely one for the books and kudos to our DG Edmond Aguilar as Honorary Chairman, Best Class President Andrew Co of the host Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila as Host Club Chairman and PP Santos "Sonny" Sy of the host Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila as Over-all Chairman as well as the other members of the 2015 DISCON Committee and to the almost 850 Rotarian delegates from Manila, Pasay, Cavite and Occidental Mindoro who trooped to the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila from March 20-21, 2015.

During this event, our club is proud to have within our ranks, the incoming District Governor, DGE Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan as well as the Rotary Service Loyalty Pin Awardees from our club who were not able to receive their loyalty pins during the BIZCON 2014, namely: GOLD LOYALTY PIN WITH DIAMOND - PDG Frankie Roman, 52 years, GOLD LOYALTY PIN – PDG Relly Reyes, 39 years; PP Boy Guevara, 39 years; PT Jim Chua, 39 years; PD Bebot Pineda, 35 years; Rtn. Jing Lapus, 33 years; PDSAA Tony Lopa, 32 years, Treasurer Chito Tagaysay, 31 years and PSAA Fred Lim, 28 years, SILVER LOYALTY PIN - IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, 23 years; Dir. Susing Pineda, 22 years; Rtn. Butch Tamayo, 19 years; PD Lito Sibayan, 18 years; PD Armie Aquino, 16 years and Rtn. Warren So, 15 years, BRONZE LOYALTY PIN – PP Benny Laguesma, 13 years; PD Alvin Lacambacal, 13 years; PD Ner Lonzaga, 12 years; VP Teddy Ocampo, 10 years; Dir. Amading Valdez, 10 years; Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, 8 years and PE/VP Ebot Tan, 8 years.

Among the highlights of the affair was an inspirational speech delivered by our very own DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan who was given the honor and pleasure of being introduced by his incoming Chief of Staff AG/IPP Rudy Bediones as well as the presentation of the World Class Presidents led by our very own PE/VP Ebot Tan.

To recapitulate, the two-day DISCON began with a wreath laying at the Rizal Monument as well as the Paul Harris Monument in Luneta with all the Best Class Presidents, including yours truly, in attendance last March 20, 2015 at 7:00 am. The opening ceremony Plenary Session 1 at 3:00 pm had no less than RIPR Hoe Beng Fong of the Rotary Club of Singapore East, District 3310 as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker and of course, our very own DG Edmond Aguilar. During the opening ceremonies, DG Edmond Aguilar delivered a State of the District Address where your President was singled out and recognized for outstanding performance in public image service as well as a Presidential Citation of Completion presented by no less than RIPR Hoe Beng Fong and Incoming DS/CP Madolyn Uanang of the Rotary Club of Pasay Centro which were well-received and applauded by the delegates in attendance.

During the evening of that same day, there was a Talent Night Competition among the different territorial areas within the district. Luckily, the Manila Area bagged the top prize of Php 35,000 where your president took the role of a wizard in a Harry Potter presentation, the Cavite Area placed second while the Pasay Area placed third. A lot of sacrifice, patience, unity and perseverance went into the rehearsals which took weeks and gladly, all these paid off.

The highlight of the second day of the DISCON was the "Governor's Ball with a Mardi Gras" carnival atmosphere. It was a delightful event as we performed a Rio de Janeiro special dance number donning our respective themed costume with DG Edmond Aguilar, DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan, ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy Bediones leading the pack to the delight of the audience full of fellow Rotarians and guests. As correctly foreseen, this year's DISCON was an overwhelming success and we can feel the challenge ahead of us in the coming Rotary Year 2015-2016 where our very own DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan will lead the district and for our very own club, to play host in the 2016 DISCON.

On other news within our club, the organizational meeting of the incoming Board of Directors and Officers for Rotary Year 2015-2016 led by PE/VP Ebot Tan was recently held at the ACCRALAW Office located in the ACCRALAW Tower, Bonifacio Global City where our World Class President is a Senior Partner. PE/VP Ebot Tan is in the thick of preparations, organizing his team to steer the club to higher levels of achievement this coming Rotary year.

Today, we shall have His Excellency Ali Asghar Mohammadi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iran to the Republic of the Philippines as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Let us all give him a warm welcome as he dwells on bilateral relations between the Republic of Iran and the Republic of the Philippines among other current international issues hugging the limelight.