President's Corner

The Lord has triumphantly risen and the Easter bunny has spread its eggs all over the metropolis as the Holy Week break has finally come to a close. Indeed, the Holy Week break was a welcome respite for me as I finally found time for rest and recreation without sacrificing the opportunity for a spiritual rejuvenation at the farm of Vicky Montilla in Pansol, Laguna. It was, indeed, a chance to reconnect, not only with our Creator, but, also, with our families as an annual event to gather kin from different places is so scarce nowadays that an opportunity to reflect and enjoy each other's company is always a bonus to take advantage of.

On other news within our club and elsewhere, it was, definitely, a busy week before the Holy Week break. Last March 26, 2015, I attended the National Day of Bangladesh together with Vicky Montilla at the Dusit Hotel where we were greeted by our club's honorary member, His Excellency John Gomes, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Bangladesh to the Philippines. Among the Manila Rotarians in attendance were ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy and his Ann, Sharon Bediones, PDG Alex and his Ann, Anna Cureg, Syrian Honorary Consul General/DE/PD Issam Eldebs, Jamaican Honorary Consul General/PVP Mike Ma. Guerrero, Costa Rican Honorary Consul General/PVP Fausto Preysler, Lebanese Honorary Consul General/Rtn. Jo Assad and PAT Muhammad Aslam.

Later that evening, Vicky and I attended the fund-raising event of the Inner Wheel Club of Manila led by President Tessie Amparo, dubbed as "Back to the '60's and '70's" at the Bistro RJ located at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City where the participants danced the night away with no less than '60's idol RJ Jacinto leading the pack. Among the Manila Rotarians spotted at the said event aside from yours truly and Vicky were PP Boy and his Ann, Monette Guevara, PP Boy and his Ann, Drina Ampil and PD Bebot and his Ann, Sylvia Pineda.

Last March 28, 2015, Vicky Montilla and I supported the fund-raising show of the Rotary Club of Manila Bay led by Best Class President Bobby Estebanlar, featuring actor/comedian Jon Santos Live at the St. Cecilia Hall of the St. Scholastica's College in Manila. The proceeds of the show went to the Balay Mo Abay Ko project of the said rotary club which would benefit scores of indigent heart patients, scholars, inmates, orphans and homeless street children and families. On this note, I wish to congratulate my classmate Bobby for the success of this show.

Last March 31, 2015, I attended the First (1st) Death Anniversary of our late fellow Manila Rotarian Director Ting Angeles at The Tower Rockwell Power Plant in Makati City where a Mass was celebrated followed by a dinner. The family of Rotarian/PD Ting Angeles led by his widow, Linda and her children were very happy on the big turnout of Manila Rotarians who came to sympathize and express support. Aside from myself, the Manila Rotarians and their spouses present were ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy and Ann, Sharon Bediones, VP Teddy and Ann, Baby Ocampo, Director Susing and Ann, Maritess Pineda, Director Amading and Ann, Nellie Valdez, AS Addie Topacio, PDG Vince and Ann, Tina Carlos, PP Boy and Ann, Monette Guevara, PP Archit Bartolome, PP Benny Laguesma, PD Ed Lee, PS Butch Marking, PD Alvin and Ann, Cath Lacambacal, PD Ner and Ann, Femy Lonzaga, PS Justin and Ann, Tona Ortiz and Rtn. Thad Liamzon who rendered several of Ting's favorite songs.

After the Holy Week break, I attended the Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Committee Organizational Meeting hosted by Centennial Committee Chairman PDG Vince Carlos at the Passion Restaurant located at the Maxim's Hotel in Newport City, Pasay City. It was a brainstorming meeting and ideas were floated which would make the centennial of our club a truly memorable one. Aside from myself and PDG Vince Carlos, the other Manila Rotarians present were Centennial Committee Co-Chair Secretary Albert Alday, PP Banit Caasi, DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan, Incoming Secretary Jorge Salazar, ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy Bediones, STAR Rtn. Caloy Reyes, STAR Rtn. Geoffrey Yu, Dir. Oca del Rosario and Dir. Susing Pineda.

On a sad note, my Ann, Vicky Montilla met an accident last Saturday, April 4, 2015 where she slipped and broke her right arm and was rushed to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center as an out-patient for further treatment and monitoring. Hence, due to this unforeseen and unfortunate incident, I regret that I am constrained to cancel my trip to Guam on the occasion of the 75th Inaugural/Induction of the Board of Directors and Officers of the Rotary Club of Guam which is one of our daughter clubs slated on April 18, 2015. Our International Relations Co-Chair PD Ed Lee will be representing me during this event. Please pray for Vicky's speedy recovery.

On the other hand, our club wishes to convey our deepest condolences and prayers to my classmate, Best Class President Naomi Licuanan of the Rotary Club of Pasay Centro on the demise of her mother.

Today, we shall have Former COMELEC Commissioner Augusto "Gus" C. Lagman as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Let us all give him a warm welcome as he shares his ideas and insights on the forthcoming 2016 Presidential and National Elections.