President's Corner

The Rotary Year 2014-2015 is nearing the homestretch and as the saying goes, the best is always reserved for last. On news within our club and elsewhere in the district, it was still, definitely, a busy but fun-filled week.

Last April 22, 2015, I attended the 40th Charter Anniversary of our daughter club, the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman led by Best Class President Dong Concepcion, of which I was once its President during the Rotary year 1998-1999, at the Gloria Maris Seafood Restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan City. It was, indeed, an honor to be invited to the club which launched my Rotary career, a club which has reached a four (4) decade milestone, having been chartered in 1975, where I had an opportunity to reminisce the good old days with my former fellow Rotarians, as I took part now as an Incoming Assistant Governor who will serve during the term of our very own DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan.

Tonight, I will attend the opening day block screening of the movie, "Avengers", presented by the Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila led by Best Class President Andrew Co at the Promenade Annex G in Greenhils, San Juan City.

Last April 18, 2015, our very own International Relations Co-Chairman PD Ed Lee represented our club at the 75th Inaugural and Induction Ceremonies of the Board of Directors and Officers of our daughter club, the Rotary Club of Guam where he presented our club's cash gift of US$ 1,000.00 which their club will use for their civic projects and on this note, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to PD Ed Lee for representing our club during this momentous event in the history of the Rotary Club of Guam.

On that same date here in our country, PVP Lance Masters graduated from the Rotary Leadership Institute at the Aloha Hotel in Malate, Manila where he added another feather to the cap of Asia's First Rotary Club by being adjudged the Valedictorian of his batch. On this note, our club is truly proud of his achievements as his involvement in Rotary activities not only in our club but in the district and in the international stage as well has made him a role model for Rotarians to emulate.

Meanwhile, I have appointed VPE/VP Teddy Ocampo to chair the 96th Charter Anniversary Committee and which he has graciously accepted, including, the responsibilities of steering the club on the various activities related to the anniversary which will culminate with a luncheon meeting program on June 4, 2015, 12:00 pm at the New World Hotel in Makati City. On this note, the club will keep you posted on developments regarding this matter.

Since it is almost two months before the curtain call for Rotary Year 2014-2015, I wish to emphasize and remind our members on the forthcoming important club activities to mark on your respective calendars:

First – District 3810 will hold The Rotary District Awards Night on May 23, 2015 at the historic Manila Hotel's Fiesta Pavilion Ballroom at 5:00 pm. This is the penultimate event of the district which promises to be a well-attended spectacle as awards will be given out to deserving Rotarians and clubs in the district. This event is chaired by Lucy Medina and will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Paco Manila led by Best Class President Gilbert Yupangco. To add grandiosity to the evening, the event will be a Gatsby inspired costume event where ladies are expected to be in evening gowns while the gentlemen are expected to don their tuxedoes. To add spice to the grand spectacle, there will be awards for the Best Gatsby Costume among the ladies and gentlemen where a Manila-Hong Kong-Manila roundtrip ticket awaits the Rotarian of the Night. Tickets are at Php 1,800.00 per person.

Second – The RCM Tourism Awards will be on May 14, 2015 during our luncheon meeting to be held at the New World Hotel in Makati City. This awards-giving body of our club is chaired by no less than Dir. Bobby Joseph.

Third – Our club will celebrate its 96th Charter Anniversary on June 4, 2015 during our luncheon meeting to be held at the New World Hotel in Makati City. This event is chaired by VPE/VP Teddy Ocampo.

Fourth – The RCM Journalism Awards will be on June 11, 2015 during our luncheon meeting to be held at the New World Hotel in Makati City. This awards-giving body of our club is chaired by Rtn. Babe Romualdez and co-chaired by PVP Fausto Preysler.

Fifth – The RCM Valedictory Luncheon and Year-End Awards Presentation will be on June 25, 2015 during our luncheon meeting at the McKinley Room of the Manila Polo Club.

On a brighter note, I wish to convey my sincerest thanks and profound gratitude to fellow Rotarians and friends who offered prayers for the safe and speedy recovery of my Ann, Vicky Montilla, who underwent an operation for a fractured right arm last April 18, 2015 at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. She is presently recuperating from the successful surgery done on her. Again, many thanks for your prayers, concern and support as she is now on her way to full recovery.

Today, we shall have the Honorable Loren B. Legarda, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Let us all give her a warm welcome as she shares her insights on climate change, air pollution and other environmental issues of the day. Also, in today's program, our Journalism Awards Committee Chairman Rtn. Babe Romualdez and Co-Chairman Fausto Preysler will present the committee's nominees for the most outstanding journalists in the print, television and radio categories to the general membership for them to rank in ascending order, the nominees, by filling up the ranking sheets to be distributed during the meeting. Hence, let us give the winding up stages of our Rotary Year 2014-2015 one final kick as we participate in all the activities of Rotary.