President's Corner

Ninety-six (96) years and counting! So goes the story of our club in Rotary as we celebrate our Charter Anniversary at the post New World Makati Hotel today through its General Manager and our very own fellow Rtn. Farid Schoucair where we will be honoring our Past Presidents who we consider as pillars of our club which started the Rotary movement in Asia. For the time, talent and treasure they have shared in spearheading our club, they truly serve as shining examples for their respective legacies of service to the communities our club has helped throughout the years as we eagerly look forward to the centennial milestone of our club some four (4) years from now on June 1, 2019 in celebration of one hundred (100) years of service to mankind in Asia.

And because of this celebration, members of our sister club, the Rotary Club of Kowloon East, came all the way from Hong Kong to share with us the majesty of this historic moment in our club’s history. Hence, we extend our warm welcome and hospitality to Rotary Club of Kowloon East President-Elect Victor Lo and spouse, Norita Lo, Rtn. and Mrs. Willy Liu and company whose presence today significantly made this milestone event a more meaningful one.

On news within our club, some fellow Manila Rotarians and I attended the British Queen Birthday National Day Celebration last May 28, 2015 at the British School in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig where we were greeted by our honorary member, His Excellency Anwar Ahmad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain to the Republic of the Philippines. Among the Manila Rotarians present aside from myself were former Ambassador to UK/Rtn. Cesar Bautista, Consul General of Syria DE/PD Issam Eldebs, Consul General of the Embassy of Japan Rtn. Terry Amano, SAA Dave Reynolds and Rtn. Bren Egan.

Last May 29, 2015, a red letter Friday, our club held our Valedictory Fellowship at the Central Colleges of the Philippines through the courtesy of PP Babes Reyes, Chairman of the World Famous Music Committee. Among the Manila Rotarians present aside from myself were ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy Bediones, VP Teddy Ocampo, Dir. Amading Valdez, Dir. Ning Lopez, Dir. Oca del Rosario, Club Secretary Albert Alday, AT Eloy Adamos, Fellowship Committee Chairman IPSDG/PP Cesar Ublado, Fellowship Committee Co-Chairman Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, PP Boy Ampil, PAT Muhammad Aslam, Rtn. Mikael Avellan, PP Archit Bartolome, Rtn. Pering Benedicto, Rtn. Caloy Buendia, PT Jim Chua, DE/PD Issam Eldebs, PD Beda Fajardo, World Famous Music Committee Chairman PP Babes Reyes, World Famous Music Committee Co-Chairman PS Gus Fajardo, PT Jun Follosco, PVP Roy Golez, PD Ralf Gonzales, PD Ed Lee, PD Nick Locsin, PDSAA Tony Lopa, PS Butch Marking, DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan, Rtn. Caloy Reyes, PDG Frankie Roman, Rtn. David Wong and Rtn. Geoffrey Yu.

It was truly a night of Fellowship, Friendship, Camaraderie and non-stop entertainment with Manila Rotarians taking turns in belting out their respective favorite songs to the delight of the entire group present just like old times as well as touting their dancing prowess on the dance floor after savouring the sumptuous feast composed of a catered Cantonese dinner buffet complemented by a mouth watering salmon fish brought by PD Ed Lee and loads of lechon, chicharon bulaklak, wine and other liquors. To the Fellowship Committee led by Chairman IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and Co-Chairman Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, our heartfelt gratitude for a job well done this Rotary year 2014-2015.

On news around the district, members of our club attended the 2015 District Training Assembly (DISTAS) which is preparatory to the governorship of our very own DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan. This event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Pasay MOA at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last May 30, 2015 where around six hundred (600) delegates were in attendance and with Past Rotary International Director Paing Hechanova as Guest Speaker. Among the Manila Rotarians present aside from DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan and I were PDG Alex Cureg together with his spouse, Anna, ICOS/AG/IPP Rudy Bediones, PE/VP Ebot Tan, VP Teddy Ocampo, DE/PD Issam Eldebs, PD Alvin Lacambacal and Club Secretary Albert Alday.

As a reminder, I encourage each and every Manila Rotarian to support our very own DGE/PP Obet Pagdanganan by attending the Handover and Induction Ceremonies of District 3810 at the PICC on June 27, 2015.

Today, we shall have our honorary member, His Excellency Philip S. Goldberg, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines as our Guest of Honor and Speaker on this historic event where the Honorable Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Mayor of the City of Manila, will be conferred honorary membership. Let’s give them a warm welcome in today’s luncheon meeting as we give the remaining days of this Rotary year, the final kick it deserves.