President's Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, our Guest Speaker, Customs Commissioner Alberto “Bert” D. Lina, briefed us on the latest developments at the Bureau of Customs. The highlight of the luncheon meeting was definitely the animated open forum that followed Commissioner Bert Lina’s speech. Many questions were raised, and various suggestions were offered, to Commissioner Lina. Commissioner Lina clearly showed that he was a very capable Custom Commissioner and that he was street smart and very knowledgeable about the operations of the Bureau of Customs, reflecting his many years in the logistics business.

On news within our Club, nominations will be received today for the members of the Board of Directors of our Club who are to serve during Rotary Year 2016-2017. I encourage all Manila Rotarians to nominate those who they believe will be capable of further improving our Club’s condition and status during the next Rotary Year.

On news from around the District, last 31 July 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, and PD Ner Lonzaga attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Intramuros at the La Castellana in Intramuros, Manila, where WCP Cosette Chua was inducted as Club President. PD Ner accompanied his wife, Femy, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Intramuros.

The following day, 1 August 2015, both DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Dasmariñas Cavite at the Hotel Monticello in Tagaytay City, where WCP Divina Lory Ann Mendoza was inducted as Club President.

Two days later, on 3 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS Rudy Bediones, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, PDG Vince Carlos, and ICoS/PSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo attended the 4th Induction Ceremonies and Grand Fellowship of the District 3810 Past Presidents Council (“PPC”) at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City, where PPC Outgoing President Ruby Bairan handed the mantle of authority to PPC Incoming President Ruben Siao and where AG/IPP Frank Evaristo’s Best Class Team won the Biggest Batch of Attendees prize at the affair. AG/IPP Frank Evaristo is the current Chairman of the Best Class Presidents, while ICoS/PSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo is the current Chairman of the Presidents 101.

The following day, 4 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, and I attended the 2nd Area Meeting of District 3810 at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila, where I submitted our Club’s Monthly Report for July 2015.

On Thursday, 13 August 2015, at 5:00pm, a Dinner Fellowship organized by Districts 3810, 3830, 3850, 3860 and 3870 for RIPE John Germ and Lady Judy will be held at the Manila Polo Club. Over 20 Manila Rotarians have already signed up to attend the affair. I encourage those of you who have the time to also attend the Dinner Fellowship.

Today, we shall have Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Director of the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology, as our Guest Speaker. He will enlighten us on the anticipated coming of the “Big One”, the fault lines in our archipelago, with special emphasis on the West Valley Fault Line, and the different activities the Institute is involved in to prepare for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other calamities. Let us all attend our luncheon meeting and actively participate during the open forum which will follow his talk.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!