President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, our Guest of Honor and Speaker, PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., gave us a graphic picture of what to expect when the fault lines in our country, including the West Valley Fault Line which last moved almost 400 years ago, moves - resulting in a major earthquake. A brief simulation of an earthquake scenario was conducted during Director Solidum’s presentation, which saw many Manila Rotarians practicing how to seek shelter under tables and chairs.

On news within our Club, I take great pride in announcing that our World Famous Chorale will be performing this evening, August 13, 2015, on the occasion of the Dinner Fellowship for Rotary International President Elect John Germ and Lady Judy at the Manila Polo Club. The event scheduled at 5pm will feature the World Famous Chorale singing the National Anthem of the United States of America, as well as the Philippine National Anthem. Truly, this is something we can brag about, as they will be performing in front of Rotarians not only from our District 3810, but also from Districts 3830, 3850, 3860 and 3870.

On another front, our Rotaractors from the Rotaract Club of Manila, namely, DRRE Candy Martino, IPP John Michael Raleigh Cuales and PE Karen Kristine Reyes, accompanied by former Manila Rotaractor and, now, a member of the Rotary Club of Manila Magic, ISDG/PP/PDRR Oliver Alvarez, attended the 12th Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

On news from around the District, last August 6, 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Pasay EDSA at The Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City, where WCP Regina Shimamoto was inducted as Club President. The following day, August 7, 2015, I joined DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones in attending the 37th Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila, where WCP Elberto “Bert” Falcis was inducted as Club President.

The next day, August 8, 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the 12th Induction and 11th Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Cavite Metro at the Ayala Alabang Golf and Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, where WCP Lynda Hao-Uy was inducted as Club President. Two days later, August 10, 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones and AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the 15th Charter Anniversary and Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Carmona at the Chantilly Bar, San Lazaro Leisure Park, Barangay Lantic, Carmona, Cavite, where WCP Angustia “Girlie” Segubre was inducted as Club President.

The next day, August 11, 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones and AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Manila Metro at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila, where WCP George Tan was inducted as Club President. The following day, August 12, 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones and AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman at the Solermare Park Suites along Macapagal Avenue, where WCP Russell Kenneth Yee was inducted as Club President.

Today, we shall have Arch. Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr., Principal Architect, Urban Planner, and Founder of PALAFOX Associates, as our Guest Speaker. He will dwell on the topic, “Philippines @500 – Development Vision Plan 2021 and Beyond: Global Best Practices”.

Please be reminded of the Dinner Fellowship with Districts 3810, 3830, 3850, 3860 and 3870 for Rotary international President Elect John Germ and Lady Judy, which will take place at 5:00pm today at the same venue as our luncheon meeting, the Manila Polo Club. All of you who are available are urged to attend the affair.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!