President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, renowned Architect Jun Palafox gave us a glimpse of what the Philippine urban landscape would look like in the near future. He showed us that today’s dilapidated areas of the metropolis could be transformed into a bustling cosmopolitan area, attractive to people from all walks of life.

On news within our club, I take great pride in announcing that our World Famous Chorale, under the leadership of its Chairman, PP Babes Reyes, and its Co-Chairman, PS Gus Fajardo, literally “brought the house down” with an impeccable rendition of the National Anthem of the United States of America, “The Star Spangled Banner, and our very own National Anthem, the “Lupang Hinirang”, last 13 August 2015 on the occasion of the Dinner Fellowship for Rotary International (RI) President-Elect John Germ and Lady Judy at the Manila Polo Club.

As the members of the World Famous Chorale took their respective places on the stage of the jampacked Main Hall of the Manila Polo Club, one could not help but be impressed at how the place immediately turned from one replete with the sounds of overwhelming camaraderie between Rotarians of the different districts into one of solemn silence in preparation for the performance of our World Famous Chorale.

Around twenty-three (23) of our fellow Manila Rotarians, which included two (2) Past District Governors, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, our incumbent DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, and myself, manifested the strength and might of Asia’s First Rotary Club at the Dinner Fellowship for Rotary International President Elect John Germ and Lady Judy at the Manila Polo Club where Districts 3810, 3830, 3850, 3860 and 3870 converged to pay homage to the next leader of Rotary International amid a presentation of talents, mostly from our district, together with the Philippines’ pride, El Gamma Penumbra last 13 August 2015. After the affair, I had a very enjoyable fellowship meeting with several of my fellow WCP’s at a nearby restaurant.

The following day, 14 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, and I attended the 35th Inaugural Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Pasay Silangan at the New World Makati Hotel in Makati City, where WCP Ma. Lowelle Sibunga was inducted as Club President.

The next day, 15 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, IDCoS/ISDG/PD/IPS Albert Alday, PVP Lance Masters, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, and I attended the District 3810 Public Relations Seminar hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown led by WCP Teodulo “Teody” Hidalgo at the Grand Ballroom of The Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

Very bright and early the following morning, 16 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, PVP Lance Masters, ICoS/PSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, and I attended the Induction of Officers and the Launching of the Road Safety and End Polio Campaign of the Rotary Club of Manila 101 with RI President-Elect John Germ as Guest of Honor and Speaker, who was there together with Lady Judy at The Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. During this event, WCP Majella Tumangan-Villaroman was inducted as Club President in front of many invited VIP’s from different sectors in a one of a kind induction where the guests and members asked to come in “sports chic” attire.

A day later, 17 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones accompanied RI President-Elect John Germ and Lady Judy as they visited the Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Three days later, 19 August 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Cavite East at the Palms Country Club in Muntinlupa City, where WCP Cyril Glenn Alcantara was inducted as Club President.

Today, beauty and charity make a merry mix up as our luncheon meeting will be graced by the presence of the Bb. Pilipinas Beauties of 2015, namely, Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Bb. Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan, Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner-up Ms. Hannah Sison and Bb. Pilipinas 2nd Runner-up Ms. Kimverlyn Suiza. At the same time, we shall have District 3800 Past District Governor Rafael “Raffy” M. Garcia, III, who will enlighten us on the “Major Donor and Program.”

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!