President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

During our general membership luncheon meeting last week, the Hon. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, gave us a first hand glimpse into his personal advocacies and his position on several burning issues of the day in a bid to win our nod in the coming national elections, where he has set his sights on the second highest office in the land. Without batting an eyelash, Senator Chiz gamely answered each and every question thrown at him in the most forthright and direct manner. It was easy to see why and how he easily won the “Heart” of every Filipino.

On news within our Club, we have some good news to share with you. Last Monday, 28 September 2015, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (the “DSWD”) formally issued and presented a Certificate of Registration to the RC Manila Foundation, Inc. (“RCMFI”) during ceremonies conducted at the DSWD’s NCR offices, which I attended together with PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, Dir. Issam Eldebs, and Club Secretary George Salazar. This will now allow RCMFI to formally apply with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (the “PCNC”) for accreditation in order to enable donors to RCMFI to claim as deduction from their income the amounts they may donate to RCMFI.

Later today, 1 October 2015, our Club will be holding its First Fellowship Party for Rotary Year 2015-2016 at the Salvatore Roof Top, Low Rise, Pacific Star Building, along Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue in Makati City, co-hosted by PD Pepo Nuñez and Rtn. Hermie Esguerra. All Manila Rotarians are invited to come in smart casual attire. The party promises to be a night of fun, friendship, camaraderie, and entertainment galore - with singing and dancing, amid good food and bountiful drinks. So please don’t miss this event.

On news from around the District, last 24 September 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, and I attended the 2nd Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Maharlika Manila at the Manila Yacht Club along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, where WCP Maria Socorro “Maricor” M. Malitao was inducted as Club President.

The next day, 25 September 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Manila Sta. Ana at the Philippine Columbian in Paco, Manila, where WCP Aldwyn Santos was inducted as Club President.

The following day, 26 September 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, and CoS/PP Rudy’s wife, Sharon, attended the birthday celebration of DT Rosalinda “Rose” Lim of the Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila at the Rothman Hotel in Manila.

On that same day, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday, and PE/VP Teddy Ocampo attended the All Star Presidents (Presidents-Elect) Fellowship at the Marina Bay East Clubhouse in Parañaque City, which coincided with the birthday celebration of DGE Ernesto Yuyek and the Handover Ceremonies of the Presidents 101, where ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo took his oath of office as Chairman of Presidents 101 for the Rotary Year 2015-2016.

Three days later, on 29 September 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Joint Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Liwasang Bonifacio and the Rotary Club of Manila Remedios Circle at the Allegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel in Manila, where WCP Elsa Chung (Liwasang Bonifacio) and WCP Jerry Velasco (Manila Remedios Circle) were inducted as Club Presidents.

The following day, on 30 September 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of General Mariano Alvarez at the Viewpoint in Carmona, Cavite, where WCP Rosemarie “Rose” R. Pangan was inducted as Club President.

Today, we shall have the Hon. Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines, as our Guest Speaker. He will enlighten us on the facts and issues involved in the West Philippine Sea controversy and on his thoughts and insights on other matters of interest to many. Let us all listen to Justice Tony Carpio and engage him in a lively discussion.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila