President's Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, Clark Development Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Art Tugade, offered us a glimpse of the various development programs in Clark and how Clark could contribute to the growth of the local, as well as the national, economy in a very substantial manner. He cited his Rotary experience, being a Past President of the Rotary Club of Panday Pira, and enumerated the benefits of investing in Clark. For many Manila Rotarians, it was definitely an eye opener as to what Clark has to offer.

On news within our Club, I am very happy to announce the victory of CoS/PP Rudy Bediones in the District 3810 Gubernatorial Race, where he won by a landslide, garnering 90 votes against his rival’s 16 votes, or 84.9% of the total votes cast. He will be the DGND, or District Governor Nominee Designate, upon the formal announcement of the election results by DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, and he will serve as District Governor during the centennial anniversary of our Club, i.e., during Rotary Year 2018-2019.

Last Thursday, 22 October 2015, right after our regular luncheon membership meeting at the Manila Polo Club, Sunshine Committee Chair PP Boy Guevara, CS Jorge Salazar, AS Alvin Lacambacal, PD Ner Lacambacal, and PD Bebot Pineda paid a visit to PS Justin Ortiz at his residence in Ayala Alabang Village. PS Justin has been suffering from recurring pneumonia and has been advised by his doctors to rest.

On the next day, 23 October 2015, our Club’s Fund Coordinator, Tina Rivera, suffered a heart attack and passed away. For those of you who are willing to contribute some amount for her family’s financial assistance in this time of need, please advise ES Anna as soon as possible.

Last Monday, 26 October 2015, many of our fellow Manila Rotarians trooped to the 100 Revolving Restaurant in Libis, Quezon City, to be one with the family of our dear late Manila Rotarian PS Gus Fajardo in celebrating his 40th day into eternal life. I am certain that PS Gus is smiling now in heaven as he saw many of his fellow Manila Rotarians, mostly from the World Famous Music Chorale, celebrating with his family.

On Tuesday, 27 October 2015, at 3:00pm, a Halloween Treat for Special Children and the Elderly Communities of the Hospicio de San Jose was held, organized by Special Committee Chair PD Philip Ong, Co-Chair Ray Davis, Rtn Peter Gonzales, Rtn Caloy Reyes, and PE/PD Teddy Ocampo. Rotarian Caloy brought along the Central College of the Philippines’ Bobcats (who will compete in Malaysia next month) to help bring joy to the special children, elderly persons, house parents, occupational and physical therapists, and the administrative staff of the Hospicio de San Jose. Aside from those mentioned above, also present at the event were IPP Frank Evaristo and Vicky Montilla. Rtn Ray Davis sponsored the sound system and invited a lady singer to render songs for those in attendance.

Earlier in the same day, prior to the aforementioned Halloween Treat, Sunshine Committee Chair PP Boy Guevarra, along with Directors Susing Pineda, Ning Lopez, Amading Valdez, and PS Ivan Uy, and Rtns Nilo Aventura, Hermie Esguerra, and Beneting Legarda, paid a visit to PP Babes Reyes in his hospital room at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City. PP Babes has been having a problem with his left leg and was confined for treatment.

On a brighter note, I wish to announce that one of the most awaited fellowship parties of the Rotary Club of Manila, the Oktoberfest, the annual event hosted by the German members of our Club, namely, PSAA Gunter Matschuck (who is the Chair of the RCM Oktoberfest Committee), His Excellency Rtn. Thomas Ossowski (who is the German Ambassador to the Philippines), Rtn. Bodo Goerlich (who is the President of the Philippine-German Chamber of Commerce), Rtn. Uwe Hesse, Rtn. Henning Karcher, Rtn. Klaus Muller, and Rtn. Horst Kessler Von Sprengeisen, will be co-hosted by the other European members of our Club, namely, Rtn. Mikael Avellan and PD Knud Hedeager, and will be held on Tuesday, 10 November 2015, at 7pm and the German Club in Makati City.

On news from around the District, last 23 October 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the 19th Charter Anniversary and 20th Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Imus East at the Aloha Hotel, where WCP Romulo “Rhomie” Alfonso was inducted as Club President. Three days later, on 26 October 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Manila Quiapo Central at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City, where WCP Grace Ong was inducted as Club President. The following day, on 27 October 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, together with other District 3810 Rotarians and Manila Rotarians, distributed relief goods to victims of Typhoon Lando in Calumpit, Bulacan, and, in the evening of the same day, both of them, together with other Manila Rotarians, attended the District Oktoberfest at the One Esplanade in Pasay City hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila 101 led by WCP Majella T. Villaroman, which our club co-hosted.

Today, we shall have our very own PSAA Alfredo “Fred” Lim, Former Senator and Former Mayor of the City of Manila, as our Speaker. We can expect PSAA Fred to enlighten us on his expected return to Manila’s mayoralty post and on his programs for the City of Manila. Please take an active role in the discussions that will follow his speech and continue actively participating and supporting our Club’s programs and activities this year.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!