President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

After the non-working holidays last week which were declared for the APEC meetings in Manila, we are back in action. The joint luncheon meeting we held with the Rotary Club of Makati North and the Rotary Club of Makati Forbes before the holidays had Atty. Romy Macalintal sharing with us his expert knowledge about the senior citizens’ law and the benefits it grants senior citizens (like most of our members) and election laws (especially as to how they impact the coming national elections). I’m certain many of those in the audience learned a thing or two from the discussion with Atty. Macalintal.

On news within our Club, a big delegation of Manila Rotarians led by AG/IPP Frank Evaristo fly to Hong Kong to join our sister club, the Rotary Club of Kowloon East, celebrate their big event. Aside from AG/IPP Frank and Vicky Montilla, the others who composed the delegation were Dir. Ning and spouse Joy Lopez, PP Dong Saludo, PD Ner with spouse, Intramuros Rtn. Femy, and son, Mark, PDSAA Ferdie and spouse Christine Co, PD Ed Lee and Daffodil Costelo, PD Bebot and spouse Sylvia Pineda, Dir. Susing and spouse Marites Pineda, as well as Rtn. David Wong. During the event, AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, who represented me, handed our cash donation of US $2,000.00 on the occasion of the the Rotary Club of Kowloon East’s Anniversary and Foundation Ball. It was, indeed, a very successful and enjoyable event, based in the pictures taken and stories told, with sumptuous food, dancing, singing, and all sorts of merry making which have traditionally marked the years of cordial relationship between our sister clubs.

On news from around the District, last 21 and 22 November 2015, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo attended the District 3810 Presidents Elect Training Seminar 1 at the Thunderbird Resort and Casino in Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union, where he was also joined by two other Manila Rotarians who are incoming district officers, namely, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday and ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo. On 23 and 24 November 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, and PVP Lance Masters attended the District Road Safety Summit 2015 held at the Tagaytay International Convention Center with the theme, “Consolidating A Road Safety Strategy”. The Road Safety Summit is a special advocacy of our very own DG Obet Pagdanganan.

Today, we will have our own Director Robert “Bobby” Joseph, Jr. as our speaker. Director Bobby will discuss with us the tourism industry in the Philippines and the various issues related thereto. Let us all actively participate in the discussion with Director Bobby. Please continue participating in and supporting the activities and projects of our Club.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!