President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

The tourism industry in the Philippines is indeed very lucky and blessed to have our very own fellow Manila Rotarian, Director Bobby Joseph, as a guiding light and staunch advocate for the industry. His no nonsense assessment of the current problems, issues, and trends in the tourism industry, as well as his proposals on how to get the industry moving forward in the right direction, is very inspiring and thought provoking. He will surely make a very able and competent Secretary of Tourism, something for the next administration to consider.

Christmas Season is in the air. On news within our Club, as I mentioned last week, the Christmas party (which we were planning to hold for our Club on December 14) has been cancelled, since our World Famous Chorale will not have enough time to practice to sing carols for all of us. Instead, we shall convert our usual Thursday luncheon meeting scheduled on December 10 into a more festive Christmas meeting. In this connection, I urge all of you who will attend the December 10 luncheon meeting to bring along a gift worth at least Php500 to exchange with our fellow members. Also, I suggest that all who will attend the December 10 luncheon meeting consider donating an amount of at least Php500, which we shall collate and to give as our Christmas gift to the Sagip Kabataan Foundation.

On news from around the District, last 27 November 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, PVP Lance Masters, and PD Ner Lonzaga attended The Rotary Foundation Gala Night hosted by The Rotary Club of Dasmariñas Cavite at the Grand Ballroom of the Century Park Hotel in Manila. Several days later, on 2 December 2015, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the “On to Korea Launching” hosted by the Rotary Club of Pasay West at the H2O Hotel in Manila.

Today, another fellow Manila Rotarian, Director Amading Valdez, former Dean of the University of the East College of Law and Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Association of Law Schools, will speak to us about the residency and citizenship requirements for one who wishes to run as President. I urge all of you to actively participate in the discussions with Director Amading at today’s luncheon meeting. Moreover, I encourage all members to actively support all our Club’s activities and programs during this Rotary Year.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!