President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last Thursday, Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines Executive Director Cosette Canilao informed us of the status of the various public-private partnership projects that have been rolled out during the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. She indicated that the Philippines was far ahead of its Asian neighbors in respect of the number of public-private partnership (“PPP”) projects that have been implemented. PPP projects were identified by President Aquino as the backbone of his economic program a few months after he took office in 2010. The PPP Center, which Executive Director Cosette Canilao heads, has grown from a mere 7-man body to one which has beefed up its competencies and resources after engaging the services of engineers, accountants, lawyers, and other technical personnel so as to be able to adequately coordinate the preparation, roll out, bidding, and implementation of the PPP projects which are much needed to improve the infrastructure in our country.

On news within our Club, last 28 January 2016, our Club paid tribute to the late Rtn. Ceferino “Pering” L. Benedicto, Honorary Consul General of Albania and Chairman and CEO of Benedicto Steel Corporation. A group of Manila Rotarians, including PP Benny Laguesma, DG Obet Pagdanganan, IPP Frank Evaristo, PVP Lance Masters, Dir Oscar del Rosario, PD Ner Lonzaga, PT Chito Tagaysay, PP Rudy Bediones, Rtn. Tony Lopa, PD Abe Pascual, Sec. Jorge Salazar, PP Boy Ampil, PDG Alex Cureg, PDSAA Ferdinand Co, and I, attended his wake and presented Pering’s RCM badge to his widow, Mrs. Julie Tan-Benedicto, and his children, including Manila Rtn. Nonoy Benedicto. “Pering”, as he is fondly called by our fellow Manila Rotarians, joined his Creator last January 24, 2016 at the age of 80.

The following day, on 29 January 2016, several Manila Rotarians gathered for the birthday celebration of one of the Rotary Club of Manila’s most senior members, PP Toting del Rosario, who joined our Club in 1955 and became the RCM President in Rotary Year 1965-66. Aside from myself, the other Manila Rotarians present included: 1. Honoree Amb. PP Toting Del Rosario 2. Host PP Archit Bartolome 3. DG Obet Pagdanganan 4. PE/VP Teddy Ocampo 5. Dir. Amading Valdez 6. Dir. Ning Lopez 7. Dir. Oscar del Rosario 8. Sec. George Salazar 9. Treas. Chito Zaldarriaga 10. SAA Dave Reynolds 11. PD Mike Arambulo 12. Rtn. Nilo Aventura 13. AG/PP Rudy Bediones 14. PT Jim Chua 15. Rtn. Joe de Venecia 16. Rtn. Bren Egan 17. PP Francis Juico 18. PDSAA Tony Lopa 19. PSAA Gunter Matschuck 20. Rtn. Carling Muñoz 21. PD Pepo Nuñez 22. PD Abe Pascual 23. Rtn. Tong Payumo 24. Rtn. Willie Peliño 25. PVP Fausto Preysler 26. RCM Honorary Member - Rtn. Eddie Ramos 27. PP Babes Reyes 28. PD Rob Sears 29. PD Dick Taguchi 30. PD Rod Valencia

Also present were former Manila Rotarians Rey Alejandro, Carling Muñoz. PP Toting’s son, Rtn. Carlos del Rosario, member of RC Makati.

As for the DISCON 2016 Committee, we continue to meet on a weekly basis to update the arrangements for the DISCON, including those for the accommodations of the special guests, the venue, the exhibition booths, and the souvenir program. I encourage each and every Manila Rotarian to attend the 2016 DISCON scheduled from 1-2 April 2016 at the Manila Hotel, as our Club will be hosting the event, being the home club of the current District Governor, our very own DG Obet Pagdanganan. I also call on all Manila Rotarians to help make DISCON 2016 a huge success by assisting the DISCON 2016 Committee meet its target revenue budget in order to be able to cover the expenses for the event.

On news from around the District, last 28 January 2016, several Manila Rotarians trooped to the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City to join the other clubs in District 3810 celebrate Chinese New Year. The party was hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila Metro, and our Club acted as one of the co-hosts. Manila Rotarians present at the party, aside from myself, included DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones with wife, Sharon, PDG Vince Carlos with wife, Tina, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, Dir. Oca del Rosario, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday, PVP Lance Masters, PD Beda Fajardo, PT Jim Chua and STAR Rtn. John Emyl Eugenio. Two days later, on 30 January 2016, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo attended the January All Star Team Presidents-Elect Fellowship at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque City, where he was joined by ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday.

Today, we shall have as our Guest of Honor and Speaker, Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing of the 5th District of Manila. He will explain to us his plans and program of government for the City of Manila, as he joins the race for the mayoralty of the City of Manila this year.

I encourage all Manila Rotarians to continue to actively participate in, and support, all of our Club’s activities, programs, and projects and to each propose at least one (1) new recruit for membership in our Club.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!