President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, our Guest of Honor and Speaker, Ms. Caroline Marie “Mylene” Lising, a cultural heritage archaeologist, shared with us her thorough knowledge of the evolution of man and of prehistoric human beings, including those whose fossilized remains she helped discover and unearth. Many of us learned for the first time that fossils of many animals which are not now found in the Philippines were actually discovered in some parts of our country and such fossils date way back in time. She also showed us samples of fossilized skulls and other body parts of humans which were found in various places in the Philippines. She certainly captured the attention and interest of the Manila Rotarians present.

On news within our Club, please be informed that District Governor Elect Ernest Yuyek has chosen and requested our Club to host the District Training Assembly for 2016 (“DISTAS 2016”), which is scheduled to be held on 7 May 2016 at the Philippine Trade Training Center near the corner of ROXAS Boulevard and Buendia Avenue in Pasay City. In this connection, I highly encourage all incoming officers and directors of our Club to attend this activity, which is a mandatory event of Rotary International. Our own PE/VP Teddy Ocampo has been tasked to take the lead in arranging for DISTAS 2016. Let us all support PE/VP Teddy and actively attend and participate in the event.

On news from around the District, last 22 April 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and our very own ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the 13th Philippine Rotary Magazine Awards Night at the Metropolitan Museum, which was graced by the Turkish Rotary International Director. Complete with cocktails and dinner, the grand evening of glitz and glamour was attended by District Governors of the ten districts of Rotary in the Philippines. ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the said event in his capacity as Incoming Senior Deputy Governor – Representative of District 3810 to the Philippine Rotary Magazine. His tour of duty as such begins in July 2016 at the commencement of the new Rotary Year.

The next day, 23 April 2016, was the day when the Charter Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Cavite South was held. It was attended by no less than our very own DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones. The event was held at the Kartini Hotel. The following day, on 24 April 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan lead the district at the District Mangrove Tree Planting Day event spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Rosario Magdiwang.

Today, we get back to discussing our territorial disputes with the Peoples Republic of China, as our very own PD Estelito “Titong” Mendoza takes on the topic: “Build-up of Armed Might in the South China Sea: Portents of War on our Land?” All Manila Rotarians are urged to continue actively participating and supporting all of our Club’s programs, activities, and projects during the rest of the Rotary Year. Most importantly, I urge all Manila Rotarians to recommend at least one good new recruit to beef up the membership of our Club.

Mabuhay Ang Rotary Club of Manila!