President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were enlightened by our Past Director, Former Solicitor General and Former Minister of Justice Estelito “Titong” Mendoza on the historical perspective on the brewing conflict in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China where he strongly recommended that the Philippines should ask for the deferment of the tribunal ruling. This topic of public interest definitely excited the members of our club in a spirited open forum that followed his very informative talk.

On new within our club, I would like remind the incoming officers and directors of our club to register and attend the District Training Assembly 2016 (DISTAS 2016) which we will be hosting on Saturday, May 7, 2016. This will be held at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. On this note, let us show support our PE/VP Teddy Ocampo as he heads this worthwhile endeavor.

Last Monday, May 2, 2016, several Manila Rotarians gathered at the residence of Secretary Jorge Salazar for a despedida party and fellowship for our PD Armie Aquino who will be leaving again for the US. During this gathering, aside from Secretary Jorge Salazar who hosted the gathering and PD Armie Aquino, Manila Rotarians present were DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, PP Babes Reyes, PP Boy Ampil, PP Francis Juico, PP Benny Laguesma, Dir. Oca del Rosario, PD Pepo Nuñez, PS Butch Marking, PT Jim Chua, PDSAA Tony Lopa and Rtn. Nilo Aventura.

On news from around the district, last Saturday, April 30, 2016, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo and Dir. Oca del Rosario attended the TRF Management Seminar which was held at the Hotel H2O in Manila. Also present during that event were IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday, who was one of the Resource Trainers for the Training Workshop Session and who also introduced DGE Ernesto Yuyek, and ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo who introduced the All Star Presidents from the Manila Area as well as the Pasay Area. During that same day, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the District Awards 2016 Committee Meeting at the Copacabana Apartment Hotel in Pasay City.

Today, we’re back to the election fever as we welcome the frontrunner for the second highest office in the land, the Hon. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., Senator of the Republic of the Philippines where he will talk about his platform and his advocacies in his bid for the Vice Presidency of the Republic of the Philippines. Hence, I encourage each and every Manila Rotarian to take part in the activities of our club in the remaining months of this Rotary year as we promise more diverse and exciting speakers coupled with rowdier fellowships which all of us will surely enjoy.