President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, our own Rotarians Tong Payumo and Babe Romualdez led us in a very stimulating discussion on the topic: “What a Duterte Presidency Portends”. Many of our members took to the floor to raise questions and give comments and insights. It was certainly a very interesting exchange of ideas that transpired.

On news within our Club, last Saturday, 14 May 2016, a big number of Manila Rotarians attended the birthday bash of our very own PD Ner Lonzaga at the Champagne Room of the posh Manila Hotel in Manila. The party, complete with song renditions and dancing, was attended by well wishers which included DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, PDG Vince Carlos, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday, ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, PP Francis Juico, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, Dir. Amading Valdez, Dir. Oca del Rosario, Club Secretary Jorge Salazar, PD Rod Valencia, PD Beda Fajardo, PT Jim Chua, Rtn. Willie Peliño, and former Manila Rotarian Bernd Schneider (who really misses all of us). Many of the well wishers who belong to RCM’s World Famous Chorale sang the RCM Birthday Song for PD Ner to the delight of the crowd that evening.

On news from around the District, last Friday, 13 May 2016, ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the Philippine Rotary Magazine Designate Training Seminar for District Governors-Elect and Incoming District Governor’s Representatives at the Solco Malvar Room of the Rotary International District 3780 Rotary Center Building in Quezon City. He is the Incoming Senior Deputy Governor – District Governor’s Representative to the Philippine Rotary Magazine for District 3810.

In the evening of that same day, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday and PE/VP Teddy Ocampo graced the Cavite Area Fellowship of the All Star Team at the residence of ASP Elvira Gan in Silang, Cavite.

The following day, Saturday, 14 May 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones were on hand to attend the Rotary Membership Development Program Inaugural Seminar and Fellowship hosted jointly by the Rotary Club of Imus and the Rotary Club of Rosario Magdiwang at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City.

Yesterday, 18 May 2016, marked the beginning of induction ceremonies/parties for the All Star Team, as ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday and PE/VP Teddy Ocampo attended the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Hiyas ng Maynila at the Cafe of Champs, TAO Corporate Center, along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati City, where ASP Hospicia “Hospy” Sy was inducted as President for RY 2016-2017. During this event, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday did the honors of introducing DGE Ernesto Yuyek, who spoke at the event.

Today, our very own Deputy Sergeant-At-Arms, PVP Lance Masters, will share with us his story of how he helped an impoverished Filipino child obtain a new lease on life, when he brought the child to India for surgery. I am sure that all of us will be very interested to hear the experience of PVP Lance while he accompanied the child during the trip and the surgery.

Please continue to actively participate in, and support, all of our Club’s plans, programs, and activities during the remainder of this Rotary Year. Most importantly, we still have some time before the end of this Rotary Year to beef up our Club’s membership. Please recommend, as soon as possible, at least one new recruit for the consideration of our Membership and Classification Committee.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila!