President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, our own DSAA/PVP Dr. Lance Masters shared with us his very inspiring and fulfilling experience bringing a young underprivileged Filipino child named Joneil, who was suffering from an ailment involving a hole in his heart, to India for the necessary surgery. Lance asked help from our Honorary member, H.E. Lalduthlana Ralte – Extra Oridnary Plenipotentiary Ambassador of India to the Republic of the Philippines, who facilitated the issuance of the necessary visas for Lance, Joneil, and Joneil’s mother, to travel to India for the delicate surgery. Joneil and his mother joined us at last week’s meeting and, as evidenced by the wide smiles on the faces of Joneil and his mother and Joneil’s animated reactions to our cheers and applause, the surgical procedure and the efforts of Lance proved to be very successful. Congratulations to DSAA/PVP Lance, who makes us proud that he is a fellow Manila Rotarian!

DG Obet, who was also with us last week, mentioned that he would want to promote similar projects throughout District 3810 so that indigent or underprivileged children suffering from illnesses requiring delicate surgery could be similarly funded and assisted for the surgery to be performed in India. Also, it was suggested that a team of Indian doctors could be invited to come over to the Philippines to perform surgical procedures for indigent Filipino children who may need surgery right here in the Philippines. In this way, more needy children may be able to avail of the services of the Indian team of doctors.

On news within our Club, last Friday, 20 May 2016, ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, Dir. Oca del Rosario, ES Anna Toledo, and I flew to Bacolod and motored down to Barangay Daga in Cadiz City to formally turn over 30 housing units and a grocery building that were constructed with the help of Gawad Kalinga using funds sourced from donations from the Governor Kai Fund (Rotary Japan) and the donations from our other foreign sisters clubs, which were earmarked for shelter and livelihood projects to alleviate the lives of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Upon our arrival, we were warmly met and greeted by the beneficiaries, who could not hide their joy at receiving the housing units and the grocery building after having suffered the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. Also on hand to welcome us and participate at the formal turnover ceremonies were Mayor Patrick G. Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Daga Barangay Chairwoman Helen dela Cruz, and officials and representatives of Gawad Kalinga.

On news from around the District, last Saturday, 13 May 2016, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday accompanied DGE Ernesto Yuyek in attending the Presidents-Elect and Secretaries-Elect Training Seminar 2016 (PESETS 2016) “RACK to School” hosted by our very own Rotaract clubs, the Rotaract Club of Manila and the Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila, at the Yuchengco Building of the De La Salle University in Manila. It would be interesting for all of you to know that our club was acknowledged as a Superstar Sponsoring Club of the PESETS 2016, which drew very good attendance from incoming Rotaractor leaders. Incidentally, the incoming Rotaract head, IDRR Cassandra Camille “Candy” Martino, is from our Rotaract club, the Rotaract Club of Manila, where she was a First Class President during the RY 2013-2014.

In the evening of that same day, DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones, ICoS/SDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, IDCoS/ISDG/DE/IPS Albert Alday, and ISDG/AG/IPP Frank Evaristo attended the 57th Charter Anniversary of one of our daughter clubs, the Rotary Club of Pasay, at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.

Today, Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Professor Emeritus of the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines, the incoming NEDA Secretary who will serve under the Duterte Administration, will discuss his plans and programs and his projections with respect to the Philippine economy during the Duterte Administration in a joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Forbes Park.

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!