President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, while I and several other Manila Rotarians (including DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND/PP Rudy Bediones, PDG Vince Carlos, AS Alvin Lacambacal, PD Bebot Pineda, PD Oscar del Rosario, and PD Jun Hallare) were representing our Club at the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, Korea, we had Land Transportation Office (“LTO”) Chief, Atty. Roberto Cabrera III, as our Guest of Honor and Speaker at our regular Thursday luncheon meeting. Atty. Cabrera discussed the mandate, plans, and programs of the LTO and answered the many questions raised by our members regarding the problems involved in the issuance of driver’s licenses and motor vehicle plates, and other matters involving the operations of the LTO.

On news within our Club, last 3 June 2016, the World Famous Music Chorale started practicing, at the residence of Secretary Jorge Salazar in Bel-Air, Makati City, for the songs to be sung at the inauguration of All Star President Teddy Ocampo on 14 July 2016. Please save that date in your calendars.

Also, please register for the forthcoming 2016 Handover and Induction Ceremonies, which will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel Manila in Pasay City on 1 July 2016. The event kicks off with a mass at 3pm and the handover ceremonies proper will begin at 5:30pm. The attendance fee is P1,500.00. During this event, our very own DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan will take a bow as District Governor of District 3810 and will deliver his valedictory address, as he hands over the mantle of leadership of District 3810 to DGE Ernesto Yuyek. Let’s all show our support for our outstanding outgoing District Governor on this very important occasion and applaud all the accomplishments he has achieved for District 3810.

The event is doubly significant as it will also serve as a unique opportunity for us to formally announce the forthcoming celebration of our centennial, which coincides with the celebration of the 100 years of the Rotary movement in the Philippines and Asia, and redefine and highlight our unique role as mother club to many Rotary clubs in the District. Moreover, this event will formally present some of our fellow Manila Rotarians who will be playing very important roles in the All Star Rotary Year, namely, PP Cesar Ubaldo (as Chief of Staff to the District Governor), DE Albert Alday (as Deputy Chief of Staff to the District Governor), and Senior Deputy Governor for District Publications and AG/IPP, Frank Evaristo (as Senior Deputy Governor – District Representative to the Philippine Rotary Magazine). Also, during this event, CoS/PP Rudy Bediones will be formally elevated to the position of District Governor Nominee (from District Governor Nominee Designate), while PE/VP Teddy Ocampo will be marching with me while we will both carry the All Star Rotary Year Banner of our club during the parade of All Star Presidents and District Officers. Let us, therefore, attend and support our aforementioned fellow Manila Rotarians who will be taking on greater responsibilities in the coming Rotary Year.

On news from around the District, last 5 June 2016, DG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGND/CoS/PP Rudy Bediones attended the 2nd District 3810 Rotary Membership Development Program Seminar and Fellowship at the Sikatuna Beach Hotel in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

Today, we welcome Incoming Presidential Spokesman, Atty. Salvador S. Panelo, as our Guest of Honor and Speaker. Atty. Panelo is expected to give us a preview of how the incoming Duterte Administration will run our national government.

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!