President's Corner

A jampacked Thursday luncheon meeting last week with fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Makati in attendance is the way to go in terms of inspiring many to anticipate a great meeting. This was so evident when our very own Past Vice President, Budget and Management Secretary Ben Diokno made his quintessential return to his home away from home when he literally brought the house down with his fearless forecast of things to come as far as budget and taxes are concerned under the Duterte Administration.

As for updates within our club, the time of the year to choose the next leader of our historic club has kicked off with twenty-three (23) capable and dedicated Manila Rotarians being nominated in last Thursday's nominations. Yes, you heard it right, in less than a month from now, a new leader who will pave the way for preparations for our centennial year will soon be chosen. Exercise your right of suffrage on judgment day as we continue to make waves as the First Rotary Club in Asia.

Speaking of the hundred (100) years of our club, two days ago, August 9, 2016, Centennial Committee Chair PDG Vince Carlos called me to a meeting regarding plans for the Centennial at the Passion Restaurant in Newport City, Pasay City.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGN/PP Rudy Bediones and DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday at the 21st Charter Anniversary and 22nd Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Manila Bay at the 4th Floor of the J.V. Del Rosario Foundation Building, Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City last August 4, 2016 where my classmate, ASP Genevieve Gandia, was inducted as President for Rotary Year 2016-2017 by no less than Senate President Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel, III, a Past President of their club.

The next day, August 5, 2016, IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGN/PP Rudy Bediones, DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday and I attended the 38th Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila where my classmate, ASP Adrian Chan, was sworn in as President for Rotary Year 2016-2017.

Three days later, August 8, 2016, CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo attended the Governor's Visit and Joint Inductions of the Rotary Club of San Jose, the Rotary Club of San Jose Tamaraw, the Rotary Club of San Jose Downtown and the Rotary Club of Samarica at the Sikatuna Hotel in Occidental Mindoro in where four of my classmates were inducted as Presidents of their respective clubs for Rotary Year 2016-2017.

On that same day at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City, IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, PDG/PP Vince Carlos, DGN/PP Rudy Bediones, SDG/IPAG/PP Frank Evaristo and IPP Ebot Tan attended the District 3810 Past Presidents Council Handover Ceremonies.

On Saturday, August 13, 2016, our club will be co-hosting the Public Image Seminar hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown at The Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

Today, we shall have our very own PSAA Fred Lim, Former Mayor of the City of Manila and Former Senator, who will talk on dealing with the drug problems of the country. I look forward to your cooperation as we endeavor to make our stars shine this Rotary Year 2016-2017 through meaningful projects and fellowships that will strengthen the bonds of Asia's First Rotary Club.