President's Corner

Last week, our very own PSAA Fred Lim, the former Mayor of the City of Manila and a former Senator, too, at that, gave us a glimpse into how drug operations are conducted and how he dealt with them while he was at the helm of the capital city of the Philippines that got members of our club into a frenzy of an open forum as this problem has been plaguing our country for the longest time.

As for updates within our club, many of us sent our deepest condolences to PP Francis Juico on the demise of his mother, the late Lily Ella-Juico, at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. This gathering during the wake would seem to pass for a meeting of the club as there were more than twenty of us who paid our last respects to his mother.

Likewise, I continue to appeal to each and every one of you to help our Senior Fund Coordinator Mayvelyn Patajo who underwent an operation and was hospitalized for a tumor taken out near her face and neck area which needs radiotherapy. For those who wish to send their monetary contributions, please get in touch with our secretariat.

Also, I wish to appeal to each and every one of you to give a discerning eye on the choice of the next leader of our club as our elections draw near. The elections will be held on September 1, 2016 and we need to achieve a quorum for the results to be valid so please participate.

Last August 11, 2016, many Manila Rotarians trooped to the New World Makati Hotel to celebrate the birthday of our well-loved Manila Rtn. Farid Schoucair which was a production number par excellence as he was the star of his show.

Yesterday, August 17, 2016, upon the invitation of PD Phillip Ong, Chair of the Special Children Project, I attended the ribbon-cutting of the Solar Energy Project for Special Children at the Hospicio de San Jose in Manila which was made possible through the donation of our sister club, the Rotary Club of Osaka East. During this same occasion, the renovation of the playroom for special children was likewise formally presented and this was made possible in cooperation with the Rotary International District 3810 during the term of IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, the RCM Sagip Kabataan Foundation and institutional donors of the Hospicio de San Jose.

Before I forget, I wish to remind the club of coming events in the district, the Rotary Leadership Institute jointly hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila Supreme 198 and the Rotary Club of Manila 101 on August 20, 2016 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila where the fee is P2,000.00 and the District 3810 Sergeant-At-Arms Training Seminar on August 27, 2016 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City hosted by the Rotary Club of Pasay Harrison which will be from 8am to 1pm where the fee is P800.00 per participant inclusive of breakfast, lunch and kit.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday, SDG/IPAG/PP Frank Evaristo and SAA Lance Masters at the District 3810 Public Image Seminar and Workshop hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown under ASP Maria Julia Miranda where our club was one of the co-host clubs at The Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City last August 13, 2016. During that event, our very own SDG/IPAG/PP Frank Evaristo was a speaker on the use of media (newspaper) where he spoke on “Making the Headlines: The Paper Chase” while both DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday and SAA Lance Masters were part of the District 3810 Training Team.

On that same day, CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday attended the Governor's Visit of the Rotary Club of Pasay West under ASP Glenda Arceno at the Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City.

Three days later, August 16, 2016, CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday attended the Governor's Visit of the Rotary Club of Rosario Magdiwang and the Rotary Club of General Trias North where they were later joined by IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan and DGN/IPCoS/PP Rudy Bediones at the Joint Inductions of the Rotary Club of Rosario Magdiwang (13th Induction and Handover Ceremonies) and the Rotary Club of General Trias North (Charter Presentation and Induction Ceremony) at the Seven Pairs Bar and Restaurant in Noveleta, Cavite.

The following day, August 17, 2016, DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday attended the Governor's Visit of the Rotary Club of Pasay MIA under ASP Dionisio Campos, Jr. at the Philippine Navy Golf Club in Taguig City.

Today, we give way to our Rotary Ann's on this special day as we shall have our very own PD John Cenica to talk on Health and Wellness. 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.