President's Corner

Last week, due to the inavailability of PNP Chief Bato de la Rosa, we decided to have a fellowship with Repertory Philippines singers turning the otherwise serious luncheon meeting into a relaxing atmosphere akin to a high end lounge.

As for updates within our club, I wish to remind each and everyone of you to exercise your right of suffrage in electing the next leaders of our club today.

On a different note, I wish to exhort each and everyone of you to participate in the ALAY LAKAD 2016 with the theme, ALAY LAKAD – MAY PAGASA ANG KABATAAN on September 4, 2016. This committee is chaired by DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday and co-chaired by Rtn. Dong Benedicto. Those who will be participating should signify their intention to do so as soon as possible with our Secretariat together with your t-shirt size as shirts will be provided free of charge courtesy of the ALAY LAKAD Committee. Meeting time has changed to an earlier time, 5:00 am as the parade starts at 5:30 am and meeting place is at the Planetarium in Manila. Breakfast at the Manila Hotel awaits participants to this activity which is one of the activities mandated by the district.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday and SAA Lance Masters at the District 3810 Sergeant-at-Arms Training Seminar hosted by the Rotary Club of Pasay Harrison under ASP Bernard Mabalot last August 27, 2016 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City where our club was one of the co-hosts. DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday and SAA Lance Masters were trainers of the district during that event while DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday introduced the participants and dignitaries that day.

Three days later, August 30, 2016, IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGN/IPCoS/PP Rudy Bediones and CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo attended the Handover and Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Chinatown Circle at the Shangrila Finest Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in Quezon City where ASP Nerissa Gerial was inducted as President for Rotary Year 2016-2017.

The next day, August 31, 2016, IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGN/IPCoS/PP Rudy Bediones and CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo attended the Joint Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Bacoor City Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Paliparan at the Saniya Resort and Hotel in Dasmariñas, Cavite where ASP Gerry Casuga of the Rotary Club of Bacoor City Sunrise and ASP Sue Ann Marcaida of the Rotary Club of Paliparan were inducted as Presidents for Rotary Year 2016-2017.

Today, aside from being ELECTION DAY, we tackle the burning issues of the day as the Hon. Leila M. de Lima, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, graces our luncheon meeting and talks on the issues against her on the drug menace as well as her investigation into the extrajudicial killings. 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.