President’s Corner

Last week, Ret. Gen. Dionisio Santiago gave Manila Rotarians, visiting Rotarians and guests who were present, his two cents on the ongoing war of the Duterte Administration on illegal drugs and what changes have been achieved on this cause.

As for updates within our club, I would like to ask you to continue storming the heavens for our fellow Manila Rotarian Sonny Arevalo who is still in a coma at the Medical City. It is our fervent wish that he be saved and his life be extended so he could still enjoy many happy moments with us.

Last September 29, 2016, many Manila Rotarians trooped to Southern Metro Manila as we held our First Fellowship hosted by PE Jimmie Policarpio at his residence in Pacific Village, Muntinlupa City. Two days later, October 1, 2016, Rtns. Tong Payumo, Willie Peliño and I were at Masbate to observe the drug rehabilitation center there for the purpose of replicating the same in Bataan as this will go a long way in doing our share in nation building and breeding better citizens of our country. Three days later, October 4, 2016, PD Ed Lee hosted several Manila Rotarians for the purpose of celebrating the birthday of PS Butch Marking at the La Grotta Cucina Italiana in Makati City.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of PDG/PP Vince Carlos, IPDG Obet Pagdanganan, DGN Rudy Bediones, CoS Cesar Ubaldo and DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday at the Charter Presentation and Induction of Officers of the Rotary Club of Manila Premier last October 1, 2016 under CP Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the Midas Hotel Tent in Pasay City where my classmate, ASP Ryan Osea was inducted as President for Rotary Year 2016-2017. Two days later, October 3, 2016, CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo, DCoS/SDG/Dir. Albert Alday, DE/SAA Lance Masters and I attended the Area Meeting for the month of October as well as the Community and Vocational Service Seminar entitled, “How Clubs Serve” at the Tejeros Grand Ballroom of the Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite. On the same day, PDG/PP Vince Carlos, IPDG Obet Pagdanganan and DGN Rudy Bediones attended the District 3810 Council of Governors Meeting at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City and this was followed by the First Presidents-Elect Fellowship where they were joined by PE Jimmie Policarpio at the same venue. The next day, October 4, 2016, DGN Rudy Bediones attended the meeting of the Friends of Tuloy at the Tuloy Sa Don Bosco Foundation in Muntinlupa City while CoS Cesar Ubaldo attended the Governor’s Visit of the Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City. The next day, October 6, 2016, CoS Cesar Ubaldo attended the Governor’s Visit while IPDG Obet Pagdanganan, DGN Rudy Bediones and CoS Cesar Ubaldo attended the Induction of the Rotary Club of Sampaloc at the Sequoia Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City.

Today, we welcome Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, as he speaks on the EDCA, South China Sea Ruling and the Plight of Filipino Workers abroad.

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.