President's Corner

Last week, we had a very fruitful Governor's Visit as District Governor Ernesto "Ernest" Yuyek and his All Star team of District Officers were very much impressed with the magnitude of our projects which have made a significant impact in the lives of people. Likewise, equally stellar was the talk of our very own Hon. Issam Eldebs, Consul General Ad Hominem of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Republic of the Philippines and Director of the Rotary Club of Manila, as he revealed to us the sidelights on the Syrian conflict and the politics behind it.

As for update within our club, we are still in the process of gathering Manila Rotarians to attend the 60th Anniversary of our sister club, the Rotary Club of Osaka East this coming May 27, 2017. For more details, please coordinate with our Secretariat.

Likewise, our World Famous Chorale received an invitation from the district recently to sing the Philippine National Anthem and the National Anthem of the United States of America during the opening of the DISCON 2017 on March 31, 2017 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. In this light, I wish to exhort my fellow members of the chorale to volunteer their services for the same as this is a clear indication that the district recognizes the defining role we have in Philippine Rotary.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo at the Governor's Visit of the Rotary Club of Manila Maharlika at the Hotel H2O in Manila yesterday, February 1, 2017 while CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and SDG/DCoS/Dir. Albert Alday are busy with preparations for the DISCON 2017 as the committee now meets every Thursday afternoon.

Today, after Ms. Universe Mania has swept the country by storm, we welcome our very own Immediate Past District Governor Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan as he gives us a sneak peek on how the country would fare under a Federal form of government.

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.