President's Corner

Last week, our very own IPDG Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan gave us a glimpse of what it would be like under a Federalist type of government in our country and as an added sidelight, he likewise dwelled on preparations for the centennial of our club and that of Rotary in the Philippines.

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.

Last February 3, 2017, Dir. Susing Pineda and his wife, Maritess, tendered a dinner in honor of Guillermo Devoto and SSS Chair PD Amading Valdez where many Manila Rotarians were in attendance. This was held in Greenhills, San Juan.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo and I at the dance practice for our presentation during the DISCON 2017 last February 7, 2017 at the Philippine Columbian, Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila. Likewise, 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, we welcome the Hon. Charito Plaza, the new Director-General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority as she enlightens us on the topic, "Special Economic Zones as Umbrella Program for Economic Development".

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.