President's Corner

Last week, we were given a glimpse on the role of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in making it a breeze for foreign investors to do business in our country with the Hon. Charito Plaza, the new Director-General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), enlightening us on the matter.

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 9, 2017, our PD Oca del Rosario celebrated his 70th Birthday with many of his fellow Manila Rotarians and Rotarians from other clubs in the district in attendance at the Punta Mandala Restaurant along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. It was a fun evening of singing and camaraderie among Rotarians.

This coming February 19, 2017, President Teiichi Nishimura and Director of International Service Nobuhiko Arai as well as Chief of International Community Service Shigemasa Yanagawa, all from the Rotary Club of Osaka East will be in the country to visit the Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray as well as the completed Hospicio de San Jose Solar Project undertaken by the Special Children Committee with funding from their club. As such, there are several activities lined up for their arrival.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of CoS Cesar Ubaldo and SDG/Dir. Albert Alday at the Pre-Valentine's Fellowship of the All Star Team at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque City last February 11, 2017. Likewise, CoS Cesar Ubaldo and SDG/Dir. Albert Alday are busy with preparations for the DISCON 2017 as the committee now meets every Thursday afternoon.

Today, after the Valentine's fever, we welcome His Excellency Sung Y. Kim, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines, as he dwells on the diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines.

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.