President’s Corner

Last week, US Ambassador Sung Kim walked us through the current bilateral relations between his country, the United States of America, and our country, the Republic of the Philippines. This is amid evolving immigration policies in the USA. It was a fruitful luncheon meeting with a very engaged audience.

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.

Last week, Club Treasurer Chito Tagaysay organized a budget planning meeting right after our luncheon meeting at the Sports Cafe of the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

Three days later, February 19, 2017, the delegation from the Rotary Club of Osaka East led by President Teiichi Nishimura, Director of International Service Nobuhiko Arai and Chief of International Community Service Shigemasa Yanagawa arrived in the Philippines and were feted with a Welcome Dinner at the New World Hotel where many Manila Rotarians were in attendance. Earlier that same day, the younger generation of Manila Rotarians led by Rtn. Jun Aventura, DE/AS Caloy Reyes and Rtn. Deo Villacorta participated in the medical mission of Salamat Doc where the medicines were donated by Rtn. Jappy Pascual.

The following day, February 20, 2017, together with Manila Rotarians, proceeded to the Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray (Tierra de Sta. Maria) where the project was presented and were hosted for lunch by the Rotary Club of Manila Special Children Committee led by PD Phillip Ong at the Kimpura Restaurant in Trinoma Mall, Quezon City. Thereafter, the dinner was hosted by International Relations Chair PD Ed Lee at La Grotta Cucina Italiana in Legaspi Village.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of IPDG/PP Obet Pagdanganan of the Peace Builder Presidents, DGN/IPCoS/PP Rudy Bediones of the First Class Presidents, CoS/IPSDG/PP Cesar Ubaldo of the 101 Presidents, SDG/IPAG/PP Frank Evaristo of the Best Class Presidents and PP Francis Juico of the Leader Presidents attended the Post Valentine’s Fellowship of the Past Presidents Council of District 3810 at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City last February 20, 2017. 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. On this note, I wish to exhort my fellow Manila Rotarians to register for the DISCON 2017 which will take place from March 31, 2017 to April 1, 2017.

Today, we welcome His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos, President of the Republic of the Philippines, as he dwells on his peace and development advocacies as well as his take on current issues hugging the limelight, in a joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Pasay.

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.