President's Corner

Last week, we had Mr. Ronald Cardema, the head of the Duterte Youth for Change, who enlightened us on the role of the youth of our country in effecting change in the Philippines under the auspices of the Duterte Administration. It was an engaging talk that made our fellow Manila Rotarians realize the sacred role of the next generation of our country.

As for updates 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, this March 29, 2017, our World Famous Chorale will be singing the Philippine National Anthem and the National Anthem of the United States of America during the opening of the DISCON 2017 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. We are now rigorously practicing for this.

Likewise, I wish to commend three (3) of our distinguished fellow Manila Rotarians, namely, SDG Frank Evaristo, Dir. Bobby Joseph and Program Committee Co-Chair Jack Rodriguez, who all made it to the list of the Fifty (50) Living Legendary Knights among the Four Hundred (400) Legendary Knights of All Time. They were recognized by their Alma Mater, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran last March 23, 2017 at the New World Makati Hotel in Makati City. We are all fortunate and blessed to have them in our fold.

Updates from around the district include the attendance of IPDG Obet Pagdanganan and DGN Rudy Bediones at the 15th Charter Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Quirino Manila Central at the Legend Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City last March 25, 2017.

Likewise, CoS Cesar Ubaldo and SDG/Dir. Albert Alday as members of the DISCON 2017 Committee and as members of the All Star District Executive Committee head the delegation of Manila Rotarians which includes myself at the DISCON 2017 aside from our roll of district governors which include PDG/PP Vince Carlos, IPDG Obet Pagdanganan and DGN Rudy Bediones. The DISCON 2017 takes place from March 29, 2017 to April 1, 2017. I will be taking part in the Talent Show in the evening of March 31, 2017 and as one of the emcees in an afternoon segment (Closing Ceremonies) on April 1, 2017. CoS Cesar Ubaldo and SDG/Dir. Albert Alday are the Officers of the Event for the District Governors' Luncheon on March 29, 2017 while SDG/Dir. Albert Alday is the Chair of the DISCON 2017 Souvenir Program Content Committee.

Likewise, I wish to commend SDG/Dir. Albert Alday for his article entitled, “ROTARY DISTRICT 3810: BLAZING A TRAIL IN SERVING HUMANITY”, published in the March issue of the Philippine Rotary Magazine. The article is found on pages 48 to 52 of that issue. It may likewise be worthy for you to note that SDG Frank Evaristo is our district's representative to the Philippine Rotary Magazine while SDG/Dir. Albert Alday heads the District Publications Group of our district where he is also Editor-In-Chief of the Governor's Monthly Letter (GML) which has undergone a big change under his leadership with a hip eye candy look, bringing renewed interest in Rotarians of the district to read the same.

Today, we welcome our very own Manila Rotarian, PVP Roy Golez, as he enlightens us on the country's ownership of the Benham Rise and the Scarborough Shoal.

I look forward to your cooperation as we endeavor to make our stars shine in the remaining months of Rotary Year 2016-2017 through meaningful projects and fellowships that will strengthen the bonds of Asia's First Rotary Club.