Rotary Club of Manila Brings Cheers to Wounded Soldiers at V. Luna Medical Center

DE Raffy Alunan could not have chosen better words to describe the feeling when he said, "it was a wonderful and poignant afternoon". A dichotomy, if you may, as a keen sense of sadness and regret which aptly described the mood of the wounded soldiers at the Victoriano Luna Medical Center in Quezon City on the 27th of September 2017 turned into tears of joy, setting the tone for the lighter mood the entire afternoon as the fine gentlemen of the Rotary Club of Manila led by President Jimmie Policarpio and as arranged by DE Raffy Alunan and DE Jackie Rodriguez, trooped to the hospital known for treating soldiers wounded in battle among others to lift their spirits and give them hope in the aftermath of war elsewhere in the archipelago. With the help of BGen. Leo Torrelavega and his staff who made everything easy for all concerned, fellow Manila Rotarians, Rotarians of other clubs in the district, entertainers in the persons of Imelda Papin and her sister, Niel de Mesa, an old hand in comedy and Amay Bisaya as well as the Miss Philippines Beauty Queens took turns in reaching out to the wounded soldiers through song, camaraderie and laughter while the soldiers, in turn, gamely participated, making them forget, if even for a moment, the ordeal they have gone through. Goodies from Manila Rotarians and Pepsi Cola Philippines, Inc. were overflowing as each soldier received his share of blessings that came his way. With PAT Hermie Esguerra and Rtn. Thad Llamzon taking turns on the open microphone in belting the afternoon's best repertoire, Manila Rotarians, no doubt, made their mark, albeit, in a subtle manner, in the hearts and minds of soldiers yearning for the care of a concerned Philippine population. And like all good and great things, the afternoon saw its end, yet, the happy memories would forever be etched in the fighting hearts of the Filipino soldier who fights neverending battles to assure our sovereignty and the integrity of a government ready to serve the Filipino people.