Rotary Club of Manila Oktoberfest: A German Tradition at Its Finest

It has been said that no fellowship and merry making would be complete sans the proverbial beer that has made us brothers. Yes, indeed, custom has it that many great ventures and disagreements had been resolved over the aroma of wheat and barley that goes with every beer we drink. A Bavarian tradition that dates back to 1810, the world’s largest festival of cheers usually runs from mid to late September to the first weekend of October every year. During this time, large quantities of beer are consumed during the 16 day festival. In the Philippines, the celebration of this fine German tradition begins on the first week of October and lasts for the entire month though beer discounts usually run from September to December.

A noteworthy fact should explain the success of this festival in the Philippines. Eurographic, in a 2014 article on the Philippine Star, noted that “adults in the Philippines each take 5.4 shots of distilled alcohol weekly, making the country third in the list of the world’s heaviest drinkers. Hence, with a Rotary club of fine gentlemen who count among the country’s prime economic movers, it certainly comes as no surprise that it is among the most if not the most well-attended fellowship of Asia’s First Rotary Club.

to many a Manila Rotarian as the event became the perfect venue to unwind from the rigors of daily corporate life as well as the forum to rekindle old ties that have since defined the strength of Asia’s First Rotary Club. With an array of traditional Oktoberfest songs which has “Ein Prosit” topping the list, you can absolutely bet that fun and laughter that goes with drinking beer was at its highest peak.

This year, Oktoberfest took our club by storm last October 12, 2017 at the German Club in Makati City with record-breaking attendance. The highlight of the event was when President Jimmie Policarpio appointed PSAA Guenter Matschuck to handle the Centennial Oktoberfest for next Rotary Year which happens to be our date with history as we celebrate our 100 years of existence. And to our German and European Manila Rotarians, cheers for always sponsoring this annual event.