Valuing a Gem: Honoring PP Toting Del Rosario

Fellow Rotarians and friends of Rotary

When a man is born, history is made. Yet, there are men content with the fate of what history has in store for them while there are those who endeavor to change the course of history and unknowingly build a legacy. Such is the story of an Outstanding Pilipino and an Outstanding Manila Rotarian. Such is the story of Past President and Ambassador Francisco “Toting” Del Rosario.

This afternoon, we are proud to honor and pay tribute to Past President Toting.

Never in the history of the Rotary Club of Manila where one was voted as an Outstanding Rotarian four times and in a span of 17 Years. He was voted as an Outstanding Rotarian in 1970; 1973; 1976 and 1987. Where it not for his Foreign assignments as Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany; as Consul General to Southampton, United Kingdom and as Trade and Investment Commissioner to the European Union from 1988 to 1996, he may have received more than 4 Outstanding Manila Rotarian Awards.

Born on January 29, 1927, PP Toting just turned 91 two days ago. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG

PP Toting completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accounting at the University of the Sto. Tomas, magna cum laude. Passed the CPA Board. Went to Harvard Business School. Joined the Rotary Club of Manila in 1955 at the young age of 28 and was voted as President for the Rotary year 1965-1966 at 38 years old.

Among the many awards and recognitions that he has received from various countries, various institutions, organizations and schools, like the Businessman of the Year in 1962, Most Outstanding Alumnus, among others, his recognition as one of The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) in 1961 at the age of 32 is most cherished.

It was PP Toting who brought Fuji Xerox; Sharp Calculators; the Dale Carnegie Training Course, among others to the Philippines. Such a pioneering business executive. Together with his brothers, Ramon Sr., Mariano and Jesus, they founded Del Rosario Brothers Marketing Corporation or Del Bros which created major waves and impact not only in the business community all over the country but also in all prominent business schools principally because the business management and consumer marketing of Del Bros at that time became the favorite business and marketing case studies.

At the Rotary Club of Manila, when PP Toting was the Chairman of the Fellowship Committee, he would call for a Fellowship Committee meeting practically every month and attended by 100 Rotarians which then transitioned into a Fellowship Cocktails after the meeting. Homeside socials were held practically every week; and everybody was looking forward to a lively and enjoyable Christmas party; Valentine Shindig and Halloween party.

At one time, PP Toting volunteered to chair the Scholarship Committee of RCM and spearheaded an agreement with Don Bosco, Tondo wherein all its 300 electronics students, were full scholars of RCM with the guarantee of a permanent job after graduation at the National Panasonic Electronics. Such a remarkable task. How did he manage to accomplish the job, by simply asking almost 300 Manila Rotarians to donate P25,000 a year for one scholar. This scholarship program with Don Bosco, Tondo, lasted for at least 5 years.

And the final legacy he has left to us, was the construction of 8 buildings at the Food Terminal area in Taguig to house 100 homeless families. Singlehandedly, he solicited P100,000 from 100 Rotarians, then he finalized an agreement with Habitat for Humanity to complete the construction of the 8 buildings and request the City of Taguig to donate 1 hectare of land at the Food Terminal. Sounds easy and simple, but it takes a enterprising, charismatic, intelligent and an outstanding Rotarian to handle such meticulous job.

Fellow Rotarians, I can still say a hundredfold and one achievements and accomplishments of PP Toting, the bottom line of it all, PP Toting is a true, loyal, committed Pilipino and a Manila Rotarian. Let us all rise as we honor and pay tribute to our dear friend, PP Toting.