Presidents’ Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

We are off to a good start this Rotary Year 2018-2019 with a very good attendance during our first weekly luncheon meeting with no less than our very own Manila Rotarian, Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez, III, as our Guest of Honor and Speaker. This is definitely an ominous sign of bigger and brighter things to come during the course of our centennial year.

Speaking of big things to happen, 2018-2019 Rotary International President Barry Rassin and Lady Esther will be visiting the Philippines as they will grace the 15th Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference. As such, our club has taken advantage of this opportunity to host “An Evening with Rotary International President Barry Rasin and Lady Esther” on July 19, 2018, 6:00 pm, at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Manila in Parañaque City. For this event, I have created a Steering Committee headed by AS Rene Policarpio which meets almost twice a week just to ensure the success of the forthcoming event. So far, 524 out of 600 seats have been paid. To assure our club of premium seats during the event, I have personally guaranteed the reservation of 90 preferred seats of which 49 of our members have already paid. The guaranteed reservation for the remaining seats of our club is only up to July 12, 2018. Otherwise, these seats will be issued out to other Rotarians.

The highlight of this event will be the induction of Inspiring District Governors and Inspiring Presidents present by no less than Rotary International President Barry Rassin. Photo opportunities with Rotary International President Barry Rassin and Lady Esther will be available. However, selfies will not be allowed so as not to disrupt the flow of time and motion. Six photographers will be covering the event and marquee performers Dulce, Gerphil Flores and Banda Kawayan as well as showband Sabor Latino were tapped to add spice to the evening. A food tasting and occular by the Steering Committee had been conducted to assure only the best dishes for the evening are served and that the venue is adequate for our needs during the event. Hence, in lieu of our weekly luncheon meeting on that day, I enjoin and request each one of you to attend this milestone event. We will furnish a map to the venue for the benefit of our members attending.

On the other hand, on the occasion of the Philippine visit of Rotary International President Barry Rassin and Lady Esther, we will likewise seize this opportunity to launch one of our centennial projects, the Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Friendship Trees Project chaired by Rtn. Celso Abastillas. The tree planting will be held in Intramuros, Manila. Our Sari-Saring Aralan and REAP projects are underway. I need your full cooperation for the success of these projects.

Aside from milestone events and projects that have kept our club as vibrant as ever, a fellowship will be hosted by PAT Hermie Esguerra, PD Pepo Nuñez and PT Lito Sibayan, dubbed as the “Centennial Fellowship Kick-off” on July 26, 2018, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Salvatorre Roofdeck, Low Rise Tower, Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue corner Makati Avenue in Makati City. Hence, I hope all of you would attend this fun-filled fellowship.

This Saturday, July 14, 2018, our very own DG Rudy Bediones takes centerstage on the occasion of the DISTRICT HANDOVER 2018 where he takes over the mantle of leadership of District 3810 from IPDG Emmanuel “Loy” Cosico. Let us all support DG Rudy in this endeavor by attending this important event.

Today, we welcome one of our very own Manila Rotarians, His Excellency Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America and Immediate Past Vice President of the Rotary Club of Manila, as he briefs us on the current state of US-Philippine bilateral relations. For today, our venue will be the Gallardo Ballroom of the Makati Diamond Residences as I continuously encourage your participation in our weekly meetings.

In ONE CENTURY ONE MISSION ONE ROTARY, we remain.