100 Years of Rotary: An Art Celebration

A hundred years of glorious existence deserves a class act to showcase its finest hour. With many of its landmark accomplishments finding their ways into the history of the Philippines, the First Rotary Club in the Philippines and in Asia deserves an evening filled with the finer things life can offer. Hence, an art exhibit, through the painstaking initiatives of President Susing Pineda, was staged at the North Court of the posh Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City last September 13 to 16, 2018. The exhibit, which aims to raise funds for the projects of the Rotary Club of Manila, featured the works of renowned artists Allen Lanuza, Benjie Mallari, Almer Moneda, Marge Organo, Ramon Orlina, Averil Paras, Aljo Pingol, Juanito Torres, Dominic Rubio and Juvenal Sanso.

The exhibit opening last September 13, 2018 was a splendid display of glitz and glamor with Rotary Club of Manila members, members of the diplomatic corps as well as art collectors who count among Manila’s who is who, graced the occasion amid a delectable selection of cocktails from Via Mare and overflowing wine courtesy of Dir. Bobby Joseph. No less than His Excellency Sung Kim, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines, led ribbon-cutting rites to open the exhibit.

His Excellency Sung Kim, Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of the Philippines, cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of the art exhibit as Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nick Lizaso, President Susing Pineda, Rotary Ann Maritess Pineda, Madam Jae Eun Chung (wife of Ambassador Sung Kim), Rtn. Tong Payumo and PP Teddy Ocampo witness the opening of this event.

President Susing Pineda delivers his remarks in behalf of the Rotary Club of Manila.

His Excellency Sung Kim, Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of the Philippines, delivers his remarks.

Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nick Lizaso delivers his remarks

Attended by many art enthusiasts, who count among their ranks, members of the diplomatic corps and people of prominence which include many of the esteemed members of the Rotary Club of Manila, the four-day exhibit was an overwhelming success, so much so that the artists themselves, personal friends of President Susing and Rotary Ann Maritess Pineda, who took part in the exhibit and who believed in the cause of Rotary, donated part of the proceeds of the sale for the coffers of the club to be used for any of its worthwhile service projects.

PP Benny Laguesma as emcee during the opening of the exhibit

A glass sculpture by Ramon Orlina, a highlight of the event

A Cancio and Sanso Sculpture and Painting

BLA Amading Valdez also attended the exhibit opening.

PP Teddy Ocampo, PP Archit Bartolome, PD Beda Fajardo and Rtn. Tong Payumo at the exhibit.

PD Beda Fajardo, Rtn. Jun Alvarez and PD Phillip Ong

From L-R: President Susing Pineda, Rotary Ann Maritess Pineda, Ambassador Kok Li Peng of Singapore, Ambassador Bita Rasoulian of Austria, Mita Rufino and Marivic Rufino

Ambassador Jose “Pepe” Ureta of Argentina and Marivic Rufino

Rtn. Constantin Robertz, Rtn. Jun Alvarez, SDG/PP Frank Evaristo, PD Oscar del Rosario, PD Beda Fajardo and PD Phillip Ong

Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nick Lizaso, President Susing Pineda and Ambassador Jose “Pepe” Ureta of Argentina

PD Oscar del Rosario and BLA Amading Valdez

Mr. Wilson L. Sy, Chairman - Wealth Securities, Inc.

BLA Amading Valdez, Dir. Caloy Reyes, PP Benny Laguesma, PP Teddy Ocampo, DG Rudy Bediones, Rtn. Tong Payumo, Rotary Ann Maritess Pineda, President Susing Pineda, SDG/PP Frank Evaristo, Rtn. Romy Nones, PD Oscar del Rosario, Dir. Bobby Joseph, Club Secretary Alvin Lacambacal and Dir. Raffy Alunan

It is interesting to note that among those who purchased the paintings and sculpture are members of the Rotary Club of Manila, whose passion for the arts is beyond comparison.

ISDG/PP Joyce Ambray of the Rotary Club of Manila Premier, PAT Hermie Esguerra and PP Benny Laguesma

The four-day art exhibit was truly a sight to behold as it was an event befitting of the stature of members of Asia’s First Rotary Club as gentlemen of prominence in business and national affairs with a resolve towards Service Above Self. And indeed, the proceeds will go a long, long way in serving humanity towards the club’s resolve to continue touching lives as it stands on the doorsteps of a hundred years of Rotary glory in its resolve to BE THE INSPIRATION for the rest of the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia.