President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were enlightened on the new trends in Philippine education through the lady at the helm, Secretary Leonor Briones of the Department of Education. For her part, she likewise discussed the functions of her office and their initiatives.

On the matter of daughter club relations, we received an invitation from the Rotary Club of Davao on the occasion of their 80th Charter Anniversary which they celebrated last October 24, 2018 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao. It may be worthy for us to note that this daughter club of ours is the First Rotary Club in Mindanao. In like manner, our Centennial Director Albert Alday attended the weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Cebu last October 18, 2018 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu where he touched base with Cebu Rotarians and exchanged pleasantries with them while echoing the various centennial initiatives of our club since they inquired on how they could participate and take part in our centennial activities.

On the matter of club administration, the Board of Directors held its meeting last October 18, 2018 where important matters were taken up and discussed.

On the fellowship front, I wish to thank all Manila Rotarians who attended the District 3810 Halloween Party last October 20, 2018 at the Philippine Ports Authority in Manila. Likewise, many Manila Rotarians attended the launch of Entrego Fulfillment Solutions Inc., which is a joint undertaking of Zalora and Ayala Corporation, last October 22, 2018 at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City. As such, I wish our fellow Star Rtn. Constantin Robertz well on this new venture of his. Likewise, our World Famous Music Chorale has been holding weekly rehearsals for their forthcoming Christmas carolling which will generate much needed funds.

On the international relations front, I wish to invite everyone to join us on the 49th Anniversary Fund Raising Ball of the Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the 70th Charter Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Taipei which both take place on the same day. Our attendance at these events will mean alot as this is an opportunity to invite them to be one with us on the culminating events of our centennial.

On The Rotary Foundation front, I wish to thank DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph for his resolve to donate US$ 3,000 for the cause of our club in participating in the global grant of the Rotary Club of Bangkok, our sister club. As of the moment, per our communications with them, we await their go signal for us to deposit the said amount as our participation in such grant. Our gesture of participating in their global grant will ensure their goodwill in participating in our future global grant applications.

With respect to our centennial projects, the Seeds of Change by Rotary Club of Manila met last October 18, 2018 where a video was presented on what projects the committee will engage in towards a National Green Movement which includes partnerships with nurseries in nearby areas of Metro Manila, the Miss Earth organization, DepEd, LGU’s and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Likewise, plans on a District-wide Arbor Day Celebration for June 2019 are in the works where students, boy scouts and other Rotary clubs in the district will be participating with our club as the lead club.

On the TOWER Awards, Chair PP Benny Laguesma together with PMAP representatives were present last October 19, 2018 at PTV 4 where they were interviewed on the TOWER AWARDS by Biznews Asia Program courtesy of Rtn. Tony Lopez where they took the opportunity to promote the TOWER AWARDS Search. The interview was aired last October 22, 2018.

On the Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Chorale Competition, the committee met with the district governors of the Philippines, to define clearly their respective roles, especially, with the five finalists. On the event, “A Legacy of Rotary Service”, the activities for the day were discussed as well as the program flow with the district governors and their representatives in attendance. Our REAP is likewise fully covered.

With respect to all our other centennial projects, I wish to reiterate my appeal for your utmost cooperation and participation as the success of the various centennial projects are anchored on your support. As I have said, great things in Rotary are never done by a single person, but, by a team of Rotarians working together towards a common goal as we should bear in mind that our centennial celebration is a colossal undertaking.

Under ONE CENTURY, in furtherance of ONE MISSION, towards ONE ROTARY, I remain.