President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we experienced the no non-sense take of our very own Rtn. Tony Lopez on the burning issues of the day. We likewise thank him for always supplying us with issues of BizNewsAsia magazines as well as providing a means for raising funds through the sale of his book on taipans and business moguls, the proceeds of which would go to the coffers of the Rotary Club of Manila.

On the aspect of International Relations, I continuously invite you to join our respective delegations to the 49th Anniversary and Fund Raising Ball of the Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the 70th Charter Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Taipei. Attending these important milestones of our sister clubs affords us the opportunity to reciprocally invite them to take part in the culminating activities of our centennial celebration.

On the aspect of New Generations Service, I attended the Joint Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila and the Rotaract Club of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, entitled, “IN-SPIRE”, last November 17, 2018 at the Samar-Leyte Function Room of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila where I administered the induction of officers and board of directors of both clubs. ISDG/IS/DE/Dir. Albert Alday, AT Jason Ong, PD Oscar del Rosario and Rtn. Marcus Dee likewise attended the event which also served as the 20th Charter Anniversary of the Rotaract Club of De La Salle University Manila as the ckub was re-chartered in 1998. On this note, I laud the efforts of New Generations Chair ISDG/IS/DE/Dir. Albert Alday and Co-Chair AT Jason Ong, himself a Past District Rotaract Representative for shepherding our Rotaractors. Let us support our Rotaractors in as they have always been supportive of our club’s projects.

On the aspect of Fellowship, I wish to announce that our Christmas Party will take place on December 13, 2018, 6:00 pm at the Grand Ballroom 3, Coral Wing Lobby of OKADA MANILA in Parañaque City. For Php 2,500.00, you get the chance to enjoy a sumptuous dinner and the privilege to dance the night away to the music of Marcy David and his Band while having the chance to win exciting raffle prizes donated by our members. Let us all attend and share the Christmas spirit with everyone as this likewise serves as a welcome respite from our busy centennial year.

On the aspect of Centennial Projects, our Rotary Club of Manila Coffee Table Book is now in the review stages as the committee in charge is presently reviewing the first four chapters of the manuscript written by PDG Chit Lijauco. The Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Chorale Competition is now on the budgetary, accommodation and logistic stages as all other details have already been mapped out. The Committee on “A Legacy of Rotary Service” has discussed their budget for the whole day event, the ways and means to achieve the budget, the accommodations for the winners of both the chorale competition and the centennial awards, the creation of the different sub-committees and who will head each of them as well as their respective members, the souvenir program, the protocol to be followed, the house committee and the logistics involved for the entire day. The Centennial Awards Committee has almost finalized their criteria and will soon send this to the various districts for them to choose three winners from each district. Rotary’s Heart for Little Angels Committee has helped two children undergo surgery while the framework and system have been submitted to our Board of Directors for consideration.

With respect to our REAP, I would like to appeal to all of you to participate in this project as we endeavor to adopt more students from PLM and PUP who are in need of financial help. Our “Sari-Saring Aralan” is now underway after last week’s launching.

Today, we welcome Her Excellency Esra Cankorur, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of the Philippines as she discusses the present state of Turkish-Phillipine Bilateral Relations.

Undoubtedly, all these are colossal undertakings that entail our unwavering resolve towards Service Above Self. Let us remember that great things in Rotary are never done by a single individual, but, by a team of Rotarians, moving together towards a common goal. Under ONE CENTURY, towards ONE MISSION and in furtherance of ONE ROTARY, the best is yet to come. Let us all BE THE INSPIRATION in everything we do in the service of Rotary.