Rotarians in My Midst

I have been an RCMer for 7 years now, attending weekly meetings, though not religiously, but judiciously. I see to it I get the social and intellectual benefits I expect from every meeting I attend. I try to engage every member seated next to me in meaningful conversations. Of course, this is aside from listening to the talks of the guest speakers invited for the meetings.

One Rotarian that struck my fancy was Roy Golez. At his stature, former National Security Adviser, congressman and an ardent advocate of “West China Sea as Philippine Territory”, he was very gracious in sharing and exchanging with me his insights, stories and honest opinions regarding many topics and issues of the week.

One memorable story he told me was about the visit of President George W. Bush. He related to me how he and Condoleezza Rice, his countertpart in President Bush’s Cabinet, planned the trip, last minute, the trip of the US president from Malacanang to the House of Representatives in Quezon City. At that very moment, along the roads on way to the House were hundreds of thousands leftist demonstrators waiting for the passing of President Bush. God only knew what would happen under that situation.

Condoleezza Rice’s initial decision was to cancell the US president’s address to the Joint session of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representative. Until Roy Golez called PNP chief Edgar Aglipay to check the security situation on the ground. General Aglipay then gave an assurance everything was under control as he had blocked and encircled the demonstrators with container vans.

Behind these incidents the congressmen and senators were already edgy because of hours delay. Actually, i myself was watching the proceedings on television then, and i could see frustrations in the faces of the lawmakers. Until it was beamed on TV the limousine of the President of the United States with its flag proudly waving along the Marcos Highway. Roads cleared, no demonstrators at sight, as if they had been driven away totally from the scene. The address by President Bush went well without any untoward incident. Thanks to our very own Roy Golez. May he rest in peace!

(Will feature other important Rotarians in next issues).