President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were enlightened on the present state of Japanese-Philippine relations with the interesting talk of His Excellency Koji Haneda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines, where we were graced with the presence of businessmen from the biggest Japanese firms in our country.

With respect to our membership, we mourn the loss of one of the most highly regarded Rotarians of our club, the late Rtn. Henry Sy, Sr., who passed on to the Great Beyond last January 19, 2019. Considered as the richest Filipino as culled from the Forbes’ list and as the “Father of Modern Retail”, his simple yet diligent ways of doing business have served him well from managing a “sari-sari store” and peddling shoes brought in by enterprising GI’s around the streets of Manila after World War 2 to becoming a mall giant and owner of the country’s biggest bank among other business interests within his portfolio. Certainly, many of our young Rotarians find inspiration in the life he has lived. Hence, it was, but, fitting that we celebrated his life when a group of Manila Rotarians and I trooped to The Heritage Park in Taguig City last January 22, 2019 to pay our last respects to the man, fondly called “Tatang”, where we handed over his name badge to his son, Mr. Hans Sy. With his passing, I am certain his legacies to the Filipino people will be forever remembered.

With respect to fellowship, we held a successful Star Rotarian Fellowship and Meeting which DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph and I hosted last January 17, 2019 at the Ralph’s Wine and Spirits along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City for our Star Rotarians in order to motivate them to play an active role in our centennial activities. DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph and Sec.Gen. Romy Nones took turns in motivating them by delivering short talks. Because of this, DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph committed to give another Php 100,000 for our REAP, Php 50,000 from Rtn. Charles Madson, Php 50,000 from Rtn. Raymund Alberto, Php 24,000 from PP Francis Juico and Php 120,000 from D & L Industries represented by Ms. Erika Lao through the efforts of Rtn. Nando Camus.

With respect to our Centennial Celebrations, our preparations are now in full swing as the Steering Committee meets more often since the days are winding down towards our centennial culminating activities. Hence, I earnestly encourage all of you to pay the Php 20,000.00 Centennial Seed Fund Assessment as this will fund all our centennial activities and projects.

PD Phillip Ong has already submitted his budget for the Welcome Cocktails for June 20, 2019 which includes an art exhibit from paintings of special children from Hospicio de San Jose. He likewise explained what he envisions to happen on that event.

PDG Vince Carlos will be following up the solicitation letters with resoect to our Rotary Club of Manila Coffee Table Book. Rtn. Zdenek Jankovsky has prepared a solicitation letter for Rotary’s Heart for Little Angels which is now for my signing.

The selection of the five (5) finalists and the best song for the Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Chorale Competition will be held at the CSI Stadia on January 29, 2019 in Dagupan City where I encourage you to join us for that event as Former Speaker Rtn. Joe de Venecia will be hosting brunch for us.

Our REAP will have a Special Event this January 25, 2019 where our sponsors will meet our fifty (50) scholars there in a program from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

We are likewise in the process of choosing our event organizer for “A Legacy of Rotary Service”. The Centennial Gala Night, slated for June 22, 2019, is now on its food tasting stage. Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps are now on sale as I encourage all of you to secure this once in a lifetime memorabilia.

With respect to Interclub Activities, I encourage you to participate in the District 3810 Chinese New Year on January 29, 2019 at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City as well as the DISCON 2019 from March 1-2, 2019 at OKADA MANILA where our club is the host club.

Today, we welcome BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo who will give his insights on what is in store for the Philippine economy this 2019 in terms of businesses and industries. This will be an exciting talk for all of us. Without doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which will greatly entail our unwavering commitment in furtherance of Service Above Self.

Indeed, 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 all our undertakings as we embrace the teachings of Rotary in living our everyday lives.