President's Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were given a great forecast on the Philippine economy for 2019 by no less than Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo. Indeed, a banker's foresight is a much respected perspective as far as our economic outlook is concerned.

Our Centennial Celebration preparations are now in full swing. Last January 24, 2019, our Steering Committee met to thresh out the logistics for our culminating activities.

REAP sponsors and I attended a PLM Special Event last January 25, 2019 where we met our fifty (50) scholars at the President Ramon Magsaysay Entrepreneur Center (PRMEC) of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Intramuros, Manila. It was a touching experience to hear the stories of struggle of our scholars and it felt good that we were able to help alleviate their plight. On this note, I wish to appeal to all of you to be sponsors for this worthwhile project.

Our Save Manila Bay Project under Chairman DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph has just been launched last January 27, 2019 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila where many of our Manila Rotarians were present. This is our humble contribution to save the environment.

Our Centennial Awards is now on the gathering phase from the entries forwarded by the different districts. The deadline for submission of the top three entries from the ten Rotary districts has been extended to February 16, 2019.

Our Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Chorale Competition has just concluded its selection of the top five chorale groups and the best song at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City last January 29, 2019 with no less than DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones in attendance. A group of Manila Rotarians left Manila for Dagupan and upon arrival, where treated to brunch by Former Speaker Rtn. Joe de Venecia at his home together with DepEd officials before proceeding to the event venue. For this, I wish to thank Former Speaker Rtn. Joe de Venecia for his generosity. Below are the results of the competition:

OVERALL BEST SONG COMPOSITION: Region II: Lal-lo National High School

GRAND FINALISTS to the June 21, 2019 Centennial Chorale Competition: Cluster A: CAR Region, Baguio City National High School; Cluster B: NCR, Ramon Magsaysay High School; Cluster C: Region V: Zeferino Arroyo High School; Cluster D: Region VII: Negros Oriental National High School; Cluster E: Region XII: General Santos National High School

Our Centennial Gala Night is now on the contract signing and food tasting stage. The Steering Committee will be at OKADA MANILA this afternoon, January 31, 2019, for these activities.

Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps are now for sale. Please do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to own these memorabilia as the proceeds would go a long way towards financing our other centennial projects.

We are likewise the host club for the DISCON 2019, being the club of the District Governor. On this note, I wish to convey my appeal for all of us to register for this mandated Rotary International event which takes place at OKADA MANILA from March 1-2, 2019. Let us likewise help by placing our ads in the DISCON 2019 Souvenir Program.

Today, we take a break from our usual speakers at our luncheon to give way to our Town Hall Meeting where we need your utmost cooperation in the celebration of our centennial through your valuable insights. This club assembly serves as a healthy forum for exchange of ideas on how to make our club better and more relevant.

No doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need 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 as we embrace the tenets of Rotary in living our everyday lives.