The Week That Was

Pres. Susing Pineda calls the 3rd Townhall Meeting (Club Assembly) of the Rotary Club of Manila, to order.

DE / Dir. Albert Alday as Officer-In-Charge/ Program Moderator, directs the program of activities.

Rtn Rosel Doval Santos delivers an ecumenical prayer.

PVP Chito Zaldarriaga as lead reciter of the Four (4) Way Test, renews fellow Rotarians' commitment to the Rotary Movement.

Rtn Farid Schoucair, General Manager, New World Makati Hotel, delivers his farewell message.

Pres. Susing Pineda during his president's time reported on having already selected five (5) outstanding Chorale groups during its RCM Centennial Competition Regional Eliminations held last Jan. 29, at the CSI Stadia, CSA City Hall, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Special thanks to former House Speaker Rtn. Joe de Venecia for graciously hosting the group of RCMers' and Secretariat Staffers' who were in attendance. He also acknowledged with sincere thanks and gratitude to Rtn Farid Schoucair, General Manager, New World Makati Hotel, who is bound for Singapore to assume his tour of duty, for the special house arrangement being accorded to the Club.

Pres. Susing Pineda as presiding officer for the 3rd Townhall Meeting (Club Assembly) reported on the RCM Centennial Projects, one of which is on Rotary Education Assistance Program (REAP --- aka Adopt-a-Student Program), an initiative to support graduating students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), by providing financial aid for the students' everyday expenses. This is in line with the RCM Centennial Celebration --- 100 Years of Service, with the initial goal to provide financial support to some 100 graduating students, which will also be provided better opportunities to improve their current state of education.

He also acknowledged with sincere thanks and gratitude to its benefactors of the project, as the list will be updated/ printed/acknowledged in the weekly BALITA. To continue with the Townhall Meeting, Pres. Susing Pineda called on VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra, Chairman, Gala Night for June 22, for a comprehensive report of the event.

VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra Chairman, presented a comprehensive report on the Gala Night for June 22, to be held at the OKADA Hotel. He mentioned having invited VIPs' led by Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney, RY 2019-2020, VIPs' in the Executive Branch of Government led by President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Lenny Robredo, RCM Sister and Daughter Rotary Clubs, and other Rotary Dignitaries. Other invitees will be proposed by the Steering Committee, as the physical lay-out will be set for a minimum of 800 to a maximum of 830 attendees, with special entertainment numbers, from the El Gama Penumbra. The RCM World Famous Chorale will be rendering the United States and the Philippine National Anthems. Famous Entertainment Personality/Socialite Mr. Johnny Litton will be the event's emcee. There will also be an unveiling of the RCM Roster of Members with details such as their dates of induction…to the first Rotary Club of Manila in Asia, among others. A comprehensive Financial report on the event was also detailed through a power point presentation.

DG Rudy Bediones promoted the RCM-hosted DISCON 2019 on March 1 and 2, at the OKADA Hotel with a projected number of attendees from 800 to 1,000 Rotarian-delegates and guests expected for the 2-day conference. He also presented the logistical and funding requirements and appealed to fellow RCMers' for their invaluable support and cooperation to make this event a successful undertaking.

PDG Alex Cureg presenting the Centennial Legacy Project which will tap the 10 Rotary Districts in the Philippines to submit their respective Outstanding Club Service Projects as part of the June 21 Celebration. A Centennial Awards Committee will form the board of judges headed by US Ambassador Sung Kim, RCM Honorary Member, to deliberate on ten (10) Most Outstanding Service Projects among Rotary Clubs in the Philippines. The RCM being the host club and organizer will not participate in this project.

DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph presented the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Project in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Manila Yacht Club and the Rotary Club of Manila which will entail the participation by various government agencies, local barangays, and the private sector, among others who are willing to participate for the clean-up and rehabilitation. Funding requirements are also being sourced from prospective benefactors.

Sec.-Gen. PP Romy Nones, Centennial Project and Chairman of DISCON 2019 gave an overview on the various on-going centennial projects being undertaken, such as on the Souvenir Program, Special Display Booth for RCM at OKADA Manila, the Proposed Draft of Program, and other logistical requirements. He then called on Director-elect/Board Legal Adviser Amading Valdez for his presentation.

Director-elect/Board Legal Adviser Amading Valdez presented 3-parts of the Centennial Celebration Activities, soliciting from fellow RCMers' their suggestions with relation to what activities to undertake, on attendance and fund-raising campaign. He also reported on the recent RCM Centennial Chorale Competition Elimination Round, held last Jan. 29, at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City, where five (5) top chorale groups and the best song was selected. The event was graciously hosted by former house speaker Rtn Joe de Venecia, with the presence of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and government officials.

Among the participants to the public forum were: PDG Alex Cureg and IPP Jimmie Policarpio.

DE/Treas. Nicky Villaseñor presented a comprehensive financial report on the RCM Centennial Projects in a power point presentation, afterwhich a public forum followed suit.