President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio “Vince” Dizon gave us a glimpse of the new Clark City and invited many of us to invest. The new urbanized Clark City is set to decongest traffic in Metro Manila. It was definitely a most enlightening to the point that he was willing to host us there so we could witness developments.

Our centennial culminating activities are fast approaching. To this end, the various committees have been holding frequent meetings to ensure the success of these activities. Personnels of the event organizer have been meeting with the different committees to address their needs. A vigorous campaign for attendance at “A Legacy of Rotary Service” will take place through roadshows at the various DISCON’s happening within a few days.

Likewise, the Centennial Awards Committee is now in the process of evaluating and pre-qualifying the 28 entries submitted as the committee has ser a deadline during the first week of April of this year.

With respect to Save Manila Bay, DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph and I just had a meeting with US Embassy officials last March 11, 2019 at the Manila Yacht Club in Manila where we discussed the project.

The TOWER Awards Committee has now received a total of 19 nominations (13 from Luzon; 4 from NCR; 1 from Visayas and 1 from Mindanao) from our partner PMAP. The pre-screening process which will include onsite visits and interviews begin on March 26, 2019 up to the first week of May 2019. The Awarding Ceremonies has been set on June 13, 2019 during the regular luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila.

The Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Please secure this once in a lifetime souvenir as I am sure its value will appreciate as time goes by.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) needs more benefactors so that we can help more students from PLM and PUP realize their dreams of a better life.

Today, we welcome Solicitor General Jose Calida as he gives us a glimpse into the policies, plans and programs of his office, being the law office of the Philippine government.

Without any doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need efforts beyond our limits 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 experience Rotary in our everyday lives.