Centennial News

Dear Fellow RCMers,

As you well know, our Centennial Year is upon us. In the past few years leading up to the present, your club leadership has planned and prepared several projects and events befitting this milestone in the history of our prestigious club. During the Town Hall Meeting last August 9, 2018, these activities were presented and broadly discussed. The responses of our members afterwards were inspiring. They want to do their share in making our centennial celebrations truly memorable, not only for RCMers but also to all Rotarians of the Philippines and of Asia.

Indeed, in various district functions recently, other Rotarians from all over the country have also expressed their enthusiasm in joining us in the celebration of 100 years of the Rotary movement in this part of the world. They are just waiting, in their own words, for the Rotary Club of Manila to lead them.

It is it time therefore, for us to take the challenge of leading our fellow Rotarians. And for us to do this effectively, the participation of each RCM member is needed. Attached is the list of our centennial committees and their projects. Also provided is the Program of Activities for the Centennial Week. I urge you to volunteer your participation in any of the activities. Together, we can attain greater achievements for our club!

Please indicate the committee(s) / event(s) that you are joining.

Yours in Rotary, Pres. Susing Pineda

Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray Project

This project aims to provide shelter for street families from the City of Manila within the hospice site located in Norzagaray, Bulacan and to equip parents from these families with the livelihood skills training to be conducted within the hospice site to adequately prepare them for independent living.

Centennial Projects

Presidential Proclamation No. 413 is a proclamation signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte “declaring 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 as the ‘Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary Movement in the Philippines and in Asia”. This was obtained through the help of IPP Jimmie Policarpio and his Board of Directors and Executive Officers.

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is a Rotary Club of Manila-sponsored musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like the motion picture, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend, but it differs from the film in many ways. This show is a fund-raising endeavor of the club.

Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Watch is a limited edition watch (100 pieces) made by Ibarra bearing the new logo of the Rotary Club of Manila which will be sold as part of a fund-raising endeavor.

Philippine Booth of the Rotary Club of Manila at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Canada was an initiative in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines to promote the centennial of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia. The booth was designed by Rotaractors from the Rotaract Club of Manila, one of our sponsored clubs.

SARI-SARING ARALAN: 3K para sa 3K (Kabataan, Kababaihan, Kalalakihan para sa Karunungan, Kaugalian, Kagitingan) is based on the concept of the iconic Filipino sari-sari store, a well-known place in the community, that can be a venue for learning. It is based on the premise that learning does not and should not only take place inside schools and colleges, but in communities, workplaces, and families, as well. Sari-Saring Aralan aims to become a Learning Hub for OSY to help in increasing their capacity, sociability, change of values, and mind set in life.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (aka Adopt-a-Student program) is an initiative to support graduating students from the Pamantasan ng Maynila and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines by providing financial aid for their everyday expenses. In line with celebrating 100 years of service, the initial goal is to provide support to 100 graduating students who will be needing financial support the most but at the same time providing better opportunities to improve their current state.

Rotary’s Heart for Little Angels is an initiative to provide financial assistance to young children with congenital heart defects for purposes of their operation.

One Rotary One Philippines One for Marawi is an initiative that aims to provide medical, psychological and palliative care to wounded soldiers who have fought for the liberation of Marawi from the shackles of terrorism as well as civilians who have been displaced as a result of the armed conflict.

Centennial Commemorative Stamp is an initiative to commemorate the 100 years of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia through the issuance of limited edition stamps.

Seeds of Change by Rotary Club of Manila is an initiative to plant 100,000 gmelina and seedlings in commemoration of the 100 years of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia.

Centennial Hymn is an initiative towards composing a song that will embody the 100 years of the Rotary Club of Manila.

Rotary Club of Manila Coffee Table Book is an initiative to set forth the strides of Asia’s First Rotary Club and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia in its 100 years of existence.

The Search for The Outstanding Workers of the Republic (TOWER) Awards was founded in 1975 by the Rotary Club of Manila as an annual search for outstanding “blue collar” workers of the country. Subsequently, it included in its coverage “white collar” (non-supervisory) workers. It aims to recognize the contributions to economic development of the legions of skilled workers who constitute the backbone of our country’s manpower capacity. The awards program transcended the confines of a Club’s concern because of its nationwide reach and significance in uplifting the Filipino workers’ morale and social status leading to greater prestige at the workplace – to the entrepreneur / employer and the colleagues, to the family and the community while enhancing individual career opportunities and promoting industrial peace.

Rotary Activities with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is an initiative to showcase the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, a creation of the Rotary Club of Manila, as they take part in centennial activities of our club.

Journalism Awards

The Journalism Awards revolutionized the image of the press in the eyes of the public whose undying vigilance became a continuing inspiration for many a journalist to make the tri-media a medium to discuss issues of national significance. It has become a yardstick of prestige for any media outfit as they often mention this triumph in identifying themselves to the public in many a radio broadcast, television program or newspaper.

Tourism Awards

The objective of the Tourism Awards is to recognize outstanding personalities in the Tourism industry.

100 Years of Rotary: An Art Celebration

This is a fund-raising project of the club where paintings of well known artists will be displayed at the lobby of the Powerplant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City and the proceeds of the sale will go to our centennial fund.

Rotary National Centennial Golf Tournament

This is a golf tournament spearheaded by our club in coordination with our daughter clubs in the various districts in the Philippines that will take charge of the leg in their respective areas. Our club will spearhead that of District 3810 and will likewise take charge of the championship round during the centennial week to be held at the Sta. Elena Golf Club which will feature the winners of the different legs.

Centennial Launch

This activity aims to announce the different projects and activities for the Centennial of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia through a press conference launch where cocktails will be served and with Rotarians from different clubs and districts in attendance.

Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Chorale Competition

This concept of BLA Amading Valdez targets the youth who will be called upon to serve in the next 100 years. The resulting musical composition from this competition may trigger a national consciousness for service and sacrifice for country and humanity. It will be the lasting legacy of our club. It is just appropriate albeit a necessity that this musical competition be the centerpiece of the culminating centennial celebration to be held on June 21, 2019. This competition will be open to all high school students in cooperation with DepEd and qualified out-of-school youth in cooperation with DILG.

A Legacy of Rotary Service

This activity aims to recognize Rotarians and clubs from all over the Philippines for their noteworthy projects. The highlight of the evening would be the induction of the District Governors-Elect and the Presidents-Elect by the Rotary International President-Elect.

President Susing Pineda held a meeting with DGE Liza Elorde last March 20, 2019 at the Tapenade of the Discovery Primea in Makati City. Discussion delved on the mass oath taking of Champion District Governors and Champion Presidents and their attendance at “A Legacy of Rotary Service”.

Centennial Gala Night

This is the culminating activity of the centennial of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia in an evening of nostalgia and congeniality uniting Rotarians from different parts of the archipelago which will be graced by the presence of Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney.

The Centennial Gala Night Committee held a meeting last March 14, 2019 at the Gallery 1, New World Makati Hotel in Makati City. The meeting delved on discussions regarding the status, concerns and deadlines for the Centennial Roster, Invitation, Registration, Physical Arrangement Committee, Program Committee, Historical Presentation Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Present were Chair VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra, PDG Alex Cureg, PP Boy Guevera, PP Boy Ampil, PP Benny Laguesma, PP Teddy Ocampo, PP Francis Juico, PVP Chito Zaldarriaga, PD Pepo Nunez, Ms. Roselle Rebano, Ms. Ina Bugayong and Mr. Manuel Del Pilar.

Save Manila Bay

SAVE MANILA BAY is a centennial project made in consultation with former Manila Rtn. Atty. Antonio “Tony” Oposa, Rtn. Bobit Avila of the Rotary Club of Cebu and Manila Yacht Club Commodore/Dir. Bobby Joseph where a persuasive follow up on the Local Government Units with respect to waste management by way of waste segregation and facilitation of sewerage treatment will be undertaken. The treatment will be undertaken for free by Maynilad and Manila Water, which both receive direct payments from homeowners and business owners’ water bills for the purpose of sewerage treatment.

Centennial Awards

The much coveted awards given to the most deserving clubs from the ten Rotary districts in the Philippines as their “Rotary Success Stories” take centerstage.

Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

President Susing Pineda conveys his earnest appeal for more benefactors for the project.

Sari-Saring Aralan

President Susing Pineda and Centennial Celebrations Steering Committee Sec.Gen. Romy Nones attended the Ayala Foundation Partners Night last March 18, 2019 at the Ayala Museum. Both Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala graced the event. The Rotary Club of Manila was invited as it is a partner of Ayala Foundation in the club’s centennial project, “Sari-saring Aralan” which converted sari-sari stores into alternative learning hubs. Mr. Ruel Maranan, President of The Ayala Foundation was likewise present that evening. The Rotary Club of Manila was mentioned several times and received all praises for the outstanding project.

Centennial Commemorative Stamps

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 413, signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, “declaring 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, as the “Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary Movement in the Philippines and in Asia, the Rotary Club of Manila, First in Asia, will celebrate this milestone achievement of 100 Years of Rotary Service to the Community, a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, during its Centennial Rotary Year 2018-2019, its centennial birth anniversary being this June 1, 2019. One of the Centennial Projects of the Rotary Club of Manila is the issuance of a limited edition Centennial Commemorative Stamp in collaboration with the Philippine Postal Corporation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime memorabilia which is guaranteed to last generations such that it becomes collector’s item.

Below is the Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Stamps Package (3 Sets) for your selection, reservation and payment. All payments shall be made through Ms. Devann Abayon, RCM Centennial Committee Project Coordinator, the proceeds of which shall go to the Club’s Centennial Funds.

Update on the Centennial Celebration

The Steering Committee for the Centennial Celebration held a luncheon meeting last March 18, 2019 at the Sports Lounge of the Manila Polo Club in Makati City where ipdates on the Centennial Celebration culminating activities were discussed. Present were President Susing Pineda, DE/BLA Amading Valdez, Club Secretary Alvin Lacambacal, DE/Club Treasurer Nicky Villaseñor, PP Francis Juico and Former DOT Asec Mr. Frederick “Ricky” Alegre.

The Steering Committee for the Centennial Celebrations held a meeting last March 19, 2019 at the Department of Tourism in Makati City regarding the participation of the department in the Centennial Celebration culminating activities. Present on the part of the department were Tourism Promotions Board COO Venus Tan, Usec. Art Bongcato, Usec Bong Bengzon and other officials of the department. On the part of the Rotary Club of Manila, present were DE/Club Treasurer Nicky Villaseñor, Club Secretary Alvin Lacambacal, PP Teddy Ocampo, PDG Obet Pagdanganan, PDG Vince Carlos, President Susing Pineda, Centennial Celebrations Sec.Gen. Romy Nones and PP Francis Juico. Also present was Former DOT Asec Mr. Frederick “Ricky” Alegre.