President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, Solicitor-General Jose Calida enlightened us on a general scale the functions of his office with a glimpse of famous cases he defended in behalf of the Philippine Government which caught the attention of many of us resulting into a lively and spirited open forum.

In the same way, we were treated to a big surprise last March 14, 2019 as what was billed as a Rotary Club of Manila DISCON Appreciation Night turned out to be a big birthday bash for my good friend, VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra, which certainly became the fellowship to top all fellowships as our fellow Manila Rotarians would put it. Thank you to those who carefully planned this.

With our centennial celebration culminating activities fast approaching, meetings of our Centennial Steering Committee have become more and more frequent as periodic updates become a fairly accurate measure of how far we have gone in preparations. Courtesy calls to the Department of Tourism have now become an indispensable part of our preparations in defining their role in promoting this event as one that would invite more tourists to our country. Collaborative efforts certainly ensure a better attendance. We have likewise stepped up efforts through our events organizer with respect to drumming up registration through early bird rates and constant monitoring. In the same manner, we have met with District Governor-Elect Liza Elorde to assist us in disseminating information regarding the mass oath-taking for Champion District Governors and Champion Presidents.

Our centennial projects are in full swing. The Centennial Gala Night Committee is now reviewing the status, concerns and deadlines for the Centennial Roster, Invitation, Registration, Physical Arrangement, Program, Historical Presentation and the Ways and Means to ensure a night befitting of celebrating the gains of a hundred years.

Our Sari-Saring Aralan was specifically commended at the Ayala Foundation Partners Night with no less than brothers, Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, as well as Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan in attendance, giving our club the branding it rightfully deserves and the centennial project, the proper recognition, given its impact to the community.

Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still being sold. Please do not miss securing issues of these stamps as they are valuable pieces of memorabilia.

Our Rotary Educational Assistance Program (REAP) continues to attract more donors as we recently received Php 240,000 from an anonymous donor whom we plan to surprise on April 25, 2019. In relation to this, the project still needs more benefactors for us to help more students of PLM and PUP in attaining their dreams of better lives for their families.

Today, Grameen Founder, famed Nobel Peace Prize Winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus, a social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader, will enlighten us on microfinance and microcredit concepts.

Undoubtedly, 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 make Rotary part of our everyday lives.