President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were treated to a literary odyssey by National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose with his take on the many of the issues of society as reflected in his writings which the public considers as a treasure worth keeping.

The centennial culminating activities are just around the corner. Hence, sectoral meetings are held frequently to address deliverables on their respective ends. Towards this end, we have entered into media partnerships with both The Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin after we made courtesy calls with top management. We likewise finalized the program of activities from the Welcome Cocktails to “A Legacy of Rotary Service” as well as the Centennial Gala Night. In the same manner, we are likewise constantly updating the status of local and foreign invitations with the immense help of our event organizers. We have likewise focused on finalizing the entertainers for the culminating events and continue to seek the best possible packages for the three events.

“A Legacy of Rotary Service” already has a complete program of activities. Follow up meetings with PICC regarding venue arrangements have become necessary while following the registration trends. The Centennial Awards Committee, which takes charge of the Rotary Success Stories, will be meeting today for the submission of evaluation by its members who likewise form the Screening Committee.

The Centennial Gala Night Committee is in the process of finalizing the program flow for the evening, the status of invitations with corresponding RSVP, the updated headcount for venue preparations as well as the venue and technical requirements of the event. A meeting regarding the Centennial Membership Roster was likewise held.

With respect to the Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray Project, which was a subject of a global grant, I wish to invite all of you to its inauguration on April 5, 2019. Our meeting place will be at Starbucks NLEX Petron at 8:45 am of that day before proceeding to the site.

The Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Don’t miss your chance to get this once in a lifetime memorabilia.

We had a very touching experience in our Meet and Greet with our PUP REAP scholars last Friday. We were honored and lauded by PUP for our efforts towards REAP. With the REAP Sponsors in attendance, the scholars expressed their overwhelming gratitude through thank you letters and moving speeches which truly warmed our hearts. On this note, I wish to convey my earnest appeal for more REAP sponsors so we could turn more dreams of these financially challenged, but, academically equipped students of PLM and PUP into the realities they so desire.

Today, we welcome our very own PDG Obet Pagdanganan as he presents options on how to improve the quality of life of the marginalized sector towards promoting equitable national progress.

Without an iota of doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need our best efforts 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 I encourage all of you to embrace Rotary in living our everyday lives.