President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, PDG Obet Pagdanganan gave us a trip down memory lane on the different milestones achieved by our club which gives us more reason to celebrate the gains of a hundred years of “Service Above Self”. His talk served as the perfect hype before the reports of the different committees with respect to updates on the centennial culminating activities were delivered.

The aim of the club assembly was to get more Manila Rotarians onboard in the centennial culminating activities. Hence, at the end of the townhall meeting, many of you began giving your pledges of financial support which is a good sign that the spirit of Rotary is alive and well in our club.

With respect to the preparations for the centennial celebration, an electronic invite for the June 20, 2019 Welcome Party for Rotary dignitaries led by RIPE Mark Maloney, foreign sister clubs and daughter clubs was released. The theme is a Salubong Fiesta to be held at the Luna, Hidalgo and Amorsolo Rooms of the World Trade Center where the attire is Filipiniana Casual and where there will be a concurrent art sale for the benefit of the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Building.

Meanwhile, I presided over the meeting of the Centennial Steering Committee at the Saddle Room of the Manila Polo Club in Makati City where the topics ranged from budget updating to projected income and expenses as well as sponsorship updates and composition of the participation of the Department of Tourism in the centennial culminating activities.

The Centennial Projects are moving in the right direction. The Centennial Gala Night is gradually drawing financial support after Chairman VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra delivered a moving report that touched the feelings of our fellow Manila Rotarians that one by one they gave their pledges. As a result, many Manila Rotarians are enlisting their attendance for the event. On this note, this early I wish to express my outpouring of gratitude to all of you for heeding the call.

With respect to the Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray Project, the inauguration of the livelihood center at Hospicio de San Jose-Norzagaray, the site of Global Grant (GG) 1871987, a project made possible in cooperation with our sister club, the Rotary Club of Osaka East, Rotary International District 2660, Rotary International District 3810 and The Rotary Foundation, took place last April 5, 2019 at the Hospicio de San Jose in Norzagaray, Bulacan. PDG Alex Cureg, PP Teddy Ocampo, Rtn. Ray Davis, PD Phillip Ong, PP Benny Laguesma and PD Beda Fajardo were with me during the inauguration of this project.

With respect to “A Legacy of Rotary Service”, a program is already in place and we continue to vigorously campaign for more Rotarians all over the country to register and take part in this event. The Centennial Awards Committee has completed its screening phase last April 4, 2019 and the top ten Rotary projects had been selected. These will be turned over to the distinguished panel of judges, among whom are Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan, Zonta International Past President Olivia Ferry, Gawad Kalinga Founder Antonio Meloto and chaired by His Excellency Sung Kim, Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of the Philippines.

The Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Make sure to secure issues of this stamps as they a very valuable memorabilia for the years to come.

Our REAP needs more sponsors so we can help more financially-challenged, but, academically-prepared students from PLM and PUP realize theirs dreams of a brighter tomorrow for themselves and for their respective families. Hence, I convey my earnest appeal for this worthwhile project.

With respect to the Centennial Seed Fund, the Centennial Donations and the Annual Dues, the names of those who have paid and partially paid will appear in the BALITA as we endeavor to collect all these since they will go a long way in augmenting our centennial expenses.

On the fellowship front, I tendered a farewell party in honor of His Excellency Jose Ureta, Ambassador of Argentina to the Republic of the Philippines and Honorary Member of our club, last April 7, 2019 at my residence where a few Manila Rotarians were in attendance. Meanwhile, we condole with the family of the late Rtn. Pabling Carpo who joined our Creator last April 9, 2019. On this note, we offer a prayer for the eternal repose of his soul as we have lost another Manila Rotarian to the Great Beyond.

Today, we take a partial break from our usual norm of guest soeakers from government and top management from the private sector as we reflect on the Season of Lent with Fr. Dennis Paez as our Guest Speaker, a renowned recollection master with the hope that we get inspired to get involved in our centennial culminating activities as we listen to the financial portion of the reports of a sequel to last week’s townhall meeting.

No doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need the greatest of 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 we embrace Rotary in living our everyday lives.