President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we were treated to an exciting forecast of the real estate market through the enlightening talk of Mr. David Leechiu, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Leechiu Property Consultants, Inc. His insights truly gave all of us a glimpse of what is out there in the market.

Our centennial celebration culminating activities are fast approaching. Hence, our Steering Committee held a meeting yesterday with officials of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as well as some representatives from Primetrade Asia at the Banquet Hall 1 of the PICC in Pasay City where we discussed confirmation updates together with the budget and program for the Welcome Party which we aptly called “Salubong Fiesta” for June 20, 2019; the physical arrangements, invitations, confirmations, responsibilities, rules and postings of Seargeant-at-Arms, program, seat plan, the Centennial Chorale Competition as well as security and medical concerns for “A Legacy of Rotary Service” on June 21, 2019; the invitations, confirmations and program for the June 22, 2019 Centennial Gala Night; the media and public relations for the events as well as the souvenir program. The meeting practically touched on the entire celebration and culminated with a signing of a contract with PICC for the staging of the Centennial Celebration event for June 21, 2019.

Our activities begin with “Angels in Rendu” Art Exhibit which features the works of special children. This will be on June 15, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Art Pavillion of the LRI Design Plaza in Makati City. Please support this as the proceeds of the sale will go to the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Center. Cocktails will be served.

In the same manner, let us join our fellow Rotarians from our sister clubs, daughter clubs and all others who will be present at the Luna, Amorsolo and Hidalgo Rooms of the World Trade Center in Pasay City on June 20, 2019 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm for our “Salubong Fiesta” while donning our Filipiniana Casual attires with no less that Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney as our Guest of Honor. This promises to be an exciting evening of fellowship and camaraderie.

The following day, let us all participate in a whole day event, “A Legacy of Rotary Service” where a mass induction by Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney awaits all District Governors-Elect and Presidents-Elect, a Centennial Chorale Competition with the grand finalists singing the best composition, a rare Rotary Forum with the RI President, and an evening with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte amid entertainment from Lara Maigue, the Ryan Cayabyab singers and music from Marcy David and his band. This is simply Rotary at its finest hour.

The last of the three day affair which occurs on June 22, 2019 promises to be a celebration for the ages with many top entertainers gracing an evening to culminate our centennial. Towards this end, the Centennial Gala Night Committee led by Chair VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra held a consultative meeting last week with some of the Past Presidents of our club to get some inputs for the event. The number of donors to the Centennial Gala Night continues to rise as more and more of you realize the importance of celebrating the gains of a hundred years which is a good sign for our celebration.

Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps continue to be on sale. Hence, I urge each one of you to purchase issues of these stamps as they serve as a once in a lifetime memorabilia, a memento you can show to the next generation of how proud you are as a Manila Rotarian.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program continues to attract more and more benefactors. On this note, I wish to convey my earnest appeal for more benefactors for us to make more dreams of better lives come true for these academically endowed, but, financially challenged graduating students of PLM and PUP.

With all of these happening, it is, but, appropriate that, today, we apprise you of the latest regarding our upcoming centennial celebration in detail through a Townhall Meeting so that you could be given the opportunity to participate and give your inputs. No doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need the best 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 our daily lives as we make these final preparations for the centennial be worth a legacy for the next one hundred years.