President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, you were all apprised of our thorough preparations for our centennial culminating activities through our last Townhall Meeting for the Centennial Celebration. Details were explained by the different Manila Rotarians in charge of the various activities for the Centennial Celebration. The Centennial Celebration is just around the corner with less than a month remaining. Hence, preparations are in full swing and almost non-stop with the help of our hardworking fellow Rotarians and our event organizers.

The Angels in Rendu Art Exhibit takes place on June 15, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Art Pavillion of the LRI Design Plaza in Makati City where cocktails will be served. The proceeds of the sale will all go to the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Center. Let us wholeheartedly support this endeavor.

The Welcome Party which takes place on June 20, 2019 will be a “Salubong Fiesta” where the Guest of Honor is no less than Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney. This will be from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm where cocktails will be served. The venues are the Luna, Hidalgo and Amorsolo Function Rooms of the World Trade Center in Pasay City where many Rotarians have been invited. Please be in Filipiniana Casual attire.

The highlight of the Centennial Celebration is the event that happens on June 21, 2019, known as “A Legacy of Rotary Service” which features the mass induction of District Governors-Elect and Presidents-Elect by no less than Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney where a certificate will be given to them. Likewise, on this day will be the historic Rotary Forum led by the RI President-Elect himself. Moreover, the five (5) grand finalists will be singing the best composition in the Centennial Chorale Competition where they vie for top honors. The most outstanding service projects from all the rotary districts will be chosen. For the evening, it will be a rare one with President Rodrigo Duterte while savoring good music from Lara Maigue, the Ryan Cayabyab singers and Marcy David and his band.

On the other hand, I am happy to announce that we have our first batch of Lambert Fellows composed of eleven (11) Manila Rotarians, namely, Rtn. Celso Abastillas, Rtn. Jun Bella, Rtn. John Emyl Eugenio, PP Benny Laguesma, PD Ed Led, PP Teddy Ocampo, PD Abe Pascual. PVP Fausto Preysler, Jr., DE/BLA Amading Valdez and PVP Ben Diokno.

The Centennial Gala Night will be a celebration of all our achievements for the past century. Under VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra and his team of Manila Rotarians as well as event coordinators, this evening promises to be the evening of all evenings from first class entertainment to venue as this takes place on June 22, 2019 at the posh Grand Ballroom of the OKADA MANILA in Parañaque City. This by invitation only event is one you should all not miss. Thank you to all of you who have donated for the success of this event.

These centennial endeavors would not be possible without your remittances of the centennial seed and centennial donations. Hence, I wish to appeal to all those who have not remitted to please do so as these would go along way in covering our expenses for our centennial celebration. Likewise, I wish to remind all those who have not paid their annual dues to please do so.

Today, we recognize the outstanding personalities in the tourism industry as we stage the 15th Tourism Awards under the abled leadership of Chair DE/Dir. Bobby Joseph, assisted by Co-Chair PP Francis Juico, DE/BLA Amading Valdez and PD Abe Pascual. Congratulations to the awardees!

Undoubtedly, 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 towards making these final preparations for the centennial worth our enduring legacy for the next one hundred years.

Our Coffee Table Book is gearing towards its printing stages. Please don’t fail to secure your copies of this commemorative book once it is released. Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Don’t miss the opportunity of securing issue of these once in a lifetime memorabilia as they command a higher value as the years go by.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) continues to be an immense help to the academically endowed, but, financially challenged graduating students of PLM and PUP. On this note, I wish to make an earnest appeal to all of you as the program needs more benefactors to help these deserving students. Other than my appeal, our club will likewise hold a special art exhibition, entitled, “A Giving Heart: A Fundraising Event” at the North Court of the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City from May 30, 2019 to June 2, 2019 with special pieces on display by distinguished artists. The proceeds will go to our REAP. Cocktails and ribbon cutting will take place on May 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Main Lobby of The Power Plant Mall.