President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we staged our 15th Tourism Awards where we recognized outstanding personalities in the Tourism industry, mostly on ecological, farm tourism, shopping tourism, education tourism, integrated tourism, heritage tourism, and social tourism, to name a few. They, indeed, have made their respective marks in the field of tourism.

We are less than a month away from the most awaited centennial celebration culminating activities. Hence, we are now on the final stages of our preparations that would guarantee the success of our centennial. The gains of a hundred years deserve only the best of celebrations.

The Angels in Rendu Art Exhibit 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. On this occasion, cocktails will be served. Proceeds of the sale will all go to the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Center. On this note, I ask all of you to wholeheartedly support this endeavor.

The “Salubong Fiesta” will be on June 20, 2019 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. Cocktails will be served. The venues are the Luna, Hidalgo and Amorsolo Function Rooms of the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Many Rotarians have been invited. Please be in Filipiniana Casual attire.

The apex of the Centennial Celebration is the event 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. Our Rotaractors will help us and join us in the morning session of this day. In the same manner, 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. The evening will be a rare one with President Rodrigo Duterte and you will all enjoy good music from Lara Maigue, the Ryan Cayabyab singers and Marcy David and his band.

I am happy to announce that we now have our fourteen (14) Manila Rotarians/Manila Rotarian Spouses who are now Lambert Fellows, 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, PVP Ben Diokno, RID Raffy Garcia, Rtn. Gani Macatoman and AT Ner and Femy Lonzaga.

The Centennial Gala Night will be the climax of all celebrations for a hundred years of achievements. With VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra and his team of Manila Rotarians as well as event coordinators, the event promises to be the evening of all evenings from first class entertainment to venue as this will take place on June 22, 2019 at the posh Grand Ballroom of the OKADA MANILA in Parañaque City. Please do not miss this by invitation only event. Thank you to all of you who have donated as we anticipate the success of this event.

Our Coffee Table Book is already in the printing stages. Don’t miss the opportunity of securing your copies of this commemorative book once it is released. Our Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Don’t miss securing issues of these once in a lifetime memorabilia.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is certainly a phenomenon to say the least as it continues to help to the academically endowed, but, financially challenged graduating students of PLM and PUP. The program needs more benefactors to help these deserving students. Hence, I appeal to your generous hearts. Other than my appeal, our club will stage 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 project. Cocktails and ribbon cutting take place on May 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Main Lobby of The Power Plant Mall. See you all there.

All these would not be possible without your payments of the centennial seed fund and centennial donations. As such, I would like 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. In the sane manner, I would like to remind all those who have not paid their annual dues to please do so.

Today, we welcome the number one ranked senator during the recent midterm elections, the livelihood lady herself, Sen. Cynthia Villar, as she graces our luncheon meeting.

Without an iota of doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which need our earnest 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 as we begin the next chapter of service. Let us all BE THE INSPIRATION and embrace Rotary in our everyday lives as we make these final preparations for the centennial worth our lasting legacy for the next one hundred years and beyond.