President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, the country’s number one ranked senator in the last elections, Sen. Cynthia Villar, enlightened us on her advocacies on farming livelihood and tourism. It was an enlightening talk which kept our members engaged, especially, during the open forum.

The exact day of our centennial was last June 1, 2019, but, with respect to our centennial celebration culminating activities, we are fourteen (14) days away from celebrating the gains of a century. Hence, last minute preparations are currently taking place. Our fellow Manila Rotarians have been making last minute pitches for attendance at our centennial celebration activities by making the rounds of the Rotary clubs across the country.

We began shooting the audiovisual of Manila Rotarians singing the Philippine National Anthem at the historic Manila Hotel which will be used for the playing of the anthem in the celebration of the centennial culminating activities and thereafter. Advertisements and articles on the centennial celebration have been flooding the broadsheets, increasing public awareness of our celebration. Logistics on rotary dignitaries who will be arriving are already in place. We are on the final touches on our Centennial Chronicles and we are paying attention to key details we may have missed out in our preparations.

To remind all of you, our 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. Cocktails will be served. Proceeds of the sale will all go to the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Center. As such, please wholeheartedly support this endeavor.

The “Salubong Fiesta” will be on June 20, 2019 where the Guest of Honor will be Rotary International Director Raffy Garcia as Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney still arrives later in the evening. This will be from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Cocktails will be served on this event. This will be held at 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 highlight 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 wish to likewise appeal to all of you to consider being Lambert Fellows as your humble donation to the cause of our centennial celebration and be the additional fellow to our first fourteen fellow Manila Rotarians.

The Centennial Gala Night will be the celebration of all celebrations for a hundred years of strides. With VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra and his team of Manila Rotarians as well as event coordinators, this event promises to be an evening to remember 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 now being printed. Don’t miss the opportunity of securing your copies of this commemorative book once it is released. The Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Please don’t fail to purchase issues of these once in a lifetime memorabilia worth keeping.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is 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. I likewise wish to thank all those who supported our special art exhibition, entitled, “A Giving Heart: A Fundraising Event” at the North Court of the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City last May 30, 2019 to June 2, 2019. The ribbon-cutting took place last May 31, 2019 with Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva and renowned Engr. Pabling Calma doing the honors. The proceeds will subsidize our REAP project.

Our TOWER AWARDS Board of Judges had just deliberated on those who be adjudged winners. Towards this end, I am confident that with PP Benny Laguesma at the helm, this will be a sure success. Our Sari-Saring Aralan project had just held its graduation of the first batch of alternative learning students. This was held at the TMX, 3rd Level Prime Block of the Tutuban Center, Tondo, Manila.

All these would not be possible without your payments of the centennial seed fund and centennial donations. For those who have not yet remitted, 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 our very own BSP Governor PVP Ben Diokno as he gives the current state of banking in the country. We will likewise hold the second segment of audiovisual shoot for the Philippine National Anthem. Please be early. We likewise stage the JOURNALISM AWARDS 2019. Congratulations to the winners!

Without 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 as we begin the next chapter of service. Let us all BE THE INSPIRATION and embrace Rotary in our everyday lives as we make a final push for a centennial worth our lasting legacy for the next one hundred years and beyond.