President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we recognized the outstanding blue collar workers of our country at the Centennial Edition of our TOWER Awards. Thank you to Petron Foundation, Inc., the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the Department of Labor and Employment and New World Makati Hotel for supporting this worthwhile endeavor. Likewise, a depth of gratitude to PP Benny Laguesma for spearheading this event.

We had a successful Angels in Rendu Art Exhibit at the Art Pavillion of the LRI Design Plaza in Makati City last June 15, 2019 where many Manila Rotarians and friends bought paintings of special children Angie de Ramos and Angelica Reyes. The proceeds of the sale went to the Hospicio de San Jose Cerebral Palsy Center. Thank you PD Phillip Ong and his supporters for staging this exhibit for charity as well as all Manila Rotarians who attended.

Our preparations which began several years ago will now see its fruition beginning today, June 20, 2019, as we kick-off our three-day Centennial Celebration with our Welcome Party, aptly dubbed, the “Salubong Fiesta” to showcase the warm hospitality of the Filipino culture to all Rotarians present, including our sister and daughter clubs with RI Director Raffy Garcia, III, as Guest of Honor. The venue is the Luna, Hidalgo and Amorsolo Function Rooms of the World Trade Center in Pasay City as we all don our Filipiniana Casual’s best in welcoming our guests.

The high point of the Centennial Celebration is tomorrow’s event, 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 lend a helping hand and join us in the morning session of this day. Also, on this day will be the historic Rotary Forum led by the RI President-Elect himself. Further, the five (5) grand finalists will be singing the best composition in the Centennial Chorale Competition where they vie for top honors. Moreover, the most outstanding service projects from all the rotary districts in the Philippines will receive awards. Thereafter, we will have an enchanting evening with President Rodrigo Duterte or his designate amid a night of music from Lara Maigue, the Ryan Cayabyab singers and Marcy David and his band.

The Centennial Gala Night will serve as the celebration of all celebrations for a hundred years of service to humanity. With VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra and his team of Manila Rotarians as well as event coordinators, this event promises to be a first class evening from entertainment to venue as this will take place, two days from now, on June 22, 2019 at the posh Grand Ballroom of the OKADA MANILA in Parañaque City. This is a by invitation only event. On this note, I wish to express my utmost gratitude to all who have donated as we anticipate the success of this event.

Our Centennial Coffee Table Book is now being sold for Php 2,000 a copy. Don’t miss the opportunity of securing your copies of this commemorative book which tells the story of our heritage club. The Centennial Commemorative Stamps are still on sale. Please don’t miss your chance to secure for yourselves, issues of these once in a lifetime memorabilia whose value will surely increase in the years to come.

The Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP) continues to help the academically endowed, but, financially challenged graduating students of PLM and PUP. There is a need for more benefactors to help these deserving students. Hence, I appeal to your generosity to help these students.

All these would not be possible without your payments of the centennial seed fund and centennial donations. Hence, I wish to make an urgent appeal for those who have not yet remitted to please do so as these would go along way in covering the expenses we are incurring now as we celebrate our centennial. Further, I would like to remind all those who have not paid their annual dues to please do so.

Without an iota of doubt, all these are colossal undertakings which entail 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 century of service. Let us all BE THE INSPIRATION and embrace Rotary in our everyday lives as we celebrate a centennial worth our lasting legacy for the next century and beyond.