President's Corner

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

Last week, we celebrated the biggest event of our Rotary year in three straight days, our Centennial Celebration, where we commemorated the strides we have achieved in the past one hundred years of our existence which coincided with the centennial of the Rotary movement in the Philippines and in Asia.

The festivities began with the arrival of Rotarians from our sister clubs from different parts of the world as well as Rotary International dignitaries led by Rotary International President-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney where many of our Manila Rotarians showcased the warmth of Filipino hospitality right at the airport premises. A grand Salubong Fiesta last June 20, 2019 awaited all invited Rotarians, complete with delectable cocktails and a taste of Filipino culture through dance performances as foreign and local Rotarians alike exchanged pleasantries. Manila Rotarians made a show of force, clad in casual Filipiniana attire while wearing a blue neckerchief with the centennial logo embedded. Wine was overflowing and cocktail food as well as a tinge of Filipino cuisine were commonplace as the evening was filled with fellowship and camaraderie that is uniquely Rotary.

The following day, June 21, 2019, Rotarians trooped early to the Philippine International Convention Center for an entire day of Rotary which included the chorale competition, the lively Rotary forum, the awarding of the most outstanding service projects and the mass oath taking of District Governors-Elect and Presidents-Elect by RI President-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney which drew a big crowd from the Champion team. The evening saw Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles delivering President Duterte’s message amid a night of music and dancing. Meals for the entire day were as bountiful as the day’s activities.

The next day, June 22, 2019, clad in their best Barong Tagalog, one of the biggest if not the biggest number of Manila Rotarians attended the Centennial Gala with the best of the diplomatic corps and Rotarians from all over the Philippines and abroad, became a reality on a night of grandeur and splendor which began with the processional of Manila Rotarians, Past Presidents of the club, the incoming Board and the centennial Board as RI President-Elect Mark Maloney and Chair VPE/PAT Hermie Esguerra shook hands with almost everyone. El Gamma Penumbra and other entertainers such as Jed Maddela brought the house down with a one of a kind performance. Honoring the Past Presidents as they gathered around the birthday cake with PP Toting del Rosario, being the oldest living President, blowing the candle. Remarks and renewal of commitment led by RI President-Elect Mark Maloney culminated towards a toast offered by the District Governor. It was, indeed, an evening to remember.

“A Legacy of Rotary Service” and the “Centennial Gala” were both graced by the presence of US Ambassador Sung Kim, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda and Madam Haneda, Rotary International Director Raffy Garcia and Past Rotary International Directors Paing Hechanova and Guiller Tumangan, among other dignitaries present.

Today, as I call to order the meeting for the ultimate time as President of this heritage club, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to each and everyone of you for making our Centennial Year, an enduring milestone to which we could look back to in the years to come. While I will be handing out awards to individuals who have immensely helped in the success of this Rotary year, I cannot help, but, reminisce the ordeals and challenges we have undergone just to stage this once in a lifetime celebration. No 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 after having celebrated a centennial worth our lasting legacy for the next century and beyond.