The Week That Was

PDG Edmond Aguilar, Chairman, Council of Past District Governors, Pres. Jackie Rodriguez and Pres. Glo Calvario call the 16th meeting, a joint meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila with Rotary Club of Loyola Heights, to order.

Dir. Raffy Alunan, III as Officer-In-Charge/Program Moderator, calls the sequence of activities.

Pres. Glo Calvario delivers an ecumenical prayer.

IPDG Rudy Bediones leads in the recitation of the Four (4) Way Test as a renewal of the Rotary credo for all Rotarians.

PDG Vince Carlos introduces the guests, visiting Rotarians and personalities seated at the presidential table.

Pres. Jackie Rodriguez, during his President’s Time, acknowledges with sincere thanks and appreciation all attendees for the testimonial luncheon in honor of His Excellency Sung Y. Kim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Manila.

CP/IPP Susing Pineda, as introducer of the Guest of Honor and Speaker, requested the attention of attendees to the wide screen for the message of His Excellency Jose Manuel “Babe” G. Romualdez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America and Past Vice President of the Rotary Club of Manila. He, then, delivered a simple introduction of His Excellency Sung Y. Kim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Manila.

His Excellency Ambassador Sung Y. Kim delivers his valedictory speech with preliminary opening remarks of his new assignment in the near future and that he will be missing the company of fellow Manila Rotarians, especially, the performances by the Rotary Club of Manila World Famous Chorale. He then touched on having had good diplomatic relations with the Philippines where he took great strides to open dialogues and build relationships with key figures in the Duterte administration. He also added that U.S. companies can also take part in the “Build, Build, Build” initiative in order to foster knowledge and best practice sharing between the two nations as the U.S. has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of infrastructure and public works. He also assured that the U.S. is still committed to honoring the bilateral defense treaty with the Philippines and promised to uphold the rule of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) with regard to the West Philippine Sea issue against China.

Pres. Jackie Rodriguez presents to His Excellency Ambassador Sung Y. Kim the replica of the bell and gavel set as a token of appreciation.

PDG Edmond Aguilar, Pres. Jackie Rodriguez and Pres. Glo Calvario adjourn the meeting.

Weekly Birthday Celebrants

Pres. Jackie Rodriguez presents PD Rob Sears and PD Jess Santos as the birthday celebrants of the week for the traditional blowing of the candle on the birthday cake amidst the singing by the RCM World Famous Chorale of the happy birthday song.

Raffle Winners Courtesy of My Globe Business

My Globe Business as a valuable sponsor of the meeting raffled-off power banks with the lucky winners: VP Hermie Esguerra, Rtn. Johnny Chotrani, Rtn. Willie Pelino, Rtn. Momo Mommaerts and Rtn. Bernd Schneider.