President’s Corner

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Our Rotary soldiers pursued a relief mission to help the victims of the eruption of Taal Volcano in the most dire moments of our country last week. They gave their money. They gave their time. They gave their efforts to the country that they could have given to themselves and their families. We salute these patriotic soldiers of our club. Thank you PP Jimmie Policarpio, PP Benny Laguesma, Treasurer Jason Ong, PS Butch Marking, DE/IPAS Rene Policarpio, PD Ner Lonzaga, PT Jun Follosco, PD Knud Hedeager, VPE/Dir. Nicky Villaseñor, Rtn. Cons Robertz, AT Karlo Castro and VP Hermie Esguerra. Thank you to all those members of our club who donated all their money and time to care for the wounded citizens of our country. It is not easy to perform these functions. In the wake of all the damage done, our members with their efforts together did their duties. As members of our club, I congratulate all of you and I thank you.

The damage to our country is immense. The huge material and physical damage caused to the area is nothing compared to the anticipated affects Taal will continue to have in the months and years to come. But, we, as Rotarians, will always do our part for our country as we have done time and again when we are called or when we perform even without being called. We did this for polio. We did this in Marawi. We did this in Bicol. We did this in Asilo. We did this in Hospicio de San Jose. We did this in the Philippine General Hospital as well as in hundreds of places where we are needed. We shall be there as we have been there and as we are there. And that is what we are all about in Rotary. It is about sharing ourselves, our time, our bodies and our efforts to give a better life to all of those around us. This is to show them that we love them and that we care for them. For in their faces and in their pain, we see our own families, we see ourselves and we see our country. We see that we are needed.

Today, it is, but, right that we have with us the Vice President of our country, the Hon. Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona-Robredo. We welcome her whole heartedly as we wish to listen to her views, her hopes and dreams for a greater Philippines.

Best, Jackie