President’s Corner

Dear Colleagues in RCM,

This is our Thirty-Ninth (39th) Weekly Meeting for RY 2020-2021. We have seven (7) more regular meetings to go, then we will welcome the 102nd leaders in our Board and the officials appointed. We thank everyone for bringing out their best and being the most they could be. We are grateful for the blessings we received despite the pandemic.

Thank you to those who have contributed to Hospicio de San Jose. Thanks for your immense help, IPVP Hermie Esguerra, for contributing Php 120,000 worth of diapers. I added Php 20,000 since they badly need diapers. Our AS Henry Go, whose business recently expanded to manufacturing diapers, gave us a whopping discount, enabling us to deliver more items. His products are available in supermarkets. Thank you, AS Henry Go, for your timely support and ES Anna Kun Toledo, for informing us of AS Henry Go’s business.

Allow me to mention those who pledged donations. BLA Amading Valdez pledged for groceries donation. Rtn. Ray Davies will get a grant of US $ 10,000.00. PD Beda Fajardo pledged Php 5,000.00. PDSAA Ferdie Co pledged to give two (2) sacks of diapers and three (3) cartons of milk. Treasurer Karlo Castro pledged Php 10,000.00. We are awaiting more donations.

We were able to get thirty-two (32) new members during our Transformational term, and five (5) more are to be processed. We look forward to having thirty-seven (37) STAR Rotarians by the end of this term. Our friends are still inviting prospective members. Please note that the deadline is on May 30, 2021.

The well-attended and fabulous District 3810 DISCON was superb! The professionalism and unity of the members paid off. With hard work, passion and enthusiasm, we are proud to say that the event went through successfully via Zoom platform from 8:00 am to around past 8:00 pm. We congratulate our DG Odie Tarriela for a job well done during this trying time. The district was able to raise US $ 450,000.00. We thank our members for their contributions and the grand total amount and the members who have donated will be announced at the end of my term.

One STAR Rotarian surprised us last April 29, 2021 with a donation of US $ 10,000.00. According to ES Anna Kun Toledo, during her twenty-six (26) years in Rotary, no STAR Rotarian has ever contributed such an amount. To STAR Rtn. Richard Lim, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Manila and Rotary District 3810, thank you so much for your generosity.

There are many projects happening during our Transformational Term, and we thank God for all the blessings. Thank you to those who contributed their time and donations to help the needy. Rotary Club of Manila has contributed Php 65,000.00 for the ‘Seniors Support Seniors’ project next week in Paraiso Farm in San Jose, Batangas. We will donate the money to one hundred and thirty-three (133) seniors who are in need of rice, vegetables and other basic items for everyday living, worth Php 500.00 each. The donation will be delivered to their homes and this will be led by STAR Rtn. Tony Meloto. This is a monthly project. STAR Rtn. Tony Meloto’s classmates in Ateneo de Manila University started this initiative.

I sent a message to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu on the immediate and short-term plans to Save Manila Bay. The Secretary advised me that he will instruct Undersecretary Leones and Director Meimban to get in touch with us. Secretary Roy Cimatu was grateful for our support. We are awaiting the ten (10) districts of Philippine Rotary to unite and focus on saving the environment. Meanwhile, we would like to support the project from the district level. IPP Jackie Rodriguez and I have accepted our respective appointments to focus on the environment effective July 1, 2021. This would speed up the progress of the Clean Water and Tree Planting projects with one hundred and sixteen (116) clubs of the district and soon, we expect other districts to follow.

The TOWER Awards, the Seventh (7th) Annual Tourism Awards and Journalism Awards will all be implemented in the last seven (7) weekly meetings for RY 2020-2021. We are doing all these activities via Zoom online platform unless the restrictions ease. Thank you for your support.

Late membership fees are being paid by members of the club. It only requires follow up and follow through.

We Live for Others, Rotary Club of Manila. Thank you, Transformational Rotarians.

Your Servant President,