President’s Corner
President Chito Zaldarriaga reflects on the meeting with Bishop David, the Four Way Test in choosing leaders in the 2022 elections, and two tasks for members.
Greetings of goodwill my Fellow Rotarians of Manila!
Today, we are coasting through the first full week of ECQ as we monitor the continuously alarming rates of contamination.
Our meeting with His Excellency Bishop David was quite an interesting one, an eye opener for our roles as responsible citizens in view of the upcoming critical Presidential Elections in 2022. We should all be actively seeking the right candidate who will help get our country back on track. As Rotarians, we are supposed to be apolitical, true – but we do have the potential to influence our entire country through our Rotary network. At the very least, we use the FOUR WAY TEST as the acid test in choosing the right candidate. When the obvious candidate arises, his (or her) character will organically blend with our standards. Ours is to educate our spheres of influence to abide by the Four Way Test in choosing the right leader for our beloved country. At the risk of generating thought balloons that say, “How naive can this President be..?”, I will really and sincerely admonish us all to do exactly this.
Last week, there was a call made by our own Rtn. Ray Davis to help finish the housing facility of Hospicio de San Jose in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Thank you to the generous members who have rapidly expressed support to this noble and worthy endeavor.
Our Guest of Honor and Speaker today has drawn a lot of attendance, not just from our own club, but from other Rotary Clubs as well. We are all eager to hear our MMDA Chairman Abalos share with us his updates and plans for the metropolis amidst this Mega Metrocentric pandemic.
Last Saturday, the district held the vital PR Seminar which presented to the attendees the very important aspect of branding disciplines for Rotary. My thanks to Dir. Albert Alday who ably represented us during the seminar. We look forward to the cascade session to our members at the appropriate time.
Once again, gentlemen, before I end this note, I would like to remind one and all of our tasks:
1. Everyone, Bring One. Draw up your short lists, give them a call, get a feel for their appetite to join and serve with our club.
2. If not already one, please be a Paul Harris Fellow. I am made to understand we are able to still avail of the easy exchange rate of Php 49.00 : US $1.00.
Have a pleasant and safe weekend ahead, my dear fellow members of RCM!
Humbly yours in Rotary,
Hon. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr.
The Week That Was