President's Corner

Greetings Fellow RCM brothers!

We had quite an interesting weekend last April 22 and 23, 2022. The Annual DISCON was held LIVE at the OKADA Hotel with over 500 attendees from all parts of the country with our other clubs in the district in attendance and other luminaries from other clubs as well. It is rumored that no less than our RI President President’s Representative actually arrived on Philippine shores only to be told he had to be quarantined for a minimum of five (5) days to which he decided to just turn back and leave for his next appointment. Too bad.

Last Friday, the 22nd, the highlight of the plenary consisted of the Parade of the LCPs in full Filipiniana attire during the parade of colors. Amidst the logistical challenges faced by the OKADA crew, the event went on with a handful of calibrations along the way. Dir. John Michael Cutter, who graciously lined up for the RCM Team waited for several tranches of 30 minutes just to get the RCM team registered.

We had the business meeting on the morning of Saturday, the 23rd, where the electors of our club composed of ISDG/ISAG/DE/Dir. Albert Alday, Dir. John Michael Cutter, DE/Dir. Johnny Chotrani, IS Edwin Hernandez, IAS Mike Albaña, Rtn. Anton Mauricio, IDDCC/VPE/Club Secretary Reggie Yu, RCManila Foundation, Inc. Chairman and Programs Committee Chairman PE/PVP Hermie Esguerra and myself participated in the business meeting on behalf of RCM.

The resolution, among others, cast by another club in the district was calling for a change in the policy of selection process of the District Governor where there would have been an area rotation. Due to the sheer number of the Manila clubs versus other smaller clubs from the district and in an effort to offset the voting power of the Manila Clubs, the resolution would entail a change in the existing policies that would by virtue of a mandatory rotation policy give a “fair chance” to the smaller clubs within the district to nominate (and theoretically) be elected upon. In the end, the votes were cast and the resolution was disapproved.

Amidst the almost surreal atmosphere of a live and face to face gathering of that magnitude, it was quite an experience to be part of this event which brought together all the clubs from District 3810 in this milestone after almost two (2) years. Personally, I really felt the high regard our fellow Rotarians hold for Rotary Club of Manila while meeting the other LCPs.

A very memorable presentation from the incoming team headed by DGE Joyce Ambray climaxed with a “flashmob” rendition of song and dance set featuring all the incoming officers who woke up everyone on the floor. Director-General Ching Plaza of PEZA gave the keynote talk that afternoon. She called me the day after to tell me that she had made special mention of me during her talk but, unfortunately, I had already left to take care of a vital domestic duty I needed to attend to.

Today, we have an interesting speaker in the person of PDG Andre Suharto (no relation to the former President apparently), one of Rotary International’s foremost brand trainer-experts to talk about the importance of branding and public image management. PDG ANDRE SUHARTO is currently the Rotary Regional Public Image Coordinator covering Southeast Asia and has recently been appointed by Rotary International President-Elect Jennifer Jones as the 2022 Rotary Regional Leaders Global Institute Facilitator. So let us all enjoy as that promises to be an interesting talk today.

I hope we all have finally decided on who our next President will be this coming May 9, 2022. Likewise, we need to have our Senatorial Slate lined up already as these folks will determine our legislative realities for the next six (6) years. Let us all continue praying who these leaders will be. And indeed, may God anoint each one according to His perfect will.

Mabuhay ang Rotary Club of Manila! May God bless us all!