President’s Diary

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Welcome to the President's Diary! This is where I will keep track of all the major events and activities that I attend weekly, from Wednesday afternoon of the previous week to Wednesday morning this week. I hope this diary will encourage and inspire all of us to do our best in providing service to others. Last week and this week have been especially busy for me, as I attended several important meetings and events, and I want to share with you all what happened.

July 13, 2022

I traveled to General Santos City on a Cebu Pacific flight at 2:45 p.m., accompanied by DG Joyce Michelle Ambray, SDG/SAG/Dir. Albert Alday, and STAR Rotarian Aries Balanay. We were met at General Santos International Airport by SDG George Ng and SDG Eric Candidato, who took us to the Sarangani Highlands Garden for a final briefing on the activities for the following day, dinner fellowship with RI District 3810 delegation, and members of GenSan Tuna Port Rotary Club. After that, we checked in at the Grand Summit Hotel in General Santos City.

July 14, 2022

Together with SDG/SAG/Dir. Albert Alday, SDG/STAR Rotarian Aries Balanay, Rtn. Ingy Bertelsen and his wife and kids, DG Joyce Michelle Ambray, PDG Liza Elorde, FG/Rtn. Johnny Elorde and the rest of the District 3810 delegation, we traveled to Alabel, Sarangani on a bus provided by General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao for the inauguration of the Rotary Champion Village and graduation ceremony of the community members of the village from their respective TESDA courses.

We awarded certificates to more than 100 graduates of TESDA training programs on various skills, including welding technology, dressmaking, installing solar panels, cosmetology, manicure, pedicure, hair cutting and dyeing. TESDA conducted the training programs in cooperation with RI District 3810. Alabel Mayor Vic Paul Salarda and TESDA Malapatan Administrator Hernan Porro joined us at the inauguration and graduation ceremonies.

At around 11:00 a.m., SDG/SAG/Dir. Albert Alday, SDG/STAR Rotarian Aries Balanay, Rtn. Ingy Bertelsen with his wife and kids, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of South Davao, and I traveled back to the Grand Summit Hotel where I presided over the 2nd General Membership Meeting of our club via Zoom virtual platform. The four of us found a quiet nook at the Cafe Summit Hotel for the meeting. We rolled out the different service avenues and our organizational chart, which depicts the realignment of committees towards that of Rotary International as well as the different Rotarians in charge of each of the committees.

In the evening, we had a dinner fellowship at Kouziena 9500, complete with a band. Following that, the entire delegation paid a courtesy visit to Rotary Club of Manila Premier Charter President Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao at his residence.

July 15, 2022

The City of General Santos Bus picked us up at the Grand Summit Hotel. Together with SDG/SAG/Dir. Albert Alday, SDG/STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, DG Joyce Michelle Ambray and other members of the delegation, we traveled to the airport for our 7:45 a.m. flight back to Manila via Cebu Pacific 5J 992. We arrived in Manila at around 9:45 a.m. Everyone was happy on the journey to the airport after attending successful events in General Santos City.

In the evening, DG Joyce Ambray and I attended the 9th Induction and 8th Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Quiapo Plaza Miranda at the Ballroom of East Ocean Restaurant, MOA, Pasay City. We were in the company of Rotary Club of Quiapo Plaza Miranda Charter President Harry Angping and Head of the Presidential Management Staff Secretary and Rtn. Naida Angping.

July 16, 2022

Together with Dir. Hans Palacios and some of my fellow Phenomenal Leader Presidents, we had a virtual meeting with the officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a briefing on the Joint Project of the Rotary Club of Manila and the Rotary Club of Manila Archangel Premier on the "Pasig River Tour, Special Cleanup, Tree Planting and Turnover of Cleaning Equipment Activity" which took place on July 18, 2022.

In the evening, DG Joyce Ambray, DGN Jackie Rodriguez and I attended the HARAYA-themed Rotaract District Committee Induction and Handover Ceremonies, an "End Polio Benefit Gala", at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City. All modesty aside, I donated Php 30,000 to this benefit gala. This was recognized through a Certificate of Recognition for my donation to the End Polio campaign of Rotaract District 3810 at the start of the Phenomenal Rotary year 2022-2023.

July 18, 2022

Together with DG Joyce Ambray, DGN Jackie Rodriguez, Dir. Hans Palacios, Rtn. Raf Dionisio, Rtn. Ramby Nolido and STAR Rtn. Junjie Vazquez, we turned over the tools for tree planting as well as cleaning equipment for the estuary clean-up drive donated by the Rotary Club of Manila to the estuary clean-up warriors.

We took a river cruise to see the present state of the Pasig River. The cities of San Juan, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong are said to be the biggest contributors of trash to the river. The three cities don't appear to be aware of the waste their areas produce, and even though they have waste traps in the water, they are not enough.

The inspection of Pasig River was an inspiring experience that motivated us to continue the rehabilitation project for the river. The trash accumulated in the river from various cities along its course was saddening, but the determination of the estuary clean-up warriors and the Rotary Club of Manila's commitment to the project give us hope for a better future for Pasig River. We are grateful for the opportunity to see and understand the current state of the river and we commit to working together with all stakeholders to restore Pasig River to its former glory.

It has been an eventful week for me as I traveled to General Santos City last Wednesday and flew back to Manila last Friday to attend several events. Throughout it all, I am grateful for the support of my fellow Phenomenal Leaders Presidents, DG Joyce Ambray, and fellow Rotarians in helping me carry out my presidential duties. I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve the Rotary Club of Manila and its members as well as the communities we help. I am looking forward to another productive week as we continue our journey in making a difference in the world. Thank you for your dedication and commitment, my fellow Manila Rotarians!

Very truly yours, Herminio "Hermie" Esguerra, Phenomenal Leader President