President’s Diary

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

I am proud of what we are accomplishing together, and I am confident that Rotary Club of Manila will continue to be a force for good in our community. There is still much work to be done, but I know that we are all up to the challenge. We have many projects underway, and we can make a difference if we all work together. I encourage everyone to attend our meetings and events and to participate in our service projects.

I've been privileged to represent Rotary Club Manila at various events and activities. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet with other Rotary club presidents and leaders, and I am proud to say that our club is held in high esteem by our peers. Meanwhile, I'm delighted to share what happened last week.

July 20, 2022, Wednesday

At 2:30 p.m., I attended the online meeting of the Disease Prevention and Treatment as well as the World Community Service Committees to discuss the mechanics of the Global Grant. The meeting was participated by STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, Dir. Raffy Alunan (Director-in-Charge of Community Service), IPD John Cutter (Chairman, Disease Prevention and Treatment Committee), Dir. Albert Alday (Chairman, Interclub Activities), and PD Oscar del Rosario (Member, Community Economic Development Committee).

July 21, 2022, Thursday

From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., I presided over the Rotary Club of Manila’s Weekly General Membership Meeting via Zoom virtual platform. From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm, I presided over the First Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Manila for RY 2022-2023 via Zoom.

At 7:00 p.m., I went to the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City. I attended the event with PDG Rudy and Lady Sharon Bediones, DGN Jack Rodriguez as well as STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay.

July 22, 2022, Friday

At 9:00 a.m., I attended the mass homage for the 40th day of PP Bobby Joseph's passing.

At 6:00 p.m., I went to the Induction and Handover Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Quirino Manila Central at the Century Park Hotel in Manila where our fellow Manila Rotarian, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy, was the Keynote Speaker. PDG Rudy Bediones and DGN Jack Rodriguez also attended the event.

July 23, 2022, Saturday

As we continue our efforts to serve the community, I collaborated with Rotary International District 3810 DG Joyce Ambray, PDG Ernesto “Ernest” Yuyek, and PP William Uy to request three firetrucks from Rotary International District 2820 of Japan. Our request was granted. The three fire trucks arrived at the Subic Port, where the beneficiaries paid Php 380,000 for each truck covering ocean freight, taxes, conversion, and registration. After assessing the needs of different communities and determining where the fire trucks would be most useful, the two fire trucks were allocated to the Rotary Club of Manila. We donated one fire truck to the Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City, led by PLP Jun Pasion who paid the said expenses, and one to Barangay San Vicente in Biñan, Laguna.

On July 23rd, Rotary Club of Manila turned over the firetruck to Barangay San Vicente at the Nepa Covered Court, Nepa Subdivision, Biñan, Laguna on the occasion of Barangay Chairman Pol Alzona’s 57th birthday. Dir. Albert Alday, STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, PD Issam Eldebs, Rtn. Inov Talusan, Rtn. Richard Everingham, STAR Rtn. Teddy Garcia and I attended the turnover and blessing of the firetruck (pumper). Barangay Chairman Pol Alzona and the Sangguniang Barangay received the firetruck.

July 26, 2022, Tuesday

At 9:00 a.m., I had an online meeting with various committees to discuss the year’s project plans and alignment for presentation to the Board.

At 10:30 a.m., I had a Zoom meeting regarding the closure and financials of the 103rd RCM Induction and Handover Souvenir Program. The meeting was attended by Chair/Vice Pres. Reggie Yu, ES Anna Kun Toledo and EA Amy Babiano.

At 3:00 p.m., I had a telecom meeting with STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, ES Anna Kun Toledo and AE Amy Babiano to discuss the format and content of our Club’s Monthly Report to the District.

I would like to invite all Manila Rotarians to rededicate ourselves to our shared mission of service. I also encourage everyone to reach out to others and invite them to join us in our mission. I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming meetings and events. Let's make this Rotary year a great one!

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