President's Diary

Dear fellow Manila Rotarians,

It was an eventful and fruitful week for us at the Rotary Club of Manila. We were thrilled to have the first female president of Rotary International, President Jennifer Jones, visit us in the Philippines. Being a part of her Imagine Impact Tour was an amazing experience, and we welcomed her with open arms.

The DEI Townhall (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) was one of the highlights of her tour, and I'm proud that many Manila Rotarians attended. We found value in hearing about all of the initiatives President Jones presented as well as those discussed by other renowned DEI advocates on topics such as gender equality and diversity within Rotary.

We also welcomed our friends from the Rotary Club of Sangju Central, RID 3630 South Korea this week. We celebrated with them by signing a Sisterhood Agreement between our two clubs and engaging in meaningful activities, such as tree planting and bloodletting. It was wonderful to establish a relationship with our fellow Rotarians from overseas and I am sure that this partnership will be beneficial for both of us. I’m happy to share the details and photos of these major events.

DEI Townhall with Rotary International President Jennifer Jones

Thursday, 24 November 2022, 9:00 a.m.

The DEI Townhall held last Thursday, November 24, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) were attended by hundreds of Philippine Rotarians from various Rotary Districts across the country.

Dinner with RI President Jennifer Jones at National Museum

Thursday, 24 November 2022

Philippine Rotarians hosted dinner with Rotary International President Jennifer Jones and partner Nick Krayacich. It was an honor to join this gathering which was attended by the 10 District Governors and Spouses.

Visit of Rotary Club of Sangju Central, RID 3630 South Korea

25-30 November 2022

The Rotary Club of Manila hosted the 24-man team of Rotary Club of Sangju Central, RID 3630 to an array of project activities from November 25 until they departed Manila for South Korea on December 1, 2022 at 1:00 a.m. The Rotary Club of Sangju Central team was led by Pres. Kim Seung Min, Club Sec. Shin Sangchul, Past District Governor Lee Jongyoul, Senior Deputy Governor Lee Sangchun, Vice Chief of Staff Kim Yongchan, Vice Chair for International Service Park Jewan and members – Rtns. Park Seungtae, Lim Jonghwan, Chae Seongcheon, Sagong Munsang, Lee Cheoliu, Jun Hojoon, Lee Kiho, Hwang Euisoo, Kim Jinryang, Lee Jongchin, Kim Jongku, Kim Jongkyu, Lee Sangchun, Kng Taisu, Lee, Changyoung, Cheon Hwasik, Kim Yongchan, Kim Taehee, Lee, Guhyeon, and Han Gisuk.

Arrival of Rotary Club of Sangju Central, South Korea Delegation

Friday, 25 November 2022, 11:00 p.m.

We welcomed the delegation of 24 Rotarians from Rotary Club of Sangju Central who arrived on November 25 at Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. With me were PD Issam Eldebs, SAA Nagi Zeitouni, Rtn. Rami Chahwan, Grant Chair Aries Balanay, Fellowship Chair Teddy Tee and Past Pres. Jang Ji Hyuk of Rotary Club of Manila Premier.

Rotary Service Day and Signing of Sisterhood Agreement with the Rotary Club of Sangju Central

Sunday, 27 November 2022

I was accompanied by Dir. Jujut Enriquez, Sports Committee Chair/SAA Nagi Zeitouni, Grants Chair Aries Balanay, Spouse Rachelle Hernandez and daughter Makiko, Sports Committee Co-Chair Rtn. Rami Chahwan, RCM Digitalization Chair Inov Talusan, Save Pasig River Chairman Junjie Vazquez, Rtn Richard Everingham, Officer of the Day for November 27, 2022 STAR Rtn. Ben Ibuyan and seven members of the proposed Rotary Club of Manila Phenomenal Dentists to warmly receive the overseas visiting Rotarians of Rotary Club of Sangju Central.

RID 3810 District Governor Joyce Ambray ensured that the guests are comfortable, refreshed with fresh buko juice, served cocoa warm drinks after a meal, and provided with the best cuisine of Esguerra Farm.

Officer in Charge STAR Rtn. Ben Ibuyan together with Grant Chairman Aries Balanay ensured that the branding tools (i.e., Tree Planting, Blood Letting, and Sisterhood Agreement) were in place at the activity areas of Esguerra Farm.

The delegation of the Rotary club of Sangju Central arrived at 10 in the morning. They had a brief tour of the Esguerra Farm facility before proceeding to Rotary Service Project sites – Tree Planting (Area of Focus: Supporting the Environment); and Bloodletting (Disease Prevention and Treatment). A marker was presented by Pres. Kim Seungmin together with Past District Governor Lee Jongyoul, other district officers and members of the club. The marker was immediately installed at the doorstep of Esguerra Farm.

District Governor Ambray commissioned the team of builders at Esguerra Farm to make a temporary marker holder with an oversized fiberglass rotary wheel to serve as the holder of the marker gift of Rotary Club of Sangju Central.

Tree Planting Activity

Each officer and member of the Rotary Club of Sangju Central and member of Rotary Club of Manila had a tree named after themselves.

Bloodletting Activity

Bloodletting (a Rotary area of Focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment) followed after everybody was rested and had a sumptuous meal prepared by the Chef of Esguerra Farm.

Based on the Philippine National Red Cross guideline, non-residents are not allowed to donate blood. Three RCM members who passed the evaluation and were able to donate blood were: SAA Nagi Zeitouni, Rtn. Rami Chahwan, and Spouse Rachelle Hernandez.

125 Esguerra farm employees and 4 RCM members volunteered to donate blood. Only 51 were qualified to donate blood (including SAA Nagi, Rtn Rami, and Spouse Raki Hernandez). 25,400 ml of blood was harvested. Blood types harvested: 11 Type A, 10 Type B, 3 Type AB and 29 Type O.

Signing of Sisterhood Agreement

By 5:00 p.m., the meeting for the signing of the sisterhood agreement was called to order. RC Sangju Central prepared a PowerPoint presentation of the program for the sisterhood agreement meeting. In their traditional way of a club meeting, there was also the singing of the national anthem of South Korea and the Philippines, followed by the recitation of the 4-Way Test and the mission of their club. I delivered my Welcome Message, which was followed by the signing of the Sisterhood Agreement and presentation of gifts. I introduced the Rotary dignitaries / visiting Rotarian delegation and members of the Rotary Club of Manila, followed by a welcome message.

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Sangju Central, Pres. Kim presented a cash donation of Korean Won 5 million (equivalent to Php 205,000.00) to the Rotary Club of Manila, individual gifts to me and District Governor Ambray, and token gifts to each RCM member. This was followed by our presentation of token gifts to Pres. Kim Seung Min, PDG Lee Jongyoul, district and club officers, and members. The fellowship ended at 10 p.m.

Pres. Kim presented to me as President of the Rotary Club of Manila a cash donation of Korean Won 5 million (equivalent to Php 205,000.00) to support RCM projects. To cap a day of Rotary Service focused on Disease Prevention and Treatment, Supporting the Environment, and Club Service, fellowship ensued. The delegation of the Rotary Club of Sangju Central journeyed back to Vivere Hotel.

Pasig River Tour

Monday, 28 November 2022

On the second day of the visit of Rotary Club of Sangju Central delegation, the key officers were accompanied on a brief tour of the Pasig River, in particular to the areas where the floating trash barriers were installed. The sites visited were Isla de Provisor and the Pandacan Bridge along Pasig River, San Juan River.

After witnessing the actual collection method of sacks of garbage by the River Warriors, I think there is a need to change the method of collecting sacks of garbage from manual to mechanical method by the River Warriors. The neighborhood of the Pasig River are not showing respect for the quality of Pasig River.

Rotarians should actively manifest advocacy to improve the quality of the Pasig River, so the residents living along the river will have a change of attitude.

Fellowship Dinner at the Home of Past Pres. Jang Ji Hyuk and Spouse Reina Kim

Monday, 28 November 2022

The day ended with a fellowship dinner for Rotarians of the sister club, Rotary Club of Sangju Central led by Pres. Kim Seungmin and the Rotary Club of Manila. With me at the fellowship dinner were PE/Dir. Raffy Alunan, Dir. Albert Alday, SAA Nagi Zeitouni and spouse Michelle, Grant Chair Aries Balanay and STAR Rtn. Philip Wombwell.

Meeting about Global Grant Project for a Rotary Center

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Together with Grant Chair Aries Balanay, I met with Rotary International District 3630 Past District Governor Lee Jongyoul and RC Sangju Central Vice Chairman for International Service, Je Wan Park for a proposed Global Grant Project for a Rotary Center. The meeting was held at the Manila Peninsula.

Sending off RI Pres Jennifer Jones and Partner Nick

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Sending off RI Pres. Jennifer Jones and her Partner Nick to the airport for their flight to Dubai.

Ocular visit to Asilo de San Vicente de Paul

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Grant Chair Aries Balanay and I did an ocular visit to Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, with RC Sangju Central Pres. Kim Seung Min for the program with RC Sangju Central on November 30. We met with Asilo de San Vicente de Paul Administrator Sr. Davidica Gunao, DC and Sr. Bernardita Epaita, DC.

RCManila Foundation Inc. Meeting

Tuesday, 29 November 2022, 4:00 p.m.

RCManila Foundation Inc. convened a special board meeting last Tuesday, November 29 at the Boardroom of Tranzen, 5th floor Pacific Star Building in Makati City. I attended the meeting with: (in person) Chairman/PD Pepo Nuñez, President/PT Lito Sibayan, Trustee/ PD Abe Pascual and Asst. Sec. Anton Mauricio; (via Zoom) Trustee/Rtn. Paco Magsaysay, Trustee/Dir. Jujut Enriquez, Trustee/Dir. Albert Alday, Trustee/DGN Jackie Rodriguez, Trustee Reginald Yu, Trustee/PD Oscar del Rosario, Asst. Treas./Rtn. Willie Pelino and BLA/Rtn. Jordan Pizarras.

Visit to Asilo de San Vicente de Paul

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Members of the Rotary Club of Manila and Rotary Club of Sangju Central had a souvenir photo taken upon arrival at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul.

Visit to Hospicio de San Jose

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Signing of Agreement for the Cleft Lip/ Palate Medical Mission

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

We signed an agreement with PDG Tina Fischlin of the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, Rotary District 6910 on a joint project on Cleft Lip/Palate Medical Mission, which will be the subject of a global grant, last November 30, 2022 at the Studio 69 KTV Bar and Restaurant in Pasay City in the presence of DG Joyce Michelle Socorro Ambray, PAS Joel Valdes, VPE/VP Reggie Yu, DE/Dir. Albert Alday, STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay and SDG Maribel Chua.

Fellowship with Sang Ju Central Rotarians and PDG Tina Fischlin of Alliance for Smiles

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Along with some Manila Rotarians, we had a fellowship with Sang Ju Central Rotarians and PDG Tina Fischlin, a member of the Board of Directors of Alliance for Smiles and PDG from Rotary District 6910, last November 30, 2022 at the Studio 69 KTV Bar and Restaurant in Pasay City.

Post-Fellowship

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

With DG Joyce Michelle Socorro Ambray and two members from the proposed club, Rotary Club of Manila Phenomenal Dentists, PDG Tina Fischlin of Alliance for Smiles and PDG from Rotary District 6910, PAS Joel Valdes, VPE/VP Reggie Yu, DE/Dir. Albert Alday and STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, after the fellowship last November 30, 2022 at the Studio 69 KTV Bar and Restaurant in Pasay City.

My special thanks to Secretary Edwin H. Hernandez, Chairman, Task Force for Korean Rotarians Visit, for providing the summary of activities held during the visit of our sister club, Rotary Club of Sangju Central. As Sec. Edwin noted, “This has been a most fruitful Rotary Service page for the first semester of Rotary Year 2022-2023 where we have presented Rotary Area of Focus on Supporting the Environment, Disease Prevention, and Treatment and Maternal and Child Health aside from Club Service, whereby we were able to inspire and engage members to attend and stimulate members who attended the service activities to inspire more members to be engaged in Rotary Service and Club activities.”

Thank you, my dear Manila Rotarians, for your commitment to the club and your active participation in our projects and activities. I look forward to more opportunities to serve in the coming weeks and months. Let us all keep doing great things for the community and our world.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Pres. Hermie Esguerra