President’s Diary

Dear fellow Manila Rotarians,

I am grateful to all of you who attended our Christmas fellowship last night. It was such a pleasure to spend time together, celebrating the joy of this festive season.

Christmas serves as a beautiful reminder of the joy, peace and hope that we can bring to our world if we choose to live with kindness and compassion. This season is an opportunity for us all to come together in unity, striving towards creating a better future for everyone. As members of the Rotary Club of Manila, we have been working tirelessly to bring about positive change in our community through meaningful service projects and initiatives. Our efforts have brought joy and hope to countless individuals and communities, and I am proud of everything we have achieved so far as an organization.

This Christmas season is also a beautiful opportunity to both give and receive love, which is why I'm thankful to everyone who took part in our activities. As you spend time with those dear to your heart during the holiday break, take some moments to reflect on all that you have achieved this year – and not only that – use the start of 2023 as an incentive for setting new goals.

For the remaining six months of RY 2022-2023, we will continue working on several projects that will have a positive impact in our community. Thank you again for being dedicated members who care about giving back.

Meanwhile, here's a brief look at the events, meetings, and activities I attended the past week.

First Friday Mass for December 2022 (2 December 2022)

I attended the First Friday Mass which was held via Zoom. Other Manila Rotarians who attended were PP Boy and Monette Guevara (Commentator), IPP Chito Zaldarriaga, PE/ Dir. Raffy Alunan (led the Prayer of the Faithful), PP Frank Evaristo, PVP Lance Masters, PD Beda Fajardo (reader of First Reading & Responsorial Psalm, PD Bebot Pineda (led the Prayer Oratio Imperata), PT Chito Tagaysay (led the Prayer for Spiritual Communion), PAS Henry Go, PDSAA Tony Lopa, Rtn. Alvin Ampil, Rtn. Senen Mangalile and STAR Rtn. Emman dela Cruz.

Governor’s Visit and Club Christmas Party of the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman (5 December 2022, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

I went to the Governor’s Visit and Christmas Party of the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman at YMCA Manila. The Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman is RC Manila's daughter club.

With City of Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo. I discussed with him the lease extension of our RCM office in Manila. He promised to take it up with Mayor Honey Lacuna and the City Council.

Meeting with the Participating Schools for the Approved Global Grant GG#2344386 Rotary Vision Care (6 December 2022)

We had a virtual meeting with the participating schools of the Department of Education for the approved Global Grant GG#2344386 Rotary Vision Care. With me representing RCM were Grant Chair Aries Balanay, Dir. Albert Alday, Interact Chairman Rtn. Lance Tan and Co-Chairman Rtn. Joey Garcia, Earlyact Chair Rtn. Xavy Zialcita and Star Rtn. Paul Koh.

Recognition from DENR-PRCMO (6 December 2022)

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Manila, I was happy to receive the Plaque of Recognition from Dr. Joan A. Lagunda, MNSA, Assistant Secretary for Administration and Legislative Affairs and Concurrent OIC Executive Director of Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office.

Rtn. Aries B. Balanay, Rtn. Arvin Arik B. Carranceja and Rtn. Lance Tan were with me at the awarding ceremony held at The Heritage Hotel Manila.

DENR-PRCMO recognized RCM's "extraordinary efforts and exceptional contributions towards the realization of our mission to rehabilitate and sustainably develop the Pasig River System conducive for the propagation of aquatic resources, transportation, and tourism for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations."

Meeting of Christmas Fellowship Committee (7 December 2022, 9:00 a.m.)

I joined the Christmas Fellowship Committee meeting yesterday, December 7, 2022 via Zoom to finalize the program details. Dir. Jujut Enriquez, Rtn. Rami Chahwan, EA Amy Babiano and ES Anna Kun Toledo were also in the meeting.

RCM Christmas Party 2022 (8 December 2022)

As father of the Rotary Club of Manila family, I provided financial gifts to all regular and outsourced team members of RCM Secretariat.

Thank you, my dear RCMers, for being a part of the Rotary Club of Manila. Your commitment to deliver Service Above Self has made a positive impact in our community.

I wish you all a Meaningful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this festive season bring joy and cheer in your life, as well as peace and love in our world.

Yours in Rotary Service, Pres. Hermie Esguerra

Meeting to Prepare for the Press Conference to Announce the Implementation of Global Grant # 2344386 Rotary Vision Care (9 December 2022)

We had a meeting yesterday to prepare for the press conference to announce to the community the forthcoming implementation of Global Grant # 2344386 Rotary Vision Care for the school children and youth of the 15 government schools in Manila. With me at the meeting were Dir. Albert Alday, Grant Chair Aries Balanay, Interact Chairman Lance Tan and ES Anna Kun Toledo.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at Lakbay Museo, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City.