President's Diary

Dear Fellow Manila Rotarians,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this week’s President’s Time and share the activities and meetings that took place over the past few days.

Global Grant Rotary Vision Care Project Implementation in Tondo High School

Friday, 20 January 2023

Grant Chairman STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay and I went to Tondo High School as part of our Global Grant Rotary Vision Care project implementation. The students, teachers, and non- teaching personnel were all grateful to The Rotary Foundation, RC Manila, RC Kowloon East, RC Singapore, and our cooperating organization Physicians for Peace, for providing them with free eye screenings and eyeglasses as well as training sessions on proper eye care practices.

Meeting of the 19th Tourism Awards Committee

Friday, 20 January 2023, 2:00 p.m.

Last Friday, I attended the 19th Tourism Awards Committee meeting at Raffles Salon in Fairmont Hotel, hosted by Rtn. Bernd Schneider.

Mini-Fellowship for Prospective Members

Friday, 20 January 2023

I had the pleasure of hosting a membership development mini-fellowship for prospective members of RC Manila at the Last Chukker, Manila Polo Club.

Mid-Year Review: Pre-Flight Orientation

Saturday, 21 January 2023, 3:00 p.m.

Last Saturday, I had a virtual meeting with RID 3810 Senior Deputy Governor James Jimenez (Rotary Club of Manila South), Grant Chairman STAR Rtn. Aries Balanay, Consultant Rhea Vitto Tabora and ES Anna Kun Toledo to discuss the RC Manila Mid-Year presentation for the meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

District Medical/Thyroid Surgical Mission in Mamburao, Occ. Mindoro

Monday, 23 January 2023

The District Medical/Thyroid Surgical Mission was held on January 23-25, 2023 in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, in conjunction with the national observance of Goiter Awareness Week (GAW), following the Presidential Proclamation 1188 issued in 2007. This event celebrated GAW’s mission to improve public health by providing medical care for those who might not otherwise have access. This District-wide project is spearheaded by the Rotary Club of University District Manila (RCUDM) and mother club Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), in tandem with the seven Rotary Clubs in Occidental Mindoro, the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro (PGOM), and the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod of the University of the Philippines Manila.

The 3-day major surgical mission for 50 to 60 adult indigent patients previously screened for their goiters from San Jose, Mamburao, Sablayan, Abra de Ilog, and neighboring towns, is a project spearheaded by RCUDM through Pres. John Sy in partnership with RCM, and co-hosted by phenomenal presidents.

The medical mission was held at the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH). Rotarians and benefactors participated in the project through the “Adopt-a Patient” concept. The “Foster Brother/Sister” benefactor received a Certificate of Appreciation.

It is truly inspiring to see the collective efforts of Rotarians from Manila and Occidental Mindoro come together to make a positive impact in our community. Our commitment to service and support for those who are less fortunate drives us forward as we continue striving towards making this world a better place. I am confident that with your help, we will be able to reach even more people and provide them with much-needed assistance through projects such as these. Thank you again for joining me on this journey!

Yours in Rotary Service,

Pres. Hermie Esguerra