PDG Francisco "Paco" E. Atayde

PDG Francisco "Paco" Atayde, after a year in Mapua Institute of Technology, proceeded to the Philippne Military Academy in 1958 to pursue a career in the military. Upon graduation, he elected to join the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as his branch of service. He finished his flying training at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City where he obtained his military pilot's wings on February 22, 1964. His career path moved up as he carried out various staff and field assignments. He earned his star rank in 1991 when he was Wing Commander of Villamor Air Base and led two more major PAF units before he was appointed Vice Commander of the PAF. He retired from the service on October 3, 1994.

After the traditional military honors for his retirement, Paco put away his military uniforms and looked forward to spending more hours with the family and golf. But then, on July 1, 1995, duty beckoned and he joined the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority until June 30, 1998. In 1999, under the administration of President Joseph Estrada, he was appointed Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia, a position he held until 2001.

Another good thing that entered his life was his joining Rotary in 1984 when he was recruited to join the Rotary Club of Pasay MIA to be one of its charter members. In 1995 he served as president of that club and in 2002, as District Coordinating Chairman, International Service and concurrent Chair of Alay Lakad 2002. In 2003, he worked as District Program Director. In December 2004, he was selected as DGN, projected to become District Governor of RI District 3810 for RY 2007-2008. His preparation for the office of District Governor culminated when he attended the International Assembly in San Diego, California. He also served as chairman of District Rotary Foundation Council (DRFC) from 2013 to 2016 and District 3810's representative to the Council on Legislation (COL) in 2018. Currently, he is serving as the District Protocol Officer.