President's Diary

Dear fellow Manila Rotarians,

I am pleased to present this weekly report on all the events and activities I attended during the past week. This includes attending First Friday Mass led by Fr. Lary Tan SDB, meeting with DENR-PRCMO about our Global Grant Skimmer Project and signing a Trash Skimmer Vessel Donation Agreement with them, as well as discussing our Cleft Surgery Mission 2023 and launching our media advisory for it.

I joined fellow Manila Rotarians in attending the First Friday Mass, which was led by Fr. Larry Tan, SDB.

Grant Chairman Aries Balanay and I met with Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Pasig River Coordination and Management Office (DENR-PRCMO) Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, CESO III for the status update on the Global Grant Skimmer Project.

I am delighted to update you on our Cleft Surgery Mission 2023. We have received approval from Rotary International for our Global Grant (GG2348049) project which aims to provide 60 or more cleft lip/palate surgeries for children. This is an initiative we are working with Sta. Ana Hospital and Operation Smile Philippine in Manila, Philippines. Cleft lip and palate deformities are a common birth defect in the Philippines, with an estimated incidence of one in every 500 births. These conditions can affect the appearance, speech, hearing, and feeding ability of affected individuals, and can significantly impact their quality of life. This project aims to provide life-changing cleft lip/palate surgery in Manila for 60 young people.

Rotary Club of Manila is partnering with Operation Smile, an international medical organization that provides surgical interventions for children with cleft lip and palate deformities. The organization partners with local hospitals and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care, including pre- and post-operative evaluations, surgery, and follow-up care. These projects not only address the physical and functional aspects of cleft lip and palate deformities but also the social and emotional impacts of these conditions on affected individuals and their families. They also contribute to the overall improvement of maternal and child health in the Philippines by providing access to high-quality medical care and support services for affected individuals.

Global Grant Team

Rotary Club of Manila: President Herminio S. Esguerra, Global Grant Chairman Aries B. Balanay, Project Chairman Joel Valdes

Rotary International District 3810, Rotary International District 5150, Rotary Club of Manila, Rotary Club of San Bruno, Rotary Club of Sangju-Central, Huaqiao Foundation Limited, Rotary District 5150 Charitable Fund

Cooperating Organizations: Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Operation Smile Philippines, Sta. Ana Hospital

Join us as we launch the Cleft Mission Project of the Rotary Club of Manila

When: June 9, 2023 | 9:00 am

Where: Sta. Ana Hospital, Manila, Philippines

We are excited to launch this project and provide life-changing cleft lip/palate surgery for children in Manila. Together we can make a difference by helping those in need access high-quality medical care that would otherwise be out of their reach. Thank you all for your time and support!

Yours in Rotary Service,

Pres. Hermie Esguerra