5th Weekly Membership Meeting: A Recap

Program Proper

Treasurer PJ Garcia, who acted as program moderator, invited the members and guests to take their seats to pave the way to start the meeting. President Raffy Alunan called the meeting to order.

PD Phil Ong led the invocation, setting the tone of the weekly meeting. The membership took a position of respect while singing the Philippine National Anthem. STAR Rtn. Toby Pañares led the Rotarians in the recitation of the Four-Way Test.

The RCM World-Famous Chorale led the singing of the Rotary Club of Manila Hymn. Manila Rotarians gamely joined in singing the RCM birthday song for the celebrants. The community singing was led by the RCM World-Famous Chorale. The birthday celebrants at the meeting were Rtn. Senen Mangalile (Consul General, Philippine Consulate General in New York), Dir. Johnny Chotrani, Rtn. Philip Recto, and Rtn. Nando Camus.

Committee on Election Chairman / IPP Hermie Esguerra introduced the members of the Election Committee. He later opened the floor for nomination of Directors who will serve as Board members for Rotary Year 2024-2025. Upon motion by PP Archit Bartolome and seconded by PDG Vince Carlos and Dir. Hans Palacios, the nomination for directors of the Board for Rotary Year 2024-2025 was declared closed by Election Committee Chairman/IPP Hermie Esguerra. Nominators PD Issam Eldebs, Dir. Hans Palacios, and PAS Henry Go announced their nominees.

Rtn. Kenji Mori of Rotary Club of Kazuha, Japan invited members to visit Marawi, to see the new face of the city devastated by internal conflict in the region.

Pres. Raffy Alunan gave an update on the activities of the club during the President’s Time. His remarks is featured in this issue of Balita.

Dir. Hans Palacios appealed to the membership to contribute to the fund drive for the victims of Typhoon Egay in Calumpit, Bulacan. Rotary Club of Calumpit Pres. Anna Capispisan expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Manila for their support.

PD Raoul Villegas introduced the guest speaker.

Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, PhD, delivered his insightful and interesting assessment of the national economy. Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, PhD, was in his element as he enthusiastically responded to the queries during the open forum.

Open Forum

The Open Forum was made more interesting with the queries and comments from PD Rod Valencia, PDG Obet Pagdanganan, and STAR Rtn. JV Magsaysay.

Pres. Raffy Alunan, together with Program Chairman/DGE Jackie Rodriguez, presented the club’s token of appreciation to Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, PhD, University Professor – University of Asia and the Pacific; Visiting Professor – IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain; Research Director – Center for Research and Communication.

Membership Concerns

Pres. Raffy Alunan was joined by PDG Rudy Bediones and DGE Jackie Rodriguez for the presentation of honorary membership to Rtn. Kenji Mori.