6th Weekly Membership Meeting: A Recap

The membership meeting had as its moderator, Rtn. Emilio La’O. President Rafael M. Alunan III called the meeting to order. PD John Cenica led the invocation and special prayers.

Honoring flag and country, RCM Rotarians sang the Philippine National Anthem. STAR Rtn. Nataniel Camat led the recitation of The Four Way Test.

RCM World Famous Music Chorale led the singing of the Manila Rotary Hymn, as well as the Welcome Song to happily welcome the guests and visiting Rotarians in attendance.

RCM WF Music Chorale led the members in singing the unique and jolly RCM birthday song for this week’s birthday celebrants. Rtn. Ray Davis and Club Secretary Edwin Hernandez were present to enjoy the greetings and the cheerful song.

Recognition Time

Rtn. Warren So, STAR Rtn. Paul Koh, Rtn. Teddy Tee, Rtn. Paco Magsaysay, Rtn. Arik Carranceja and Sec. Edwin Hernandez were recognized in a fun and creative manner, while at the same time honoring them for their personal achievements.

Membership Concerns

DGE Jackie Rodriguez introduced his proposed new member, Mr. Raoul Roberto P. Goco, Executive Chef, Degustation Corporation.

PDG Rudy Bediones introduced his proposed new member, Mr. J. Alfonso L. Katigbak, Chairman of the Board, DECRA Roofing Systems.

Rtn. Ben Ibuyan, on his behalf and representing his co-proposer Rtn. Rex Alingog, presented Mr. Franco Marcell Sacramento Flameño, Chief Growth Officer, WordText Systems, Inc.

Charging of New Members

DGE Jackie Rodriguez shared inspiring thoughts and reminders during the charging of new members, underscoring the importance of becoming committed Rotarians, and living Rotary’s ethical ways.

Induction of New Members

President Rafael Alunan led the induction of the new Manila Rotarians. He encouraged their involvement and presence in supporting committee projects.

A posterity photo after induction: STAR Rtn Al Katigbak (second from left) with Pres. Raffy Alunan, PDG Rudy Bediones and IPP Hermie Esguerra.

DGE Jackie Rodriguez, as proposer, officially presented the name badge of STAR Rtn. Raoul Goco. Rtn. Ben Ibuyan warmly welcomed STAR Rtn. Franco Flameño. Members warmly welcomed STAR Rtns. Raoul Gocco, Franco Flameño and Al Katigbak.

President’s Time

Pres. Raffy Alunana gave all members important updates about the club.

Classification Talk

STAR Rtn. David Klebs, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Germany to the Philippines

During his classification talk, Dr. David Klebs informed the members that he was born and raised in Berlin, and that he was soon interested in international exchange. He spent a year during high school in Oregon, USA. Being a scholarship holder of Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, he studied law at Humboldt University Berlin and King’s College in London where he also met his wife Farah Hasan, an award-winning sociologist for intercultural questions, focusing on Islam in Western societies.

David has always been fascinated with Germany in particular, and Europe in general; and as lover of nature, he likes exploring the outdoors – the meadows and forests of Germany, the Alps, historic UNESCO towns like Goslar, and post-modern cities like Berlin.

His first contact with Asia was during a Moot Court in Hong Kong. He also spent time in Tokyo and Hokkaido Universities, funded by the Robert-Bosch-Foundation, which became the basis of his PhD in comparative law. He started his professional career as a judge at the local court of Munich in civil matters. Later, he was sent to represent the Federal Government of Germany at the European Court of Justice, having jurisdiction over 450 million EU citizens, for almost six years.

Since August 2022, he has been serving as the Economic Counsellor of the German Embassy in Manila. As such, he is particularly thrilled that the EU has decided to relaunch the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the Philippines. He envisions the Philippines to play a larger role in the economic exchange, given the latter’s positive economic outlook. As a former member of a choir himself, David gamely agreed to join the world-famous music chorale, as well as other Rotary activities.

Rtn. Herbert Joey Garcia, EVP & COO, RAIRAIKEN RESTAURANT GROUP, gave an inspiring though humor-laden talk. President Rafael Alunan and DGE Joaquin Rodriguez led the presentation of the Certificate of Appreciation to STAR Rtn Dr. David Klebs and Rtn. Herbert Joey Garcia, who both exceptionally gave a talk on their respective classifications.

Fellowship Event

The Fellowship Committee announced the holding of "Welcome the Star," a fellowship activity on August 24, 2023, at the O2 Rooftop Bar.

Closing Remarks and Adjournment

Pres. Rafael Alunan gave his closing remarks and thereafter adjourned to the meeting. He thanked everyone – the Classification Speakers, the new inductees, and all the members who attended the meeting.