Probably the Country’s Oldest Newsletter, our Balita.

As the Rotary Club of Manila approaches its 105th founding anniversary in June this year, it may be well to remember that the memories and milestones animating such a colorful more than a century existence are not only etched in the hearts and minds of the Manila Rotarians, but are also immortalized in the Club Newsletter that has been in existence since 1920. If one wishes to revisit Rotary Club of Manila’s historic milestones, members’ events and activities, participants in the regular meetings, as well as the impactful projects since 1919, Balita, our newsletter, will always come handy to provide such information.

Our carefully and thoughtfully preserved newsletter is in fact part of the historic documents that can be found in our office. Yes, dear Rotarian brothers, our newsletter is probably the oldest in the country today.

Since its publication in Rotary Year 1920-1921, Balita has been consistently and lovingly published, first as a fortnightly issue, and later as a weekly publication. Indeed, except during the Japanese occupation, Balita continuously came out, exhibiting the best, the inspiring, and the celebrated milestones of Asia’s First Rotary Club.

Through these years, and through the responsible leadership, dedication, foresight, and wisdom of the Manila Rotarians who were tasked to manage it, our newsletter has become a steady platform that bannered the Rotary spirit and everything good that was happening in RCM. Indeed, Balita has become not just a simple chronicle, not just a recap of the week that passed, but has itself become a part and parcel of RCM’s rich history and enduring legacy.

For more than 100 years, our newsletter has served as a vessel of good news, positive thoughts, constructive discussion, and the collective aspiration of Manila Rotarians. In my maiden Editor’s Note on July 7, 2022, I underscored the need “to make BALITA a source not just of Club information, but of inspiration; a repository not just of updates, but of uplifting articles as well.” Let us remain faithful to the idea and ideal that propelled Balita to become what it is today – a worthy companion of every well-meaning Rotarian in his journey to truly realize a life of service above self.

In fine, Balita is a lovingly put-together mini-memorial of the Club’s modest strides and historic moments, with its pages celebrating the personal and collective milestones of worthy Manila Rotarians.