Random Conversations and Musings

Random conversations and musings will be my regular contribution to BALITA (2024-2025). It will be some kind of a continuation of my Editor’s Note featured in our weekly newsletter in the past two years. While I already recused myself from serving as Editor in Chief for another year, the newly appointed EIC (our Immediate Past Vice President Reggie Yu) has graciously asked if I can continue contributing some write-ups to our Balita. I said yes and hope to be able to regularly submit a write-up to our EIC, which he may add as a feature in our club bulletin.

Balita is arguably the oldest club newsletter in the country, and in Asia, and it needs our collective effort to keep it going.

Our very own BALITA, RCM’s weekly newsletter, was again awarded the Best Bulletin for Rotary Year 2023-2024 by District 3810. I thus congratulate the members of last year’s Editorial Board, especially our Secretariat. Worthy of mention are IPVP Reggie and Rtn. Senen, who have both served well as Managing Editors and contributors. The award conferred by the District must continue to inspire the current set of officers tasked to handle Balita, headed by EIC Reggie. Knowing the hardworking and no-nonsense nature of our IPVP, there is no doubt our Balita will come out weekly, with much more flair, color, and vivacity. Indeed, our IPVP is a perfect choice for Balita EIC. Godspeed, EIC Reggie and Team!

This year’s Editorial Board must also be ready and continue to defend Balita. Any attempt to make Balita a repository of any tortured write-up, expressing nothing but angst and immature gibberish, uninspiring cacophony of unpleasantness, especially those which wantonly violate the Four-Way Test, must forthwith be disallowed. Balita must be a vessel of positivity and inspiration. This is the legacy passed on to us by our illustrious predecessors, who not only kept the Club at its peak, but has also ensured that its weekly club bulletin sublimely mirror its greatness.

I welcome everyone to this brand new Rotary year. Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s 2024-25 presidential theme as “The Magic of Rotary”. With this, she has sounded the call for all Rotarians around the world to recognize and amplify the organization’s power to save lives – through service above self, which is magic in and by itself. The Rotary Club of Manila, First in Asia, now with President Jujut Enriquez at its helm, will surely heed this call to craft a magical year ahead. Godspeed, Pres. Jujut and Team!