A Meeting of Service and Storytelling

IN a world brimming with fleeting moments, few traditions stand the test of time. The Rotary Club of Manila, the oldest Rotary Club in Asia, is one such enduring institution—one that gathers not merely to discuss, but to inspire, to build, and to serve.

On the afternoon of March 13, 2025, members of this storied organization convened for their 25th Weekly Membership Meeting of the Rotary Year, held at the Manila Polo Club. It was an affair steeped in tradition and camaraderie, where the rhythms of fellowship blended seamlessly with the echoes of purpose.

At precisely 12:30 PM, President Eduardo “Jujut” Enriquez III called the assembly to order, setting in motion an afternoon of discourse and enlightenment. Past Director Dr. John Cutter, DMD, guided the proceedings with the precision of a seasoned moderator.

The gathering opened with an invocation by Rotarian John Nico P. Valencia—a moment of quiet reverence before the day’s engagements. The Philippine National Anthem followed, its solemn strains a reminder of duty, while the Manila Rotary Hymn, performed by the RCM World Famous Music Chorale, elevated the atmosphere with a sense of belonging.

Treasurer Michael “Mike” D. Roxas then led the recitation of The Four-Way Test, the timeless ethical compass that guides every Rotarian's actions. As guests were acknowledged and welcomed, the hall warmed with the energy of familiar faces and new acquaintances, bound together by a shared mission.

The Power of Storytelling: A Guest Speaker Who Inspires

The true highlight of the afternoon came with the introduction of the Guest of Honor and Speaker—Mr. Ajit Sharma. A global TEDx Ambassador, a consultant for the Asian Development Bank, and a speaker coach for TED Talks, Sharma is a man who has dedicated his career to the art of storytelling.

As he took the stage, his words wove a narrative that was both deeply personal and universally resonant. He spoke not just of his journey—from an enthusiastic young volunteer at TED’s first conference in India to a coach shaping the world’s most influential storytellers—but of the power of narrative itself. With anecdotes drawn from his encounters with world leaders, business moguls, and grassroots visionaries, Sharma underscored a profound truth: the most compelling ideas do not simply inform—they inspire, they ignite, they move people to action.

He recounted an experiment conducted at Harvard, where children who had watched a Disney film displayed identical brain patterns to those who merely heard the story secondhand. The implication was clear: storytelling transcends mere words; it is an act of shared experience, a bridge between minds.

In a world overflowing with data, Sharma argued, facts alone are insufficient. It is stories that build legacies, that create movements, that turn vision into reality. Whether in business, governance, or philanthropy, the ability to craft a narrative determines influence.

His insights resonated deeply within the Rotary Club of Manila, a community that has long understood the weight of words when backed by action. For decades, the club has championed causes not just with statistics, but with human stories—of lives changed, of communities uplifted, of service that endures.

A Tradition That Endures

As the meeting drew to a close, a sense of purpose lingered in the room. Rotary is, after all, more than an organization—it is a movement built on relationships, on commitment, on the unwavering belief that service above self is not just a motto but a way of life.

And so, on this Thursday afternoon, within the hallowed halls of the Manila Polo Club, another chapter in the Rotary Club of Manila’s storied history was written—not just in minutes recorded, but in minds inspired and hearts moved to action. For in the end, as Sharma reminded everyone, it is not merely what we do that defines us, but the stories we leave behind.