Message from PP Alberto “Bert” Romulo

HIS Excellency President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, our special guests, fellow Rotarians and friends, the Rotary Club of Manila, as we all know, is the first Rotary Club in the Philippines as well as in Asia.

In the Rotary Club of Manila's first 60 years, top officials of the government were among the Club's Past Presidents. Senate President Gil Puyat was RCM's President in 1940 and 1945. Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. Romulo was RCM President in 1935. Finance Secretary Eduardo Romualdez was RCM President in 1953. And Executive Secretary Emilio Abello was RCM President in 1961.

During my Presidency in 1978, all these Past Presidents were still active in Rotary.

Indeed, in 1978, during our Diamond Anniversary, I initiated and launched with RMC's past presidents the TOWER Awards to honor and recognize the outstanding workers of our country.

During the TOWER Awards ceremony in 1978, RCM's special guest of honor was the then First Lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos, our President's beloved mother. In her remarks, Mrs. Marcos thanked and praised RCM for honoring and recognizing the country's TOWER Awardees.

Today, our nation again honors and recognizes the 2025 Outstanding Workers of the Republic - the TOWER Awardees.

And during the yearlong celebration of Rotary's diamond anniversary in 1978, the highlight was the presence of then-President Ferdinand Marcos, as the RCM Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Fellow Rotarians, we and the nation will always cherish and remember RCM's memorable 1978 Diamond Anniversary.

First, the launching of the RCM's TOWER Awards in 1978 with the First Lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos as the RCM Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Second, the RCM yearlong diamond anniversary celebration in 1978 with the President of the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos as the RCM diamond anniversary guest of honor.

Today, May 01, 2025, TOWER Awards Guest Honor and Speaker is President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos.

Congratulations, TOWER Awardees of 2025.