Candles in the Dark: A Chronicle of Leadership, Hope, and Enterprise

IN the balmy midday calm of May 8, 2025, the verdant grounds of the Manila Polo Club once again welcomed members of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished Rotary Club — the Rotary Club of Manila — for its 31st Weekly Membership Meeting. Though President Eduardo "Jujut" Enriquez III was away on official travel and Vice-President Joel Valdez on a three-month sojourn in the United States, the helm of the meeting was confidently steered by Past Board Legal Counsel and former Director, Dean Amado “Amading” Valdez, stepping into the role of Acting Presiding Officer with characteristic gravitas and poise.

The program, as always, unfolded with solemnity and tradition. STAR Rotarian Francisco Roberto “Coco” D.C. Mauricio led a stirring invocation, grounding the assembly in reflection. This was followed by an evocative audio-visual presentation of the National Anthem — a symbolic “Challenge and Call to Action” — and the singing of the Manila Rotary Hymn by the ever-rousing RCM World-Famous Music Chorale. STAR Rotarian Dean Y. Cid then delivered The Four-Way Test, reiterating the timeless ethical guideposts by which Rotarians measure their words and actions.

Director for Information Security and RCMFI Trustee Antonilo “Anton” D.C. Mauricio served as the energetic moderator for the day, acknowledging the guests and introducing the speakers with warmth and ease.

A convivial tone was set early on with the celebration of two beloved birthday celebrants: District Governor and Past President Jackie Rodriguez (April 27) and Past Director Amading Valdez himself (May 5). The Chorale returned to serenade the room with a joyful rendition of “Maligayang Bati,” a reminder that service and fellowship are always enriched by celebration.

Dean Amading, in his capacity as Acting President, took to the podium for the President’s Time — offering timely reflections and reinforcing the Club’s commitment to civic engagement during a particularly charged political season.

The highlight of the meeting was the introduction of a special panel of senatorial candidates, presented by Program Chair Carlos “Caloy” Serapio. In his impassioned introduction, Caloy invoked the metaphor of the "candles in the dark" — men and women who have chosen not to curse the darkness of political disillusionment, but to burn brightly in service, offering their time, energy, and integrity to a nation in need of light.

Six senatorial hopefuls stood before the assembled Rotarians and the youth leaders of Rotaract Manila — each with a story, each with a mission.

Secretary Norberto Gonzales, a veteran of national security and former Defense Secretary, spoke of his final mission — to help Filipinos believe that a First World Philippines is possible, if only we reimagine our politics. “Our politicians,” he warned, “are often the ones hindering our upward move.”

Captain Relly Jose Jr., seafarer-turned-entrepreneur, recounted his journey from the high seas to founding his own maritime company and foundation. His life embodied the grit of overseas workers — a voice for OFWs and the maritime sector.

Atty. Angelo de Alban emphasized judicial reform, pointing out the stark disparity between the number of courts and the population they serve. An advocate for persons with disabilities and special needs, he pledged to champion those long excluded from policy narratives.

Atty. Arnel Escobar, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and a decorated law enforcement officer, offered a detailed platform grounded in anti-corruption, cooperativism, and inclusive development — anchored in his academic credentials from the University of Oxford and UST.

Roy Cabonegro, a longtime environmental activist, issued a dire warning: climate-driven displacement would soon affect millions. “Environment is the issue,” he stressed, urging legislation rooted in ecological justice and sustainable planning.

Finally, Atty. Ernesto Arellano, stalwart of the labor movement, offered an impassioned critique of an electoral system where popularity eclipses qualifications. He introduced himself as a “Breadwinner, Defender, and Disruptor,” vowing to fight for genuine reform in the Senate.

Each candidate was given only a few minutes to speak, but the brevity of time did not dilute the weight of their convictions. As promised, the event functioned not as a campaign rally, but as a meet, greet, and feed — a Rotary-style forum of civility and substance, where ideas could be heard without partisanship.

After a momentary pause, the program shifted to its educational and professional enrichment segment with a Classification Talk by STAR Rotarian Dean Y. Cid, Chief Operating Officer of PHINMA Hospitality Inc.

Cid’s presentation was as informative as it was inspiring, tracing his path from a front desk clerk to becoming the president of PHINMA Microtel Hotels Inc. He spoke not only of his corporate journey but of PHINMA’s deep commitment to affordable, values-driven education and hospitality — a testament to Filipino excellence scaled with humility and purpose.

STAR Rotarian Francisco Roberto “Coco” Mauricio, President and CEO of Lightning Finance Company and Finvolution Philippines, then took the floor for his own Classification Talk, dazzling the audience with his energetic presentation on financial inclusion through fintech.

A former Unilever and Nike executive turned fintech innovator, Mauricio introduced Juan Hand, the nation’s leading nano-lending app aimed at the underserved. Combining AI, behavioral data, and a mission to provide alternatives to predatory lenders, his company is transforming the financial landscape for millions of unbanked Filipinos.

With humor and heart, Coco painted a picture of how technology, when used responsibly, becomes not just a tool for profit, but a vehicle for empowerment and national development.

An Open Forum followed, allowing members to engage the speakers in candid dialogue. Questions ranged from policy inquiries to reflections on ethics, underscoring the intellectual vigor and civic curiosity that define the Rotary Club of Manila.

The program concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the day’s speakers by Acting Presiding Officer Dean Amading Valdez, a formal acknowledgment of the knowledge and inspiration they brought to the gathering.

As the meeting adjourned, there was no mistaking the electricity in the room. What began as a weekly fellowship evolved into a dynamic encounter with the nation’s future — a confluence of experience, aspiration, and shared hope.

In the quiet elegance of the Manila Polo Club, the Rotary Club of Manila once again lived up to its legacy: not merely gathering, but kindling light — one candle at a time.