President’s Message

My Kuya Edgard

In Rotary, we often speak of fellowship as one of the quiet yet enduring gifts of membership. We may first come together as colleagues and professionals, but over time those associations deepen into something far more meaningful -- friendships forged through shared ideals, companionship in service, and a sense of brotherhood grounded in a common calling. It is in that spirit of fellowship that we remember today our fellow Manila Rotarian, Edgard Cabangon.

Edgard and I called each other “Kuya,” a simple yet warm term of endearment that reflected the easy familiarity between us. While we were not particularly close, there was a quiet friendship that existed between us. I had known his late father—the good Ambassador—and would occasionally attend his birthday celebrations and other gatherings where I would see Kuya Edgard.

Through Rotary, I would later have the opportunity to know my Kuya better.

Kuya Edgard lived a life that spoke eloquently of perseverance and resolve. Through determination and hard work, he continued to build and expand the various family businesses entrusted to him. Yet those who encountered him within the fellowship of the Rotary Club of Manila knew that his accomplishments in business were only one dimension of who he was. What distinguished him most was not merely the success he achieved, but the character with which he carried it.

There was something unmistakably authentic about Kuya Edgard. He was proud of his journey and of the values that had guided him along the way. But that pride was never accompanied by arrogance. Rather, it was the quiet confidence of a man who had worked hard, overcome challenges, and earned the right to stand where he stood.

Within our Rotary meetings and gatherings, Kuya Edgard was a familiar and reassuring presence. During the times when he was able to personally attend, he did not simply show up -- he participated with sincerity and warmth. Whether during a luncheon or a simple conversation among friends, one could sense that he genuinely valued the fellowship that Rotary nurtures.

The Rotary Club of Manila, after all, is a rare space in our world -- where accomplished men gather not to compete with one another, but to serve together.

Kuya Edgard understood that deeply. He recognized that the true measure of success is not found in wealth or recognition alone, but in the difference one makes in the lives of others. In that sense, his life reflected one of the enduring ideals we hold dear in Rotary: Service Above Self.

On a more personal note, I will always remember Kuya Edgard’s kindness and generosity in our own interactions. Even while he was already undergoing treatment, he continued to respond to my requests for media coverage of the various activities of the Club and of the District. That quiet willingness to support Rotary -- even while facing personal challenges -- spoke volumes about his commitment to the fellowship we share. I also remember the welcoming smile he carried whenever our paths crossed. It was a simple gesture, yet one that conveyed warmth and goodwill -- qualities that often say more about a person than any formal achievement.

Kuya Edgard’s generosity likewise extended in ways that I personally experienced. He graciously sponsored a newspaper spread featuring my induction as RCM President, a gesture that I deeply appreciated and will always remember. Despite his failing health, he also made sure that his news crew continued covering the Club’s activities and that these were featured in the press.

Regrettably, I must also admit a personal sadness -- that I never had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital. It is one of those small regrets that reminds us how quickly time passes, and how important it is to cherish the presence of our friends while we still have the chance.

Indeed, the Rotary ideal is often expressed not in grand pronouncements, but in the quiet consistency with which a person lives. Kuya Edgard embodied that quiet consistency. He worked hard, built much, and in his own way contributed to the greater good. Through it all, he remained connected to the fellowship that binds us together as Rotarians.

For those of us privileged to share that fellowship with him, our memories will not simply be of a businessman or a civic leader. We will remember the man who sat beside us at the same tables, who shared in the same laughter, and who joined us in the same mission of service.

In the Rotary Club of Manila -- the oldest Rotary club in Asia -- our legacy is not defined solely by the projects we undertake or the milestones we celebrate. It is also shaped by the lives of the men who pass through our fellowship, each leaving behind a part of their story, their character, and their example.

Kuya Edgard’s story is now part of that legacy.

As we remember him today, we do so with gratitude -- for his friendship, for his presence among us, and for the inspiration of a life lived with determination and purpose. Though he may no longer sit beside us in fellowship, the memory of our brother Rotarian remains woven into the shared history of this Club and into the hearts of those who knew him.

May we honor that memory by continuing the work that Rotary calls us to do: to serve with integrity, to lead with humility, and to nurture the fellowship that gives meaning to our journey.

And so today we say not only farewell, but also thank you -- to our brother in Rotary, Edgard Cabangon. His life reminds us that success finds its deepest meaning when it is accompanied by generosity, humility, and service to others.

May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us all.