The Rotary Club no. 655 (September 21, 1950)

That Lt. Col. Mariano S. Azurin is an abl, soldier everybody presumed when he was appointed to lead the Philippine Tenth Battalion to Korea. But that he is a charming public speaker as well, not very many knew -at least not until he stood up at today's Rotary meet to say a few words of apprecia-tion fol. the financial and moral support showered on his boys by various civic and private organizations. A huge ovation thundered through the Winter Garden when Pres. Ben presented him. Lt. Col. Azurin acknowledged it all with the humble dignity becoming of an officer. "That's a clean face for you," murmurred to Rotarian to another "and to Hades with all these be-medalled, be-cordoned politicians who infest our national army." Guest speaker for today was Dr. Gilbert Perez, authority on numismatism or the collection of coins. Rotarians who thought old coins and those who insanely collect them are dull, senile foggier, were pleasantly jolted: Dr. Peru's speech was one of the most delightful we have heard in a long time. Combining history, humor, economics, banking and psychology, his speech well justified the passion for coins that has made him both famous and useful. More power to him.