The Rotary Balita no. 704 (September 11, 1952)

Three high school student orators namely, Ramon Reyes of Ateneo de Manila, Pacita Garcia of Negros Occidental High School, and Pelagio Mandi of Ateneo de Zamboanga were the principal speakers. The youthful orators were winners of a Jaycee-sponsored oratorical contest held last April on the subject, "I Speak for Democracy." Reyes spoke on the "Role of a Citizen in a Democracy." He talked on the virtues of democracy. He said that man is a social animal depending physically, morally, spiritually, and financially on society. He stated that man has the right to own property and that all men belong to a common level. He defined responsible citizens as those who fight for freedom of expression and doesn't mean men who talk but can- not do. He continued that it is not only fortunate to live under a democracy but more so in a Christian democracy where the God-given rights of the citizens are respected and held sacred. Miss Garcia talked on "The Test of Tr Democracy." She started her oration b saying, "At this very moment, age is listening to youth." She admired the Rotarians for having high regard for the young people. She said that this may be so because the old may overlook things that youth do not. "Freedom of expression," she claimed, the fundamental principle of democracy." The last speaker, Pelagio Mandi held the audience spellbound as he traced his More ancestry to his grandfather, a former powerful Moro datu of Mindanao. His subject, "Why I Believe in Democracy," received the most applause. He said that in a democracy one can express his opinion without fear and can even go to the extent of condemning some people. "I believe that in a democracy, it is God and only God who can get the rights of men and be master of men," Mandi added. "But not any kind of democracy must be taught to the Moros. It must be the Christian democracy that dignifies the human being be- fore the eyes of God." He continued that democracy guards the poor Moros and puts them on an equal footing with the Christians. He concluded by saying that although he aspires to be a leader among his Moro brothers, it is not as a Datu of Morolandia but as a Datu of Democracy. Ruben Tagalog of the radio world contributed vocal solos. After a long absence, Leroy Young resumed his job as finemaster. At the start, President Hans fined him P10.00 for his trip abroad. Then Leroy followed with a long list of "guilty members" to make up for his absence. The "blacklist" included Nick Jacinto, EA Perkins, Monching del Rosario, Joe Orosa, Tiving Lovina, Pete Teodoro, Danding Romualdez, Hans Menzi, Bill Saussotte and Long Ortigas who were fined P5.00 each. EA Perkins and Jack Preysler as members of the directorate of the ITEMCOP were fined P10.00 apiece. Marianito Lichauco was fined P5.00. For the machineries he purchased abroad, Charlie Palanca was fined P100.00. Tiving Lovina new pair of shoes cost him P10.00 for t Rotary. The honesty of the Redi Ta drivers which is a good propaganda f Paquing Benitez cost him P50.00. Paquing official laundry for his Taxicab company the Sanitary Steam Laundry, deprived Kar Zenner the meager sum of P50.00. Lele Hernandez was fined P10.00 while L Rifkin, P25.00. For the good publicity the Herald gave the Rotarians, Fary Farolan was fined P10.00. For the birth of a grand son, Ralph Rebullida, was ordered to give "compulsory contribution" to the finebox the sum of P17.00.