The Rotary Balita no. 716 (March 5, 1953)

Rotarians and Rotary Anns gathered in the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel for the Tenth Conference of the 48th District of Rotary International. Registration took place the whole morning. The Conference was formally opened at 12:30 p.m. with all the provincial clubs represented. President Hans Menzi of Manila Rotary Club, in his welcome address, said: "Man is born and man passes away. The span between birth and the departure to the other world is filled with grief, sorrow and is a continuous struggle for simple survival. Interwoven with the difficulties man is confronted with in this hard world, are moments of joy and moments of happiness. This is a day of great happiness. Manila Rotary, appreciative of your presence, welcomes you all and extends to you the hand of friendship." Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson, in welcoming the visitors, offered the city's hospitality to Rotarians and Rotary Anns who were pre- sent in the conference. He praised the labor of Rotary International in the Philippines, expressing his own satisfaction at the notable expansion of the 48th District in recent years. He urged the Rotarians to continue their efforts for the propagation of democratic ideals in the Philippines for the benefit of the country and humanity in general. Mayor Lacson outlined to the visitors his present administration of the City of Manila. He explained his hardships in running the city government due to political implications. Another speaker was Governor Benito Legarda of the 48th District. In his speech of welcome he traced the progress of Rotary International in the islands saying that it has taken long forward steps with the growth of the nation. He continued that today, more than ever, our growing country is in need of the kind of service that Rotarians can and will provide. He related his personal contact with the Rotary Clubs in this District which he claimed has been the most happy experience in his life as a Rotarian. "While in other parts of the world, the clubs in a Rotary district are separated only by a few miles of roads, where Governors can discharge their duties in a week's time, in our country the clubs are far distant from each other and require all forms of transportation to make them more accessible. Visit to clubs of our District must necessarily take much more time," he declared. He gave three objectives of the annual conference. They are: (1) review and revise the work done; (2) prepare Rotary matters for the future; and (3) combine ideas to further improve Rotary's participation in the community life. He commended Manoling Lim, Pons de Leon, Tony Anton, Hans Menzi, Naning Bustos and Pete Quitain for withdrawing their names from the race for governorship which he said is a most unique case wherein the warm feeling and fellowship which distinguishes a Rotarian have been fully demonstrated. Australia's past District Governor O.D.A. Oberg represented the president of Rotary International at the conference. He was accompanied by his Rotary Ann, Mrs. Oberg. Leroy Young did a good job as finesmaster. He did not only fine local Rotarians but also some of the visitors. Gordy Gordon, president of Bacolod Rotary Club, was fined P10.00; Tom Ferrer of Zamboanga was given a big hand for his spirit in attending the conference in spite of the distance he traveled. For not visiting his barber very often, Ben Legarda was fined P10.00. For the construction of some big buildings in Manila which the visiting Rotarians admired, Jonby Carlos was fined P10.00; Juanito Nakpil was fined P50.00 for organizing a new firm together with his sons. The 21st anniversary of Adamson University cost Doc Adamson P25.00, while the PWU's celebration of its 34th birthday cost Dean Conrado Benitez P35.00. For the popularity of La Tondeña products, Charlie Palanca was fined P100.00. Intermission numbers were contributed by some members of E. K. Fernandez Shows. Sheri Robinson sang a solo accompanied 'on the piano by Miss Luvi H. Miller after which Miss Robinson performed an acrobatic dance. The Andrini Brothers, Frank and Larry, string wizards, gave a preview of their talent in string instruments.