The President of the Philippines pinned an award on our fellow Rotarian Juanito F. Nakpil at ceremonies held last week in Malacañang Palace. A citation of merit was read qualifying Juanito as outstanding architect, dynamic leader and citizen of our time. Juanito deserves the congratulations of the Club for such award. The citation reads as follows: MALACAÑANG PALACE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES CITATION OF AWARD FOR MERIT TO JUAN F. NAKPIL Outstanding architect, a dynamic leader and citizen of our time; Whose leadership in the field of architecture has been recognized here and abroad; Whose broad sphere of operation involving the manifold roles of professor, practitioner, chairman of the Board of Examiners, consulting architect of the Republic of the Philippines, and a host of other top-level national entities, Major and later Colonel in the Army - reflects the length and breadth of his service, the depth and wealth of his contributions, the forward and upward direction of his vision and the magnitude of his effectivity as man and citizen; Whose long life of affiliations - from organizer and past President of the Philippine Institute of Architects to membership and fellowship in more than a score of civic and professional organizations, counting with his unstinted support and boundless services, particularly in historical and civic work - point to the model citizen in him, the true version of an educated one, and a sample of living heroism through a real sense of vocation; Wherefore, in due recognition of him as a citizen and professional worthy of emulation, this citation is awarded upon recommendation of the Committee on Award of the Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines in the City of Manila on this second day of July in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred fifty-five and of the Republic of the Philippines, the ninth. (Sgd.) RAMON MAGSAYSAY President of the Philippines HELENA Z. BENITEZ Chairman, Committee on Awards TRINIDAD F. LEGARDA President, Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines Equestrians have organized a club called Rancho Jota, which has its headquarters in Dr. Oscar Jacinto's ranch in Novaliches. Among the members are, besides Oscar, Hans Menzi and Romeo "Romy" Gustilo. One of the speakers on the 10th anniversary of the Manila Health Department was Dr. Mariano C. "Ike" Icasiano, who heads the department. He pledged the reduction of deaths from preventable diseases to the minimum as one of the goals of his administration. One of the speakers at the forthcoming celebration of Arbor Week is Florencio "Tamie" Tamesis, former director of forestry. The Week is from July 24 to 30. Some Rotarians attended a dinner given by the Council of Asian Relations for the Moral Re-Armament Group at the Philippine Columbian recently. They were Dean Conrado Benitez, Dr. Gumersindo "Gumer" Garcia, Modesto "Fary" Farolan (executive secretary of the CAR), Dr. Juan "Johnny" Orendain and "Greg" Gregorio. Customs Commissioner Manuel P. "Manny" Manahan ordered the screening of all non-government personnel entering the pier zone, to curb pilferage in the area, and immediately two Rotarians pledged their cooperation. Francisco "Paco" Delgado, of Delbros. and Chick Parsons, of Luzon Stevedoring, agreed to a re-screening of their own personnel. That's the spirit of Rotarians, New members of the Band of Mercy include the conductor of this column. Old members include Dr. Mariano C. "Ike" Icasiano, Theo L. Hall, Rodolfo "Rolfing" Gonzalez, Hans Menzi, Ralph Hawkins and Jaime "Jim" Hernandez. Dr. Paulino Garcia, secretary of health, offered the facilities of the Tala Malaria Research Center for the study of medical savants from all the free countries of East Asia. Addressing the Civic Assembly of Women, Dean Conrado Benitez urged the women to help in the selection of good men in the elections. Congratulations to Teofilo "Rex" Reyes. He's now a member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. One of his examiners was Dr. Herminio "Hermie" Velarde. The Philippine Columbian Club, of which Carlos "Carling" Fernandez is president, heard President Magsaysay address them on July 4 and unveil a marker on the PC building. A bienvenida to Jose "Joe" Orosa, who's coming back soon.