The Rotary Balita no. 718 (April 9, 1953)

"While the Filipinos would make the President an 'Apo,' the Indians would rather make their 'Apo' their President," declared Mrs. Mirza Rashid Ali Baig, wife of the Indian minister. Mrs. Ali Baig predicted that peace for coming generations would be achieved only by having each and every nation to recognize that the only kind of leadership that should prevail is one based on personal dignity, integrity and ethical standards. She paid tribute to Indian leaders, principally the late Mahatma Ghandi. She said Ghandi still commanded the spirit of millions even as the ashes of his cremated body were already drifting on Indian waters. She denounced the western system. of leadership which she said springs so much from materialism. She claimed that leadership in her country is not much of a problem, because she said, the people know who are true and false leaders and that once they have chosen the men who govern them, they stand by them. She praised the happy trend with respect to the rise of women in local politics, but she lamented the prevalence of Godless material- ism in some parts of Asia and the recognition given by some people to leaders whose strength comes from political dominance. "If this kind of leadership prevails, there will be no peace," she said. Mrs. Ali Baig spoke as the guest speaker in connection with the celebration of Ladies' Day for the Rotary Club. The special guest was Miss Armi Kuusela, Miss Universe, who came in Filipina dress. Joe Olbes, sponsored by Long Ortigas, was inducted as a "baby" by President Hans. Gene Puyat was the finesmaster. All the Rotarians who were not in Barong Tagalog were fined P2.00 each. They were supposed to come in native attire being Nepa Day. Santi Abraham was fined P50.00, while Lino Neri, the meager sum of P5.00. Pad Padua, president of the Boy Scouts of the Philip- pines, Manila Council, was fined P10.00. The members of the new Rotary Directorate were each fined P2.00. Paulino Garcia and Kikoy Genato, who are recipients of checks from the Manila Hotel regularly were each fined P25.00. Polding Rovira whose one hobby is the movies was fined P30.00 and another P20.00 for his position as vice-president of the PEMCO. Dalup Dalupan, who always escorts Miss Universe, was fined P100.00. Doc Adamson was fined P25.00. For being the only man at the presidential table, President Hans was fined P100.00.