The Rotary Balita no. 766 (March 10, 1955)

The Big Day February 23rd, the big day of Rotary International was properly observed by the Rotary Club of Manila. Preparations had been on the way for several months and the plans laid out by the Golden Anniversary Committee and the Program Committee produced the smooth developments of the day which tended to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Rotary International. In 89 countries of the world, February 23rd was marked as a special day for Rotarians. In Manila, the following events reminded Rotarians and non-Rotarians of the 50th Anniversary of the organization which has best extended the idea of goodwill among men and international understanding in the world: Window Exhibit Several days before February 23rd, as per arrangements made by the Golden Anniversary Committee with the United States Information Service, a display of Rotary materials, posters, photographs and statistical data were exhibited in six windows of the Veterans Building at the Escolta. Thousands of persons were seen everyday reading the Rotary information offered at the window display. This window display was prepared by Past Governor Marianito Lichauco who took personal charge of exhibit. The results of the same can be judged by the hundreds of letters that Past Governor Lichauco claims to have been receiving ever since the exhibit appeared at the Escolta windows asking for information regarding Rotary Foundation Fellows and other questions on Rotary. Newspaper Supplements On the morning and afternoon of February 23rd, all local newspapers carried supplements and offered to the public the Rotary story in many pages surrounded by advertisements from firms of Manila Rotarians. Proper write-ups explained to the general public the significance of the day, gave the messages of Rotary authorities in Chicago and in the local scene and released articles on the accomplishments of the Rotary Club during the past years. These newspapers were flown to the United States to the Rotary Headquarters in Chicago on the same date and Charles Dyer, Assistant Secretary of Rotary International has acknowledged receipt of supplements terming the same a "wonderful publicity for Rotary". Rotary Stamps Issue At 8:30 in the morning of February 23rd, President Gene Puyat with members of his Board of Directors, and past governors Ben Legarda and Marianito Lichauco, visited the Office of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, Mr. Vicente Orosa, for the ceremonies of receiving first day covers and stamps of the Rotary stamp issue which commemorated the 50th Anniversary of Rotary International. The stamps issued by the Government of the Philippines are in three denominations: five, eighteen and fifty centavos, the latter for airmail service. At the ceremonies, President Gene Puyat and other officers of R.I. autographed first day covers and Secretary Orosa obliged Rotarians by also stamping his signature in stamp sheets and covers. The success of the Rotary stamp issue was considered outstanding and report given by stamp dealers were impressive to the effect that much larger amount of stamps and covers were sold on this occasion than in several other equal first days of this issue. The Golden Anniversary Committee attended to requests that have been received by the Secretary of the club from Rotarians all over the world and immediately proceeded to mail stamps and first day covers to France, Belgium, United States, Portugal, Australia, and several other countries. At the closing of this report, the Golden Anniversary Committee has received also the stamps and first day covers issued by Australia, France, United States, Dominican Republic and Belgium. Painting Exhibit As it had been announced, the Rotary Art Contest was held in connection with the Art Association of the Philippines annual exhibit. Rotary had offered the main prizes for this year's exhibit and three Rotarians were added to the Board of Judges assigned by Art Association of the Philippines. These Rotarians were George Vargas, Juanito Nakpil, and Ramon Ordoveza. The art exhibit was opened at 4:30 in the afternoon at the showroom of the Northern Motors, Inc. on Isaac Peral St. Pompin Anton, President of the Inner Wheel Club, cut the ribbon and the affair was attended by President Gene, members of his Board of Directors and numerous Rotarians. The judges have voted on the prizes and the paintings that are reproduced below were given the three cash prizes offered by the Rotary Club of Manila in the Amount of ₱2,500 for the first prize, ₱1,500 for the second prize and ₱750 for the third prize. Fifty-six paintings had been presented to the Rotary Art Contest and four sculptures. The entries were listed in the catalog of the Art Association of the Philippines with the following number which we are reproducing with the titles of the entries, name of the artist and media. The art exhibit sponsored by the Rotary Club had attracted large crowds. As a result of this Art exhibit, a new idea has developed in some of the artists which materialized in an open air exhibit presented on Isaac Peral St. across the Northern Motors Buildings. Rotary printings and many other paintings have been exhibited in the open air and hundreds of passers-by have admired the skill of the artists and acquired many of the paintings, thus contributing to the great success of the Rotary project on the art exhibit. The applause given to the originators of the open air exhibit by newspapers and the general public might possibly produce a permanent open air art exhibit with a touch of familiar Parisian scene which could be an interesting development in community service, an unexpected sequel to the original project of the Golden Anniversary Committee.