Discipline in an Unsettled World

1. 1929–1930
   PresidentCharles W. Franks

   Charles W. Franks, an American colonial administrator who served as secretary to six successive Governor-Generals, led the Rotary Club of Manila during Rotary’s silver anniversary. His term coincided with the 1930 Chicago convention, which drew a record 11,019 delegates from 58 countries. A message from founder Paul Harris urged Rotary to embrace constructive criticism and adapt to changing times.

2. 1930–1931
   PresidentSamuel F. Gaches

   Samuel F. Gaches, an American businessman and philanthropist who headed H. E. Heacock & Co., served as the Rotary Club of Manila’s president in 1930-1931. His civic interests included tuberculosis prevention and improved housing. His term coincided with Rotary’s first regional conference for Europe, Africa, and Asia Minor at The Hague and its 22nd annual convention in Vienna, reflecting the movement’s expanding international reach.

3. 1931–1932
   PresidentFrank B. Ingersoll

   Frank B. Ingersoll, an American lawyer who arrived in the Philippines in 1901 and served as a prosecuting attorney and Manila judge, led the Rotary Club of Manila during the Great Depression. His term coincided with Rotary’s first net annual membership decline: worldwide membership fell by 2,000 and 27 clubs closed. Despite these difficulties, Rotary continued expanding geographically, establishing its first club in Latvia.

4. 1932–1933
   PresidentTheodore L. Hall

   Theodore “Ted” Hall, an American corporate executive and PLDT vice president, strengthened Rotary education during his Manila presidency through discussions that anticipated “Fireside” meetings. He published 31 career-guidance booklets, distributing 40,000 copies to high school and college students. His term also expanded Rotary’s Philippine presence through the organization of the Cebu club in November 1932 and the Iloilo club in April 1933.

5. 1933–1934
   PresidentArsenio Nicasio K. Luz

   Arsenio Nicasio “Arsenic” K. Luz, a prominent journalist, businessman, and Manila Carnival director, became the Rotary Club of Manila’s first Filipino president. He launched “Manila Beautiful” to improve Luneta and Dewey Boulevard, advancing the club’s civic beautification efforts. His term also coincided with the inauguration of Revista Rotaria, Rotary’s Spanish-language magazine. Beyond his presidency, Luz helped organize the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

6. 1934–1935
   PresidentArthur F. Fischer

   Arthur F. Fischer, an American forester, military officer, and longtime Philippine forestry director, served as the Rotary Club of Manila’s seventeenth president. His term featured the Fifth Pacific Regional Conference in February 1935, attended by Rotary founder Paul Harris and international president Robert E. Lee Hill. He also launched a campaign providing surgery for young people with cleft lips, strengthening the club’s humanitarian service.

7. 1935–1936
   PresidentCarlos P. Romulo

   Carlos P. Romulo, a Filipino journalist and statesman who later became the first Asian president of the United Nations General Assembly, served as Manila Rotary’s eighteenth president. He sponsored Boys Week in 1935, helping establish it as a national institution. He also revised meeting traditions, moving communal singing from mealtimes to immediately before the guest speaker’s introduction.

   📰 Editorial📰 A Brave New World
8. 1936–1937
   PresidentGeorge C. Dankwerth

   George C. Dankwerth, an American banker and former Philippine Trust Company president, served as the Rotary Club of Manila’s nineteenth president. He established the Club Service “Sunshine” Committee to support bereaved members and those ill at home or in hospitals. This initiative strengthened fellowship by making personal care and mutual support an organized part of club life.

9. 1937–1938
   PresidentGeorge A. Malcolm

   George A. Malcolm, an American Supreme Court justice and founder of the UP College of Law, served as Manila Rotary’s twentieth president. He broadened membership to include more Filipinos and other nationalities, balanced the budget for the first time in five years, and supported blind residents and street cleaners. His term also earned the club Rotary International’s first prize for vocational service.

   📰 A Brave New World
10. 1938–1939
    PresidentVictor A. Buencamino

    Victor Buencamino, a pioneering Filipino veterinarian and former director of the Bureau of Animal Industry, served as Manila Rotary’s twenty-first president. During his term, he addressed street begging in Manila through efforts to identify people needing assistance and return others to their home provinces. His presidency coincided with international Rotary relief efforts following Chile’s devastating 1939 earthquake.

Presidents and term notes from the Past presidents roll, drawn from “The Work That Endures” (2026) and the Balita archive.