Discipline in an Unsettled World
Through the Great Depression, the Club refined its purpose rather than retreating: it elected its first Filipino president, took up public health and the "Manila Beautiful" project, and helped organize the Rotary clubs of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). In 1935, Manila hosted the 5th Pacific Regional Rotary Conference, attended by Rotary founder Paul Harris.
- 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.
The Club marked its tenth anniversary with 112 members At its tenth founding anniversary, under President Eugene A. Perkins, the Club had 112 members: Filipino, American, British, Spanish, Chinese, German and Japanese. Past presidents - 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.
- 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.
The Rotary Club of Cebu was organized with the Club's help The Rotary Club of Cebu was organized in November 1932 during Theodore L. Hall's presidency, extending Rotary's presence in the Philippines. The Iloilo club followed in April 1933. Past presidents - 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.
The Rotary Club of Cebu was organized with the Club's help The Rotary Club of Cebu was organized in November 1932 during Theodore L. Hall's presidency, extending Rotary's presence in the Philippines. The Iloilo club followed in April 1933. Past presidentsArsenio N. Luz became the Club's first Filipino president Arsenio Nicasio K. Luz, a journalist and Manila Carnival director, was the first Filipino to lead the Club. He launched the Manila Beautiful project to improve Luneta and Dewey Boulevard. Past presidentsThe Rotary Club of Iloilo was organized The Rotary Club of Iloilo was organized in April 1933, a few months after the Cebu club, during Theodore L. Hall's presidency. Past presidents - 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.
Arsenio N. Luz became the Club's first Filipino president Arsenio Nicasio K. Luz, a journalist and Manila Carnival director, was the first Filipino to lead the Club. He launched the Manila Beautiful project to improve Luneta and Dewey Boulevard. Past presidentsThe Rotary Club of Iloilo was organized The Rotary Club of Iloilo was organized in April 1933, a few months after the Cebu club, during Theodore L. Hall's presidency. Past presidents - 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.
President Carlos P. Romulo sponsored Boys Week In 1935 Club president Carlos P. Romulo sponsored Boys Week, helping establish it as a national institution. Past presidentsManila hosted the Fifth Pacific Regional Rotary Conference The conference in February 1935 was attended by Rotary founder Paul Harris and Rotary International president Robert E. Lee Hill. Arthur F. Fischer was Club president. Past presidents - 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.
President Carlos P. Romulo sponsored Boys Week In 1935 Club president Carlos P. Romulo sponsored Boys Week, helping establish it as a national institution. Past presidentsManila hosted the Fifth Pacific Regional Rotary Conference The conference in February 1935 was attended by Rotary founder Paul Harris and Rotary International president Robert E. Lee Hill. Arthur F. Fischer was Club president. Past presidentsThe Club set up its Sunshine Committee President George C. Dankwerth established the Club Service Sunshine Committee to support members who were bereaved, ill at home or in hospital. Past presidents - 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.
The Club set up its Sunshine Committee President George C. Dankwerth established the Club Service Sunshine Committee to support members who were bereaved, ill at home or in hospital. Past presidentsThe Club won Rotary International's first prize for vocational service Under President George A. Malcolm the Club broadened its membership to include more Filipinos and other nationalities and balanced its budget for the first time in five years. Its work earned Rotary International's first prize for vocational service. Past presidents - 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.
The Club won Rotary International's first prize for vocational service Under President George A. Malcolm the Club broadened its membership to include more Filipinos and other nationalities and balanced its budget for the first time in five years. Its work earned Rotary International's first prize for vocational service. Past presidentsThe Club worked to address street begging in Manila During Victor A. Buencamino's presidency the Club identified people needing assistance and helped return others to their home provinces. Past presidents - 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.
The Club worked to address street begging in Manila During Victor A. Buencamino's presidency the Club identified people needing assistance and helped return others to their home provinces. Past presidents
Presidents and term notes from the Past presidents roll, drawn from “The Work That Endures” (2026) and the Balita archive.