Silence, War, and Survival
Under the Japanese occupation, the Club ceased all formal operations and its records were deliberately burned. After the war it was readmitted to Rotary International with its original charter number, and Rotary International entrusted it with P10,000 to help rehabilitate needy members and families across the district.
- 1939–1940
PresidentEdward L. Hall
Edward “Ned” L. Hall, an American commercial executive active in Manila’s business and Masonic circles, served as the club’s twenty-second president. His term saw at least 35 active committees and the introduction of a members’ badge rack. Internationally, Rotary allocated $50,000 for Red Cross war relief and approved a relief fund for Rotarians and their families affected by war.
- 1940–1941
PresidentGil J. Puyat
Gil J. Puyat, a Filipino industrialist, educator, and future Senate president, was Manila Rotary’s youngest president. His first term supported disadvantaged boys, fire victims, and children needing eyeglasses. Returning after World War II, he led the club’s revival with 50 charter members and coordinated assistance for Rotarians and their families, using Rotary International funding and donated supplies to support recovery.
- 1941
PresidentHugo H. Miller
Hugo H. Miller, an American educator, economics textbook author, and publishing representative, served as Manila Rotary’s twenty-fourth president. His term was cut short by World War II, during which club records were destroyed and regular activities ceased. The club’s final 1941 meeting took place on Corregidor, and General Douglas MacArthur became an honorary member. Miller was later captured and executed by Japanese forces.
- 1945–1946
PresidentGil J. Puyat
Gil J. Puyat, a Filipino industrialist, educator, and future Senate president, led Manila Rotary’s postwar revival during his second term. The club rejoined Rotary International with 50 charter members, retaining its original charter number, 478. With ₱10,000 from Rotary International and supplies donated by Philadelphia Rotarians, it assisted members and their families, helping rebuild lives disrupted by war.
- 1946–1947
PresidentForrest H. Myers
Forrest H. Myers, an American businessman and longtime Manila resident, became the Rotary Club of Manila’s first American president after World War II. He served during the club’s early postwar recovery, following its reestablishment under Gil J. Puyat. His term coincided with the death of Rotary founder Paul Harris on January 27, 1947, marking a significant moment in the organization’s history.
- 1947–1948
PresidentManuel B. Lim
Manuel B. Lim, a lawyer and Ateneo law dean who later served as Secretary of Education and Secretary of Commerce and Industry, led Manila Rotary’s twenty-seventh presidency. He strengthened Rotary education through assemblies and fireside meetings, promoted a public courtesy campaign distributing 15,000 posters, and welcomed Rotary International President S. Kendrick Guernsey’s official visit.
- 1948–1949
PresidentEmilio M. Javier
Emilio M. Javier, a Filipino lawyer, educator, and former vice-presidential candidate, served as Manila Rotary’s twenty-eighth president. During his term, the club supported the creation of a National Traffic Commission and hosted the Sixth District Conference in March 1949. He promoted Rotary’s four avenues of service through his address, “Extending Our Rotary Frontiers,” and spoke at Rotary’s International Assembly in Lake Placid, New York.
Presidents and term notes from the Past presidents roll, drawn from “The Work That Endures” (2026) and the Balita archive.