Service Under Pressure
In a decade the book describes as defined by constraint, the Club launched the TOWER Awards in 1976 to honor Filipino workers, and it ran livelihood, medical and housing programs. Membership passed 400, making it the largest Rotary club in Asia, and in 1979 the Club marked sixty years with the Diamond Joint District Conference.
- 1969–1970
PresidentAntonio Roxas-Chua
Antonio “Tony” Roxas-Chua, a Filipino-Chinese sugar tycoon, banker, and civic leader, served as Manila Rotary’s fiftieth president. He supported the World Youth Assembly Trust Fund and Manila Boy Scouts, donated lumber for a dump-truck ramp, and strengthened the club’s administration through revised membership fees. His term also expanded the “Journalist of the Year” awards, increasing prizes and introducing a third-place award.
- 1970–1971
PresidentAlfonso M. Ayesa
Dr. Alfonso “Doc” Ayesa, a physician and former president of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-first president. His term mobilized typhoon relief, established the club’s first Rotaract club at Philippine Christian College, and sponsored two Interact clubs. The club also contributed ₱5,000 toward a cerebral palsy rehabilitation clinic and published an illustrated manual for public utility drivers.
- 1971–1972
PresidentCarlos D. Arguelles
Carlos “Carling” Arguelles, a Filipino architect and educator known for modernist landmarks, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-second president. Guided by “Total Self-Involvement,” his term supported artificial limbs for disadvantaged patients, typhoon relief in Leyte, and youth music and sports programs. The club also welcomed its first Japanese member since World War II, strengthening international fellowship.
- 1972–1973
PresidentWilfrido C. Tecson
Wilfrido “Willie” C. Tecson, a banker and Solidbank co-founder, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-third president. Through Oplan Pakikiramay, he mobilized relief for Central Luzon and helped establish UP-PGH’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Ward. His term also provided water and sanitation facilities in Barrio Sucad, Pampanga, funded Don Bosco scholarships, and increased club membership by 54, or 22 percent.
- 1973–1974
PresidentFlorentino N. Santos
Dr. Florentino “Flor” N. Santos, a Filipino surgeon and medical educator, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-fourth president. His term advanced “Operation: Opportunity,” providing career guidance to over 57,000 high school graduates, and hosted the 1974 District Conference with more than 1,000 delegates. The club also distributed 550 eyeglasses, supported fifteen charitable institutions, and donated gardening equipment for community upkeep in Malate.
- 1974–1975
PresidentChester G. Babst
Chester “Chet” G. Babst, a banker who headed Pacific Banking Corporation and the Bankers Association of the Philippines, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-fifth president. He launched “Operation Employment,” a career guidance initiative that earned Rotary International’s Significant Achievement Award, and introduced cleanliness awards for public buildings. His term also welcomed 43 members, supported scholarships and flood relief, and organized the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman.
- 1975–1976
PresidentTeofilo G. Reyes Jr.
Teofilo “Fil” G. Reyes Jr., a Filipino businessman, industrialist, and chamber of commerce leader, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-sixth president. He inaugurated the Ten Outstanding Workers of the Republic Awards and launched “Operation Hanapbuhay” for career guidance. His term also supported homeless boys, charitable institutions, and livelihood opportunities in Tondo, while establishing the FEU Rotaract Club and a sisterhood with Kowloon East.
- 1976–1977
PresidentBuenaventura U. V. Angtuaco
Dr. Buenaventura “Benny” U. V. Angtuaco, a physician and former dean of UST’s Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-seventh president. His term expanded medical outreach, distributed 457 eyeglasses, and promoted graduate employment through “Operation Placement.” He also organized three Interact clubs and the Rotary Club of Panday Pira, strengthened international sisterhood ties, and added sixteen Paul Harris Fellows.
- 1977–1978
PresidentFr. Francisco G. Reyes, OFM
Fr. Francisco “Frank” G. Reyes, a Filipino Franciscan priest, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-eighth president. His term renovated Boys Town cottages, supported rehabilitation centers and displaced Manobo communities, and provided 403 pairs of eyeglasses to disadvantaged children. He also hosted District 382’s first conference and raised a then-record ₱241,242 for service projects, combining community welfare with youth leadership development.
- 1978–1979
PresidentAlberto G. Romulo
Alberto “Bert” G. Romulo, an accountant and lawyer who later became senator and foreign affairs secretary, served as Manila Rotary’s fifty-ninth president. He marked its sixtieth anniversary with a joint district conference and the Diamond Book. His term established the RCManila Foundation, completed Malate’s Tulungan Center, and supported medical missions, market cleanliness, employment training, and relief for fire victims.
Presidents and term notes from the Past presidents roll, drawn from “The Work That Endures” (2026) and the Balita archive.