Scale, Technology and Transition
In the new millennium, the Club focused on making its service work at scale. It ran multinational medical missions, secured a long-term lease for its headquarters, and moved disaster response toward multi-year rehabilitation. It also embraced culture and digital tools while keeping its tradition of fellowship.
- 1999–2000
PresidentFortunato I. Gupit Jr.
Fortunato “Tito” I. Gupit Jr., a legal scholar, author, and educator, served as Manila Rotary’s eightieth president. He launched the “Clean River Zone” project with a US$40,000 Unilever grant and an internationally supported anti-poverty initiative. His term also promoted tree planting, environmental scholarships, healthcare and legal partnerships, and welcomed thirty-five new Paul Harris Fellows.
- 2000–2001
PresidentSebastian B. Arrastia
Sebastian “Buster” B. Arrastia, a civic leader active in environmental and educational service, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-first president. His term promoted waste management and San Juan River cleanups, organized a job fair, and supported teacher training. The club also provided eye care to 158 patients in Negros Oriental, funded vocational scholarships for 100 beneficiaries, and welcomed seventeen Paul Harris Fellows.
- 2001–2002
PresidentEdgardo E. Tumangan
Edgardo “Ed” E. Tumangan, a lawyer and business executive, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-second president. He adopted a youth entrepreneurship program with the International Labor Organization and supported a job fair that secured 121 immediate hires. His term also provided medical care to 2,255 patients and eye services to 3,496 people, inaugurated a hearing center, and introduced the Gawad Agham journalism award.
- 2002–2003
PresidentOscar M. de Baybay
Oscar “OB” M. de Baybay, a civic leader involved in healthcare and youth development, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-third president. His term organized eighteen medical missions benefiting over 3,200 patients, secured an ultrasound donation commitment for Sorsogon Provincial Hospital, and supported technician training. He also funded cataract surgeries, raised support for Sagip Kabataan and leukemia care, and launched the Philippine Youth Business Foundation.
- 2003–2004
PresidentRenato A. Ampil
Renato “Boy” A. Ampil, a customs broker and former Customs Commissioner, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-fourth president. He launched the US$600,000 Gift of Life program for hospital equipment and technician training in Sorsogon. His term also delivered medical missions, supported a child’s heart surgery, funded Sagip Kabataan, and partnered on an occupational and speech therapy clinic, closing with a ₱2.2 million surplus.
- 2004–2005
PresidentAlejandro L. Yap Jr.
Alejandro “Alex” L. Yap Jr., a civic leader active in Rotary service, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-fifth president. His term delivered medical missions serving nearly 4,000 patients and committed ₱1 million toward a 100-unit Rotary Village in Taguig. He also partnered with Kowloon East on occupational therapy and community facilities, and launched the club’s annual Tourism Awards.
- 2005–2006
PresidentCesar C. Ubaldo
Dr. Cesar C. Ubaldo, a physician and civic leader involved in healthcare outreach, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-sixth president. He inaugurated Habitat for Humanity’s Rotary Village in Taguig, launched the Commitment to Justice Awards, and revived the TOWER Awards. His term also established sister-club ties with Tokyo Tama, supported medical information initiatives, and partnered with DepEd to honor public school principals.
- 2006–2007
PresidentFrancis E. Juico
Francis E. Juico, a civic leader active in community service, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-seventh president. His term delivered medical missions to Rizal, Bulacan, and Palawan, supported livelihoods in Aurora, and completed training for 54 medical equipment technicians. He also established partnerships for school support and English proficiency, and completed the club’s Presidents Portraits Gallery, helping preserve its institutional history.
- 2007–2008
PresidentBienvenido E. Laguesma
Bienvenido “Benny” E. Laguesma, a lawyer and veteran public servant who served as Labor Secretary, became Manila Rotary’s eighty-eighth president. His term supported 23 heart surgeries in Bohol, medical and sight conservation missions, and therapy services at Hospicio de San Jose. He also turned over Rotaryville homes to 96 families in Taguig, advanced youth leadership initiatives, and earned district recognition for outstanding club leadership.
- 2008–2009
PresidentRomeo B. Batino
Romeo “Romy” B. Batino, a lawyer, labor law specialist, and educator, served as Manila Rotary’s eighty-ninth president. His term donated computers to two Tondo schools, conducted medical missions, and provided ₱100,000 for typhoon recovery in Iloilo. He also supported a proposed water storage project in China, strengthened ties with the Rotary Club of Guam, and secured a 25-year lease for the club’s Ermita office.
Presidents and term notes from the Past presidents roll, drawn from “The Work That Endures” (2026) and the Balita archive.