On February 13, the Rotary Club of Makati embarked on a special journey to BGC for an off-site meeting and a mini-Valentine's party at Bar PinTxos, just a few steps away from the picturesque BGC Greenway Park. The day began with a delightful walking tour of the 1.5-kilometer urban park, renowned as the longest greenway in Metro Manila. This green oasis, a hidden gem in the heart of the bustling city, was initiated by RC Makati in 2019 during the presidency of PP Fred Pascual and is still overseen by PP Charlie Rufino, standing as a symbol of sustainability and a testament to our club's commitment to environmental stewardship. The 1.5km greenway, created with high value but low cost, has significantly enhanced the livability of our community. Through our club's dedicated efforts, we raised over P28M to cover the expenses for this transformative project. BGC Greenway Park offers a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle, providing a perfect setting for relaxation, picnics, and leisurely strolls. It's also a great spot for exercise and enjoying the fresh air, making it an ideal destination for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the midst of the urban landscape. Following the walk through the park, the delegation gathered at Bar PinTxos for a delightful lunch and fellowship. During the program, President Bing Matoto distributed certificates of appreciation to the partners and sponsors of the BGC Greenway Project, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the success of the initiative. Reflecting on the project, Rosella Belmonte of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation expressed her excitement about how the community has embraced the BGC Greenway Park, making it a favorite spot for many. Mike Keppler, the project manager, highlighted the economic benefits of the greenway, including increased property values in the surrounding area, boosted tourism, and improved quality of life for residents. Moving forward, he cited the big plans on interconnecting greenways with the hope of the continued support of Rotary. As the day came to a close, romantic music filled the air, celebrating Valentine's Day with roses and chocolates for all attendees to take home. The BGC Greenway Park stands as a testament to the Rotary Club of Makati's strength and commitment to creating sustainable and vibrant communities.

The Nutrition Program Committee chaired by PP Freddie Borromeo opened three modules of the feeding program in Brgy. Quisao, Pililia, Rizal last May 26, rounding off to 310 the number of malnourished children served this Rotary year. The three modules each serve 30 kids with a nutritious meal and a glass of milk every day for six months. The milk is provided by Mead Johnson, corporate sponsor, while the meals are prepared by the kids’ mothers who have undergone training in meals planning and preparation by long-time project partner Kabisig ng Kalahi. All three modules are scheduled to wind up in October. The launch also brings to nine the number of modules run this year. The others were in Marcela Agoncillo Elementary School in Binondo, Manila, with two modules started in September 2016 and completed in March 2017; Bay, Laguna with two modules that began in December 2016 and will end this month, June; and Sitio Rawang, Tanay, Rizal with two modules that kicked off in April and will end in October. Speaking to the parents, PP Freddie brought home the message that poverty is no excuse for malnutrition as there are affordable sources of nutrients, while PE Jun Jun Dayrit and Ms. Vicky Wieneke, executive director of Kabisig, hammered on the imperativeness of not missing the daily meals. Ms. Wieneke also impressed upon the audience how the Club is helping communities in many provinces, while the Vice Mayor Leandro Masikip thanked the Club for bringing the program to his community. Also present at the launch were PP Rene Limjoco, Dir./Treas. Bom Villatuya, Rtn. Taba Samson and Ann Jojo Borromeo, together with Brgy. Capt. Edwin Buenaventura, and Ms. Prescilla Escalante of DSWD. Taba later hosted lunch at a resto in neighboring Tanay.

SPEECH By DG EDWIN AFZELIUS, JR. Rotary Club of Makati. Manila Pen. 7 July 2017 A pleasant evening to you all. Allow me to greet the revered Past RI Director Paing Hechanova and the rest of your distinguished past district governors, Bert Montinola, Tony Quila, Sid Garcia, Robert Kuan and Pepz Bengzon, as well as your past club presidents up to Immediate Past President David Ackerman and your spouses. The Rotary Club of Makati ---- chartered 50 years ago on March 12, 1966, and entering its 52nd year --- remain to be the most outstanding club in District 3830 --- and second to the oldest after the Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa. Thus, I thank the Rotary Club of Makati for spearheading the creation of so many other Rotary clubs in this part of the Rotary world. I commend the past leadership of your club, and the fine men who involved each and everyone in projects that touched the souls and made a difference in the lives of others, particularly those who need them most. You are leaders whose dedication and commitment to serve beyond yourselves have made so many communities better places to live in. Allow me to cite PDG Sid Garcia, who for the last 7 years, has remained as chairman of the Rotary Homes Foundation, and all the other leaders of the Foundation. Their concern, leadership and guidance, result in the continuance of perhaps one of the biggest free housing projects initiated by a Rotary group. But, it is not only PDG Sid or any other PDG or PRID in your club that I refer to but the whole of the Rotary Club of Makati, composed of extra-ordinary men in various professions and businesses have enabled to make a difference in the lives of so many. My friends in the Rotary Club of Makati, Rotary Year 2017-2018, with the theme ROTARY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE, will be a beautiful journey to fellowship and service. This theme reminds us Rotarians that our presence can always touch the lives and make a difference in the lives of others and theirs. This theme shall be our strategic plan where Making A Difference and creating positive changes will define the ways in which we live as Rotarians anchored on the priority goals of Rotary International and the district. Our great hopes will be transformed into Happy Rotarians, Happy Clubs, a Happy District, and Happy Communities! I would like to commend your outstanding projects on literacy and mostly covering the other Areas of Focus. You have a very successful Books Across The Seas project which I hope you can continue, for this has helped so many other Rotary clubs, schools and communities. Commendable are your service projects that delve on continuing medical missions and other projects that cover the 6 areas of focus. However, as you expand your commitment to your communities, I ask you to further STRENGTHEN YOUR ROTARY CLUB. Work hard to have more members but focus on retention too. The Rotary Club if Makati is one of the biggest TRF contributors but I ask you to CONTRIBUTE more to the Rotary Foundation to help improve our ability to attract grants and Foundation support. The 6 Areas of Focus are main thrusts of Rotary International and the Happy Barangays Project will be the anchor to which service activities will be implemented. Your continuing support to the youth by having Rotaract and Interact clubs and another Rotary Community Corp are very laudable. With these outstanding projects, I ask you to enhance the good works of Rotary and your club by promoting your activities and sending articles to the GML and the Philippine Rotary Magazine. Maximize your public image efforts by participating in RI-sponsored campaigns like the Humanity in Motion projects. Communicate to the community the values of Rotary and your Rotary club. As Mother Teresa has said: “I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together, we can do great things.” Hence, I believe none is more enduring than that of cooperation and tolerance. Exercise collaborative service and collaborative governance. This means that no matter your role is in the club, you are part of a family, a family where ideas flourish, where voices are heard, where activities are shared, and where results are readily apparent. I also ask your club’s cooperation and support to prioritize several exciting major activities that will happen during our year, especially the tree-planting activity that RI President Ian Riseley requested us to do this year. • The TRF Testimonial Dinner in November 2017; • The District Conference in March 2018; With these programs and activities anchored on the thrusts of Rotary International in 2017-2018, I am certain that your club will be able to comply with the Presidential Citation requirements. My friends in the Rotary Club of Makati: We are gathered here to enlarge our hearts, and to train our minds to untangle problems and confront the challenges before us. We come to discover that which inspires us, to find what motivates us, and to connect our personal passions to a larger communal interest. We come to discover new ideas, new ways of working, and new ways of thinking. With your pledge taken to heart, you will then be able to be charged up, motivated, and impassioned to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of others! We stand at the beginning of another exciting era in the history of District 3830, and we must dare to dream. I look forward to your joining us in this journey to service in Rotary Year 2017-2018 as we MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of others! Thank you and a pleasant evening to all. Brief Remarks Rafael “Paing” G. Hechanova Sr. RI Director, 1996-98 Member, RC of Makati D-3830 Philippines Fellow Rotarians, Spouses and Guests – I have been asked to deliver a message tonight. I will be brief as this is a long night. Twenty years ago, as a director of Rotary International, I proposed that we create a Family Membership – a membership that for one dues to RI and to the Rotary Club, both spouses become Rotarians. It was referred to the Constitution and By Laws Committee of Rotary International and they came back after several weeks with a note that the proposal is good but premature at that time. Now, we have a Satellite Club that is composed of our spouses – and I support it although my wife is not too well, she is now also a Rotarian – Because Rotary is Family. But fellow Rotarians, it is not a solution to increased membership as advocated by our previous President. We need younger members who are leaders or who have the potential to be leaders in Service to others. We need younger members who want to get involved – to be of assistance to those that need help. That is what Rotary is – the LOVE for others. This Club was founded by LEADERS and sustained through decades by LEADERS. Just yesterday, I attended the Induction of the Rotary Club of Manila. That club is not dying. Ever since they transferred here to Makati, their membership has increased and they are now buoyant and strong. They are now 228 with 39 exempt or 189 active. I was very pleased that they are a strong club. Rotary is not a contest. Rotary needs strong clubs to continue doing good in the world and MAKING DIFFERENCE. So fellow Rotarians, LET US JUST DO IT. Let us invite quality persons to join us. Thank you and best wishes to all.

Lovely weather with nary a hint of rain. Metro traffic kinder to the nerves than usual for a Friday evening. The buzz of excitement as some 240 kindred souls including 12 past district governors and spouses, 12 district officers, 17 Great Presidents, 14 guests from three sister clubs, and 21 from daughter and brother clubs—the ladies, comely in Filipiniana-inspired gowns and the men, dapper in formal barong Tagalog—greeted one another with handshakes, hugs and besos. Such were the feel and look and vibe of the 52nd induction ceremony and ball of the Rotary Club of Makati at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila on 07.07.17 -- the 7th of July 2017. Two matched clubs agreement were signed: RC Kota Kinabalu and RC Cebu. The foyer was crammed with guests registering, posing for pictures at the photo stations, and generally just milling around two center tables, sipping wine while waiting for the centerpiece—two luscious lechones on large trays, their arrival signaled by a bell, to set off cocktails, a perky warm-up to a lovely evening. Incoming Pres. Jun Jun & Cecille Dayrit and Outgoing Pres. David & Mache Ackerman welcomed everyone to the ballroom. Hosts Louie Aseoche and Mike Escaler, looking like pros to the stage born, held the program together. The proceedings went smoothly—IPP David calling the meeting to order for the last time, PP Joe Alejandro saying a prayer for the Club and the new leadership team, and PDG Sid Garcia delivering the welcome message that was virtually an introduction to the Club and its long history of achievement and acclamation. PRID Paing Hechanova delivered brief remarks where he recalled how, 20 years ago as a director of RI, he had proposed the creation of “family membership” that would allow spouses to become Rotarians but charged only one set of dues. Recounting that the proposal was nixed as “good but premature,” PRID Paing was happy to note that the Club has formed a satellite club composed of RCM members’ spouses, including his Ann Mely. A cake was wheeled in for three birthday celebrators: PRID Paing, DG Ed Afzelius and PE Fred Pascual, and the birthday song was sung. The induction ceremonies ran like clockwork with PP Rene Limjoco presenting the inductees, PP Reggie Nolido charging them, DG Ed swearing them in, and PDG Tony Quila presiding over and annotating the turnover ceremony. Introduced by PP Tito Panlilio, newly-minted President Jun Jun Dayrit Jr. delivered an inspirational speech that invited club members to move out of the comfort zone of a passive member and become an active, engaged, and enthusiastic volunteer who helps to get the iconic Rotary gearwheel moving, takes up his oar to push the dragon boat team to victory, and contribute to the reversal of the Pareto Principle where 20% of the team does 80% of the work. Noting how Rotarians are called upon to give of three Ts—Talent, Treasure, Time—he made it clear that of the three, he will be needing your TIME the most. Pres. Jun Jun’s first task was to induct four new members—Johnny Ang, Inigo Garcia, Virgilio Gumban and Derrick Tan, and attach pins on 51 Paul Harris Fellows. PDG Robert Kuan introduced DG Ed Afzelius, guest of honor and speaker, who paid fulsome praise to the Club for its long parade of projects through the years, even naming all the past presidents and past district governors, with special mention of PRID Paing. He urged the Club to keep up its leadership position, grow its member base, and give more to The Rotary Foundation. After Pres. Jun Jun adjourned the meeting, the entertainment started. Titled “OPM Through the Years,” it was a seamless musical show featuring an array of OPM numbers performed by Rotarians and Anns, a show that earned oohs and aahs here, loud cheers there, and applause everywhere. The artists and their numbers: Pres. Jun Jun/ That’s Entertainment and Dungawin mo Sana, Roger Collantes/ Minamahal Kita, Mundy Gonzalez/Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Trina Galvez/Kapantay ay Langit, Sue Ann Nolido/Sixteen, PP Reggie Nolido/My Pledge of Love, PDG Pepito Bengzon and Renalyn David/Together Again, Porsche Pena/Ang Kawawang Cowboy, PDG Robert Kuan/Butsikik, PN Bimbo Mills/Anak, Melanie Laggui/Bonggahan, Boy Arteche/The Way We Were, PDG Sid, PP Freddie Borromeo, PP Eddie Yap, PE Fred Pascual, Eddie Galvez, and Bom Villatuya/Katawan, Tisa Fernandez/Tukso, Cecille Dayrit/Tell Me, Mache Ackerman/Bituing Walang Ningning, IPP David Ackerman/Mga Kababayan Ko, Chito Cantada/Ngayon at Kailanman, Louie Aseoche/Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, and the entire cast coming together for the finale, Ikaw, Ako, Tayong Lahat—Magkakapatid. Mimi Valerio and Sylvia Gonzalez appeared in videos. Doing the backup dancers routine, with several costume enhancements, were Tess Aseoche, Irene Barcelon, Jojo Borromeo, Tere Boyer, Tesha Garcia, Queenie Mills, Brin Panlilio, Menchu Pascual, Marie Segura and Caling Young. The evening ended with the traditional President’s Breakfast and dancing, both to the music of Marcy’s Band. Kudos and thanks to Louie Aseoche, Induction Committee chair, First Ann Cecille Dayrit and Mimi Valerio, Entertainment Committee co-chairs, and the Secretariat staff for an excellent job!

Pres. Jun Jun Dayrit wanted the Club to hit the ground running, and it has. On the first month of this new Rotary year, with nary a “warm up,” we have been moving forward on a number of fronts, Health, in particular. Last July 14, a Friday, PDG Tony Quila and Ann Mache Ackerman, together with Pres. Tess Castro of the Rotary Club of Makati Business District, a daughter club of ours, flew to Dumaguete City to launch a ‘Stop TB Now’ module. Launched on July 15, the project is being undertaken in collaboration with the City Government of Dumaguete under Mayor Felipe Remollo, RCM Business District, and regular partners Kabisig ng Kalahi and Pediatrica. The launch program had the mayor delivering the welcome remarks, PDG Tony giving an overview of the project, and Dr. Sally Talla talking about the basics of TB. Ann Mache delivered an inspirational message, and Councilor Lani Ramon gave the closing remarks. To receive medical treatment under the project are 28 TB-afflicted children from several of the city’s barangays.

Pres. Jun Jun Dayrit led a 10-person RC Makati delegation on a three-day visit to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 90th Installation Banquet of the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur Diraja on the 12th of August. RCKL is a sister club of ours. Others in the party were PP Cesar Campos with daughters Maribee Lamers and Sandy Campos, PP Sonny & Terry Tambunting, Dir. Peter & Pam Manzano, and PP Joseph & Gina Tambunting. They were treated to A-1 hospitality all the way, starting with their arrival on the 11th where they were welcomed at the airport by Pres. Ajmal Khan and other officers and driven to Shangri-la Hotel where they were all billeted. The welcome dinner that evening was capped with an impromptu videoke competition where PP Jun Jun, PP Cesar and Dir. Peter, showcasing their karaoke stripes honed in many an FNL session, won first place with their rendition of “Only You” and PP Joseph thrilled the crowd with two numbers. On the 12th, they joined a tour that brought them to Batu Caves—only Pres. Jun Jun, Peter and Pam had what it takes to climb the 272 steps to the crest — and to the Royal Selangor Pewter Company where Pres. Jun Jun and the Manzanos bought the Melon Pot, so precious it came with a coffee table book that tells its story. The main event, the formal installation banquet at the Shangri-La Hotel, took place in the evening, preceded by the signing of sister club agreements. The reception was grand, befitting the Club’s “diraja” title, an honorific meaning “royal,” i.e., created by authority or with the blessings of the king. Our ties with RCKL began in RY 1994-1995 during the term of PP Carlos del Rosario.

The library of Rotary Homes Paranaque is now open for business! This came to pass on August 25 with the turnover of a donation of the staples of a library--774 books, 31 bookshelves, computers, tables and chairs. The books and bookshelves were delivered by Eddie Galvez on behalf of GG&A Club Shares Broker’s Inc. and Oscar & Ginny Foundation Inc., and the computers, tables and chairs on behalf of Ateneo Class 69-C. The books-and-shelves donation was made in honor of the late Francis Galvez, brother of Eddie and Ai-Ai. PDG Sid Garcia, chairman of the Rotary Homes Foundation and leading light of the project, was there to receive the donations on behalf of the RH community. Also present were Pres. Jun Jun Dayrit, Community Service Dir. Chris Ferareza, RCC Chair Manny Padiernos, and Butch & Armi Jimenez of RC Makati and PP Theda Collantes, IPP Edith Bernardo and PP John Vinta of RC Paranaque St. Andrews, which built the two-story building that houses the library To formalize the turnover, a deed of donation was signed by Pres. Jun Jun Dayrit for RC Makati, Eddie Santos for the Ateneo Class 69C (of which he was president), and IPP Edith for RCPSA, and PDG Sid and Paranaque LGU CIO Mar Jimenez as witnesses. To provide context, PP Theda gave a background on the library building project and how it was funded by a global grant to RC Paranaque St. Andrews. In his message, PDG Sid gave credit to the individuals and organizations that are adding facilities to the community—Chris Chilip of Standard Chartered Bank, a former member of RC Makati, for the day care center and PDG Robert Kuan and St. Luke’s Medical Center for a multi-faith chapel to be built on a site to be identified by the LGU. Pres. Jun Jun, for his part, thanked Eddie Galvez and the Ateneo Class 69-C for the donations and announced a plan by Ann Armi Jimenez and the other Anns to hold tutoring sessions for the children, while Mar Jimenez revealed that Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivares plans to build a school in the community and has already selected a site —near the library, he intimated. PP John Vinta of RCPSA thanked the donors for the gifts and everyone for coming, reminding that events like the turnover are “why we are in Rotary, in pursuit of the common goal of serving and making the community better.”