From the Editor.. Rotary News Basket 10th Anniversary of Youth Project Rotary District 3770 Presidential Celebration-Manila Rotarians Also Laugh

by: PDG Herman T. Gamboa, D-3830

“The Presidential Celebration on Poverty Alleviation held on January 31, 2004 was very successful in terms of its meticulous preparations; the big turn out of Rotarians from here and abroad that filled the big Makati Shangri-La ballroom to its capacity; good food - breakfast, lunch, snacks, cocktails and dinner. It was a rare opportunity for Philippine Rotarians to meet the RI President and share fellowship with fellow Rotarians especially those who had not met each other for a long time.

Congatulations are due Chairman/PDG Herman Gamboa and the members of the organizing committee plus the special inputs of PP/Gen. Paco Atayde of RC Pasay Mia (formerly manager of Manila International Airport), who facilitated the fast and smooth entry and departure of RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe.”

The above is one congratulatory e-mail from PDG Enchong See, D-3830, which sums up the successful Presidential Celebration on Poverty Alleviation. With 837 total registrants, 60 of whom are from 9 other countries, spelled out the success of the conference.

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines gave her keynote address at 9:30 in the morning at the jam-packed ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. She started her talk by reminiscing her experiences as a Rotary Ann for husband Miguel “Mike” Arroyo who is a past president of the Rotary Club of Makati Central. She stayed for another hour after her speech, to talk to Rotarians friends and for photo opportunities.

After her inspiring keynote speech, the president was followed by four plenary speakers: RIPD Rafael “Paing” Hechanova - on “The Faces of Poverty.” This was followed by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Alberto Reyes who spoke on “Micro-lending as an Effective Tool to Alleviate Poverty.” The Secretary of Agriculture, Honorable Luis Lorenzo, Jr., “Improving Farm Productivity” and Mr. Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga “Integrated Approach to Poverty Alleviation, Plus.”

In the afternoon starting at 2:30 to 4:30, three (3) break up sessions were conducted on the three topics of “Micro-lending”, “Improving Agricultural Productivity” and “Integrated Approach to Poverty Alleviation (Gawad Kalinga).” Closing plenary was held from 5 to 6 p.m. where rapporteurs presented on the results of the group discussions. Before the conference was closed by PDG Herman Gamboa, chair of the Presidential Celebration, he announced that the chair of the Findings and Proceedings Committee, PDG Mark Go, committed that within 30 days the findings and proceedings would be sent to all registered delegates in CD form.

While the ballroom was being prepared for the Presidential Dinner, cocktails were held across the hotel at (TGIF) “Fridays.” More than 500 delegates attended the cocktails.

R.I. President Jonathan Majiyagbe delivered his keynote speech at about 8:30 p.m. after dinner. After citing several projects that he visited the day before he said:

“When we help people acquire skills they need to support themselves and their families - we can make a long term impact on their lives.”

He continued further,

“Together we can do what seems impossible - if we are willing to work with determination and optimism.”

In closing he said:

“Although our time here is short, and the time will come that we must part company, we shall never part ways because we are always near to each other in our hearts - working to Lend a Hand toward a shared vision.”

President Jonathan arrived three (3) days earlier on January 28, 2004 to also attend the “3rd Philippine Conference on Rotary Concerns” which was held on January 30, 2004 also at the Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City.

On January 29, he visited three (3) projects in the morning. First he visited “Munting Paraiso” a new village project of the Rotary Club of Alabang in Muntinlupa. This slum place of about 200 families was called “Pook Diablo” before it was transformed to what it is today - “Munting Paraiso” thru the efforts of RCCs and Rotary clubs in Muntinlupa. Then he motored to Sun Valley Parañaque for a micro-lending project of the Rotary Club of Parañaque at their RCC at “Villa Paraiso.” About 150 of the 450 beneficiary families met President Jonathan. Close to one million pesos is now being lent to 450 beneficiaries thru this project. The Grameen method is used here. Towards lunch, Pres. Jonathan motored to Barrio Kaingin near the airport, where a slum community was transformed by the Rotary Club of Makati in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga of the Couples for Christ. Here, Pres. Jonathan observed mothers doing garment sewing as a source of livelihood. Throughout these visits, three TV stations covered his visits which were shown in the evening news. From this project visitations, Pres. Jonathan motored to the Rotary Club of Manila, the oldest in Asia for their regular weekly meetings at the Manila Hotel. After his speech, the ten district governors in the Philippines, who were all in attendance, assisted the president in ringing the Centennial Bell which arrived a few days earlier from Taipei.

From the Manila Hotel, Pres. Jonathan motored back to the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati for a formal press conference at 4-6 in the afternoon. The overall visit of Pres. Jonathan was covered extensively both by TV and newspapers.

Pres. Jonathan’s four-day stay in the Philippines conquered the hearts of Filipino Rotarians. We now all look forward to his return.

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