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Happy new year to all! 2003 ended - as scheduled - and now, we have to start on this new lease in life. It is too late to change what has happened. what we have done. and what we failed to do! Thank God, we can still wish for better things to happen.
We can never thank the Rotary Club f Downtown Manila for the endless favors and support given to PRM. This club has the distinction of being the first 100% Lifetime Subscribers. and now, the second club to sponsor an issue. But their more significant contribution to PRM are the "Twin Towers" of the club" - our Managing Editor (PDG Sonny Ventura) and Finance Manager (PDG Johnny Aruego) - who have been our good friends since those wonderful Jaycee days - "when we are young and foolish!."
This is the last call we can make for the "twin events" at the end of the month: The 3 rd Philippine Conference on Rotary Concerns and the Presidential Celebration on Poverty Alleviation on January 30 and 31, respectively, at the same venue - the Makati Shangri-La. These are very significant and historic events. we should not miss them. or forever regret it!
January is Rotary Awareness month. and we pray that PRM has served as one important tool for awakening in our readers the much needed awareness which has strengthened their appreciation for the organization. For no one can truly love Rotary and be true to its vision of Service above Self, unless there is awareness of its real meaning.
The PRM is not a business undertaking and, therefore, does not operate for profit. but neither is it a Charitable Institution! We have to balance between producing the magazine at the least possible cost and our need to keep it alive. We instituted the Life-time Subscription at P5, 000.00 - hoping the money would earn at least 10% per year, to cover the cost of a regular annual subscription. We are now seriously reviewing this because banks do not pay more than 6% per year on deposits, and our costs have increased many times over. Should we decide to raise the cost of Lifetime Subscription - and we probably will - it shall be effective next Rotary Year (July 2004). Regular subscription rates may consequently be adjusted also. We pray for your kind understanding and cooperation.
The political season has started - almost half a year before the elections. We should not be making political commentaries. but can not help complementing the few Rotarians who unselfishly answered the call to higher service. Having gone through the experience - we know it's not easy to remain indifferent when such call is sounded. realizing the heartaches and frustrations that go with Public Service. We dare not mention names. but the Rotarians know the "Few Good Men" in their communities who are answering the challenge. We can only wish them the best of luck and silently pledge to support their heroic effort to bring about the government that we dream of and (hopefully) serve!
