Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

A GOLF TRIUMPH

The Week That Was
March 14, 2007
By: Dir. Bob Hecks

Attendance was better than expected – we needed a fourth table. One reason was the welcome presence of several visiting Rotarians, including three from Japan.

Pres. Porong, PP Pabling and PP Roger with the visiting Rotarians from Japan.

DGE Ato Magadia took center stage as he reported on the successful International Golfing Federation of Rotarians event the week before. For more news visit www.rotary3830.org/directions. The success included P250,000 for our project funds. PP Bert Lingad led the way in making sure that our trip to the RCMN Gawad Kalinga Village in Tanay, Rizal was well attended. Our guest speaker represented the Private Wealth Management department of a major European bank.

“The IGFR tournament nearly didn’t happen” said DGE Ato Magadia. This was not about any last-minute problems but it was about getting the numbers of foreign golfers. Apparently, perceptions of the Philippines were that it is not a safe place – “will we be secure?” So police escorts attended everywhere and everything was on time. “Five minutes late was a problem for me, so there weren’t any problems”, said Ato. The visitors marveled at the efficiency and the hospitality and wondered aloud if their countries could reciprocate. Ato thanked those RCMNers who had taken part, particularly PP Ric dela Torre, PP Donnies Alas, PE Joe Reaño and Sec. Chito Frondoso.

Chito Frondoso introduced the guest speaker Marcus Scheper, who he met at the German Club. Marcus is country manager of Private Wealth Management International of Dresdner Bank AG. His topic was “European Financial Market Outlook.” Dresdner Bank is “the centre of competence for banking at Allianz Group” according to the impressive brochure which Marcus handed out after the meeting. Dresdner Bank is one of the top 15 Wealth Management providers worldwide and is the second largest bank in Germany.

“Confidence in Europe seems to be needed in this part of the world,” said our guest speaker. During his presentation and in answering questions from PP Bert Lingad, PP Ric dela Torre, PP Dieter Brueckner, PE Joe Reaño, Chito Frondoso and Daniel Wiedmer, Marcus Scheper gave rather predictable answers to questions about the European Economic Community, the Euro (Britain will join one day), inflation (not so bad) and the admission of Turkey (yes) and the (nearly over) transformation of the former East Germany into a competitive situation. About private banking “it’s personal, we’re using the best techniques to ensure that you and your family are OK.”