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

An Entertaining Smorgasbord

By: Sec. Bob Hecks
May 18, 2011

“You will never be removed from Rotary unless you don’t pay your dues,” said PDG Ernie Salas, charging our new member from Australia, Rod Gothe. We were pleased to hear that. Several of our members loyally pay their dues even though we rarely see them at our weekly meetings. But we’re sure we will see Rod regularly; he’s already active in the planning of our community activities for RY2011/12.

“The key to enjoying Rotary is simply involvement,” said PDG Ernie. Our other new member, Philip Roberts from UK, is already supporting the Club. Also, news that RCMN did OK in the District 3830 Global Presidents Awards on May 14 was good to hear. The District also did well, achieving all targets, including membership growth.

In President’s Time, Pres. Mac also reported that our Matching Grant application from the Rotary Foundation has now been approved and that this will feed 200 undernourished children at the F. Benitez Elementary Schools at Brgy. Sta Cruz and Brgy. Singkamas, Makati for a whole school year.

“My two subjects are not related”, said guest speaker George Balagtas, whose topics were listed as “Democracy in the Philippines?” and “Can the RH bill change this?” Pres. Mac, introducing George, drew our attention to his wide-ranging experience and his advocacy activities including his TV program “Life” on GNN Cable and to his distinguished career in Public Relations and brand management.

“Mac invites me every time he runs out of speakers,” quipped George. Certainly George does seem to be very available in his retirement and he can talk entertainingly on almost any subject. In his rambling discourse he mentioned his admiration for the well known physicist Stephen Hawking who links the nature of the universe to the existence, or not, of God. “I interpret Hawking as saying we should live life to the full because there’s nothing after.” George also said “poor people should pay taxes.” An entertaining smorgasbord.