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

Recognition Time

Let us congratulate two of our Past Presidents – Joe Reaño and Ric dela Torre – for the successful implementation of major club projects last week.

Joe was chairman of the 4th Leg of the Governor’s Cup, which the club co-hosted with the Rotary Club of Makati Buendia at the Villamor Golf Club last Thursday. Our good Immediate Past President will probably make a more detailed report today that will likely include that the fellowship was excellent and that the club made a little bit of money, as there were more golfers than was expected.

As you know, the tournament also served as a fund-raising event for the club. In addition to the proceeds from tournament fees, the club also earned from the hole sponsorships.

And so in behalf of the club, thank you to all the members who made this leg fun – including Rotarians Leo Jabeguero and Eric Natividad and Director Ariel Rivera, who kept many of us laughing with tales of their consistent, if not miraculous, 300-yard drives. Our gratitude also goes to the hole sponsors, who came through for the club despite the financial crunch that many are feeling today.

The day after the golf tournament was equally busy for Makati North, because of the sixth annual LEAP Congress, spearheaded by Past President Ric with the help of our Anns, including Daisy dela Torre, Inner Wheel National President Vicky Magadia and others too many to all mention here.

As you all know, this year’s LEAP faced many challenges because of the bad economic times. For a while, there was concern that it might have to be scuttled as sponsorships dried up.

But to Ric’s and the Anns’ credit, they found a way. A major adjustment was the venue that was moved to the surprisingly impressive University of Makati campus, which, in my opinion, should be what a government school ought to look like. But Ric and his group kept what was essential – a good program designed to help inspire young people become good citizens. And so as usual, there were extraordinary people who gave inspirational talks – including Vic Magdaraog’s son, Dickoy, and Kaya Natin convenor Harvey Keh, also of the Ateneo de Manila University – and the volunteers who carried out the workshops and exercises during the breakout sessions.

True to our promise

You may have also heard that we had a fellowship lunch last week, on Wednesday as usual, at the Peninsula’s Nielsen’s restaurant. We decided to push through with that because it was in keeping with our promise at the beginning of our term to hold a weekly lunch meeting regardless of the other activities taking place during the week.

In all, 10 people showed up – again, more than expected. There was no agenda or program, other than a bit of show and tell. Rotarian Danny Rayos del Sol brought a sample of his ostrich-egg sculpture that he will donate to our 36th Anniversary Ball in May, and IPP Joe showed off some “intriguing” apparatus.

In closing, I wish to thank all those who were at that lunch: Immediate Past District Governor Ato Magadia, who came as he was battling the flu and an onslaught from corporate raiders; Leo, who left us all in stitches; Treasurer Robert Syjuco, who made us envious with his tales of his animal magnetism to Japanese-looking tourists; Past President Joe, who perked our interest with the latest “gadgets”; Directors Bob Hecks and Christophe Bellinger, as well as Rotarians Vince Tan and Karl McLean, who all provided the group with some sanity, if not some much-needed dignity; and last but not least, Larry Bortles, the prodigal Rotarian who found his way back home to Makati North.