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

Mining and energy, Discon and golf....

By: Sec. Bob Hecks
March 23, 2011

Our regular lunchtime meeting at the New World Hotel was memorable because of a particularly interesting guest speaker. Joaquin C. (Jack) Rodriguez, of Spanish descent, has spent much of his long life in two unrelated industries – mining and energy on the one hand and restaurants on the other. Jack is one of the two major partners in TGIF, Italianni’s, Flapjacks, Fish & Co., and is the owner of Crazy Garlic. But we used almost all of his time on mining.

PP Ato Magadia explained the rules of the now-completed CLIPP Cup golf event. See page 2-3 & 6-7. “We want to give everyone something to bring home.”

Bob Hecks reported briefly on the D.3830 District Conference, just finished the previous weekend. There are 2566 Rotarians in 86 clubs in the District. This includes two which were added at the Discon. Attending the spectacular event at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel were no less than 935 paid-up delegates, who included PDG Ato Magadia and Spouse Vicky, Past District Secretary Ric dela Torre, PE Archie Reaño and Sec. Bob Hecks.

All D.3830 Clubs and their presidents were announced with the details well presented on a huge background screen. District Governor Ed Alvarez’ State of the District address was very well composed and presented. All the figures were positive “but there is still much to be done”, said Gov. Ed. This includes emphasis on Supporting and Developing Clubs, Increasing Humanitarian Service and Enhancing Public Image of Rotary. This was supported by incoming District Governor Billy Villareal who also stressed Educating Club Members About Rotary. This latter topic certainly applies to RCMN.
Guest speakers at the Discon were Sen Dick Gordon, speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. The RI President’s Representative was a former RI Vice President Bob Cerwin who was “much moved by the level of involvement” at the Discon. PRID Paing Hechanova spoke about Membership Development, stressing how important it is for us to repay the honor we were given when we were invited to join Rotary. Recruit members and retain them!

Back to our latest meeting on March 23. “My father was in mining” said guest speaker Jack Rodriguez, Chairman of Guidance Management Corporation which is involved in many businesses, not only mining. Jack told us movingly about his links with the Kalinga people. He has many links with that part of Northern Luzon including potential development of “the largest geothermal resource in the world.”

Currently, Jack is also into coal mining, a gold mine in Bicol and a copper mine in Mindanao. Among his advocacies is the development of an integrated steel industry in the Philippines.

Responding to questions from PP Ato, PP Porong Herrera and guest Henry Curteis, guest speaker Jack summarized that the Philippines needs to prioritize mining, stop the rape of our chromite industry (“we’re selling it so cheap!”) and the general answer to those issues which is to process here to add value and increase jobs.