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

RCMN Celebrates 35 Years of Fellowship and Service

By: Ann Daisy De La Torre

Last May 7, Pres. Joe Reaño hosted a sumptuous dinner at the Tower Club on the occasion of RCMN’s 35th anniversary. 35 years of fellowship and service is certainly a milestone worth celebrating. It was great to meet up with other RCMNers and their spouses as well as Pres. Joe’s invited co-Presidents (Sharing Presidents). We noted the presence of Past Presidents Alex Wong and Toti Herbosa with Ann Chit Herbosa. Other Past Presidents present were: Joe Facundo, Boy Ampil, Tony Pastelero, Bert Lingad, Ric dela Torre, Porong Herrera and Chet Tan.

PP Pabling Calma and Ann Maribel joined the celebration late in the evening, even if they just arrived from Vietnam. We hoped that DG Ato Magadia will make it but his flight from Dubai came in much later than expected so he missed the party.

Porong Herrera’s Ann Tina surprised us all when she came in to the party sans her wheelchair, walking unassisted except for a cane. She is indeed making tremendous progress in just a year!

Vic Magdaraog opened the program with a wonderful prayer, which he put together from various sources. (This prayer is being reproduced in this issue for the benefit of those who were not there.) Pres. Joe then recognized RCMNers who have rendered exceptional service to the club in the past year:

Outstanding Directors: Chito Frondoso, Ian Alas, Bob Hecks, Mike Clancy, Daniel Wiedmer and Vic Magdaraog

Outstanding Baby Rotarians: Chris Bellinger and Ariel Rivera

Presidential Citations:
-PP Bert Lingad for his initiative in raising funds for Gawad Kalinga Ave Maria and
-PP Pabling Calma for his financial support to the Club and for hosting a fellowship for the delegates of our sister clubs

Partners in Service:
-RCC Singkamas (Carmencita Pacibe, President) and
-RCC Sta. Cruz (Ida Rafols, President)

There were more RCMNers and partners to be recognized but Pres. Joe is reserving their recognition for another occasion when the honorees are present.

On the side, Chris Bellinger’s lovely Ann Michelle was volunteered to organize the entertainment for RCMN’s turnover in July. She has invited the Anns to afternoon tea (4PM) on May 15 at their place to brainstorm and toss ideas before finalizing plans. This assignment is right down Michelle’s alley since she is into theatre and producing plays, proceeds from which are earmarked for education of needy children.

Prayer to Celebrate RCMN’s 35th Anniversary
(This is an adaptation of several prayers.)

Let us all say a prayer for each other today.
Although God will speak no word, we know He will hear.
We will feel the answer in our hearts.

Let’s not pray for wealth or fame.
Instead we ask God to send us treasures of a far more lasting kind.
Let us all ask that He be near us at the start of each new day,
To grant us health and blessings, and friends to share our way.

Let us ask for happiness for everyone
In all things great and small;
But most of all let us pray for His loving care.

As we celebrate the Club’s 35th anniversary, let us count our blessings.
Count our blessings instead of crosses.
Count our gains instead of losses.
Count our joys instead of woes.
Count our friends instead of foes.
Count our smiles instead of tears.
Count our courage instead of fears.
Count our full years instead of the lean.

Lord, we, the members of the Rotary Club of Makati North are your people, the sheep of your flock.
Heal those Rotarians who are wounded
Touch those of us who are in pain.
Clean the Rotarians who are soiled.
Warm those who are cold.

And, as we venture into the future and more good Rotary years,
Help us to know the Father’s love through Jesus, the shepherd, and through the Spirit.

Help us to lift up that love, and show it all over this land.
Help us to build love on justice and justice on love.
Help us to believe mightily, hope joyfully, love divinely.
Renew us that we may help renew the face of the earth.

AMEN.