Our Guest of Honor and Speaker at today’s regular meeting is the Honorable Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Navarro-Gutierrez who is expected to render informative and relevant discussion relating to her position.

Today, among our birthday celebrants is PDG/PP Patricio “Pat” Y. Pineda who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 7 March. Before joining our Club in 972, he joined Rotary of Tarlac in 947, was its President in 950- 95 and District Governor, 962- 963. He was our Club’s Rotarian of the Year for 973- 974. Among his Rotary Activities were: Chairman, Philippine College of Rotary Governors, 979- 980; Rotary International President’s Representative to Kaoshiung, Taiwan ( 980) Atami, Japan ( 987); Yogyharta Indonesia ( 988), Bacolod City ( 990); Rotary International Representative, Council of Legislation, Chicago, USA ( 980) Monte Carlo, Monaco ( 983) and Chicago, USA ( 986).

Dr. Rey Pagtakhan who is the first Filipino to become a member of the Canadian Parliament spoke at the Aleco Forum in 9 March on the topic of Universal Medicare. Our schedule of Guest Speakers, to the credit of the Program Committee is filled up for two (2) months so we were not able to invite him to speak to the general membership at any of our regular Thursday meetings.

Our appreciation to Rtn. Ferdie Co who represented our Club in the Centennial Anniversary Celebration of Rotary Club of Seattle which sponsored our Club’s chartering in 1919. Rtn. Ferdie
reported that our Club was a Special Guest in the meeting and he was applauded by about 000 attendees.

Fellowship every Monday evening is being held at Ground Floor of Aprey Building at Kalayaan Street at Makati City through the efforts of PDG/PP Relly Reyes.who with PDG Frankie Roman is reviving the weekly fellowship gatherings of previous Rotary years. Attendance of Fellowship gatherings is an important part of being a Rotarian which is the venue in strengthening the camaraderie between members of our Club specially in this trying times. A closely knit membership assures the success in the implementation of club activities. We appeal to our members to find time to attend this weekly fellowship gatherings.

PS/PAS George Salazar was again at his best as Finemaster during Recognition Time last Thursday regular meeting. This proves that the seminar on the conduct of Recognition Time by PP Santi Dumlao and PP Toting del Rosario was a worthwhile project. We may schedule a similar seminar if we have a good number of members who will be willing to participate. Please inform the Secretariat if you want to participate. At this point, we would like to thank Rtn. Chito Tagaysay for calling our attention on the matter of Recognition Time.

Module 6 of the Medical Equipment Repair Training Program, now being conducted, is the last module of the project. Considering the relevance of this project to the present financial conditions as it opens an opportunity to the unemployed/ underemployed to pursue another occupation and likewise, affords hospitals an option to have their medical equipment repaired instead of a capital investment for a new equipment, PD Rob Sears has arranged a meeting with Ms. Lisa Hilton, Program Manager , US Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF) to discuss our Club’s proposal for a module on Repair of Laboratory Equipment, Dialysis Machines and to explore the possibilities of conducting it in Mindanao and the Visayas.

We shall soon induct the following nominees to the membership of our Club : Commissioner Marcelino C. Libanan , Bureau of Immigration, Filipino, Classification, Law Practice, Immigration and Naturalization Law proposed by PP Dong Saludo and PVP Manny Dy; Mr. Alvin Lacambacal, Filipino, Owner, Anvic Construction (Phils ) Classification, Real Estate Development, Residential Condominium, proposed by PP Francis Juico and PP Alex Yap ; Mr. Frank Evaristo , Columnist, Manila Bulletin, Classification, Foundation – Alay Lakad proposed by PP Archit Bartolome and PP Francis Juico; Dr. Lance Masters, PhD, American , Provost and Chief Operating Officer, Enderun Colleges, Classification, Education, Higher Education, proposed by DE/ Sec. Jimmie Policarpio; Dr. Abraham Pascual, PhD, Filipino, Chairman, Pascual Laboratories, Inc. Classification, Drugs and Pharmaceutical- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing , proposed by PP Archit Bartolome

Today is the 40th day of the passing of PP Tito Gupit. Please include him in your prayers.