Governor Robert Kuan's Visit, Part 2

* This is the continuation of the earlier Governor Robert Kuan's Visit
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First Class Governor Robert Kuan of RI District 3830 visited the three clubs of Taguig-Pateros last September 02, 2013, the RC Taguig Fort Bonifacio, RC Taguig West, and RC Metropolitan Pateros. Venue was the RC Makati Foundation building in Makati.

There could be about 70+ people in the room, including District officials. The event was very modest, no special entertainment, just food, fellowships and listening to the inspiring words and exhortations of our hard-working Governor.

Our club was seated at the back of the function room.

One of two dining tables we occupied.

Certificate of Appreciation given by the three Club Presidents to our District Secretary.

And the Presidents' appreciation to the Governor.

Each club has a group photo session with Gov. Robert, including Assistant Gov. Chary Misa. Our turn.

Thanks for the inspiring night, Gov. Robert and President Meann de Leon.

Governor Robert Kuan's Visit

Last September 2, 2013, RI District 3830 First Class Governor Robert Kuan visited our club, along with two other clubs, RC Taguig West and RC Metropolitan Pateros. It was held at RC Makati Foundation building. Venue was free, we just paid for the food.

First Class President Meann de Leon of our club gave a presentation about the club and major activities and club meetings the past year and this rotary year. Then the line up of activities in the coming months.

Gov. Robert Kuan is a very successful businessman, sharp minded and yet humble. He got out of family business, the Ling Nam and related restaurants and put up his own, Chowking, made it very popular with many branches nationwide. He sold Chowking to his business buddy Tan CakTiong of Jollibee, then he went to head the St. Lukes Medical Foundation.

His experience in the private sector he is bringing to Rotary. It was in his incoming term that a multi-district, well all 10 Districts in the Philippines, held their common President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Cebu City last February -- a first time in the history of Philippine rotary. This coming March, the 10 Districts will hold its first ever multi-District Conference (DisCon) 2014. He promised lots of exciting and big name speakers, from Rotary International in the main headquarter in Illinois, most likely.

Gov. Robert pointed out that our club has among the biggest potential for membership expansion because of our location, within the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) where offices and businesses are expanding fast, and yet we remain small. He encouraged us to do more, to target not just to attain the minimum of 25 members, but to aim for 40, 80 or more members.

His advice is practical. Unlike in Makati that is saturated with so many rotary clubs already, Fort Bonifacio Global City has only about three clubs based there, our Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio, RC Bonifacio Global City, and RC Makati Bonifacio. Thus, the potential for expansion is rather big because of the big number of businessmen and professionals in the business district.

President-Elect (PE) Daryl Cabato is very resourceful in bringing in new faces and potential members to the club. That night, he invited three new faces, all working in BGC, with an assurance of more potential members to bring in the coming weeks.

The group photo before dinner. Gov. Robert was accompanied by our cluster Assistant Gov. Chary Misa and District Secretary.

See also:
Moments 1: Rose Antonio, June 26, 2013
Popularizing Rotary's Projects and Events, August 01, 2013
Medical Mission at Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc., September 05, 2013

MDGs, Tuloy sa Don Bosco, A2A, by John Alexander Kerr

Last Monday, August 12, we have another American guest speaker, a friend of our clubmates Mike Michener and Patty Mangundatu, fellow Rotarian, John Alexander Kerr, of RC Alabang. He is seated 2nd from right, between First Class President Meann de Leon and Assistant Governor Chary Misa. Venue was Metro Club, Rockwell, Makati.

John talked about the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation, and his company, A2A Management Services Corp., where he is the CEO. John is also a Board Director and Trustee of Tuloy Foundation.

The portion that I like most in his talk was the Aquaponics project of Tuloy. It is aquaculture + hydroponics farming. The water where the fish swim contains fish manure and other organic wastes. The water is siphoned to a tank and is used in the hydroponics farm for various vegetables. The plants used the organic waste from the fish, plus other minerals added to the water for specific needs by specific vegetables. The water is then siphoned to another tank, filtered, and is used back to the aquaculture tank. Really cool.

The awarding of Certificate of Appreciation, by President Meann de Leon. They were joined by IPP Rose Antonio (leftmost) and AG Chary Misa (rightmost).

The usual group picture, before the formal adjournment of the meeting.

AG Chary reiterated an earlier announcement she made a few weeks ago, that the Governor's visit to our club plus two other clubs in the Taguig-Pateros cluster, will be on September 2, Monday, 6pm down. It will be held at RC Makati Foundation building, just at the back of Metro Club.

When John and his assistant, Hazel, left, fellowships began. Another round of picture taking.

Mike brought a booze, don't know what it was, with milk cream on top, just one shot for each of us...

Cheers! Kampai! Prost!

(Photo Credits: IPP Rose Antonio and Era Eguia)
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See also:
Tuloy sa Don Bosco, January 24, 2010

Classification Talk by Dr. Jed Inciong, July 12, 2013

My Classification Talk, on Mining Taxation, July 19, 2013 
John Walker on Strengthening Corporate Security, July 24, 2013
Fellowship, After Four Club Talks, August 03, 2013 

John Walker on Strengthening Corporate Security

After three consecutive classification talks by three club members, me included, last Monday we had a guest speaker, Mr. John Walker, a good friend of our clubmate Patty Mangundatu.

The traditional singing of the national anthem, then doxology. I came late last Monday, I missed this part.

Club President's time. First Class President Meann de Leon giving a powerpoint presentation of a review of the club's activities the past few weeks, her involvement in some District activities, participation in some induction by her classmates.

Patty, right in photo below, introduced John, the head of Adsum Risk Consultancy (ARC). She called him "among the most intelligent people that I have ever met". After hearing John's presentation, I can confirm that Patty is correct in making that description.

John talked about "The Misconceptions and Realities of Corporate Security." I like his main point -- that a big portion, up to 80 percent, of risks to corporate security, is internal, not external. Like office employees who use office supplies for personal and household needs; former employees who steal corporate information, network and trademark for their business activities when they get out of the company. Or officers who by neglect, unwittingly gave important information to thieves who steal laptops, and so on.

The awarding of Certificate of Appreciate to John by President Meann. Assistant Governor Chary Misa and Immediate Past President Rose Antonio joined her.

 After John's talk, AG Chary gave a briefing of the plans and activities of the District's Cluster 14 (clubs in Taguig and Pateros), particularly First Class Governor Robert Kuan's visit and meeting with all clubs in the cluster this coming September 2, Monday afternoon till evening.

The usual group photo, with John and AG Chary.

This coming Monday will be a club fellowship, no formal meeting. President Meann plans to hold it in a restaurant somewhere in Macapagal Blvd.
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See also:

Club Handover, June 24, 2013, June 25, 2013 

Classification Talk by Daryl Cabato, July 02, 2013

Classification Talk by Dr. Jed Inciong, July 12, 2013
My Classification Talk, on Mining Taxation, July 19, 2013

Club Handover, June 24, 2013

Last night, the Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio held its handover ceremony, between outgoing Peace President Rosemarie "Rose" Antonio and incoming First Class President Maryann "Meann" de Leon.

Photo below, from left: Era Eguia, being groomed as potential club PE, incoming President Meann de Leon, and outgoing Pres. Rose Antonio. The last two are the first two female Presidents of our club since it was chartered in March 29, 2000.

Pres. Rose first showed an audiovisual presentation of the club's achievements the past year, then gave a few pointers and reminders to Meann on what to expect as a Club President. Meann made a short acceptance speech, reminding members that she needs the support of everyone as she has several community and youth projects to roll out.

The event was held at Metro Club, Rockwell, Makati. Past President Norlan de Leon and husband of incoming Pres. Meann, gave us a surprise gift -- a new club shirt with collar. Thanks, Lan.

Our guest speaker was Assistant Governor Chary Misa from our mother club, the Rotary Club of Rizal West. PP Chary has been a rotarian for more than two decades now, her passion for community and district service has not waned until now, thanks AG Chary.

Group photo. We were 15 last night + Chary. New members Daryl Cabato (red shirt) and Mike Michener (dark polo, sitting, our first American club member) did not put on the new club shirt but they were happy to receive it.

What was notable last night was the high attendance of club Past Presidents (PPs). From left: me (RY 2006-07), Niel Antonio (RY 2010-11), Romel Villegas (RY 2008-09), Rose Antonio (RY 2012-13), Jed Inciong (RY 2001-02), Glenn Inciong (RY 2005-06) and Norlan de Leon (RY 2011-12). I like this photo :-) We are a small club but so far, not a single PP has repeated.

The tickets for the fund raising project, Side A concert at Music Museum on August 23, Tuesday at 8:30pm, were also distributed to us. Tickets are at P1,900 each. Proceeds will benefit some of our community projects. One of which is to improve a dilapidated public school building in Capiz, in partnership with iHelp Foundation where Daryl is an active officer, and a few local businessmen who will donate some construction materials for free.

Before we left the meeting room.

I told Pres. Rose once again last night that she has done a great job the past year. Now we have a modest number of club members, many Past Presidents are coming back, and lots of community projects are waiting to be started and implemented.

Fun and lively evening last night.
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See also: 
Club Relief Operations After the Manila Flooding, August 13, 2012 
Peace President Rose Antonio, May 23, 2013 
Charter President Bobby Dimayuga, May 26, 2013

Peace President Rose Antonio

Our current President, Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio this rotary year 2012-2013, Peace President Rose Antonio, should be the most hard working among us, Past Presidents in recent years. She has achieved many things for the club, more than my term definitely, absolutely.

To see what I mean, check The Globalist, special issue, nearly 50 pages of photos and description of club activities and accomplishment, for the communities, for the District, with our sister clubs.

President Rose is also the wife of our club Past President (PP) Niel Antonio, who served in RY 2010-2011. They have two kids who would join us in some club activities and fellowships, like during our Christmas Party in Tagaytay.

Recently, I have been absent in some club meetings for some reasons. Among these meetings were the talk by PP Chary Misa of RC Rizal West, our "mother club" meaning their club sponsored the creation and chartering of our club in March 2000. PP Chary is a nice, friendly and warm lady who shared some information about Rotary International and our District 3830.

In this photo, from left: Jhun Mendoza, Marco Pagaduan, Era Eguia, Chary Misa, President Elect (PE) MeAnn de Leon, President Rose, and PP Norlan de Leon.

I was also absent during the club strategic planning for the term of PE and income President MeAnn de Leon. In this photo, from left standing: Basil Semilla, PP Norlan de Leon, PP Niel Antonio, Mike Michener. Sitting from left: Amy Semilla, PE MeAnn, President Rose, Era Eguia.

This week, I was not able to listen to a classification talk by Basil, who talked about Shipping and Freight Forwarding, the sector where he is currently working. I was told that it was a very interesting talk, I hope it will be repeated in the club, with more members attending, me included.

This was about two months ago, when new member, Mike Michener, beside Pres. Rose, gave a brief classification talk about "Life Coaching" and counselling. Luckily I was there.

The signature project of the club this year was the Art Peace 2013, a painting contest among university students in Metro Manila on the theme of promoting peace and conflict resolution. District Governor Sue Sta. Maria, some district officials, were our guests that afternoon, along with the six finalists. The winners are also in this photo. 

Our club also has at least three sisterhood agreement with other clubs -- with RC Intramuros in Manila, RC Diliman North in Quezon City, and below, with RC Alabang Centerpoint, from our own District.

Our club was also among the donors in the Rotary Homes in Paranaque. This is emerging as following the initiatves by Gawad Kalinga -- all private donations to give decent and humane housing for the poor, zero government or tax money was used. President Rose was not there during the turn over ceremony, attended by Rotary Homes Foundation President, PDG Sid Garcia, PDG Ed Alvarez, and PDG Paul Horng from Taiwan. He was also the Rotary International President Representative (RIPR) during the D3830 DisCon 2013 held at Manila Hotel last March.

The club was also among the sponsors of the sponsors during the 11th Pambansang Bakas Seminar-Workshop for Educators in San Antonio De Padua College in Pila, Laguna, held from April 3-6, 2013.

Your term as club President is ending soon, super-thanks for all your effort, hard work, extra expenses, President Rose. As a Past President myself, I can vouch how inspiring you have been to the club members and PPs alike.

Cheers.