MAGICAL TIMES NEWSLETTER by Manila Magic Rotary

 THE L EGACY OF THE O RIGIINAL MAGICAL ROTARIAN L IVES ON!.. 1

IS SU E 2

V OL UM E 1

09. 01. 2012

 THE FIRST

TWO MONTHS OF MAGICAL SERVICE ON DISDPLAY .................. 2-3

 MAGICAL M ENTORS G ROUP, TRAINING ROTARY’ S NEW G ENERATION OF L EADERS .................. 8

MAGICAL Times

ROT ARY CL UB OF M ANI L A M AG IC OFFICIAL NEW SLETTER CHARTER PRESENTATION & INDUCTION CEREMON Y EDITION

Special Message of the Charter President

CP CHARLEMAGNE P. CHUA

On behalf of our club, the Rotary Club of Manila Magic, I thank each of you for celebrating with us as we receive our charter from Rotary International. We are a club composed of young Rotarians who, coming from the New Generations & TRF programs, graduated into Rotary. Most have been involved with Rotary for 5 to 20 years, starting with Interact, Rotaract, or Group Study Exchange. A number of us have been been mentored by PP Magic Ong, after whose legacy the club was named. The fellowship and common history we have shared are the strengths that sustain the club during our initial year. We are also proud to have been able to welcome into the club young professionals from outside of Rotary. Recruiting our generation into Rotary is one of the special challenges of our club. We must be doing something right for people of their caliber to want to join us. As we jump the hurdles of a newly chartered club, we look forward to learning from the clubs of my fellow Peacebuilder Presidents, both Rotary veterans and newbies alike, especially from our mother Rotary clubs of Bagumbayan Manila, Ermita Manila, and Paco Manila. Thank you for making us feel welcome in the district. We also thank the district 3810 team led by the inspiring DG Maeng Mercado, who continue to engage and support us. Lastly, we thank IPDG Ernie Choa for his efforts in pushing for our charter and for appointing DGSR Victor Lau to guide us as we take our first steps in Rotary. We are excited to face our first year as Rotarians with each of you at our side. LET THE MAGIC BEGIN!

IPDS MAGIC ONG’S LEGACY LIVES ON! He was the original MAGICAL ROTARIAN, the dearly missed Past District Secretary Edison “MAGIC” Ong is considered as the Godfather of Philippine Rotaract and a is Service Above Self Awardee of Rotary International. His deep love and commitment to the upliftment of the quality of service amongst Rotaractors started when the Philippines hosted the 1st Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) in 2006. He united a group of competing Rotaractors of 10 Philippine districts, unheard off since the time the Rotaract program came to our shores. His guidance and strong support lead to the establishment of the Philipines’ Multi-District Information Organization; MDIO Pilipinas who is now tasked to support the activities of Rotaractors from 10 Districts, a task that he usually does before his passing. Now we formed a Rotary Club in his honor. A Rotary Club worthy of his name and Legacy. Indeed, the Magic of Rotary Service Continues!

Magical Activities & Projects It was our first two months of Rotary service, but the Magical Rotarians enjoyed a filled-up calendar of service projects, fellowships, and introducing ourselves to the Rotary world!

2012 Annual Club Planning (6.30.2012) Cityland 10 Condominium, Makati

First Organizational Meeting (6.11.2012) Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CafĂŠ, Makati District 3810 Handover (7.6.2012) Manila Hotel

Wine Appreciation Fellowship (7.7.2012) Barcino at the Fort

District Membership Seminar (7.14.2012) Mariners Home Annex

RC Bagumbayan-Manila @ 34 (7.27.2012) Hyatt Hotel & Casino

Rotary Leadership Institute-Course 1 (7.28.2012) Aloha Hotel

Rotaract Club of Manila 12th Induction Ceremony, (8.4.2012) Manila Hotel

Magical Club Meeting w/ PP Benny Laguesma (8.22.12) Petra & Pilar, Makati

August Executive Board Meeting (8.4.2012) Manila Hotel

Magical Fellowship Guide #1 (8.4.2012) Casa Armas, Manila

#HappyLand Relief Goods Packing (8.10.12) Kingswood, Makati

A Magical Salute to Our Heroes (8.25.2012) Hospicio de San Jose, Manila

Magical Medical Mission w/ TEAM PACO (8.26.2012) Paco Citizens Academy

The Magic of the New Generation of Rotary Service: The Rotary Club of Manila Magic Story. One lazy Saturday afternoon in March, a group of Past Presidents and Senior Rotaractors from the Rotaract Clubs of Manila (District 3810) and Munting Pag-Asa Davao (District 3860), met in small café in Makati’s San Antonio Village for a simple dinner. It was just a casual meeting of old friends who have been bonded in the last 10 years by their shared love for anything Rotaract. That night, all of us reminisced on the happier times of our lives when we were just “newbie” Rotaractors and how we terribly miss our mentor, the late great Past President Edison “MAGIC” Ong, the Godfather of Philippine Rotaract and an RI Service Above Self Awardee. The dinner also served as a venue for a serious discussion about the prospects of our eventual membership to Rotary. Many of us felt that they are not yet ready for to “move up a notch” especially with the many responsibilities and financial obligations which Rotary requires. But our deep love for our Magical Mentor and our strong desire to create a “fresher” Rotary Club emerged from all our doubts and apprehensions. Thus the seeds for the creation of the Rotary Club of Manila Magic were born. The following weeks and months became a spirited exchange of phone calls and text messages among old friends and colleagues. Past Rotaractors from the Rotaract Clubs of De La Salle University (3810), Philippine College of Criminology, AMA Paco (3810), and Makati (3830) headed the call for a meeting on the eve of Independence Day, June 11 at Bob’s Makati. Then District Rotaract Chairman PP Victor Lau of RID 3810 helped us organize the meeting and seek helped from other Rotarians who are staunch supporters of the new generation. There the all-Rotaract group was given an orientation by PP Edwin Seymour Chiu of the Rotary Club of Bagumbayan Manila. He was very convincing but at the same time some members felt that Rotary is indeed expensive! High Cost of Rotary Service As expected, many of the attendees were shocked about the big cost of joining Rotary. Though we were used to sharing our treasures in Rotaract, having to pay dues for the SAR, Regional Magazine, District Dues aside from our own club administration dues and the weekly meetings was quite difficult to understand by many from the group. Some prospective recruits asked, “Isn’t this too much for a service organization?” But in the end, 30 prospective Rotarians signed up, many realizing that as Rotaractors for many years, we have already benefited from the investments of many Rotarians for our development. We know that the money we will contribute will make a difference to the new generation of Rotaractors. We have agreed that in the end, we need to become the new mentors to our fellow Rotaractors just like our beloved PP Magic did to us. 4

The Spirit of Magic Lives On When PP Magic was still alive, he made sure that Rotaractors will be treated like how we are meant to be, “Partners-in-Service.” He values our opinions and trusted us in the decisions we make. Although he is a constant presence in our meetings, he will not meddle; instead, will just give bits of wisdom on how to do successful projects. His inspiration is not only contained in his home district of 3810, nor the Philippines. His influence stretches in the entire Asia-Pacific region. When he passed on last November 2011, accolades from the Rotary and Rotaract world came from as far as Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, and our neighboring countries in South East Asia. He has left a big mark in many Rotaractors, but the most heartbroken of his unexpected passing were the Filipino Rotaractors whom he mentored and sacrificed a lot for. Thus when the time came of choosing a name for our club, we finally decided to honor him by using his nickname, MAGIC. Officially chartered on June 30, 2012 under the Governorship of IPDG Ernesto Y. Choa of RID 3810, and the sponsorship of the Rotary Clubs of Bagumbayan-Manila, Paco-Manila and Ermita-Manila, the ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA MAGIC is composed of 30 Charter Members who were Rotaractors, GSE Alumni and other Partners-in-Service from three Philippine Rotary Districts namely, 3810, 3830, and 3860. RC Paco’s PP Victor Lau became the DGSR. RID 3810’s Past District Rotaract Representative and Rotaract Club of Manila Past President Charlemagne “CHARLIE” Chua was elected as the club’s Charter President. Known as the “Magical Rotarians”, our member classifications include Finance, Education, Franchising, Medicine, Graphic Design and Logistics. The average member age is 28 years old. The First Two Months of Service True to its’ mission of mentoring our fellow Rotaractors, the club launched the “Magical Mentors Group” as its first service project. This group of Magical Rotarians who will offer their services free of charge will be a source of resource speakers for all Rotaractors for their general assemblies, club meetings and other Rotary gatherings. To date, we have served and trained more than 500 Rotaractor from Districts 3810 and 3830. In the recent floods that ravaged many cities in the Metro during the first week of August, the club joined many Rotarians and Rotaractors in organizing Relief operations. Together with the Rotaract Club of Manila, we organized relief operation “#HappyLand”, which saw many donations from friends and family being collected by the Magical Rotarians and Manila Rotaractors that were repacked into at least 150 bags of relief goods. These bags were distributed last August 11 in Barangay 105 in Tondo, Manila together with the Manila Area Rotary and Rotaract Clubs. Last August 25 and 26, a National Heroes Weekend of outreach activities were organized with the club together with its partner organizations. August 25, Saturday, saw a joint outreach activity with the Rotaract Club of Manila held at the Hospicio de San Jose. An afternoon of song, dance, and games were prepared and presented by the young group to the elderly indigents of the said institution. The next day, August 26, the Magical Rotarians especially its member doctors, joined TEAM PACO (the umbrella organization of all civic organizations in Paco, Manila with one of our mother clubs, the Rotary Club of Paco Manila as a member) for a medico-surgical mission in Paco Citizens Academy which saw hundreds of indigents getting free medical and surgical services offered. The Future of Rotary is in our Hands. What lies ahead for the club? Well, we will continue to live-up to legacy of Service Above Self of not only PP Magic Ong, but also the other Rotarians who have given their all just for the development of young leaders like us in Rotaract. The utilization of social media sites such as Twitter (@RotaryManila) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/MagicalRotary) will be a top priority to reach as many people as possible in sharing the good news about Rotary. Online programs and applications such as YM and Meetings.io will also be utilized to connect with members and future recruits to fully address the growing need for Rotarians to meet online due to the many demands of work and family. We do know that creating new things will not be easy but with the help of senior Rotarians and inspiration of our partners in service, we will prevail. Now, let the Magic of Rotary Service Begin! 5

PRID Rafael G. Hechanova’s Profile

Guest of Honor & Speaker Paing Hechanova is the Vice Chairman and Director Treasurer of Concepcion Industries, Inc., an air-conditioning and home appliance manufacturer licensed by US corporations. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of RFM Corporation a food conglomerate from 1988-1996 and resigned when he was to served Rotary as a Director for 1996-98. He is also the CEO/President of Hyland Realty and Development Corporation and a Past President of: Manila Golf and Country Club, Manila Polo Club, The Manila Commercial and Industrial Athletic Association and the Forbes Park Association. A sportsman 1951 and 1954, Paing has represented the Philippines as team captain and player in the Asian Games and the World’s Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Educated as an architect at the University of Sto. Tomas, and having passed the government board examinations in 1951, he is still a member of the United Architects of the Philippines while engaged in business since 1976. Paing is a member of the Rotary Club of Makati in D-3830, Philippines since 1967 and served as its President in RY 1972-73. Serving as a District Governor of D-382 in 1979-80. He has represented the President of Rotary International in District Conferences in Indonesia (2x), India, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand (2x), Riverside, California, Effingham, Illinois, Seoul Korea, Baroda, India, Rosario, Argentina, Port Macquarie, Australia and Moka, Japan, Reno, Nevada, Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia, HK-Macau, Hobart Tasmania, Pavia Italy and Geelong, Australia. He and his wife, Mely have four children: Renna, Rafael Jr., Raissa and Riana all grown up now with their own careers and family, all of whom are all Paul Harris Fellow since the 70’s and 80’s. He served Rotary International as a Director for 1996-98 and is a Major Donor Level 4 of the Rotary Foundation and a member of the exclusive Arch Klumph Society of the Rotary Foundation. that resulted in a operation by doctors. He served on 2011 as a member of the Nominating Committee for President. Rafael “Paing” Hechanova is the only active Rotary Senior Leader in the Philippines.

DG Ismael Mercado’s Profile

District Governor’s Special Message District Governor Ismael “Maeng” Mercado was born in Infanta, Quezon but now calls Cavite City as hos home town. A top-notch anesthesiologist, DG Maeng is the Chairman and Medical Director of the Divine Grace Medical Center and is Chief of Professional Services and Member of the Board of Directors of the Cavite Medical Center. He earned his College and Post-Graduate degrees in Science and Medicine from the Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Inc. He had extensive training in FEU-NRMF Hospital and the Philippine General Hospital. He is a known leader in the medical circles. He is a Past Governor and Life Member of the Philippine Medical Association and a Past President of the Cavite Medical Society. He joined Rotary as a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Cavite Export Processing Zone in Rotary Year 1992-1993. He served as the club’s Eagle President during RY 2001-2002 in governorship of the late Eagle DG Rudy Estrellado. He has served Rotary International District 3810 in various positions. He is currently a Level Two Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation. He currently leads the Philippines’ Premier District with 90 Rotary Clubs from the Cities of Manila and Pasay and the Provinces of Cavite and Occidental Mindoro.

IPDG Ernesto Y. Choa Profile

Chartering District Governors’ Message IP District Governor Ernie Choa joined the Rotary Club of Bagumbayan-Manila in 1991 during the term of then Pres. Danny Yu. He served as Club Secretary twice and served as Director in all the various Avenues of Service. He had been recognized as the Club’s Promising Baby Rotarian, Most Promising Rotarian and Most Outstanding Rotarian among other prestigious club awards. District Governor Ernie is a consistent Perfect Attendance Awardee from 1992 to present. He Served as President during RY 2000-2001 where he received the District’s top awards such as: The Overall Most Outstanding Club President Award; The Overall Most Outstanding Club Award; and the Highest Club Contribution to the Rotary Foundation (US$43,000.00) amongst more than 30 other awards. He was presented the Outstanding Service Project Award personally by R.I. President Frank Devlyn during the 2000 Asian Presidential Conference and was recognized internationally during the San Antonio, Texas, R.I. Convention, receiving R.I. President Frank Devlyn’s 21st Century Membership Challenge Award Trophy; an award given only to the top 100 clubs worldwide. Even prior to his assumption as Club President, he had already served the District as Chairman of the 1999 District Interact Solo Singing Contest, as Chairman of the Institute for District Officers (IDO) 2000, and as the Co-Chairman of the 2000 Rotary Foundation Seminar. He was presented numerous Most Outstanding & Outstanding District Officer Awards and Meritorious Service Awards by the different District Governors for services rendered to the District. He is also a recipient of the R.I. Four Avenues of Service Award and the Rotary Foundation District Service Award. District Governor Ernie is an active supporter of the Rotary Foundation and its programs. He is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation’s Bequest Society and is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow (1 Ruby). District Governor Ernie was born on November 11, 1962, the youngest of four siblings, to parents Mr. Johnny Beng Choa and Mrs. Belen Yao. His primary and secondary education were spent at Hope Christian High School while he received his B.S. in Business Management from San Beda College in 1984. As a successful businessman, he is currently President and CEO of both Access Agricare, Inc. and Farmers’ Superstore, both engaged in agricultural supplies and crop protection. Through all the hectic schedules required by his business and Rotary engagements, he derives his energy and inspiration from the full support given by his loving Ann, Celene and his three children, Christianne Elizabeth, Errol Casey and Clarisse Evangeline.

Leodini’s Profile

Special Guest Performer Leodini has been performing magic since age 9 when he learned his first card trick. While in college, he began performing at birthday parties, fiestas and school functions. He even performed on the sidewalk for friends when he felt the mood to perform, stopping human traffic and gathering a large crowd of onlookers. After 23 years in banking and public relations, Leodini resigned from his work and pursued a full-time career in magic entertainment. His magic program features comedy, audience participation, livestock, and small illusions suitable for platform and cabaret -type venues. He also performs sleight-of hand close-up magic at restaurants and occasional short mentalism routines for adult audiences in corporate venues. His performing style focuses on versatility. Thus, he has performed for both adult and children audiences in platform, parlor, and intimate close-up situations. The emphasis of the performance is on entertainment via comedy, audence participation, engaging patter, music and amusing situations. Leodini has performed for all types of venues such as schools, birthday parties, restaurants, clubhouses, malls, carnivals, hotels, conventions, resorts, TV shows, and banks, both for individual and corporate clients. Apart from all this, Leodini also exhibits his wide performing range through mind reading, psychic entertainment and mentalism. A writer and public speaker, he writes magic-related posts on the Internet, marketing materials, magic routines and speeches with magic or psychic themes. 7

MAGICAL MENTORS GROUP: Training the New Generation of Rotary Leaders It is truly very exciting times to invest in the youth of today!

The Rotary Club of Manila Magic, being a club composed of former Rotaractors, will forever be grateful for the time, talent, and treasure that our fellow Rotarians invested for our development during our years as partners in service. That is why the first signature service project that the club undertook is the creation of the MAGICAL MENTORS GROUP. This group will be composed of Magical Rotarians who will be readily available to give lectures and inspirational talks during Rotaract and Interact conferences, trainings, and club meetings

Magical Times

Unit 17-J, Tower 2, Avida Towers Makati West Yakal St., San Antonio Village, Makati City, 1203, Philippines MagicalRotary @RotaryManila

FREE OF CHARGE. It will also offer their consultancy services for free for clubs who would like to undergo club rebranding and service projects. Armed with their top -notch experience in making the Rotaract Club of Manila become the most prestigious club in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific Region, the Magical Mentors will be the best person to help train the new generation of Rotary leaders. In its first two months of existence, the Magical Mentors has been all over training close to more than 500 Rotaractors! Activities such as the Rotaract Presidents-Elect and SecretariesElect Seminar (PESETS) of RID

3830 held last July 1, 2012 at the Makati Rotary Club Foundation Inc. Building in Makati, the Rotaract Presidents and SecretariesElect Training (PSETS) of RID 3810 held last July 7, 2012 at the Citystate Tower Hotel in Malate, Manila, and the Metro On Board Rotaract Essentials of the Rotaract Club of Manila Metro held last August 18 at the Malayan High School of Science in Paco, Manila. Standing invitations from Rotary and Rotaract clubs are still being arranged as of this time. It is truly very exciting times to invest in the youth of today and the Magical Mentors will lead the way!

Lisbon region offers much to see for convention attendees by Susie Ma The Rotarian -- September 2012

Less than 20 miles west of Lisbon, Portugal, Rotarians attending the 2013 RI Convention, 23-26 June, can take in dramatic views of the Atlantic atop rocky cliffs, relax on soft sandy beaches, and channel their inner James Bond in a casino town formerly known as a playground for European royalty. The seaside escapes of Estoril and Cascais are close enough for an easy day trip from Lisbon. Cascais offers beaches, shopping, and restaurants, along with a rock formation known as Boca do Inferno, or Hell’s Mouth, that is worth the 20minute walk from town. Estoril – a quiet but popular resort area less than 2 miles from Cascais and accessible from there by boardwalk – is home to Europe’s largest casino. Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is 10 miles down the coast from Cascais. The Cabo da Roca lighthouse, sitting high above the Atlantic, makes for a pretty picture at sunset. A stone monument dedicated by the Rotary Club of Sintra in honor of Rotary’s 75th anniversary in 1980 is also perched cliffside. The Algarve region, about 175 miles south of Lisbon, is a popular holiday destination among Europeans. Its towns offer breathtaking ocean vistas and pristine beaches, plus golfing and windsurfing. Like much of Portugal, the area has a strong maritime influence: In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator chose the town of Lagos in the Algarve as his base for expeditions.

C HARTER O FFICERS R.Y. 20122013 Charter President: Charlemagne P. Chua “CHARLIE” Vice President: Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER” Executive Secretary: Orladel Berdiomil S. Tomampoc “DHELLE” Treasurer: Marie Goldilyn L. Uy “GOLD” Directors / Committee Chairpersons Club Administration: Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER” Membership: Tiffany T. Go “TIFF” TRF: Florante Manuel V. Quimzon, Jr. “FM” International: Mennen S. Gonzales “MENNEN” Community: Ruby Anne A. Dionisio “ABBY” Vocational: Arthur Gregory A. Lui, MD “ARTHUR” New Generations: Mark Ryan M. Arquiza “MARK” Public Relations: Roy Nicolas N. Molon Jr. “NEEKO” District Governor’s Special Representative: PP Victor Lau, Rotary Club of Paco Manila