Rotary Club of Manila holds Tourism Awards
The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), established in 1919, is the first Rotary Club in Asia and the biggest in the Philippines. The members meet every Thursday at Manila Polo Club. Like in all other Rotary clubs, its general objective is to develop fellowship and understanding among the business and professional men in the community. RCM also adheres to its basic ideal of service which is helpfulness to others.
RCM has had an exceptional record of leadership in service to the community. It has established various projects covering the whole range of the five avenues of Rotary service which include strengthening fellowship, expanding the club’s humanitarian reach around the globe, practicing high ethical standards, improving lives in its community and the newly added category, new generations, which emphasizes service to youth and young adults and tapping younger resources as future Rotarians.
RCM has established several laudable organizations such as the Boy Scout Movement, Philippine Band of Mercy, Philippine Cancer Society, several school and community-based Rotaract and Interact youth clubs and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Aside from these organizations, the club likewise pioneered several foundations to include the Philippine Rotary Pacemaker Bank foundation, RCM Eyebank Foundation, Sagip-Kabataan (Save the Children) Foundation and TOWER (The Outstanding Workers of the Republic).
The club embarked on another project 10 years ago and established the Tourism Awards through the efforts of dedicated and hardworking philanthropist Rotarian Robert “Bobby†Joseph Jr. Today, this award recognizes the contribution of a group of fine men and women who have shown exemplary involvement in promoting the advancement of tourism in the country. It also acknowledges the work, investment and influence of individuals and corporations whose commitment in the tourism industry has brought significant progress and benefits to the country’s economy.
The awardees include Gilles Garachon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of France in the Philippines in the field of Tourism Diplomacy; Arthur Lopez, owner of AML Hotel Consultancy for Hotel Tourism, Joanne Rae Ramirez, editor, Allure section, Philippine STAR, editor in chief, People Asia in the category of Lifestyle Tourism; Abdallah Akasha, country manager of Qatar Airways for Airlines category; Felipe Gozon, president and CEO GMA Network Inc. for Television Tourism; Fernando Zobel de Ayala , President and CEO Ayala Corporation, for Resorts; Domingo Ramon Enerio III , chief operating office Philippines Tourism Promotions board in the category of Tourism; Rosalie Montenegro, president and CEO Makati Medical Center for Medical Tourism; Henry Sy Sr., chairman of the board, Shoemart, Inc, in the category of Meeting, Incentives, conventions, Exhibitions; Governor of Bohol Edgar Chatto for Government Tourism; and Antonio Meloto, chairman, GAWAD Kalinga Global Headquarters for Social Tourism.
The Rotary Club of Manila is headed by Rudy Bediones, president; Obet Pagdanganan, immediate past president; Teddy Ocampo, vice president; Ning Lopez, secretary and Raoul Villegas, treasurer. These dedicated and well respected Rotarians will relinquished their posts last June 12, when they celebrate their 95th founding anniversary and induction of the new set of officers to be led by Frank Evaristo as president. Guest of honor and inducting officer will be Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
