Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

RP Issues of 2018

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2018, July 19.  Rotary Club of Manila, Centennial

Litho Offset, Amstar Printing Company, Inc.,  Perf 14

Singles, Sheets of 40;  Souvenir Sheets of One

                    

 

12p  Rotary Club of Manila Centennial Logo - Singles (50,000)

 

55p Souvenir Sheets of One - 4,000

 

Designer:  Victorino Z. Serevo

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

  

              

 


ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA (RCM) - 100th ANNIVERSARY

Leon J. Lambert, a leading American businessman, initiated the organization of a Rotary Club in the Philippines. On January 12, 1919, he hosted a meeting at his home and attended by prominent American businessmen in Manila to discuss organizational matters on forming a Rotary Club. Several more meetings followed.

On January 29, 1919, the charter members signed the Articles of Incorporation of the Rotary Club of Manila. And on June 1, 1919, the official Charter of the Rotary Club of Manila (Charter No. 478) was granted by the Association of International Rotary Clubs. The first officers of the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) were Leon J. Lambert, President; Alfonso Sycip, Vice-President; Walter A. Beam, Treasurer; and Edwin Emil Elser; Secretary.

Until 1935, RCM was a non-district club and was under the direct supervision of the President and Board of Directors of Rotary of Rotary International (R.I.). In Rotary Year 1936-37, RCM was included in China District 81. In 1938 R.I. (former China District) 
for RCM and for other Philippine Clubs. Arsenio “Arsenic” Luz was elected the first Filipino President of RCM on July 1, 1933. Under his leadership, the “Manila Beautiful” 
movement was launched, wherein Luneta Park (now Rizal Park) and Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard) were beautified.

During World War II, President Hugo Miller convened Rotary meetings under shellfire and aerial bombings, calling the meeting to order with the butt of his pistol. General Douglas MacArthur was even voted as an honorary member of RCM amidst rumble of heavy artillery; however, he was not able to accept the honor personally.

When General Carlos P. Romulo (RCM President 1935-36) returned to the Philippines with the Allied Forces, one of his first visits was to the UST internment camp on February 28, 1945 where he talked to the Rotarian-survivors. The Club was formally reorganized on September 13, 1945 and 50 members attended the meeting and unanimously decided that Gil Puyat(RCM President 1940-41) reassumed the club presidency. 

RCM was re-admitted to Rotary International on October 23, 1945.  1947 saw the resumption of the club’s socio-civic and humanitarian projects under the presidency of Manoling Lim. In 1949 the club membership rose to 137 only 20 less than it was before the outbreak of war.  On January 19, 1994, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a special stamp to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of RCM.

The Boy Scout movement was first started in the Philippines by the RCM during the presidency of E. E. Elser. Among the original organizers were Manila Rotarians Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge Vargas, and Arsenio Luz, At that time scouting was under the Boy Scouts of America. On October 3, 1936, President Manuel L. Quezon signed into law Commonwealth Act No. 111 creating the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

RCM furthered its commitment to humanitarian projects with the founding of Gaches Village for the mentally-retarded children under President Samuel F. Gaches (1930-31), the sponsorship of Philippine Band of Mercy incorporating its goals of rehabilitation and vocational training of the physically-handicapped and supporting the Elks Club Cerebral Palsy Project.

In recent years, RCM have embarked on several socio-civic projects to elevate its social responsibility on a larger scale.

The Rotary Centennial Village, in cooperation with Habitat International and City of Taguig, was built as a medium-rise housing complex for low-salaried income residents and government employees of Taguig.  The project was completed by RY2006-2007.

The RCM Awards Project was adopted as a perpetual participation of the Club in the annual observance of National Press Week.

The Medical Equipment Training (MET) Program was conceived as a long-term assistance and catalyst to healthcare in the country.  It was funded by the Rotary Foundation from 2001 to 2005.  By the end of the project’s term, it was a big success both for the implementing agency, International Aid and the co-sponsoring Rotary Clubs.

RCM continues to give invaluable support to communities through medical missions, sight conservation through RCM Pagkalinga sa Mata Center, drug abuse prevention programs, Ten Outstanding Workers of the Republic (TOWER) Awards, seamanship training, TOURISM awards and Special Children Project.

 On its centennial year, Rotary Club of Manila stands proud on all of its achievements through the decades of social services to communities all over the country and it looks forward to another hundred years of selfless service to the nation.

 

 

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Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

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