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ISSUE 2 09.01.2012 VOLUME 1 THE LEGACY OF THE

ORIGIINAL MAGICAL

ROTARIAN LIVES ON!.. 1

THE FIRST TWO MONTHS

OF MAGICAL SERVICE ON

DISDPLAY .................. 2-3

MAGICAL MENTORS

GROUP, TRAINING

ROTARY’S NEW

GENERATION OF

LEADERS .................. 8 MAGICAL Times R O T AR Y C L U B O F M AN I L A M AG I C OF F IC I AL N EW SLET T ER

CHA RTER PRE SE NTAT ION & IN DUC TIO N CE R E MON Y EDIT I O N

Special Message of the Charter President

CP CHARLEMAGNE P. CHUA

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 Contin-

ues!

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 Genera-

tions & TRF programs, graduated into Rotary. Most have been involved with Ro-

tary for 5 to 20 years, starting with Interact, Rotaract, or Group Study Ex-

change. 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 cali-

ber 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 Ro-

tary veterans and newbies alike, especially from our mother Rotary clubs of Ba-

gumbayan 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!

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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!

Wine Appreciation Fellowship (7.7.2012) Barcino at the Fort

District 3810 Handover (7.6.2012) Manila Hotel

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

District Membership Seminar (7.14.2012) Mariners Home Annex

First Organizational Meeting (6.11.2012)

Bob’s Café, Makati

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

Rotary Leadership Institute-Course 1 (7.28.2012) Aloha Hotel

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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!

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

August Executive Board Meeting (8.4.2012) Manila Hotel

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

#HappyLand Relief Goods Packing (8.10.12) Kingswood, Makati

Magical Club Meeting w/ PP Benny Laguesma

(8.22.12) Petra & Pilar, 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

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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 mem-

bership 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 Men-

tor 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 con-

tribute 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.

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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 pro-

jects. His inspiration is not only contained in his home district of 3810, nor the Philippines. His influence stretch-

es in the entire Asia-Pacific region. When he passed on last November 2011, accolades from the Rotary and Ro-

taract 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 Part-

ners-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 Rotari-

ans”, our member classifications include Finance, Education, Franchising, Medicine, Graphic Design and Logis-

tics. 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 orga-

nized 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 Ro-

taract 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 Ma-

nila 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 mis-

sion in Paco Citizens Academy which saw hundreds of indigents getting free medical and surgical services of-

fered.

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 Ser-

vice Begin!

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PRID Rafael G. Hechanova’s Profile

Guest of Honor & Speaker

Paing Hechanova is the Vice Chairman and Director Treasurer of Concepcion Indus-

tries, Inc., an air-conditioning and home appliance manufacturer licensed by US cor-

porations. 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 Direc-

tor 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 gov-

ernment board examinations in 1951, he is still a member of the United Architects of the Philippines while en-

gaged 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 represent-

ed the President of Rotary International in District Conferences in Indonesia (2x), India, Australia, Taiwan, Ma-

laysia and Thailand (2x), Riverside, California, Effingham, Illinois, Seoul Korea, Baroda, India, Rosario, Argen-

tina, 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 re-

sulted 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 ex-

tensive 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 Associa-

tion 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 dur-

ing 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 cur-

rently leads the Philippines’ Premier District with 90 Rotary Clubs from the Cities of Manila and Pasay

and the Provinces of Cavite and Occidental Mindoro.

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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 recog-

nized 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 Out-

standing 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 In-

teract 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, au-

dience 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 enter-

tainment 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.

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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 com-

posed of Magical Rotarians who

will be readily available to give

lectures and inspirational talks dur-

ing Rotaract and Interact confer-

ences, trainings, and club meetings

FREE OF CHARGE. It will also

offer their consultancy services for

free for clubs who would like to

undergo club rebranding and ser-

vice 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 exist-

ence, the Magical Mentors has

been all over training close to

more than 500 Rotaractors! Activ-

ities such as the Rotaract Presi-

dents-Elect and Secretaries-

Elect Seminar (PESETS) of RID

3830 held last July 1, 2012 at the

Makati Rotary Club Foundation

Inc. Building in Makati, the Rota-

ract Presidents and Secretaries-

Elect 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 Rota-

ract 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 Mag-

ical Mentors will lead the way!

CHARTER OFFICERS

R.Y. 2012-2013

Charter President:

Charlemagne P. Chua “CHARLIE”Charlemagne P. Chua “CHARLIE”

Vice President:

Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER”Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER”

Executive Secretary:

Orladel Berdiomil S. Tomampoc Orladel Berdiomil S. Tomampoc “DHELLE”“DHELLE”

Treasurer:

Marie Goldilyn L. Uy “GOLD”Marie Goldilyn L. Uy “GOLD”

Directors / Committee Chairpersons

Club Administration:

Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER”Oliver L. Alvarez “OLIVER”

Membership:

Tiffany T. Go “TIFF”Tiffany T. Go “TIFF”

TRF:

Florante Manuel V. Quimzon, Jr. Florante Manuel V. Quimzon, Jr. “FM”“FM”

International:

Mennen S. Gonzales “MENNEN”Mennen S. Gonzales “MENNEN”

Community:

Ruby Anne A. Dionisio “ABBY”Ruby Anne A. Dionisio “ABBY”

Vocational:

Arthur Gregory A. Lui, MD Arthur Gregory A. Lui, MD “ARTHUR”“ARTHUR”

New Generations:

Mark Ryan M. Arquiza “MARK”Mark Ryan M. Arquiza “MARK”

Public Relations:

Roy Nicolas N. Molon Jr. “NEEKO”Roy Nicolas N. Molon Jr. “NEEKO”

District Governor’s Special Repre-sentative:

PP Victor Lau, Rotary Club of Paco PP Victor Lau, Rotary Club of Paco ManilaManila

Magical Times Unit 17-J, Tower 2,

Avida Towers Makati West

Yakal St., San Antonio Village,

Makati City, 1203, Philippines

MagicalRotary

@RotaryManila

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 at-

tending 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 20-

minute 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 light-

house, sitting high above the Atlantic, makes for a pretty pic-

ture 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 Euro-

peans. 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.