IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. Greatly honored to have been part of a private thanksgiving dinner with a select group of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manilas esteemed pillars and leaders. Hosted by 2000 President Jelson Young at his new palatial abode and graced by no less than sixteen (16) of the chapters past presidents and JCI Senators, the evening proved to be a welcome mini-reunion of sorts, as a number of our friends who made it have not been seen for quite some time. It was an opportune time to catch up with old friends, many of whom have spent the best years of their lives with this beloved organization. Foreign Affairs Secretary, Albert del Rosario (1970 President) was the main VIP of the evening. In his short remarks, he credited the JCI Manila organization for giving him three of the most precious gifts that made him what he is today. First of all, the leadership training I received from the Jaycees has given me self-confidence that I did not have when I was still a young man; secondly, it imbibed in me the notion of being an individual-for-others; thirdly – and I think the most valuable thing – is that it has gifted me with a set of true, life-long friends. And thats something I genuinely cherish. JCI Manila (formerly, the Manila Jaycees) is the oldest and most awarded JCI leadership development organization in the Philippines and in Asia. Founded in 1947, it was formed primarily to fill the need to properly channel the energies and idealism of the Filipino youth into an organization that undertakes activities and projects that would eventually rebound to benefit the community as a whole. From its esteemed halls come a long roster of successful business and government leaders who have assumed positions of significance in Philippine society for the past sixty-six years since the organization was founded. Kudos to 1993 President Cecilio Pedro and to 2000 President Jelson Young for organizing this very successful gathering of legends (yours truly excluded, of course). Looking forward to have more of these gatherings soon!
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:43:57 +0000