Yesterday was our Independence Day - the 102nd Anniversary. God bless our land and people.

The problem we faced then are the same problems that we are facing now: fightings, disunity, credit-grabbing, greed and politics. The only difference is that, then, fightings were done between our own people and invaders from foreign shores, now, they are among our own people, which is worse.
As we progress in some areas, such as in information technology, science and medicine, bio-technology, space explorations; we stagnate, or even retrogress in others, especially in our values as a people.

Our lingering problem is caused by a glaring absence of a common reference point, and therefore our judgement of things and people is varied. Moreover, where we agree, we are intolerant and are enslaved by our differences.

ONLY THE TRUTH can set us free. And "truth" here is not just a proposition in mathematical terms, but a person, in fact the Person of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. Even those who do not believe in His concede that the principles He stands for, namely Love, Peace, Justice, Freedom and Equality - are the eternal verities, which are able to free us from our prejudices.

e seven (7) Rotary Clubs in La Union gathered for the 5th Inter-City Meeting this Rotary Year, which began as early as 12:25 PM, with Rtn. JANE GIRADO, RC Metro San Fernando LU Emceeing the program. Pres. ALBERT of the RC San Fernando LU, host, led the other Presidents of the Clubs, in ringing the bell to signal the official opening of the meeting.

PP JOEDUMS Dumuk, RC San Juan, offered an appropriate prayer, followed by the 4-Way Test led by PP FLORENT, RC Agoo. CP RUDY Borje of Northern LU led in the Pambansang Awit. And before the Luncheon could resume, a couple of announcements were given by IP JEROME and Dir. REX on Rotary ads and operation "Tulong Kapatid" for Mindanaoans, respectively.

PP BOB Chambers, RC San Fernando LU North, did the Welcome and Greetings, with a distinguishable Australian accent. PP RUDY Yabes of RC San Fernando LU in introducing the Guest of Honor and Speaker, minimized on biodata material saying that citations, merits and awards will soon be forgotten but the "warmth of friendship among friends will be remembered."

Surprisingly, His Excellency JOHN EDWARD BUCKLEY, Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, a very formal gentleman, spoke informally on Trade and Tourism, Information Technology, Education and Agriculture obtaining between our two countries, with much improvement to be desired. He ended his message with a plea for "people to people link", which is the best way to enrich existing friendly relations.

The FORUM which was presided over by Pres. GEORGEINA HIDALGO, RC Bauang, drew questions on sports, dairy products, and even "lotto."
As usual, PDG CES never run out of an appropriate response, especially to an Ambassador.

This meeting which began five (5) minutes earlier, in anticipation of a long meeting, ended four (4) minutes later, in nearly exactly the way it began, with all the Presidents participating in presenting the Plaque of Appreciation to a distinguished guest, and Pres. ALBERT ringing the bell, in behalf of all Presidents, to announce adjournment.