Greeting to the Regional Head of the BIR, Dr. Ruperto Somera. BIR, of course means Bureau of Internal Revenue, which is our tax-collecting agency. A pundit once said that 'there is nothing certain in life except death and taxes.' Much of human activity is centered in avoiding or at least delaying our having to face up to these two 'inevitable' realities. Virtually the whole Discipline of Medicine is directed at postponing death. Much of the work of accountants and lawyers is aimed at circumventing the payment of taxes. However, just as the 'spiritual-minded' do not fear death, the 'civic-minded' are conscientious about paying their taxes. No society can prosper without taxes. But I guess part of the blame also lies with government which constantly picks on the regular wage earners and at times lets big businessmen get away with paying 'peanuts'. And also there is the matter of proper use of taxpayers' money. Most citizens would not mind paying their correct taxes if everyone else does.

This coming March 15, Thursday, will be the deadline for pre-registration for the coming District Conference to be held at the Fontana Resort in Pampanga. Please give your one thousand pesos to Club Service Director Jerry Parlan. After Thursday the registration goes up to PhP 1200.

I would like to ask our Club Members to support the last fund-raising project of our Club for this year- the coming Family Circus Show. Details will be discussed during the President's time.

Lastly, we will also be visiting our adopted schools and 'barangays' next week to accomplish one of the Pet Projects of our District, namely the Vitamin A project. We will be administering about 1500 single doses of the Vitamin to children aged 6-8 years. Director Jun Tio of International Service shall be discussing the project during our Club meeting.

Address : 21 Botolan St. Araneta Subdivision, Quezon City
Civil Status : Married with three (3) children
Present Position : OIC - Regional Director
B.I.R, Region I
Former Position Member, Board of Accountancy
1998-2000 - Professional Regulation Commission
Member, Accounting Standard Council
1998 - 2000 - Phil. Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Graduate Studies : Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management with Highest
Honors, M.L.Q.U., 1987
Doctor of Business Administration, International University
Foundation, 1986
Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Public Administration,
Manuel L.. Quezon University
Master of Science in Commerce (Major in Taxation), Graduated
with Highest Honors, MLQU, 1984
College : Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Accounting,
University of the East, 1964
Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Tariff and
Taxation, University of the East, 1966
Bachelor of Science in Forestry, University of the Phils., 1960
Ranger Course Certificate, University of the Philippines, 1958
46 Units of Bachelor of Laws, University of the East up to April
1968
Scholarships : Advanced training courses on Tax Administration not only here
in the Philippines but also abroad in the U.S. Germany,
Thailand, China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong
Received international awards such as the Marquiz Who's Who
1998 - Who's Who of the Asia Pacific Rim 1999-2000
Obtained Highest honors, Ph. D. Business Management
and Master of Science & Commerce (Taxation, MLQU, 1989
Acquired the Outstanding Achievement for topping his assigned
multi-billion peso revenue target in 1995
Received numerous awards here and abroad for being an
outstanding member of the Knights of Columbus.
A Bar and CPA Reviewer, Researcher and Author of books on
Taxation and Audit Procedures
In Rotary he was a multi-awarded Rotarian, to name a few:
he was the Most Outstanding Rotarian of the Year, RY
1987-88 of the Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa West, and Paul
Harris Fellow, a Presidential Award for Distinguished
Service RY 2000, Leadership Award of R.I. RVC Asia
Forum in 1988.