EDITORIAL
RTN. ALLAN ALVAREZ

TUESDAY THAT WAS
RTN. DAVE PARKMAN

First of all let me express my appreciation to Rtn. REGGIE for stepping in and filling my shoes and writing this column for last week's GOLD LEAF.  And…because he did such a great job, he is going to "fill in" for me for the next couple of weeks while I am out-of-town.  Thanks Rtn. REGGIE for a job well done.

Last week's Day Chairman and Master of Ceremonies, PDS MARC, asked Pres. JEROME to call the meeting to order at 12:29 and the meeting was off and running one minute early.  PP FLORENT, who should be an "honorary member" of RCSFU, but is actually the Incoming President of RC AGOO, "filled in" and led us in one of his saintly prayers.  Rtn. FREDERICK did a good job with the Pambansang Awit, minus the words, or at least I couldn't hear them, but good job nevertheless.

After a brief luncheon period, PP FERDINAND officially welcomed our guests, and of course he through in an announcement about the 25th Anniversary of Oasis Country Resort. He then provided two scoops of ice cream in honor of his mother's birthday.  Thanks PP FERDINAND we needed that. Other birthday celebrants present were Rtn. ROMY and wedding anniversary celebrant Rtn. RAY E.

The Friendship Session was conducted by PP ARSING, who was "filling in" for #1 son, PVP ARNOLD.  Questions were of the variety type, but PP ARSING always does a good job "filling in" where ever and when ever needed. Pres. JEROME brought us up-to-date ;on the latest happening in our Club during his President's Time.

PP KIT was asked to "fill in" as the official Introducer of our Guest of Honor and Speaker, Atty. Damaso Bangoaet, Jr., President, John-Hay Poro Development Corporation. Atty. Bangaoet filled us in on the latest plans for the development of Poro Point.  He also included possible plans for the development of the port area and the airport area.  Our Guest Speaker then fielded some very tough questions.  Atty. Bangaoet did an excellent job as he seemed to be a very knowledgeable person and genuinely concerned about the development of Poro Point.

It was PP KIT, who was doing "double duty", who gave the appropriate response. The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 P.M.       

If I can summarize the topic of last week's guest of honor and speaker Atty. Damaso Bangaoet, Jr., "Progress" would be the main idea.  Atty. Bagaoet spoke about the development of Poro Point as an economic freeport trading zone--similar to Subic and Camp John Hay.  The talk covered the various groups involved in the development procedure.  Little did I know that there was a separate group for implementation and another group for consultation.  There were many issues discussed the most important of which seemed to be the use of land and the authority of the various owners of the Poro properties.  Apparently, it is a daunting task to get everyone to agree.  Still, there is optimism that progress will prevail.  Hopefully, the development will be unlike that bridge past Urdaneta where traffic is split into a 1-way overpass and a side road for heavy vehicles.  That bridge has been in that exact same condition since I moved to the Philippines.  Since then, I was married, established a business and had a child.  Does everyone agree on the need to fix that bridge for progress? ..or at least, get something done! 
I do.  - - -   AAA 

Siglet of the Week:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
--Martin Luther King, Jr