“In His Words: A Salute to President Nelson Mandela”

By Mache Torres

Charter President/First Class President

RC Makati Business District

MAKATI — Held at the Senator Ambrosio Padilla Room, Senate of the Philippines, last August 7, and attended by some elected officials and Rotarians, “In His Words: A Salute to President Nelson Mandela” featured a reading of excerpts from speeches and writings made by Mandela, whose pivotal role in the end of apartheid in South Africa made him one of the 20th century’s biggest political icons.

The United Nations has declared the date, July 28th of every year to be the “Nelson Mandela’s international Day,” as per United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/13.

The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Makati Business District, the newly chartered Club under Rotary International District 3830.

The event was held in partnership with UNIC – United Nations Information Center (headed by RCMBD club’s charter member Ms. Tess Debuque) ; UNESCO DREAM Center (headed by Ms. Cecile Alvarez); and the Senate of the Philippines.

The event started with a traditional ribbon-cutting of Pres Mandela’s exhibit by the South African Ambassador’s representatives; Senate Pres Franklin Drilon and Human Rights Commissioner Etta Rosales.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon delivered his keynote address.

Among the Senators who attended the event Sen. Pia Cayetano; Sen Cynthia Villar; Sen Nancy Binay; Sen Bam Aquino; Sen Nene Pimentel and Sen Heherson Alvarez, each of them solemnly read selected inspiring excerpts from Mandela’s speeches and writings. Other readers were: Commissioner Etta Rosales, a blind student from UNESCO (using Braille) and RCBMD Charter President Mache Torres.

Ms. Torres read Mandela’s excerpt below with her own personal reflection:

NELSON MANDELA’S ADDRESS TO THE GLOBAL CONVENTION ON PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE, NEW DELHI, INDIA, 31 JANUARY 2004

“Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference.”

“Religion, ethnicity, language, social and cultural practices are elements which enrich human civilization, adding to the wealth of our diversity. Why should they be allowed to become a cause of division, and violence? We demean our common humanity by allowing that to happen. …”

“Ang kapayapaan ay hindi lamang kawalan ng tunggalian; ang kalayaan ay bunga ng kapaligirang lahat ay uunlad ano man ang kanyang lahi, kulay, kredo, relihiyon, kasarian, antas, o panlipunang tatak ng pagkakaiba.

“Ang relihiyon, etnisidad, wika, panglipunan at pangkulturang kinagisnan ay mga elementong nagpayaman sa sibilisasyon, at nagdagdag sa halaga ng ating dibersidad. Bakit ang mga bagay na ito ay magbubunga pa ng pagkakahati? Tayo ang magpapababa sa ating pagkatao kapag ito’y ating pinayagan.

“What would it take to achieve peace and change the world? As a Rotarian, how can I make a difference?

“Rotary international, founded in 1905, is recognized as the first volunteer organization. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

“Rotary has 1.2 million members worldwide in more than 200 countries and still growing. The Rotary Club of Makati Business District is one of among the 34,000 clubs worldwide… wherein you will find diversity in members … coming from different race, color, creed, religion and gender….BUT…with one and the same mission: it is a commitment to our motto “Service Above Self”.

“We volunteer in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve women’s and children’s health and sanitation, eradicate polio and peace and conflict resolution.

“And as Rotarian, my personal vocation as an educator, life coach and a clinical hypnotherapist …I do share my free time with other club mates to teach – and give therapy for the transformation of the women inmates at the “Correctional Institute for Women” in Mandaluyong. It’s a way to help them achieve inner peace, thru unloading their painful past, forgiveness to oneself to be able to achieve fullest transformation as they are being prepared to face the society again.

“With all of the above mentioned, Rotary International has truly created an environment of peace thru diversity in service.

“As Rotarians we pledge to promote peace … Peace that starts from “within” thru service…

“As we continually engage in Rotary we shall continue to change lives…”

After the reading of all the chosen excerpts, all the guests were invited to write short messages on a huge board entitled, “Message of Love to Madiba from the Philippines” which was sent to Pres Mandela. The South African Ambassador’s representative thanked everyone, will personally send to Pres Mandela their prayers and well wishes for his speedy recovery!

Among the 100 attendees were RCMBD Charter Members; DGSR/AG David Ackerman; PDG Jimmy Cura; SAG Cora Tan; AG Danny Abinoja & Sim Dayrit; FCP Danny Gapasin; Officers and members of RCM Uptown; FCP Relly Fajardo and members of RC Chinatown Circle. Non Rotarian guests were various student representatives of UNESCO; “Blind Choir” that solemnly sang the Invocation and the song “Free Nelson Mandela”; Earthsavers Movement; the Senate staff and friends from the media.

Emcees were RCMBD Charter Member/ Head of UNIC-United Nations Information Center, Tess Debuque and UNESCO Head Ms. Cecile Alvarez.