Manila is the most densely populated city in the world. There are about 41,515 people per square kilometre. Philippines is unique in Asia in that it is the only country that is mainly Christian. A fortified walled colony was established in 1571 and developed by Spanish missionaries and remained under Spanish control until the Spanish-American war in 1898. The Americans maintained control until the Japanese forced them out in World War II. The USA recovery of control in 1945 involved fierce house to house fighting, which reduced the old wall city to rubble. We took a taxi trip to the Tagaytay Highlands and passed through rice paddies, coconut plantations and huge areas of pineapple plantations. Unfortunately, most of the people seemed very poor and there were lots of tiny shops, next to the road, selling fruit, vegetables and handmade items. However, there was quite an industry producing and selling beautiful handmade wooden furniture in some larger workshops. From the highlands, we looked down on Taal Lake, which was formed by a huge volcano and has the smallest volcano in the world in the middle of the lake. We went down a very twisty road which had so many S bends and sharp corners that you could not count them. Every 200 metres there were signs saying “Warning Dangerous curves” and “Warning Prone to Landslide”. Anyway, the surface of the road was very good and we eventually arrived at the side of the lake.
As the people are very poor, the most popular mode of transport is the motor cycle with a side car attached to it. Whole families travel on one vehicle and I saw one with at least eight people on it: 4 on the motor cycle and 4 in the side car. The taxi driver told us that they must be 18 to get a license for driving in the towns but they can drive in the country without a license once they are over 10 years old.
Minutes from 23 March: Compiled by Keela van Niekerk Attendance Visitors
12 members present Phil, Stephanie and Charles (from Peninsula School feeding Association)
Stephen and Keela’s Wedding Anniversary 21 March Fellowship Announcements Justin and Ruth’s Wedding on 18 March
From the President
Mike was Acting President for the evening No meeting on 13 or 27 April 28 – 29 April is the Rotary District Conference in Swellendam 9 April: Rotary Family Fun day at Sea Point Blue train park 20 April: Pre-Proms meeting: Vintage Proms – a video of Proms 2001 Business Meeting: working out the logistics around having a meeting every two months Dennis: Odd Henning gave Dennis a book by Eskil Ronninsbakken, “On the edge”. They happened to be there the day the photos for the book were taken.
Slots
Biffy: Rotary Friendship Exchange: Looking for accommodation for fellow Rotarians – Biffy sent an email out to the club Bruce: Bruce was sad to hear that the meeting on the 13th was cancelled as he was so looking forward to Lina, Pam and Biffy being in their Bunny outfits. Graham: 109 tickets for Saturday and 194 for Sunday left to sell for the Proms. Barry will be on Fine Music Radio on 7 April.
Swindle
Charles from the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) gave us an overview of how they feed so many children. PSFA was started by the Rotary Club of Paardeneiland (now Table Bay) in 1958. Blisters for Bread is on 27 August and we are all encouraged to walk. It costs R395 to feed a child for a whole year. Charles asked if PSFA could be considered as a Proms Beneficiary for 2018. To adopt a school it costs between R40 000 – R70 000 per annum. Charles drew Biffy’s name, unfortunately the 7 of spades was selected. Graham won the R15 attendance prize.
President’s Song
Without even finishing the quote, Mike’s guest George Michael’s song “Wake me up”.
Guest Speaker
Dates To Diarise Wed 29 Mar Sun 9 Apr
Social Moved to Wednesday 29 March (Bowling with Rotaract) Rotary Family Fun Centennial Walk – 2.65Km at Mouille Point Rotary Family Fun Day at Blue Train Park
22 + 23 Apr
Last Night of the Proms in the City Hall
27-29 Apr
Rotary District Conference in Swellendam
Duty Roster March
April
30
6 Business meeting
Sergeant
SOCIAL
Barnard
Wynpress Editorial
Moved to
Gowdy
No
Howard
Wynpress Minutes
Wednesday
Howard
Meeting
Van Niekerk
Door Duty
29 March
Munday
Murphy
Danckwerts
Gowdy
Schonegevel
Smith
Lidgley
Munday
Grace Loyal Toast International Toast Speaker Intro Speaker Thanks
Bowling
13
20 Hovstad
Schreiber Schonegevel Proms Meeting
Find Speakers
Wynberg Rotary meet every Thursday, 6 for 6.30pm, The Palms House. For more information about our club, like us on Facebook or visit our website; Wynbergrotary.org.za