About Us: History
History of Rotary
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves. "
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Paul Harris - Rotary Founder
Our ongoing commitment
That commitment endures today through an organization that remains truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Our members now span the globe, working to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.
We’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries — down from 125 in 1988.
History of Rotary Club of Marikina Heights
Once a Rotarian will always be a Rotarian! This postulation seems to find relevance in two former Rotarians, Past President (PP) Eliezer “Boy” Marigza and Rotarian Tomas “Jun” Aguilar, Jr., who were both in the stage of momentary hibernation for varying reasons when approached by then District Governor (DG) Antonio “Tony” Co sometime in August 1998 to initiate the organization of Rotary Club of Marikina Heights. PP Boy and Rtn. Jun couldn’t refuse such overtures coming from a close acquaintance in DG Tony Co. The three had a chance to work closely together during the term of Immediate Past Governor Lina Aurelio.
Forthwith, PP Boy got in touch with PP Bienvenido Medel and Pres. Ed Manzanares of the Rotary Club of Marikina North to inform the two of his receptiveness to the call of DG Tony. During the same meeting, the Rotary Club of Marikina North was officially designated as the sponsoring club and PP Bien as the District Governor’s Group Representative (DGGR). Meanwhile, Rtn. Jun committed to support PP Boy in the organization of the club in all the way.
DGGR Bien and Rtn. Jun decided to make Saturday, 8:00am and the newly opened McDonald’s S Mall in Marikina Heights to be the interim day, time and venue of the club’s organizational meetings. Then Ed Mejos joined the group to become the third founding member of the new club and proved to be instrumental in the group’s initiative.
It took only two months for the group to assemble a substantial number of prospective Rotarians. Breakfast meetings and the encouraging mix of prospective members seemed to work to the advantage of the club as the number (of prospective members) increased at an accelerated page. Interestingly, two prospective lady Rotarians came forward when they got wind of the organization of the club and its openness to lady members.
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With this encouraging development, PP Boy sought the help of Pres. Ed to make reference to the classification survey conducted earlier to determine if the club has mustered enough prospective members representing a wide range of business and professions. The result was immediately forwarded to DG Tony Co.
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DG Tony sent his word of approval to PP Boy through DGGR Bien to proceed with the club’s formal organization and to start holding its regular weekly meetings as Rotary International had already given provisional status to the new club in November 1998. As soon as the club had recruited twenty-six prospective members DG Tony conveyed the news that the formal entry of the new club into membership with Rotary International shall be forthcoming. While waiting for the RI’s issuance of the club’s Certificate of Membership, the number of prospective members rose to a high of thirty in a span of two weeks.
The Certification of the Club’s Membership in the Rotary International was received by PP Boy in the latter part of January 1999. However, the club decided to designate February 10, 1999 as the official day of charting and PP Boy as the Charter President (CP).
The Rotary Club of Marikina Heights decided to hold its charter presentation and induction ceremonies on May 30, 1999 at the CVJ Garden in Marikina City.
(This article, written by Past President Tomas Aguilar, Jr. was lifted from the February 10, 1999 Charter Presentation Souvenir Program)
The First Four Rotarians
Once a Rotarian will always be a Rotarian! This postulation seems to find relevance in two former Rotarians, Past President (PP) Eliezer “Boy” Marigza and Rotarian Tomas “Jun” Aguilar, Jr., who were both in the stage of momentary hibernation for varying reasons when approached by then District Governor (DG) Antonio “Tony” Co sometime in August 1998 to initiate the organization of Rotary Club of Marikina Heights. PP Boy and Rtn. Jun couldn’t refuse such overtures coming from a close acquaintance in DG Tony Co. The three had a chance to work closely together during the term of Immediate Past Governor Lina Aurelio.
Forthwith, PP Boy got in touch with PP Bienvenido Medel and Pres. Ed Manzanares of the Rotary Club of Marikina North to inform the two of his receptiveness to the call of DG Tony. During the same meeting, the Rotary Club of Marikina North was officially designated as the sponsoring club and PP Bien as the District Governor’s Group Representative (DGGR). Meanwhile, Rtn. Jun committed to support PP Boy in the organization of the club in all the way.
DGGR Bien and Rtn. Jun decided to make Saturday, 8:00am and the newly opened McDonald’s S Mall in Marikina Heights to be the interim day, time and venue of the club’s organizational meetings. Then Ed Mejos joined the group to become the third founding member of the new club and proved to be instrumental in the group’s initiative.
​
It took only two months for the group to assemble a substantial number of prospective Rotarians. Breakfast meetings and the encouraging mix of prospective members seemed to work to the advantage of the club as the number (of prospective members) increased at an accelerated page. Interestingly, two prospective lady Rotarians came forward when they got wind of the organization of the club and its openness to lady members.
​
With this encouraging development, PP Boy sought the help of Pres. Ed to make reference to the classification survey conducted earlier to determine if the club has mustered enough prospective members representing a wide range of business and professions. The result was immediately forwarded to DG Tony Co.
​
DG Tony sent his word of approval to PP Boy through DGGR Bien to proceed with the club’s formal organization and to start holding its regular weekly meetings as Rotary International had already given provisional status to the new club in November 1998. As soon as the club had recruited twenty-six prospective members DG Tony conveyed the news that the formal entry of the new club into membership with Rotary International shall be forthcoming. While waiting for the RI’s issuance of the club’s Certificate of Membership, the number of prospective members rose to a high of thirty in a span of two weeks.
The Certification of the Club’s Membership in the Rotary International was received by PP Boy in the latter part of January 1999. However, the club decided to designate February 10, 1999 as the official day of charting and PP Boy as the Charter President (CP)
The Rotary Club of Marikina Heights decided to hold its charter presentation and induction ceremonies on May 30, 1999 at the CVJ Garden in Marikina City.
(This article, written by Past President Tomas Aguilar, Jr. was lifted from the February 10, 1999 Charter Presentation Souvenir Program)