PROSPER
Rotary Club of Manila Expats Magazine
Christmas in the Philippines is the longest season in the world!
LETTER PRESIDENT’S
Welcome to the second issue of Prosper, the Club Magazine of the Rotary Club of Manila Expats.
Significant events have happened since our first issue. Our charter club was approved by Rotary International last September 6! We were at the Department of Health headquarters waiting to meet with the DOH Secretary when District Governor Jackie Rodriguez and Senior Deputy Governor Mildred Catajay contacted me on the phone with a happy message. What a wonderful day that was!
For this December issue, read our feature story, A Sanctuary in the City: Finding Faith and Family at Union Church of Manila, by member Pastor Noah Kennedy.
Our club members have been busy making new connections and friends at our meetings or fellowships. We added a section on International Service to highlight the interactions with other Rotary Clubs or Rotarians we met on our travels.
We are also pleased to welcome Jon Engalla as a new member and a great addition to our club.
Finally, we shared some of our traditional customs during this Holiday season to add variety to the longest-celebrated season in the Philippines. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Manila Expats, I wish you all a peaceful, blessed Christmas and a Prosper-ous 2025!
Maria Januszczak
Charter President, RY 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Manila Expats
CLUB OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER
Che Barcenal Shumpei Komatsu
CLUB ADMIN DIRECTOR
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
TRF DIRECTOR
Juniver Delgado PUBLIC IMAGE DIRECTOR
Vanesa Calixto
Ria Januszczak
Damien Roiland
Maureen Muthaura
Rhoda Le
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
A fire broke out in Tondo city Due to the difficulty in accessing the site, the fire raged for 8 hours that destroyed about 1000 homes, that translates to more than 8,000 families. This is the second time that this area has been affected by fire this year. The last fire took place in April. The Rotary Club of Raxabago Manila took the lead in organizing a relief mission for the community, and The Rotary Club of Manila Expats donated cash, and Admin Officer Che Barcenal helped distribute the relief items.
2The Rotary Club of Manila Expats participated in the District Disaster Preparedness and Awareness Seminar that was hosted by RC Manila Midtown.
The super typhoon, called Man-yi (or Pepito) hit Albay and CamSur last November 17, causing massive floods and landslides. The Rotary Club of San Marcelino Manila organized a Relief Mission and RC Manila Expats helped donate cash and repack relief goods.
PHOTO FROM SDG GEORGE NG
LEAF LEGACY
The Rotary Club of ManilaClaro M Recto invited various clubs to join them in a Tree Planting Event at La Mesa Dam, in Quezon City. The Rotary Club of Manila Expats donated 5 trees that was planted by Admin Officer Che Barcenal.
END POLIO CAMPAIGN
The annual End Polio campaign was moved to November due to the strong typhoons
MEMBERS IN SERVICE
GIFT GIVING with RC Pasay
The Rotary Club of Manila Expats participated in a GIftGiving project that was organized by the Rotary Club of Pasay. The beneficiary is the Apelo Cruz Elementary School.
GIFT GIVING by UCM
The Rotary Club of Manila Expats contributed to the GIft-Giving project that was organized by the Union Church of Manila to 50 street children
GIFT GIVING with PCMC
The Rotary Club of Manila Expats joined in a GIft-Giving project that was organized by the Maryknoll Miriam College Alumni Association. This is for the benefit of the Neuroscience patients from the Philippine Children Medical Center.
ASanctuaryintheCity: FindingFaithandFamily atUnionChurchofManila
By Pastor Noah Kennedy
In bustling Manila lies a sanctuary and place of beauty that has long been a spiritual home for people of the metropolitan area, whether for a season or a lifetime — the Union Church of Manila (UCM).
UCM is my first and only church as a pastor. Originally from the USA, my wife Ali and I have served here for nearly a decade. All four of our children were born in the Philippines.
A History of Faith
Founded in 1914, UCM is a testament to enduring faith and unwavering dedication.
My appreciation for what God has done and continues to do in and through this faith community runs deep. The saying "There is no place on earth like Union Church of Manila” reflects many people’s experiences. In this article, I share glimpses of UCM's story and how you can connect with this "home away from home” in the heart of Makati’s Central Business District.
Over the years, UCM has evolved into a microcosm of the global faith community, attracting people from all over the world and many denominations, cultures, and walks of life.
From establishing the Church Hall in 1923, a home for abandoned 'mestiza' girls, to the church's resilience during World War II, UCM's story is a part of each person in the congregation, connecting us to a legacy of blessing and service.
The church building itself chronicles UCM's rich history, with the main stairwell showcasing the milestones, challenges, and triumphs across the generations.
A Place of Unity and Diversity
At UCM, our unity in diversity is not just a slogan but a lived reality. The church provides an array of engagements for people of all ages, from worship services to children's and youth groups and other gatherings that foster genuine connections. These opportunities allow people to realize a place in the community — where many find belonging on a shared faith-life journey, and friends can become family. The church also emphasizes faith formation, supporting ways for people to grow and mature in their relationship with God and others. As a minister, being a part of people's lives, especially as one awakens to God and becomes enlivened in that personal and communal experience, energizes me the most. It was a vibrant citycenter church where, in my mid-twenties, I first responded to the good news of God in such a way that I became sure of it.
Serving the Community and Beyond
For UCM, the cadence of welcoming and serving the surrounding communities has become natural. The church is deeply involved in teaching events, world-class concerts and performances, humanitarian outreaches, and missions projects. The church has long provided disaster relief to those affected by typhoons and supported educational initiatives for young people through partnerships with certain development organizations. These are only some examples of how UCM is committed to spreading God's grace and compassion to the Philippines and beyond. This service is not just a duty or task; it is a deeply rooted part of our faith, an inspiration that motivates us to make a positive impact on the lives of others, giving glory to God. One of my most edifying experiences this year was the day out home-building for families in Valenzuela City, in which the men's fellowship partnered with Habitat for Humanity.
Connecting with UCM
Whether you seek spiritual nourishment and opportunities to serve or simply want to be with others on the shared faith-life journey, UCM is here. Our Sunday gatherings are a time for worship, reflection, and refreshment. These activities encourage connection with others and the development of meaningful bonds. Whatever your background or beliefs, we invite you to visit UCM and experience the warmth and unfiltered hospitality we strive to offer to all who walk through our doors.
Rotary Club of Manila Expats (RCME) & UCM
As the church’s associate pastor, my interest in growing with the RCME is twofold: to interact with like-minded individuals in the economic hub of Metro Manila through service fellowship and to invite fellow sojourners to connect with UCM. As one entirely new to Rotary, I look forward to learning more about the organization’s work near and far — to discovering how UCM and RCME can establish mutually helpful relationships to help make a meaningful difference in our communities. Amen!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24)
UCM offers three Sunday Services: Contemporary Service (8:30 AM), Traditional Service (10:30 AM), and Worship Night (5:30 PM).
UCM is located at Rada Street corner Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village. www.unionchurch.ph
WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME
JON ENGALLA NEW MEMBER
Jonathan Engalla is a seasoned business development coach and sales leader with over 20 years of experience in building and mentoring high-performing teams (www.engalla.com). He has been a sales leader since 2003, passionately guiding individuals and organizations toward success.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Northern California, Jonathan began his professional career in Silicon Valley before returning to the Philippines in 2010. His diverse background includes operating a successful real estate brokerage with Keller Williams Realty, where he focused on training and consulting top agents.
Happily married since 2000 to Angelica Engalla, Jonathan is a proud father of three: Bella, Gigi, and Wil. Recently transitioning to empty nesters, he and Angelica enjoy exploring new opportunities for personal and professional growth together.
Passionate about fostering growth, Jonathan has helped numerous startups refine their go-to-market strategies, develop effective sales techniques, and drive revenue growth. His coaching philosophy is grounded in collaboration, empowerment, and the belief that the right team can create groundbreaking innovations.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Jonathan enjoys playing basketball, golf, taking underwater photography, engaging with local communities, and supporting initiatives that promote education and personal development. He looks forward to contributing to the RC Manila Expats and collaborating with like-minded individuals to make a positive impact in the community.
Our members are all traveling across the Philippines and around the world for work or vacation. They try to look up the closest Rotary Club where their travels take them, to form friendships, explore collaborations, learn from other clubs and hopefully find a potentialsisterclub!
A meeting at Zamballes (Sundowners Beach Resort) with Keith Harrison, President of the Makati Rotary Club, and a few members on a service mission. It was an opportunity for me to talk about another project: the installation of a games library in the Santa Cruz public school. The Delépine Foundation is opening playcenters to help children and teenagers rediscover their childhood through play. Because playing is not just about having fun, it's also about learning!
Stay tuned!
Exploring a Project with the Rotary Club of Makati
By Dr. Damien Roiland
SERVICE
Toronto,
Canada (April, 2024)
Ria Januszczak paid a courtesy call to Badar Shamim, the Past President of Rotary Club of Brampton and Past Chair and lifetime member of our regional chamber Brampton Board of Trade. He also served as as the Past Polio Chair of Rotary District 7080 We had exploratory talks on how our clubs can work together.
Edmonton, Canada (Oct,
2024)
A vacation to Edmonton made it impossible for Dr Curtis Forbes to join club meetings while on travel Thanks to the Rotary Club Finder, he was able to locate a club in his city. He was welcomed by Club President Markus Muhs, and made several new friends with the Rotary Club of Edmonton The Rotary Club of Edmonton was chartered 109 years ago and has 55 members.
Taipei,
Taiwan (Dec, 2024)
The Rotary Club of Taipei Songren hosted a delicious luncheon for the Magical Irresistable Presidents of District 3810 who attended the Rotary Institute for Zones 1B, 9 and 10.
Christmas and
We asked some of our members to share their family traditions
Bulgaria is a Christian Orthodox country, which has very similar traditions and practices to Catholic countries Generally on Noche Buena (24th) the immediate family gathers together for a shared dinner celebration, which is comprised only of vegetarian dishes (no meat) We have a traditional Christmas Pita (a puffy bread), containing a coin in one of the pieces As each member of the family gets a piece, one will contain the coin and whoever gets the coin is considered to be blessed with particularly good fortune in the upcoming year On Christmas Day (25th) is when we exchange gifts (usually stored under the Christmas tree), meat is allowed again and we celebrate with extended family and friends.
We teach hermenuetics to the young children by discussing the true meaning of Christmas (Christ-like giving, not greedy gift receiving) and the way of praxis by making sure everyone gives each other a gift that sits under the tree until Christmas proper Then we plant the seeds of incredulity and critical thinking by planting evidence of a Santa visit (reindeer footprints, missing milk and cookies, extra presents), and teach them patience by waking them up to investigate the signs but making them go back to back to bed before opening everything Christmas morning
In France, Christmas is a traditional family holiday, marked by a number of customs The decorations begin with the Christmas tree, often decorated with garlands, baubles and stars On the evening of 24 December, a large meal is prepared, often including dishes such as oysters, foie gras, smoked salmon and a turkey or Yule log for dessert After dinner, many families attend midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Children look forward to the arrival of Father Christmas, who drops presents at the foot of the tree The festivities continue on 25 December with a family lunch, where regional specialities and sweets such as galettes des rois or the 13 desserts of Provence are shared
In Japan, Christmas is an event where family and friends have dinner with cakes and often KFC fried chicken is sserved Grown-ups would celebrate with a live band
Holiday Traditions
AROUND THE WORLD
The Christmas season in the Philippines starts on Sept 1st The lead up to Christmas day includes a 9-day novena mass called “Simbang Gabi” and a big feast on Christmas Eve called Noche Buena Our family with our aunts, uncles, cousins celebrate Noche Buena with gifts, games, carols and contests. Christmas eve celebrations continue onto Christmas Day with more food and gifts
ZoomMeetings
By Ria Januszczak
A dinner-dance fundraiser was held at Pardon My French last August 30th. It was important to spread the word that a new Rotary club was formed, and its intended membership base would be composed of Philippine expatriates. Senior Deputy Governor Kenneth Jamandre graced the occasion with words of encouragement. Area Governor Cu Tan presented Charter President Ria Januszczak with a special pin. Senior Trade Commissioner Guy Boileau from the Embassy of Canada in Manila, attended the event to learn more about Rotary. It was a wonderful night with great company, flowing drinks, a delicious dinner and a live band.
JOINT CLUB MEETING
3
OCT 2024
MANILA POLO CLUB
Members of the Rotary Club of Manila Expats were invited to join the lunch meeting of its mother club - the Rotary Club of Manila. RCME had the opportunity to meet fellow Rotarians and to present the club’s purpose, its planned activities and some of the members.
Groupphoto
The Charter certificate was formally presented to our club during the district monthly meeting (Standing from the left to right) AR Arnil Señoron, SDG for Membership Mildred Catajay, MIP Jujut Enriquez (RC Manila), Club Adviser Romy Nones, Charter member John Januszczak, new member Jon Engalla, Charter member Shumpei Komatsu, Charter member Angelica Engalla, Charter member Urs Bolt, Charter member Che Barcenal, PDG and TRF Chairperson Liza Elorde, PDG and District Trainer Karen Tamayo, District Secretary Essie Villavito, SDG Kenneth Jamandre Front row left to right: District Governor Jackie Rodriguez, Charter president Ria Januszczak
18 Oct 2024 at 6PM
Indus Modern Indian Kitchen 25th St. cor 5th, BGC
Thankyou!
LANA GO
RICK LAIG
EDGAR VALENZUELA
CRISTINA LIAMZON
CORA MILLER
6 December 2024 at 6PM
Terry’s Bistro
Ground Floor BCS Prime Building Chino Roces Ave, Makati city
Party with us in your Festive, Glittery/sparkled &/or Colourful Outfit
RSVP 09656136155 Che
