The Creation of Rotary (in the Philippines)

A compilation of facts about Rotary
by PP Bert Galarpe* of RC Sto. Domingo, Q.C., RI District 3780

Paul Harris

The first Rotary Club in the world was organized in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. A. on 23 February, 1905 by Paul Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in a spirit of friendship and understanding, a group of men, each of whom was engage in a different form of service to the public. That basis of membership – one man from each business and profession in the community – still exist in Rotary. At first, the members of the new club met in rotation at various places of business of the members and this suggested the name “Rotary”.

Since 1905, the ideas of Paul Harris and his friends have become ideals which have been accepted by men of practically all nationalities and of many political and religious beliefs. Today there are Rotary clubs in Austria and America Samoa, in Brazil and Brunei, in India and Italy, Scotland and South Africa – in some 168 countries and 36 geographical regions. The universal acceptance of Rotary principles has been great that as of July 2000 it has a global membership of 32, 317 Rotary clubs, 528 Rotary Districts and 1.206, 670 million Rotarians in 168 countries worldwide.

The Philippines itself is divided into ten separate districts with a total of 694 Rotary clubs and 19,238 Rotarians as of June 30, 2000. The general objectives of Rotary clubs in every country are the same – the development of fellowship and understanding among the business and professional men in the community, the promotion of community betterment endeavors, and of high standards in business and professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal – the “Ideal of Service” which is thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others.

After some correspondences initiated by Leon J. Lambert, President of Lambert Sales Company to International Association of Rotary Clubs (now known as Rotary International) President John Poole, Rtn. Roger Pinneo of the Rotary Club of Seattle was commissioned to assist in the organization of Rotary Clubs in the Far East.

Leon Lambert
1st President of RC Manila, 1919

On January 12, 1919, Lambert entertained Pinneo at a luncheon in his Pasay home in the Philippines with four other businessmen, Messrs. E.E. Elser, James Geary, Walter A. Beam, and Fred N. Berry. The five men then constituted themselves into a committee with Lambert as Chairman to work on the organization of a new Rotary Club in the Philippines.

Recruitment followed with informal meetings on January 14, 16, and 24 in 1919 with 36 Americans, 2 Filipinos (Gabriel La’O and Gregorio Nieva) and 1 Chinese (Alfonso SyCip), comprising the charter members, the organization was finally completed. However, it was not until June 1, 1919 when Charter Number 478 was granted, formally organizing the Rotary Club of Manila with Leon J. Lambert as President Alfonso Sy Cip as Vice President, E.E. Elser as secretary, and Walter A. Beam as Treasurer.

The Rotary Club of Manila first held office at the Benguet Consolidated Mining Company at Kneedler Building located along Carriedo Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila. It was here where further meetings and additional members were elected into the club.


As Rotary celebrates its centennial, Rotary Club of Manila is proud to have been credited in the organization of 22 Rotary Clubs: RC Cebu in 1932, RC Iloilo in 1933, RC Bacolod in 1937, RC Baguio in 1937, RC Davao in 1938, RC Guam in 1939, RC Malolos in 1949, RC Lucena in 1950, RC Batangas in 1950, RC San Pablo in 1950, RC Cavite in 1952, RC Pasay in 1952, RC Kalookan in 1959. It was only in 1960 that Rotary was organized in Quezon City – The Rotary Club of Quezon City. Also, the RC University District in 1972, RC Raha Sulayman in 1975, RC Panday Pira in 1977, RC Bagumbayan in 1979, RC Intramuros in 1980, RC Manila San Miguel in 1983, RC Tondo in 1992, and RC Sta. Mesa in 2001. From these clubs came all the other clubs in the 10 districts of Philippine Rotary.

Rotary Club of Manila produced the only Filipino President in Rotary year 1986-1987; a second Vice President in Don Paco Delgado in 1970-1971, and a Director who did not however become a District Governor in the person of Gen. Carlos P. Romulo in 1935-1936.