Manila Centennial Lions Club
District 301 - A1
Manila, Phillippines
CLUB HISTORY
Lions Club are born for a number of reasons and motivations. They are however rooted to one distinct and deeply meaningful statement "WE SERVE". Lionism is where and when the spirit of services among men and women, and their love for others find a home. Lions service is therefore both a place and a time that different people with varying experiences respond to the tune of one drum, and the call of the Drummer.
Led by Past District Governor George Yu Hua Bing, Edward Lim, Michael Siy Kon Wui, Marivel Echavez, Nena Tan, Ramon Hong Jr., Ayman Almadhoun, Alfred Ong, Magdalena Ong, Benito Silangan, Albert Chan, Henry Tan, Henry Uy, Edwardo Murillo, Peter Chua, Wilson Chua, Ricky Siy Kiam Hong, Irene Cua, Kenny Wong, Vincent Tan and Gerry Nuncio, Clasped each other hands and agreed to help one another to fulfill the dreams of lionism. On August 7, 1999, with PDG George Yu Hua Bing as Club Organizer, Edward Lim and Michael Siy Kon Wui as club co-organizers, the group officially met at Amity Seafood Restaurant and subsequently appointed their club officers with Marivel Echavez as Charter President.
On the same occasion, the club's logo was conceptualized with the Lion's logo set as a hub, encircled by men and women holding to each other and anchored on lionism symbolizing the unity and supportive strength found within the club as it collectively pursue the Lions service mission. Unknown then to the chartering lions, the club's logo would become a symbol of how the club would face and overcome the many challenges it encountered even in its infancy.
On August 10, 1999, the completed charter documents were sent to Lions Club International. Twenty charter members were listed. After the documents were approved, the club was chartered on August 23, 1999 with Past District Governor Leonida 'Baby" Bayani Ortiz and then District Governor Jose Wong as Guiding Lions and Past District Governor Primitivo Chua as Adviser.
And as the Manila Centennial Lions Club widens its horizon in the service community, it has continued to bolster its membership strength by pursuing activities which will enhance the warm camaraderie in the club's teamwork that it has been recently awarded the MEMBERSHIP EXCELLENCE for LY 2001-2002.
The club proves its inner strength as it continues to work with other clubs and participated in District sponsored projects aside fron undertaking service projects on its own. It has also pursued international cooperation through the officers and members participation in international convention and OSEAL forum. The club believed strongly in giving young people the opportunity to become involved and continue this passion to serve, thus The Manila Centennial Leo Club was chartered in the year 2003-2004 during the term of energetic President Zenaida L. Abella.
While the birth of the Manila Centennial Lions Club was nurtured in spirit of optimism from members and encouragement from senior lion leaders who became their sponsors and supporters, its infancy was assailed by unexpected and unusual challenges which were faced by the club officers and members with resolute dedication to the mission it pledged itself to pursue in the first place. In spite of their obstacles, Manila Centennial Lions Club inspired Taichung Long Far Lions Club President Chen Hsin Cheng Of Taiwan to twin with Manila Centennial Lions Club during the term of President Henry Uy Ly 2006-2007. On the same year during the 7th Anniversary and 8th Induction Ceremony, The Twinning was done with Past International Director Enrique Lim, Past Council Chairperson Justo Ortiz and Past District Governor Valeriano Po who signed and witnessed the ceremony. Now the selected few members of the prestigious Manila Centennial Lions Club reaches the 8th year anniversary and again another twinning was done with the Angelenos Lions Club under the Leadership of President Edwardo Murillo LY 2007-2008.
In LY 2008-2009, President Elect Kenny Wong Kin Cho accepted the position with high expectation that he could make more projects and represent the clubs though he could not speak Tagalog nor English fluently. True enough because the club did medical and dental projects in Valenzuela, Bulacan and gave five packs of goods as Christmas present to 15o families, at the same time donated 10 Wheelchairs to The City of Manila.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
