The earliest sign of the coming club was the meeting on January 20, 1972 in the Army-Navy Club, known as the hive of the Elite in the American colonial era.
The Rotary Club of Manila delegated its Extension Committee led by an Obstetrician Rotarian who met the prospective Rotarians to a brainstorming that lasted for several weeks. The sessions centered on what was Rotary, its motto, and objectives.
Then an unforgettable announcement was that the group was to be members of the 2nd Rotary Club in the City of Manila, which was on April 25, 1972, the club's official birth date or chartership.
Henceforth, Charter Day is celebrated annually, the latest one with a grand Medical-Surgical Mission in Mindoro.
The Rotary Club of the University District Manila, of RI District 3810, was designated its area of responsibility, the University Belt, where the major universities, elementary and high schools are suited with an aggregate 100,000 or more student population. On the basis of Rotary's membership requirement then of "location of place of work", it was expected that the membership of the club would come from the Academe and the business establishments within the area.
The Formalities
On June 17, 1972, at the Enrico Hotel, the Charter Officers and Directors, members of 27 led by a charismatic Professor of Medicine President were inducted. Unknowingly, across the world, an earthshaking event happened, which led to impeachment of a US president - the Watergate Scandal.
Hardly had they settled for a "look and listen" attitude when challenged to a project never experienced in their professions - to host the District Assembly of RY 1973-1974.
With great determination and unequaled commitment, with the support of the District officials and their loving Rotary Anns, the year long preparation was put into action. Unknowingly again, they were shaken one morning by an equaling earthshaking political event - the Declaration of Martial Law.
Undeterred, they went on with assigned tasks and declared open the District Assembly from June 1 to June 2, 1973 in the Medicine Building of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas.
Without expectation, every Rotary Club of RI 3810 which covered the entire Luzon came to an unforgettable and memorable assembly, which became the guideline of future similar Rotary activities, even when the District expanded several times. The Assembly concluded, in the words of its scintillating Secretary, " The Club flapped its wings and soared."
The Odyssey
It took a short while for the club not merely to flap its wings, but like a modern spaceship that swings far into open space, travelling from start to star in pursuit of its Rotary Services: Community, International, Interact, and Rotaract and Rotary Foundation. In rapid succession, led by outstanding Presidents and their respective teams, the membership soared to a high of 100; the election of four Governors (from the club or at one time club members); most outstanding District Presidents and officers; and a multi-awarded club bulletin (Pintig), they all greatly contributed to the good image of Philippine Rotary.
In its "Galactic Odyssey", from its Charter and Immediate Past Presidents, they maintained the club's strength arounf the 3 pillars: (1) Medical-Surgical
Missions (25), including 5 Mercy missions throughout the nation, serving for free innumerable victims of flooding and typhoons, earthquake, and volcanic eruption. The contributions of the Club in these humane efforts are immeasurable. (2) Its involvement in the Interact (13) and Rotaract (10) activities, the major of which is the Annual Sports Fest of District-wide participations. Teaching the youth about leadership is the core of this program in which some members are recepients of awards from their respective academic institutions. (3) The International Sisterhood involved clubs from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States that concerns fellowship and funding of club activities.
The Galactic ship that is RCUDM is not about to land yet but remains aloft for greater missions, to uphold R.I. Motto: Service Above Self.
Our Partners in Service
DLSU College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies
Philippine School of Business Administration Manila
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Beda College
University of the Philippines Manila
University District Manila (Community-Based)
UST AMV College of Accountancy
UST Faculty of Arts and Letters
UST College of Commerce
UST College of Education
UST Faculty of Engineering
UST College of Nursing
UST College of Pharmacy
UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences
UST College of Science
UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management
UST Central
Claro M. Recto High School
Elpidio Quirino High School
Esteban Abada High School
Ramon Avaceña High School
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
Victorino Mapa High School
RCUDM Pledge
I am a Rotarian.
I will always uphold the truth.
I am a Rotarian.
I will always strive to be fair in all my dealings with my fellowmen.
I am a Rotarian.
I will always endeavor to build goodwill and understanding in my community, among my countrymen, and among peoples of all nations.
I am a Rotarian.
I will always seek to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the spirit of Rotary Service.
I am a Rotarian.
I will always observe Rotary International's Motto:
Service Above Self.
RCDUM Anthem
We are the men of RCUDM, sworn to service in Rotary.
Men for others, selfless men, we will always strive to be.
To our Club, we offer fidelity, to the youth, our integrity.
To our vocations, humility, and service to community.
We will build bridges across the seas
to convey the message of love and peace,
Rotarians link arms for unity in serving Rotary!
Rotarians link arms for unity in serving Rotary!
We are men of Rotary!
