Foundation honors Philippine business leader, philanthropist

By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News -- 13 August 2009

Top: Emilio T. Yap. Bottom: RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith, Ambassador Hilario G. Davide Jr. and his wife Virginia, and Foundation Trustee Vice Chair John F. Germ during the Arch C. Klumph Society induction ceremony 11 August. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson

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Emilio T. Yap became the first Filipino inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society, which honors donors who give at least US$250,000 to The Rotary Foundation, during a ceremony on 11 August.

Ambassador Hilario G. Davide Jr., permanent representative of the Philippine mission to the United Nations, accepted the honor on behalf of his good friend at the RI World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

A noted business leader and philanthropist in the Philippines, Yap, a donor of $501,000 to the Foundation, is the chair of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Company, which produces two newspapers and 10 leading weekly and monthly magazines. He is also chair of several boards, including those of the U.S. Automotive Company, Philtrust Realty Corporation, Philippine Trust Company, Manila Hotel Corporation, and Centro Escolar University.

Yap is an honorary member of the Rotary clubs of Manila and Manila San Miguel, Manila, and Marikina, Rizal. He supports the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund and Permanent Fund.

In a statement read by Davide, Yap thanked the Foundation: "I am greatly honored to be part of an organization that is doing so much to make life better for countless millions of people around the world. Thank you so much for the honor of installing my name to the Arch C. Klumph Society, joining other donors worldwide who have steadfastly supported The Rotary Foundation."

Yap has initiated several humanitarian activities aimed at promoting peace and political stability. He supports programs that contribute to economic progress and job growth in the Philippines, including those that offer education and technical training to disadvantaged Filipinos and to disaster relief workers.

He has received more than 350 awards and citations from government, professional, and civic organizations, including honors from Philippine presidents.

Yap praised the Foundation in his statement saying "your educational programs, which bring young professionals to other parts of the world to help enrich their technical skills and cultural knowledge, and your humanitarian grants, which help the needy and disadvantaged, are worthy causes," Yap said.

Davide, a former chief justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, has been friends with Yap for nearly 30 years.

"This is a very special privilege of mine to represent such a great humanitarian and respected leader of the Philippines," said Davide. "His philanthropy work covers so many areas in our country and around the world."

16 Comments:

At 12:40PM on 21 March 2012, Ramil Sumangil wrote: I am not a Rotarian but my passion to help the many led me to this article. It made me feel so proud as a Filipino to have somebody as Mr. Emilio Yap in my country. I am running Books For A Cause (http://booksforacause.blogspot.com) and just like Mr. Yap, I am hoping to be able to help as many fellow Filipinos as I can. ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!

At 9:53AM on 11 January 2011, Jolan Salino wrote: THANK YOU Rotarian Emilio T. Yap, member of prestigious Arch C. Klump Society of Rotary International, we are truly proud of you. CONGRATULATIONS and GOD BLESS! Truly "THERE IS GOOD NEWS HERE in the PHILIPPINES"

At 9:51AM on 11 September 2009, PP Darshana M Doshi wrote: To make a begining is difficult and hence the first donor from the Philipines will be a role model to others.We Had PDG Jyotindra Vakil from Bombay as the first donor from India to don the Arch Klump Society.Now we have 4 more donors.

At 11:37AM on 31 August 2009, Danilo Estranero wrote: In behalf of the many past and present Rotary World Peace Fellows, and as one of the Filipino recipients of The Rotary Foundation Fellowships, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Don Emilio T. Yap for his strong and continuing support to the programs of The Rotary Foundation that continues to benefit many recipients from around the world. Danilo Estranero Rotary World Peace Fellow 2008-2010 Class VII, Duke-UNC Rotary Center

At 3:54PM on 18 August 2009, M Saleem Chaudhry wrote: I feel so much honoured as an Asian, a citizen of third world country as Yap, a Philipino philanthropist has become a member of A .C.K Society by contributing more than half a million dollars to R.I.Foundation. It's not the mass of riches but a frame of mind which enables a person to earn such an honour and make difference in the life of thousands of less fortunate humanbeings.

At 10:06AM on 17 August 2009, Rtn Vellore Umarani, Charter President RC Aadarsh Hyderabad, Dist 3150, India wrote: Dear Yap and Lydia, Warm Greetings! Congratulations! We are looking forward to receive you to motivate us in this part of the globe to strengthen the RI Foundation to do good in the society. GOD BLESS! May your contribution grow to help the mankind.

At 11:50AM on 17 August 2009, DGSC/IPDRFCC ARMANDO "SANDIE" B. SAN DIEGO, RI DISTRICT 3770, PHILIPPINES wrote: Let the world know that there there are still some well-to-do Filipinos who value service by way of donations to noble organizations. A true Philanthropist, Don Emilio Yap, who almost every week donates substantial amounts to reliable organizations and institutions, is a rare example of a Filipino who has an open hand for service. Thank you very much Mr. Yap. Like, Bill Gates, you trusted Rotary because you know that your donations will reach their intended purposes and that that we, rotarians, make a great difference in the lives of people around the world - through service above self You make us all proud of being Filipinos.

At 12:03PM on 17 August 2009, PP ARNOLD GUERRERO RCSFDM D-3780 wrote: Don Emilio Yap makes me proud to be a Filipino Rotarian. He stands tall as the embodiment of what Rotary is all about, which is SERVICE ABOVE SELF. MABUHAY

At 1:04PM on 17 August 2009, PP Rey Abellada RC Baguio Sunrise wrote: This is the good news that Manila Bulletin's tagline "THERE IS GOOD NEWS HERE" stands for! Truly, Mr. Emilio Yap's contribution spans boundaries to help those who are still afflicted with Polio. Philippines is presently polio free! Thanks to Rotary. The initiative to eradicate polio globally gets a boost by Don Emilio Yap's generosity. Thank you Mr. Yap. Thank You TRF!

At 1:06PM on 17 August 2009, IPP Edwin Seymour Chiu, RC Bagumbayan Manila wrote: It is of great pride for us Legacy Presidents of D3810 to be a part of RY 08-09 when Don Emilio Yap made the sizeable contribution to the Foundation to merit being inducted into the Arch Klumph Society. We hope that there are still many taipans like him who would see the significance of contributing to RI's Annual Programs and Permanent Fund, which supports humanitarian projects on a global scale. Cheers!

At 1:07PM on 17 August 2009, Lenny Carrillo, RC Rizal West 3830 wrote: Dr Emilio Yap truly deserves to be in the Arch Klumph society. He has been in the forefront of every humanitarian and philantropic endeavors. We salute you Dr.Emilio Yap, and proud to be a Filipino!

At 1:08PM on 17 August 2009, Arthleen M. Fetalvero wrote: It is a joy to know that there is a Filipino who has been gracious in donating to RI and in return will help more Filipinos because of more RI projects that RI will fund. God Bless You Mr. Emilio Yap. Press On.

At 1:09PM on 17 August 2009, Lucy Pendon wrote: May I convey my sincere congratulations and heartfelt gratitude for your very generous contribution Mr. Yap. Although I am now a Texan, I must say you make me very proud of my Filipino heritage. Having been a Rotarian for 19 years and having chaired our Club Foundation and District Annual Giving, I know your generous contribution will go a long way in helping the less fortunate. Our "kababayans" will benifit a lot from the programs of the RI and TRF.Again, thank you .

At 2:53PM on 14 August 2009, Euly N. Bona, RC Iligan North, D-3870 wrote: I am greatly fascinated and felt elated that a country man has been inducted a member of the prestigious Arch C. Klump Society of Rotary International. Mr. Yap is a renowed business leader in the Philippines.

At 2:55PM on 14 August 2009, Charter President Lynda C. Reyes wrote: We, from the Rotary Club of Quezon City-Pearl of the Orient, District 3780, Philippines salute you, Mr. Yap! As Filipinos, we stand tall and proud that one of our countrymen would be honored for his generous contribution to the Rotary Foundation. Congratulations and God Bless you!

At 2:58PM on 14 August 2009, Manny Reyes wrote: We truly appreciate the kindness of Don Emilio Yap for hi continuos support of the programs of the Foundation and congratulate him for being an Arch C. Klumph member. However, he is not the first Filipino to be such - the irst one is Mr. Angelo King. Don Emilio Yap may perhaps be called the first Filipino Rotarian (being an Honoray Member of 3 clubs) to be such. Saludos, Don Emilio.

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