27/09/2026
β¨ A New Chapter for the Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan β¨
The Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan proudly inducted the youngest President in its history, High Impact President Sandie Bondad, during its 42nd Handover and Induction Ceremonies on September 23, 2026.
The evening marked both the culmination of an incredible year of leadership and the beginning of a new chapter for Downtown San Juan as we entered Rotary Year 2026β2027.
We were honored to share this special occasion with District Governor Celso Montalla, Immediate Past District Governor Gina Sanchez, Past District Governors, district officers, High Impact Presidents, Good Presidents, fellow Rotarians, our families, friends, guests, and distinguished dignitaries who joined us in celebrating this milestone.
At the heart of the evening was the conclusion of an incredible year under Immediate Past President Heman Leopando, whose leadership, generosity, and service have left a lasting mark on Downtown San Juan.
And because a simple handover apparently wasnβt enough for us, we decided IPP Heman also needed to graduate. ππ
In what we hope becomes a new Downtown San Juan tradition, IPP Heman received his very own βdiplomaβ before making his way through his fellow club members, shaking everyoneβs hands graduation-style as we celebrated the completion of his year as President.
Leadership was then formally handed over to HIP Sandie, together with the officers of the Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan for Rotary Year 2026β2027.
Of course, no memorable Rotary event would be complete without a little behind-the-scenes adventure. π
There were last-minute discoveries, a temporarily missing gavel, a search for a podium/rostrum, program adjustments, and our now-familiar technical difficulties making an appearance at exactly the right time.
And somewhere in the middle of all the scrambling came another reminder of something special about Rotary: our families become part of the journey too.
When we needed a podium at the last minute, HIP Sandieβs mother, Susan Olayvar, stepped in and helped make it happen, one of those small moments behind the scenes that meant much more than it seemed.
Because behind so many Rotarians are parents, spouses, partners, families, and friends who support the work, help when something goes wrong, and celebrate every milestone alongside us.
Somehow, though, everything came together.
And perhaps that is Rotary in its own way: people stepping up, finding solutions, laughing through the unexpected, and making things happen together.
We were also proud to welcome the newest members of the Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan. Congratulations to Gabe Toledo, Shaquille βShaqβ Sarmiento, Andrew Lim, and Raj Sadhwani as they officially begin their Rotary journey.
May this be the beginning of many years of friendship, fellowship, service, and meaningful impact.
Our heartfelt appreciation as well to Jonathan Badon for sharing his voice with us on this very special occasion, and to our wonderful Master of Ceremonies Steffi Lucero, for keeping the evening moving through every planned and occasionally unplanned moment. π
Thank you to Governor Celso Montalla for his message, guidance, encouragement, and continued confidence in our club as we begin this new Rotary year.
And to every Rotarian, spouse, family member, guest, friend, district officer, and member of our Rotary family who joined us: thank you for being part of this milestone.
The evening may not have gone exactly according to script.
But sometimes, those are the nights we remember the most.
Behind every last-minute adjustment, technical difficulty, laugh, handshake, speech, and unexpected moment was a club, together with the people who support it, celebrating where we have been and where we are going next.
As HIP Sandie begins this new chapter, one message remains at the heart of the year ahead:
This is not my club. This is our club.
Our successes will be ours.
Our challenges and learnings will be ours.
And whatever we accomplish this year, may we create something every member of the Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan can proudly call their own.
Hereβs to another year of friendship, fellowship, service, family, and Creating Lasting Impact. ππ
Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan
Rotary Year 2026β2027
