Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo celebrated his 90th birthday on Aug. 7, 2023, with his family, friends, and former colleagues.
Below are excerpts of his speech delivered during his birthday party at a Rotary Club gathering, where he emphasized the guiding principles of Rotary's Four-Way Test and how it mirrored his career path.
Romulo was born in 1933 in Camiling, Tarlac. He graduated from De La Salle University with the degree Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Thereafter he went to the MLQ University College of Law and then to Unibersidad de Madrid graduating Doctor of Laws Sobresaliente.
He began his political career in 1984, when he was elected as a member of the Regular Batasang Pambansa, representing Quezon City. He was also a senator from 1987 to 1998 and became the Majority Leader for five years.
He served in various cabinet positions under different administrations. He was Finance Secretary in 2001 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and later Executive Secretary. He was appointed Foreign Secretary in 2004 and held the position until 2011 under President Benigno Aquino III. He was also the Chairman of ASEAN in 2007.
Here is Romulo’s speech:
“This happy occasion reminds me of Charlie Chaplin who lived up to his late 80’s.
When asked how he managed to live so long a life. Chaplin reportedly attributed his longevity to three factors – laughter, family and friends.
As I celebrate with you my 90th birthday, all three are present here in abundance – laughter, family and friends.
I’m truly proud to be a Rotarian. And I am grateful beyond words to Rotary.
Rotary introduced me to its Four-Way Test and to the wonderful world of service – “Of service above self.” Service to our fellow men, service to our communities and service to our country.
Rotary's Four-Way Test is biblical: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Rotary’s Test no. 1 – I will always uphold the truth; Rotary’s Test no. 2 – I will always strive to be fair in all my dealings with my fellow men; Rotary’s Test no. 3 – I will always endeavor to build goodwill and understanding in my community among my countrymen and among people of all nations; Rotary’s Test no. 4 – I will always seek to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the spirit of Rotary service.
“Service above self” and Rotary’s Four-Way Test have been my lodestar throughout my career in government and in public service – in the Senate, Foreign Affairs, Finance and as Executive Secretary.
Forty-five years ago, in 1978, I was elected by you as RCM’s 59th president. 1978 also coincided with Rotary’s diamond anniversary in Asia and in the Philippines. For RCM was Rotary’s first club not only in the Philippines but in all Asia as well.
During my presidency in 1978, I met and was friends with many RCM presidents. The careers of these RCM presidents stood out as inspiration to me in the public positions I later held and occupied. Among them were: Senate President Gil Puyat who was its 23rd president in 1940 and then it 25th in 1945; Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. Romulo who was its president in 1935; Finance Secretary Eduardo Romualdez who was its president in 1953-1954; Executive Secretary Emilio Abello who was its president in 1961-1962.
Little did I know then that one day in my lifetime I would be holding positions in the legislative and executive departments that RCM presidents Senator Gil Puyat, General Romulo, Secretaries Romualdez and Abello held with great distinction, fame and honor.
Later, the time came when I finally occupied the positions they had held: In the Senate where I was Majority Leader; in the DFA as Foreign Secretary; in the DOF as Finance Secretary; and in Malacañang as Executive Secretary.
Even when they were gone and no longer with us, I continued to remember each of them as model, inspiration, and lodestar.
Let me mention a major event during my presidency in 1978.
As president, I initiated and launched the Tower Awards to honor the 10 outstanding workers of our country. Since 1978, the Tower Awards has been RCM‘s annual presentation to our country and our people.
Fellow Rotarians, today let us again dedicate ourselves to the ideals of Rotary –to the Four-Way Test and to “service above self.”
Those who started Rotary here and abroad were all dreamers and visionaries. They built with vision an enduring and international edifice of understanding, humanitarianism, fellowship, and goodwill. They dared to dream that through the ideal of service, they could lift the burdens, improve the lot and enrich the lives of men and nations and thereby built a better life and a better world for all of us.
Let us continue to pursue this vision. Let us continue to pursue this dream. Until we prevail.