2008 Taipei Rotary Zone institute

After Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Taiwan in 1949, Chiang felt it was difficult to accommodate foreign

ambassadors, as there weren't any five-star hotels in Taipei. Thus, he wanted to build an extravagant hotel to treat

foreign guests. His wife Soong May-ling suggested to build it on the old Taiwan Hotel on Yuanshan Mountain, the

site of the ruins of the Taiwan Grand Shrine, a Shinto shrine during the Japanese rule. Chiang decided on a

Taiwanese palace-style architecture to promote Taiwanese culture to the West through its extravagance. Taipei-

based architect Yang Cho-Cheng was responsible for the design of the new hotel.

The hotel was established in the May of 1952, but it was expanded several times before it became the landmark as

it is known today. The swimming pool, tennis court, and the membership lounge were constructed in 1953, and

Golden Dragon Pavilion and Golden Dragon Restaurant opened in 1956. The Jade Phoenix Pavilion and Chi-Lin

Pavilion opened in 1958 and 1963, respectively. In 1968, the hotel was rated as one of the world's top ten hotels

by the US Fortune magazine. And finally, in the Double Tenth Day of 1973, the main Grand Hotel building was

completed, making it an instant Taipei icon. It is a famous landmark located atop a hill overlooking Taipei City and

is owned by the Duen-Mou Foundation of Taiwan, a non-profit organization, and has played host to many foreign

dignitaries that have visited Taipei.

In June 1995, a disastrous fire broke out on the roof during necessary reconstruction and refurbishment, and

because neither ladders nor high pressure pumps could reach the fire, the roof and the upper floors were

destroyed. Not until 1998 did the hotel recover from the damage and became fully reopened to the public.

Following the fire, the two dragon heads on the roof were rotated 180 degrees to point inwards. As dragons are

traditionally a symbol of rain and water, this was intended to symbolize preparedness against a future fire.

The hotel's roof is currently the world's largest Chinese classical style roof. With its vermilion columns, the roof

makes the hotel a visible showplace of Chinese architecture and culture. The hotel itself contains numerous

objects d'art, wall panels, paintings,

carvings, and significant restaurants. Dragon motifs are frequently intertwined throughout the various structures

that make up the hotel, earning the hotel the name "The Dragon Palace". Besides dragons, lion and ume flower

motifs also make a significant presence in the hotel.

Each of the eight guest levels represent a different Chinese dynasty, as reflected through the murals and general

decor. The hotel has a total of 490 rooms.The rooms facing south have a paranomic view of Taipei City. The

presidential suite, as the hotel claims, has former President Chiang Kai-shek's desk and Madame Chiang's

dressing table.

Ever since the opening of the hotel, rumour had it that some secret passages ran from the hotel for Chiang's

convenience. The truth was uncovered after the 1995 fire, as part of the safety commission that was conducted.

The secret passages were revealed to be two air-raid tunnels, each of them 180m in length leading to nearby

parks, not the presidential residence or the emergency headquarters as rumours had suggested. The western

passage is equipped with a slide for the disabled as an alternative to the spiraling stairs. The exits are obscured

with concrete walls, thus escaping public detection for decades. The tunnels have a maximum capacity of about

10,000 people. As of 2005, the tunnels are closed to the public except for special events, when hotel officials invite

the press and public inside the tunnels for a tour.

Former Philippine senator and opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr. was at the Grand Hotel on August 20, 1983,

the day before he returned to the Philippines and was assassinated. In his pre-return interview at his suite, Ninoy

anticipated the worst that could happen upon his return.

My first visit to Taipeh (spelled with an h then) was as a gawky teenager in the mid 1960’s, on

the second leg of a tour to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan as a college graduation gift from my

mother who accompanied us together with my 3 elder brothers, two cousins, and several friends.

The tiny Taipeh airport then was located near a grassy field very close to the city and we were

whisked into a hotel in no time. Taipeh was like a sleepy dragon waiting to awaken. We had an

unforgettable visit with a family friend who was married to an American serviceman at their place

located near the Peitou district. Our visit to Yangmingshan National Park was specially memorable

as I still remember vividly the lovely temples, the glorious scenery and the cool, crisp weather.

After that first visit, there were several more...this time as the spouse of a Past DIstrict

Governor...Ben and I were in Taipei for our first Zone 4 Institute on December 12-14 in 1986 with

about 150 RI Officers in Asia Zone Four attending. This was hosted by the Rotary club of Taipei.

In 1994 the Rotary International Convention was held from June 12-15 in Taipei City and this was

chaired by PDG George Huang. The venue was held at the huge Taipei World Trade Convention

& Exhibition Center and guests of honor included R.I. President Robert Barth and R.I. President-

Elect Bill Huntley. We stayed at the Grand Hotel then, but in subsequent Zone institutes we stayed

at the Howard Hotel then back again at Grand Hotel. In Ben’s stint as Regional Rotary Foundation

Coordinator from 1996 to 1998 we revisited K.L Malaysia, Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong and

Taipei (which included Taichung and Kaoshuing). In our last visit there we were given a room at

the Grand Hotel Annex so we didn’t have any view had a long way to walk to the lobby.

For this Institute we requested for a room with a view and we got it, thanks to PDG Frederick Lin

who was in charge of Accommodations. We came three days early and luckily PDG Melito Salazar

and his spouse Amy came in the same day so we were met at the airport by Rotarians and

whisked to Grand Hotel in no time. The last time I saw this historic hotel, it stood proudly by itself

on a hill and could be viewed for miles and miles around. This time, several fly-overs cris-crossed

and marred the view of the Grand Hotel’s majestic solitary presence.

The first thing that greeted us as soon as we entered the lobby was an enormous flower

arrangement. Right in the middle of the gigantic lobby was a huge Chinese console table topped

with a blue and white vase filled with lavender phalaenopsis orchids which we thought were

artificial, but upon coming closer and touching them, the orchids turned out to be real. They were

strewn all over the hotel in smaller arrangements which served to unite the overall hotel decor.

Soon after we checked in, we were quite famished so we partook of the High Tea buffet at the left

side of the lobby. The menu selection was so much, we had a more than 25-course buffet dinner.

Having arrived on October 13, 3 days earlier to gave us plenty of time roam around Taipei. We

visited the Palace Museum by taking the Hotel Shuttle Bus that left the hotel every half hour. The

bus dropped us at the main MRT station and quickly reached Shinlin station. Then we took bus

no. 340 which deposited us right in front of The Palace Museum. We were able to tour the

Museum for only three hours, so we vowed to come back a few days later.

In the meantime...the DGEs and DGNs trickled in for the GETS and GNTS training seminars on

October 15-16. PDG Melito Salazar, spouse Amy, PDG Rudy Estrellado and spouse Linda, PDG

Guiller Tumangan and PDG David Villanueva, all from the Philippines, were part of the GETS

Team headed by Chairman PDG Hoe Beng Fong of Singapore. There were other Training

Leaders like PDG Jason Yeung and PDG Y. K. Cheng, both of Hong Kong, PDG John Cheah

Kam Loong of Singapore and PDG Saowalak Rattanavich of Thailand. The GETS Ladies program

was ably headed by Spouse Betty Hsu and there has been a new addition this year...a Hair and

Make-up Session held at the Taipei Mentor Hair Salon Headquarters. There was even a

Graduation Dinner for all of the participants held at the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel.

By October 17, the lobby of the Grand Hotel was teeming with Rotarians. They all trooped to the

Grand Ballroom at the 12th Floor for the 4 p.m. Opening Ceremony. A professional choral group

sang popular Rotary songs and other old favorites just before the Opening Ceremony that was full

of color, pomp and pageantry. The official opening done by Convenor Jackson, President D.K.

Lee and TRF Chair Jonathan Mujayagbe started with a loud burst of white mist up into the air.

Suddenly, there entered in the hall, a face-painted, fierce-looking costumed figure holding a sword

carried by four men on a wooden pedestal. He was followed by six gigantic masked costumed

figures in flowing embroidered silk robes and they all slowly converged to the stage. The parade

and entrance of flags carried by red-costumed youngsters was very impressive. There followed a

program of perfomers, noisy drum beaters, lion dances, war dances and folk dances. It was like a

riot of colors topped by a loud popping burst of shiny confetti coming out from the hihg ceiling to

complete the very festive atmosphere.

After all of the performers were acknowledged by no less than President D.K. Lee and the other

officers, only then did the main program begin and First Lady Young Ja started with an Invocation,

followed by Welcome Remarks by Institute Chair PDG Micro C. Lin and the Opening Remarks by

Convenor RI Director Jackson Hsieh. Past Vice President Gary C.K. Huang did an excellent job

introducing the VIP guests and all the Rotarian delegates who came. He likewise introduced RI

President D.K. Lee whose Institute Address was simultaneously translated into Mandarin by PDG

Pauline Leung, the Secretary of the Zone institute.

After the Opening Ceremony, cocktails was served at the first floor. At the lobby, all of the

performers gamely posed for souvenir shots with the Rotarians. We found some members from

the Rotary Club of Metro Clark and we posed infront of the lovely “Orchid Tree” as it came to be

known. After a while everyone hurried up again to the Grand Ballroom on the 12th Floor for the

10-course Chinese Dinner hosted by His Excellency Ma Yin Jeou, the very tall and good-looking

President of Taiwan. When he came out on stage to deliver his speech in impeccable English, all

the ladies were swooning and when he came down from the stage, to shake hands, everyone

craned their necks to get a closer look at him.

Upper left: His Excellency, President Ma Yin Jeou; Upper Right: PDGs Danny Espinosa, Yu Beng Chua, PCRG Chair Alex

Huang Below left: RI Director-Elect Paul and spouse Diane Netzel; Center Right: DGEs Dulce, and Oyan Villanueva with

PDG Mustapha Ma and Ben; Below Right: Ben and Josie with Past RI President MAT Caparas

After the Opening Ceremony and very sumptuous 10-course “Lauriat” Dinner hosted by the

President of Taiwan. we were ready to hit the sack but we found it hard to sleep after all the food

we partook. We didn’t know that for the next three days we would be fed this way.

At 10 a.m. the next day, we all registered for the Spouses’ Program which was hosted spouse

Betty Hsu. She invited Chiyun of Chiyun Living & Deco House to give lectures and live

demonstrations on modern Ikebana arrangements for the 4 Seasons. We were all fascinated by

his arrangements where-in fruits and blooms were incorporated in the unique style. So, after the

Spouses’ Program all the spouses went up again to the Grand Ballroom and this time the 10-

course lunch was hosted by Taipei City Mayor Hau who also spoke to the Rotarians in very good

English.

After lunch I had to hurry to the auditorium to listen to Ben D3790 who was a panelist on the $100

Million Challenge to help Polio Eradication. Other panelists were PDG Vitt Gutierrez D3790, PDG

Jamaluddin Miah, D3290,and PDG Abu A.M. Mohsin D3270, on the same subject. THe Moderator

was PDG Tony Hung of D3450 with PDg Ritje Rihatinah, D3400 and PDG Wichai

Maneewacharakiet D3330.

After this there was a coffee break and we went back to the auditorium to listen to PRIP Mat

Caparas expound on Universal Literacy with the Megumi Reader, his pet project. After this was

the turn of PRIP Bhichai Rattakul and his topic was “The Magic of Rotary”. We were all

mesmerized by the two speakers who were still both dynamic and eloquent speakers. Water

Management was expounded by RI Director Paul Netzel (who was a Training Leader in Anaheim

in 2004 together with Ben when PRIP Bill Boyd was then their Moderator, before he became RI

President). RI DIrector John Laurence spoke next on Health and Hunger Concerns, a great

problem of developing countries. Then, RI Director Phil Silvers spoke on Literacy, a problem even

in developed countries.

Below left: Panelists at the Workshop for the $100 Million Challenge to help Polio Eradication: Below right: PDG Ruben G.

Henson speaking about Polio Eradication. Lower photos: PRIP MAT Caparas, PRIP, Bhichai Rattakul and RI Diector Paul

Netzel

The Rotarians later regrouped into several smaller workshops. This workshop portion was

designed to be forums for the discussion of topics and issues rellevant today. It is an excellent

opportunity for participants to be given a chance of sharing ideas and experiences.

It is quite interesting to note that several of Ben’s classmates as Training Leaders in Anaheim in

2004 were now Rotary Officers, headed of course by incumbent RI Vice President Monty J.

Audenart of Canada, RI Director Paul Netzel of the USA, and RI Director-Elect Masahiro Kuroda

of Japan. There are 2 other Directors-Elect, from the same year...Noel Bajat of the USA, and

Michele Dumont of Belgium.

Below left: Ben with RIVP Monty Audenart and PDG Peter Kam To Wan of HK D 3450; Below right: with DGEs James

“McGyver” Macasiar & spouse Tess, DGE Manny Uy & spouse Josie , DGN Teddy Locson & spouse Vanjie and other

Filipino DGNs at the Welcome Dinner.

Above left: RI Director Paul Netzel and spouse Diane with PRIP MAT Caparas; Above right: Ben with DGN from Cebu Teddy

Locson and spouse Vanjie with their Rotarian friends. Left: The “Million Dollar Man” a Rotarian from Taipei receiving the RI

Crystal for donating One Million dollars to Rotary International. Right: TRF Trustee Sakuji Tanaka, Chair of the 2009

Birmingham Rotary Convention promotting the Convention

At the International Fellowship Banquet Dinner everyone came in their native costumes. Before

the12-course dinner it was announced that from the expected attendance of 800, more than 1,200

came and the Philippines came in second with almost 300 delegates. Director-Elect Masahiro

Kuroda of Japan offered a Toast on the very successful Zone institute in Taipei. TRF Trustee

Sakuji Tanaka and Chair of the Birmingham Convention, showed a video of Birmingham, England,

the venue of the 2009 Rotary International Convention and urged everyone to attend the RI

Convention. PDG Frederick Lin on the other hand promotted the Asia-Pacific Breakfast which he

chaired. Last but not least, PDG Guiller Tumangan invited all Filipino Rotarians to come up on

stage to sing “Manila, Manila” as an invitation to all present to go and attend the 2009 Zone

Institute to be held in Manila. We were so crowded on stage we were afraid it might collapse...but

it held, and after we got down, the entertainment by the vaious countries commenced.

We decided to sneak out as we had an early flight the next morning. We would miss the farewell

lunch which would have been another “Lauriat”, but we were ready to go home. I gained so much

weight I could hardly fit in the formal Barong gown that I wore for the Fellowship dinner. We would

miss our room though, which was our cozy nest for the last 6 days...and the view from our

balcony.

The Grand Hotel (Chinese: 圓山大飯店;) literally means "Yuanshan Grand Hotel"

The 2008 Taipei Rotary Zone Institute by Rtn. Josie D. Henson

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