It was another Rotary Day, but this time, the RC Makati team led by Pres. Bing Matoto with PE Keith Harrison, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, Dir. Winston Uy, incoming Dir. Andy Mañalac, and PP Louie Aseoche, had a special destination: Isabela, for a series of impactful Rotary activities.
The day started with a chartered plane ride from Pasay, courtesy of Dir. Winston, taking them on an hour-long journey over the picturesque fields of northern Luzon before arriving at Cauayan airport.
Their first stop was a visit to a tobacco field in Reina Mercedes, managed by Universal Leaf, as part of a vocational tour. Here, they witnessed a demonstration of the process of curing or drying tobacco in barns after harvest.
Next, the team visited Mallalantang Elementary School, where over 100 eager schoolchildren belonging to families of farmers in Cauayan were waiting in the shade to greet them. The school is the beneficiary of books from the club’s “Books Across the Seas” program, which dovetails with Universal Leaf’s “Let’s Play After School Program.” This joint initiative also included the donation of educational toys and equipment for physical activities like basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
A short program followed, with messages of support from Pres. Bing, Dir. Winston and Michee dela Cruz-San Pascual, Director for Corporate Affairs & Compliance of ULPI, highlighting the importance of education and community involvement.
The team then enjoyed a quick lunch, graced by the presence of Mayor Malou Saguban of Reina Mercedes, the team launched the “Functional Literacy Program” at San Fermin Elementary School in partnership with Teach for the Philippines (TFP). Pres. Bing, Dir. Rodrigo, and Ma. Victoria Ungco, CEO of TFP, highlighted the importance of partnerships in improving education.
Supported by RC Makati with a donation of P400K, the program aims to benefit 300 public school students by developing basic literacy and numeracy skills, with a focus on involving guardians in home learning. A tour revealed classrooms in need of repair, prompting a request for a school library.
Next, the group paid a visit to the Philippine Red Cross branch where they were met by the Red Cross staff and members of our brother club, RC Cauayan led by Pres. Czarah Dy to show the refrigerant for storage of blood that RC Cauayan was able to secure a Global Grant for with RC Singapore. They also discussed with Pres Bing a possible co-funding for another cold storage for collected blood in the facility.
The day was capped by a fellowship dinner at the ULPI guest house where partners and participants from ULPI, Teach the Philippines, and RC Cauayan merged to celebrate a full day of service with a sumptuous dinner buffet and overflowing drinks hosted by Dir Winston.
The Rotary Day in Isabela was a true reflection of Rotary’s ideals of Service and Fellowship, showcasing the impact that can be made when individuals from different regions come together with a common goal of making a difference in their community.