For 59 years, RC Makati has built a long-standing history of service and impact. Among its most significant milestones is an event that holds a special place in Rotary International’s legacy: the very first drop of the Polio vaccine, administered at our Clubhouse in Guadalupe Viejo. On September 29, 1979, then Rotary International President James Bomar delivered the historic drop, a moment that was broadcast worldwide, igniting the global movement to eradicate polio.
In honor of this pivotal moment, on August 19, RC Makati hosted a Polio Commemoration event at the Clubhouse. The gathering marked 45 years of Rotary’s enduring fight to end polio and was attended by RI President-Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo during his 5-day visit to the Philippines.
The event began with a vitamin drop for the children of Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, led by RIPE Mario and Pres. Keith Harrison, in the Clubhouse parking lot. Due to the successful implementation of the End Polio campaign, all children in the community had already been immunized, so instead, vitamin A supplements were given.
The formal program then continued on the 3rd floor of the Paing Hechanova Creativity Center at the Clubhouse, moderated by PE Eddie Galvez. DGE Reggie Nolido delivered the welcome and opening remarks, which was followed by a moving video presentation with a narration by Ann Cey Ponferrada. The video presentation included video footages of the historic events of 45 years ago as presented by the late PRID Paing Hechanova as well as excerpts of the speech of PRIP Mat Caparas, who was then Rotary International Director, during the very first drop of the Polio vaccine 45 years ago.
PDG Marilou Co, End Polio Zone Coordinator, provided an update on current End Polio initiatives and presented Polio bears as giveaways to the dignitaries.
The End Polio Commemoration event was chaired by Sec. Regi Ponferrada, with support from Pres. Keith, DGE Reggie, PE Eddie, and Paolo Turno. Many members actively participated, including PDG Tony Quila, IPP Bing Matoto, PP Fred Parungao, VP/Dir. Chris Ferareza, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, CB Rivilla, and Anns Rachel Harrison and Sue Ann Nolido.
In his keynote address, RIPE Mario reflected on the origins of the fight against polio, sharing how, in early 1979, then RI President Clem Renouf was inspired by the elimination of smallpox and envisioned the use of the 3H Grants (Health, Hunger & Humanity Grants) to eradicate another disease. From that vision, the first immunization project in the Philippines was born. Mario emphasized that today’s battle is not just against the polio virus but against mindsets, politics, and misinformation, which continue to pose significant challenges.
Other Rotary dignitaries from the Philippines present were PRID Guiller Tumangan, PRID Raffy Garcia, PDG Ernie Choa, PDG Penny Policarpio, PDG Oliver Ong, PDG Johnny Gaw, PDG Gina Sy, and the DGEs from the 10 districts. The event was held in coordination with officials of Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo through Chairman Heinz Angeles and Kagawad Shirley Borja.
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