Severe Tropical Storm Kristine brought extensive devastation across 17 regions in the Philippines, leaving approximately 7.1 million people affected, with a tragic trail of destruction. Over 935,000 individuals sought refuge in evacuation centers or found temporary shelter with relatives or friends as Kristine damaged more than 83,000 houses and destroyed 61,746 hectares of crops. This catastrophe severely impacted transportation and communication networks, making it the deadliest cyclone to hit the country this year.
In response, RC Makati launched a significant relief operation spearheaded by the club’s disaster relief committee, led by committee chair Dir. Chris Ferareza and overseen by Dir. Johnny Ang. This timely initiative extended crucial support to over 1,700 families—benefiting at least 5,300 individuals—across seven provinces hit hardest by the storm.
Despite the challenges posed by impassable roads, intermittent communications, and power outages, the committee maintained close contact with local partners in the affected areas to coordinate aid. The RC Makati warehouse was stocked with relief supplies, with Rotaractors led by Pres. Hira Hermoso, conducting a large-scale repacking effort on October 24 to ensure swift delivery to those in need.
October 25 marked the beginning of hands-on relief efforts. With the first signs of sunshine, CoS Ron Dotaro traveled to Bauan, Batangas, where he distributed around 160 mats and blankets to families sheltered at the local evacuation center in partnership with RC Downtown Batangas. Additionally, RC Makati provided meals to 150 UPLB students stranded on campus due to limited access to resources, including water, electricity, and transportation, with the support of UPSILON and Sigma Delta Phi through our Rotaractor Karylle.
On the same day, RC Makati partnered with RC Tuguegarao, led by Pres. Arnel Taguinod, to deliver relief goods to 500 families in two affected areas in Cagayan.
The relief efforts continued on October 26, when PDG Pepz Bengzon and CoS Ron embarked on a five-hour journey to Lingayen. In partnership with RC Lingayen, led by Pres. Nikhil Chandra Dey, they distributed 140 mats and blankets to families in the flood-ravaged Aplaya Resettlement near Lingayen Gulf. Meanwhile, Dir. Chris Ferareza and PE Eddie Galvez headed to Bay, Laguna, where, in partnership with RC Bay, led by Pres. Chea Violanta, they distributed mats, blankets, and food packs to over 300 families still residing in evacuation centers. Later that day, Rotaractors gathered again at the Clubhouse to prepare an additional 300 food packs for upcoming distributions.
On October 27, Pres. Keith Harrison and PDG Pepz traveled to Isabela, delivering P60,000 to support RC Cauayan’s relief mission, which provided food packs to 200 families in need.
By October 28, RC Makati was on its fourth day of relief missions, returning to Batangas—this time to assist Talisay, where recent landslides had claimed at least 20 lives. In response to an urgent request from Balibago Waterworks through PP Tito Panlilio, CoS Ron represented the Club for the delivery of 300 food packs and 50 sets of mats and blankets, which were distributed across three evacuation sites, including Balibago headquarters, now a temporary shelter for affected staff.
Despite additional aid from various organizations, needs remain critical in Talisay, where many families face prolonged displacement due to destroyed homes in high-risk zones.
On October 30, Pres. Keith traveled to Laurel, Batangas, where RC Makati distributed 80 sets of mats and blankets to families still in evacuation shelters, again in partnership with Balibago Waterworks.
To date, RC Makati has provided relief goods valued at P474,000, reaching impacted communities in Batangas, Laguna, Pangasinan, Isabela, and Cagayan. This was made possible through nearly P900,000 in generous donations from RC Makati members Jun Abrazaldo, Rante Aguila, PP Fidel Alfonso, Felix Ang, Dir. Johnny Ang, Arthur Antonino, PP Louie Aseoche, George Barcelon, James Bosch, Gani Buenaflor, Chito Cantada, Malik Melvin Castelino, Philip Cea, Roger Collantes, PP Jun Jun Dayrit, Leo de Leon, Anonymous, Paquito Dizon, PP Michael Escaler, Aiai Galvez, PE Eddie Galvez, PDG Sid Garcia, Shav Halley, Michael Hsu, Pres. Keith Harrison, Harley Leano, Julian Lim, PP Rene Limjoco, Tony Lopez, Wash Lou, Dir. Neil Makasiar, Andy Mañalac, PP Peter Manzano, PP Conrad Marty, IPP Bing Matoto, PP Bimbo Mills, David Nithyananthan, DGE Reggie Nolido and PEs, Manny Padiernos, Jun Palafox, PP Tito Panlilio, PP Fred Pascual, Freddie Placino, Andrew Prieto, PDG Tony Quila, PP Charlie Rufino, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, Ronnie Siasoyco, Philip Soliven, Johnny Sy, Dir. Derrick Tan, Johnson Tan, Mike Toledo, Dir. Winston Uy, PP Eddie Yap, Sam Young and PP Roland Young.
With Typhoon Leon hitting Northern Luzon and Typhoon Nica crossing Luzon just yesterday, RC Makati remains vigilant in monitoring these storms. The Club is prepared to deploy additional goods as needed, using ongoing member donations. Plans are also underway for post-rehabilitation initiatives, particularly in severely impacted regions such as Bicol, where many families will face an extended period of recovery.
RC Makati remains steadfast in its mission to support Filipino communities through immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts, demonstrating resilience and compassion in the face of adversity. (Note: “resilience” is an overused term, that already acquires a negative connotation, as it seems to excuse the government from fulfilling its task in preempting the readiness efforts in communities that will be affected by a typhoon.)
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