The New Gen community of District 3830 is flourishing, as demonstrated by the successful ICON 2024 Interact Convention held on June 1, 2024, at Poblacion National High School in Muntinlupa City. The event, themed “Showcasing Leadership and Talents like an Icon,” was hosted by RC Alabang-Daang Hari and RAC San Beda College Alabang, bringing together the eight active Interact Clubs in District 3830. Among the youth leaders present were officers and members of the Interact Club of Gen. Pio Del Pilar National High School, sponsored by RC Makati. The attendees included Pres. Mikhaylla Jamias, Xian Guillermo, Daisyre Bolaños, Symon Rodrick, Jhayzielle Pearl Jamias, Joanna Figuerroa, Sammuelle Chavez, Gianna Navales, Owen Cayanan, Cathlyne Iglesia, Merie Austria, and their new club adviser, Mrs. Arlene Okuma. The convention began with the standard protocol: an invocation, the national anthem, a call to order, acknowledgment of guests, and a warm-up activity led by RAC San Beda College Alabang. TGP Heaven Penaflorida of RC Makati Bel-Air opened the program with a session on Personality Development, followed by Mr. Carlos Flores, Admission Coordinator of San Beda College Alabang, who spoke on Career Orientation. PP Marge Lamberte of RC Paranaque Metro provided an overview of the Rotary world, detailing the roles and connections between Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary. Lastly, DGN Reggie Nolido delivered an inspiring talk on Servant Leadership. Mikhaylla Jamias shared her experience, highlighting how the workshop allowed participants to learn through their chosen activities and later perform them. She expressed gratitude to RC Makati for the opportunity to attend such a beneficial workshop. The workshop included lessons on basic techniques for singing, dancing, and acting. Participants showcased theater songs in the singing segment, while the dancing part emphasized open acting dancing. The event was filled with opportunities for learning and personal growth. Each guest speaker shared valuable insights, enriching the overall experience. Before the event concluded, there was a photo op session to capture the memorable moments shared by all. This successful event highlights the vitality of District 3830's New Gen community. Through the ICON 2024 Interact Convention, youth leaders were able to develop their leadership skills, showcase their talents, and strengthen their connections within the Interact community.

On May 30, RC Makati actively participated in a significant outreach project organized by the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ) in Rosario, Cavite. This initiative was part of the celebration commemorating the 44th Anniversary of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority – Cavite Economic Zone (PEZA-CEZ). The project was a collaborative effort between RC Makati and the University of the Philippines Association (UPAA). RC Makati delegates, DGN Reggie Nolido and baby Rotarian Michael Hsu, were warmly welcomed by the Cavite Economic Zone administrator, Atty. Norma Tañag, and Ms. Gabby Aranton, who represented her father, Mr. Robert Aranton, the UPAA President, who initially requested the club’s support for this mission. The event aimed to provide free medical and dental services to nearly 300 zone workers and their dependents from various CEZ enterprises. The club generously donated a variety of medicines and books from their Books Across the Seas (BATS) Program to support this cause. The medical and dental assistance was made possible by volunteer doctors from the 402nd Community Defense Center (CDC) Enlisted Reservist in Cavite, whose dedication was instrumental in the success of the mission. This collaboration between RC Makati and UPAA marks the second partnership between the two organizations, following their successful medical-dental mission and book donation event in Barangay Mayondon, Los Baños, Laguna, on April 28.

The prestigious Golf Tournament of Champions was held on May 24, 2024, at the picturesque Forest Hills Golf and Country Club. This much-anticipated event brought together some of the finest golfers, showcasing exceptional talent and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among participants. The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Pres. Bing Matoto, PDG Pepz Bengzon, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, PE Keith Harrison, DGN Reggie Nolido, Leo De Leon, Philip Mallari and Andrew Prieto. The competition was fierce, and several participants distinguished themselves with remarkable performances. Philip Mallari received the prize for Class A second runner-up with a commendable 30 points, while PDG Pepz Bengzon was awarded the prize for Class A first runner-up, also scoring 30 points. In the team category, RC Parañaque Poblacion emerged victorious with 130 points, followed closely by RC Makati West with 128 points, RC Parañaque East with 126 points, and RC Makati securing the 4th runner-up position with 111 points.

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Since the launch of the Save Our Reefs project in Narvacan in 2021 as a signature project of PP Peter Manzano during his presidency, RC Makati has made it a point to return year after year, not just to add more reef buds to the site but to use the opportunity to conduct service missions and connect with our brother clubs in Ilocos Sur. On June 1, RC Makati, led by Pres. Bing Matoto, embarked on a fulfilling day tour to serve the communities of Ilocos Sur. Traveling via the private plane of Universal Leaf through Dir. Winston Uy, the team arrived at the Vigan Airport and quickly proceeded to their first stop in Narvacan. The first stop was in Sulvec, Narvacan, the site of our Save Our Reefs project. Here, RC Makati deployed an additional 60 reef buds into the seas of Sulvec, bringing the total to 340 reef buds planted. This effort is in partnership with RC Narvacan. The reef buds contain the names of the new members and the guest speakers of the Club during its weekly luncheon meetings. Universal Leaf also added 20 more reef buds for this site. The team then proceeded to the People’s Center for a brief program and the ceremonial turnover of 3,600 books from the Books Across the Seas program. Messages were shared by Pres. Bing, Dir. Winston, RC Narvacan Pres. Caloy Valera, and Narvacan Mayor Pablito Sanidad. The program concluded with the turnover of a copy of the municipal resolution recognizing the club’s support to their town. After a quick lunch at Chad’s Café hosted by RC Narvacan, the team conducted an ocular visit to a potential site for Rotary Homes, hoping to provide houses to the needy. In the second leg of the tour, the team visited RC Vigan’s clubhouse, where they presented a joint project proposal for equipment to assess the eye health of students. The final stop was at Ilocos National High School, where RC Makati distributed more books from its Books Across the Seas program, furthering our commitment to education. Participating in the day's activities were Pres. Bing Matoto, Philip Soliven, Paolo Turno, and incoming Dir. Andy Manalac, along with Dir. Winston & Adette Uy. The day was marked by service and collaboration with our sister clubs in Ilocos Sur, reinforcing our dedication to making a positive impact in the community.

Art is a powerful and transformative tool for special needs children, offering a path to self-discovery, emotional well-being, and enhanced communication skills. Recognizing this potential, RC Makati, in collaboration with the Fernando Amorsolo Foundation, launched a series of art therapy sessions at Stepping Stone School in Parañaque. Held over four consecutive Fridays from May 3 to 24, these sessions provided special needs children with an opportunity to express themselves creatively in a supportive environment. The partnership with the Fernando Amorsolo Foundation ensured that the program was guided by expert facilitators who understood the unique needs of the participants. The Fernando Amorsolo Foundation being led by Mr. Nandy Amorsolo Lazo, the grandson of national artist Fernando Amorsolo, has long been committed to using art as a therapeutic tool, boasting a proven track record of conducting successful workshops for various groups, including persons with disabilities and patients in hospitals. The foundation's dedication to art therapy was brought to life at Stepping Stone School, where 16 children with special needs participated in the sessions. The first two sessions, held on May 3 and 10, focused on basic pencil and colored pencil drawing lessons. These sessions aimed to engage the children in fundamental art techniques, fostering their motor skills and encouraging creative expression. Mr. Lazo, along with his wife Mrs. Mary Ann I. Lazo, guided the children through these initial lessons, creating a nurturing environment where the young artists could explore and express their creativity. On May 17, the third session shifted to basic acrylic painting lessons. This session was attended by PP Rene Limjoco and Michael Hsu their presence highlighted the club's support and provided an opportunity to observe the positive impact of art therapy firsthand. The children were introduced to new techniques and mediums, allowing them to expand their artistic horizons. The final session, held on May 24, was dedicated to enhancing the children’s visualization skills in drawing. Rotarians Jolyon Tiglao, Boy Arteche, and Patrick Parungao attended this culminating session, this session aimed to build on the skills developed in previous weeks, enabling the children to translate their visual ideas onto paper with greater confidence and clarity. This series of art therapy sessions at Stepping Stone School exemplifies the profound impact that collaborative efforts can have on communities. The partnership between the RC Makati and the Fernando Amorsolo Foundation not only provided the children with special needs an opportunity to develop their artistic skills but also offered a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and personal growth. As these young artists continue their journeys, the lessons learned and the skills acquired during these sessions will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for their future endeavors. The Stepping Stone School, the RC Makati, and the Fernando Amorsolo Foundation have together illuminated a path towards a brighter, more inclusive future through the lens of art therapy.

Continuing the tradition of holding planning sessions out-of-town, the incoming RC Makati Board convened at Zambawood in San Narciso, Zambales. This trend, established during the term of IPP Michael Escaler in 2022 with a session at Punta Fuego in Batangas, and continued by Pres. Bing Matoto last year at Thunderbird in La Union, aims to foster camaraderie among board members. PE Keith Harrison felt that the out-of-town format effectively strengthens bonds and enhances team spirit. With this in mind, he chose the serene setting of Zambawood, their own resort in San Narciso, Zambales, to host this year's planning session. The trip started on May 17 with a lunch at Gourmet Garage at Subic Bay, serving as a second meeting point for the trip. After lunch, the team proceeded to their destination—Zambawood, a boutique resort that boasts six rooms, including two master bedrooms and four family rooms, a pool, and an entertainment area. The resort is surrounded by a pine forest perfect for photoshoots and is within walking distance from the beach. Upon arrival, the board members were welcomed with a round of welcome drinks and storytelling by the owners, PE Keith & Rachel Harrison, followed by a tour of the resort. The guests then settled into their rooms, while those who could not be accommodated were billeted at Penta Beach Resort, just a five-minute drive from Zambawood. In the evening, Zambawood was transformed into a more relaxing venue with cocktails by the pool and an acoustic band serenading the guests. After a sumptuous meal specially prepared by the resort, the usual singing and dancing capped off the day. The next day, May 18, breakfast was served at Julyan’s BNB, still within the Zambawood compound. This resort, ideal for a quick escape from the city, features four rooms and a large camping site for outdoor enthusiasts. After breakfast and a series of photo opportunities for the delegation, the RCM board settled into one of the rooms in Zambawood, which was converted into a boardroom setup. Meanwhile, the Anns enjoyed an outdoor trip, visiting the Magsaysay Museum and participating in a terrarium-making workshop, culminating with lunch at Ralli’s in Subic Bay. The RCM incoming board sat down for an almost 9-hour session that started at 9 AM and ended past 5 PM. The planning session, themed “Reboot, Refresh, Renew,” was facilitated by Lavi Penaverde, founder and chief learning enabler of Opus Ad Lucem Inc., with incoming RAED Doris Ensomo as the resource person. The session began with an activity where each member shared one thing they did differently in the recent past as a member of the Club. This was followed by a discussion on setting team norms for alignment and higher performance. The team committed to the following norms: Collaborative, Communicative, Strategic, and Accountable. PE Keith then shared his key thrusts for the incoming year, which include delivering all RI, TRF, and district targets. He emphasized a focus on PWD support, environmental initiatives, enhancing the clubhouse resources, fundraising, member engagement, reorganizing committees, and most importantly, ensuring everyone has fun. The session continued with a detailed dissection of each committee, where directors presented their projects and programs, outlining their objectives, goals, strategies, and measures. Each presentation was followed by an open forum. The final presentation was given by Treas. Tetu Garcia, who summarized the proposed budget as put forth by the directors. After a grueling session, the incoming board, along with their spouses, all dressed in white, were transported to the beach. There, a bohemian-style setup awaited them for a taste of a beautiful sunset, providing a perfect end to a productive and memorable planning session. As the sun set, the team released lanterns into the sky, each with a wish, symbolizing their hopes for the upcoming year. The fellowship didn’t end there, as the team gathered again for dinner at Zambawood with another band that made the night even more enjoyable. Relaxed, the team was more engaged, participating in singing and dancing, with some even playing a game of pool. Joining and participating in the event were incoming President Keith & Rachel Harrison, incoming directors Boy Arteche, PN Eddie Galvez, Neil & Camille Makasiar, Andy Mañalac, Rodrigo & Marie Segura, Derrick & Jane Tan, and Winston & Adette Uy, as well as officers Paolo & Christine Turno, PP Fred & Mely Parungao, Carlo Ybanez, and incoming advisers PP David & CP Mache Ackerman, PP Louie & Tess Aseoche, PDG Tony Quila, and PDG Pepz Bengzon and partner Doris. The Club would like to thank PE Keith & Rachel for hosting the accommodations and providing full use of Zambawood, including hosting the two dinner fellowships.

While protocol has been observed, please allow me to greet our RIPR Moon Eun Soo and his lovely wife Yang Hyun Joo, Top Gun Governor Jay Tambunting, other dignitaries, fellow rotarians, guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. When I received the email from Past President Doris Ensomo to speak during this district conference, I was asked to talk about my plans and programs for my year of service. Immediately I thought of all these ideas I had in mind and what it is I wanted to be able to do. But the email also said I only had 8 minutes to talk, which immediately sobered me up and reminded me to keep things short. To this instruction I shall comply. Given the myriad of details I have in mind, I think that in my year of service as governor I would want to emphasize two very basic concepts, namely: tell your story and know your impact. Not exactly groundbreaking but nonetheless important. Two years ago I was tasked to make a presentation of successful global grant projects undertaken by our district. I had all the data and reports available to me but I wanted to find more appealing materials to present. I searched on YouTube for videos showing our wonderful global grant projects. To my disappointment, not only did I “not” find any video from our district, I only found 1 video about a successful global grant project from the entire Philippines. Truth be told, for many, rotary is perceived as simply being a social club, a club of parties, galas and balls. Not many hear about our projects, our initiatives, our good works that benefit so many. We are suffering from a gross misconception of who we really are. Why don’t people know what we do? Why are our stories of our projects not reaching the great many? Just in this present rotary year I have had the pleasure of witnessing beautiful projects undertaken by our district-mates. Makati Olympia with their talks and programs on teenage pregnancies. Makati F. Zobel with their mural painting along the south cemetery. Paranaque North and their amazing multi-outreach program in Palawan. Makati Premier District and its cancer screening bus. Metro Pateros and its medical equipment global grant. Makati San Lorenzo and its trans-catheter pulmonary valve implantation program. And even my own club, Makati’s peer counseling program. And many, many more. So much good done. So much good done in the shadows. We need for the world to know about all the good we do. We have to tell our stories. Rotary is in the business of inspiring good. We can only inspire if people know what we do. Together let us, collectively, drive up our brand image such that when people hear Rotary they immediately think service. Aside from telling stories I would want for our clubs to identify the impact they make for their beneficiaries. Please allow me to relay a little story. Back in the year 2020, right after the pandemic hit, then Governor Ador Tolentino contacted me and asked me to spearhead the application for a global grant to address the challenges of COVID. In applying for the grant we identified the problems, the inputs and of course the measuring standards for the outcome. We, then, set off to apply for a global grant in the amount of US$155,000 with money sourced from here and abroad. In the end, we provided 675 PPEs, 10 Hepa Filters, 8 Air Purifying respirators, 118 face shields and 100 pulse oximeters for each of 8 hospitals and 1 municipal health center. After the respective turnovers, I prepared the global grant report, which was approved and the project was successfully closed with the needs, inputs and outcome all properly presented. Should success however be measured by merely meeting numerical standards? In the turnover of the donated items to the Narra Municipal Hospital, as coordinated with Past President Dra. Arlin Josue, we had a zoom call where we had a ceremonial, albeit virtual, handover of the donated items. Dra. Arlin expressed much gratitude for the donation. But at one point she started to cry. She said that one of the challenges of surgeons during this pandemic is that they would operate for hours using multiple facemasks, much to their discomfort. We all remember how difficult it was to breathe using multiple facemasks, but imagine if you had to do so for several hours, while conducting surgery, in a hospital where the fear brought about by the airborne virus was quite palpable. When they received the air purifying respirators, doctors, like Dra. Arlin, were finally able to work without fear and difficulty. As such, they can finally attend to their patients without having to be bogged down by their personal concerns. They can finally be there for their patients as full-serving doctors again. That my friends is impact. Please allow me to end today by talking about one of my favorite songs entitled, Paraiso. It is a story about a land called Paradise, though it is anything but. It is a place where a dying river ends, where smoke fills the air such that no birds dare fly over it. It is a place where people wear matching rags for their clothes and plastic bags for the cold. In spite however of the squalid conditions in Paraiso, the one thing they hang on to is hope. It is a hope anchored in the belief that if people work together, stand side by side, that their hoped future can be fulfilled and that one day birds will, again, fly over Paraiso. And with its fulfillment, they can finally regain some dignity and respect in their lives. The chorus of this song goes: Paraiso … help me make a stand Paraiso … take me by the hand Paraiso … make the world understand That if I can see a single bird, what a joy This tired and hungry land could expect Some truth and hope and respect From the rest … of the world I implore you my dear district mates to start, even now, telling your stories, and seeking out your impact. Let us make known to the world that we do so much good to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Then perhaps we can truly be agents of hope. Thank you, mabuhay ang District 3830 and good morning.

Since the launch of the Save Our Reefs project in Narvacan in 2021, RC Makati has made it a point to return year after year, not just to add more reef buds to the site but to conduct service missions in Ilocos Sur. On June 1, RC Makati embarked on a fulfilling day tour to serve the communities of Ilocos Sur. Traveling via the private plane of Universal Leaf through Winston Uy, the team arrived at the Vigan Airport and quickly proceeded to their first stop in Narvacan. In Narvacan, we deployed an additional 60 reef buds into the seas of Sulvec, bringing the total to 340 reef buds planted. This effort is in partnership with RC Narvacan. The reef buds contain the names of the new members and the guest speakers of the Club during its weekly luncheon meetings. Universal Leaf also added 20 more reef buds for this site. The team then proceeded to the People’s Center for a brief program and the ceremonial turnover of 3,600 books from the Books Across the Seas program. Messages were shared by President Bing Matoto, Director Winston Uy, and Mayor Pablito Sanidad. The program concluded with the turnover of a copy of the municipal resolution recognizing the club’s support to their town. After a quick lunch at Chad’s Cafe, the team conducted an ocular visit to a potential site for Rotary Homes, hoping to provide houses to the needy. In the second leg of the tour, the team visited RC Vigan’s clubhouse, where they presented a joint project proposal for equipment to assess the eye health of students. The final stop was at Ilocos National High School, where RC Makati distributed more books from its Books Across the Seas program, furthering our commitment to education. The day was marked by service and collaboration with our sister clubs in Ilocos Sur, reinforcing our dedication to making a positive impact in the community.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8OOlceIZgtotEBJHXUS2-ShxtiJfRKj/view?usp=sharing