RC Makati Activates Hope Mission and Delivers Relief in San Mateo
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Nearly a week of continuous rains brought flooding to several parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas, forcing the suspension of classes and government work and compelling many families to leave their homes and seek temporary shelter in evacuation centers.
In response, RC Makati activated its Hope Mission, the Club’s disaster relief initiative, to monitor affected communities, coordinate with local partners, and identify areas where assistance was urgently needed.
The Hope Mission carries a special meaning for Pres. Chris Ferareza. The initiative traces its roots to the time when he served as Chair of the Club’s Disaster Relief Committee and adopted “Hope Mission” as its guiding message. It was inspired by Pres. Chris’ own personal experience. During a difficult period in his life when the Mt. Pinatubo erupted, he and his family became beneficiaries of assistance from others. More than the material support they received, it was the sense of hope that stayed with him—the reassurance that, even in the most difficult circumstances, someone was willing to help.
Through Hope Mission, RC Makati seeks to pay that hope forward by providing timely and meaningful assistance to disadvantaged families affected by disasters.
On August 10, after days of continuous rain, a bit of sunlight finally shone through. For the Hope Mission team, it was the sign they had been waiting for—it was time to mobilize.
News had reached the Club that many families in San Mateo, Rizal, were staying in evacuation centers. The team immediately reached out to Rotary partners in the area and connected with the RC San Mateo Highlands, which was itself in the midst of relief operations.
By morning, the team had identified its destination: the Barangay Sta. Ana covered court, where some 500 families had been staying since Friday.
The relief goods were ready. The next challenge was getting them there. A simple message was sent to the Hope Mission committee’s Viber group asking for help with transportation. Baby Rotarian Kris Uy immediately responded: “I can bring my van.” Within an hour, Kris found himself loading mats and blankets into the back of his van. And he was not alone. His daughter, Ely, was already inside, ready to join her father and the rest of the team in distributing relief to the affected families.
With everything set, the Hope Mission team proceeded to the Sta. Ana covered court, where around 500 families had been staying since Friday. There to join the mission were Pres. Chris Ferareza, Lester Kiong, Nicky Ramos and partner Mayette, Kris Uy with daughter Ely, and Art Villafuerte.
RC Makati focused on an important need at the evacuation center. While food assistance was already being provided by various groups, families also needed basic sleeping necessities as they spent their days and nights away from their homes.
The Hope Mission therefore delivered 500 sets of sleeping mats and blankets, providing the displaced families with a little more comfort while they waited for conditions to improve and for it to become safe to return home.
Disaster Relief Committee Chair Nicky Ramos had arrived back in the country only the night before. Yet almost immediately, he went to work for Rotary, joining the mission and responding to the needs of the families at the evacuation center.
Pres. Chris Ferareza during his message shared words of encouragement and hope with the affected families. He reminded them that they were not alone and that Rotary stood with them as they faced the difficult days ahead and began the process of recovery.
The San Mateo operation demonstrated what the Hope Mission was created to do: respond quickly, work with partners on the ground, understand what people actually need, and mobilize Rotarians who are ready to serve.
From a partner club already working in the community, to a new Rotarian volunteering his van at a moment’s notice, to a disaster relief chair who went straight to Rotary work after returning to the country, every part of the mission came together because people were willing to respond.
And perhaps it was fitting that it all began with a little sunlight after days of rain.
For Pres. Chris, Hope Mission is deeply personal. He knows what it means to receive help during a difficult moment—and, more importantly, what it means to receive hope.
Today, through RC Makati, that hope is being paid forward.
Five hundred families received mats and blankets that afternoon. But the greater message the Hope Mission hoped to leave behind was much simpler: even in the most difficult times, you are not alone. There is always hope.
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