RC Makati Celebrates Culmination of Feeding Program in Pateros

After 120 days of daily milk feeding, RC Makati returned to Capt. H. Francisco Elementary School with RC Metropolitan Pateros and Kabisig ng Kalahi on 13 February, to witness the culmination of the program and the progress of the children. Attendees included Pres. Eddie Galvez, DG Reggie and FL Sue Nolido, PP Freddie & Jojo Borromeo, Rtn. Boy Arteche, Rtns. Nicky Ramos, Yaron Hahami, Ken & Yam Vergaño, Iggy Martinez and Christa Branellec, Art Villafuerte and Una Capitulo; from RC Makati; UGP Pink Guillarte, CP Mil and SAG Johannes Villegas, SAG Venus Custodio, PP Tet Flores, PN Willie Buenaventura and PND Larry Alcantara from RC Metropolitan Pateros; and Vicky Wieneke of Kabisig ng Kalahi.

They were greeted with a lively folk-dance performance by the students, which entertained the Rotarians and Anns while preserving the school’s cultural heritage. The program also featured inspirational messages from Rotarians: DG Reggie encouraged the children to study hard, reminding them that a healthy body helps learning; Pres. Eddie inspired the students to dream big; and PP Freddie encouraged them to aspire to become Rotarians themselves, while expressing gratitude to the teachers guiding the children. UGP Pink thanked RC Makati for consistently including Pateros in its programs, and Ms. Wieneke shared the history of the feeding program, which has been supporting children for over 20 years.

From the school, Feeding Program focal, Ms. Jacquiline Elemia reported that after two months, 22 out of 70 children (31.43%) reached normal nutritional status, increasing to 31 children (44.29%) by the fourth month. Five students were replaced due to dropout. Despite challenges such as limited materials and personnel, the program continues with the goal of fully rehabilitating all children.

For their final meal, Rotarians and Anns personally distributed rice with chicken pastil and a glass of milk. Each child also received toy gifts from the Last Angel Gift Giving program, ensuring that the spirit of giving continued even after Christmas. The school presented Certificates of Appreciation to RC Makati and RC Metropolitan Pateros, which were received by Pres. Eddie Galvez and the partner club, respectively.

The day concluded with a hosted lunch by PP Freddie and Jojo Borromeo at Hap Chan Restaurant, celebrating the success of the program. From the launch on September 10, 2025 to the culmination in February 2026, the project demonstrates RC Makati’s commitment to nurturing healthier, brighter futures for children in Pateros.

Through initiatives like this, RC Makati continues to strengthen families, empower communities, and make a lasting impact on the next generation, proving that even small municipalities can benefit from big hearts and collective action.

A total of 12 modules were sponsored by the Club this Rotary Year, benefiting 370 children across five sites: Padre Garcia, Batangas; Pateros; Tanay and Pililla, Rizal; and Calatagan, Batangas. Since its inception in 2004, the program has supported 7,801 children across 234 modules.