RC Makati Hope Mission Delivers Over P500K-Worth of Assistance to Habagat Victims

With three typhoons simultaneously hovering over the Philippines for more than a week, the southwest monsoon—or Habagat—was significantly intensified, triggering widespread flooding in many regions. In swift response, the Rotary Club of Makati mobilized its disaster relief arm, now known as the Hope Mission, to bring urgent assistance to the hardest-hit communities.

The first wave of relief took place on 22 July, as torrential rains continued to fall. The RC Makati Hope Mission team—led by Chair Nicky Ramos, together with PP Jun-Jun Dayrit, IPP Keith Harrison, and baby Rotarian Yaron Hahami—braved the flooded streets of Tondo, Manila to deliver aid. A total of 60 sets of mats and blankets were distributed to evacuees in Brgy. 105, Zone 8, following a call for help from Jane Walker of the Upskills Foundation. An additional 40 sets were turned over for families in GK Smokey Mountain, coordinated by Ann Cecille Dayrit, for scheduled distribution once roads become accessible.

Back at the RC Makati Clubhouse, relief preparation was in full swing. On the same day, Rotaractors led by DRR Nico dela Cruz gathered to repack 400 food packs, ensuring a steady stream of aid for the next missions.

On 23 July, the Hope Mission team—now joined by Pres. Eddie Galvez, Boy Arteche, Chair Nicky Ramos, Dir. CB and Meg Rivilla with their son Mari, and RAC Makati PP AJ Sembrano—returned to Manila to distribute relief goods to 175 families in GK Baseco, where many homes remain underwater. This effort was again coordinated through Ann Cecille.

Day 3 of the Hope Mission, held on 24 July, brought the team—Chair Nicky Ramos, PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza, Dir, CB and Meg Rivilla with Mari, and baby Rotarian Carlos Prieto—to Victoria, Laguna, where they distributed food packs to 200 families still affected by flooding. This leg of the mission was made possible through a partnership with the Missionari Della Fede School, facilitated by Director CB Rivilla.

On 25 July, the Hope Mission team took a well-earned break from field distribution to replenish supplies by resuming on the repacking of 400 food packs at the RC Makati Clubhouse with the valuable support of our Rotaract volunteers, joined by Ann Sue Ann Nolido.

Meanwhile, with worsening weather conditions expected up north, RC Makati acted swiftly to extend its support to Dagupan. The Club sent 235 sets of mats and blankets and 15 food packs, intended for 250 families staying at evacuation centers. The relief goods were distributed on the same day, 25 July, in partnership with RC Dagupan, led by Pres. Larry Sarito.

On 26 July, the Hope Mission team—led by Pres. Eddie Galvez, PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza, Yaron Hahami, IPP Bing Matoto and Chair Nicky Ramos—headed to Tanza 2, Navotas, a community still largely unreached by relief efforts. Staying true to the Induction theme, it felt like Mission Impossible: the goal was to deliver the goods before high tide, or risk getting stranded until the water receded.

Upon receiving word that the floodwaters were still passable by van, the team set off at 8:00 AM, only to be delayed by traffic due to a scheduled visit by President Marcos in the area. Adding urgency, they were warned that water levels could rise to shoulder-deep by 10:00 AM, cutting off access back. Without delay, 250 sets of mats and blankets and 100 food packs were unloaded and turned over to Angat Navotas, RC Makati’s local partner, who would carry out distribution across multiple evacuation centers inaccessible due to flooding.

The day’s mission didn’t end there. Joined by IPP Keith Harrison, the team proceeded to Luneta, where they distributed 70 food packs to families supported through Bolanday, and turned over another 50 food packs for the Happyland community in Tondo.

Simultaneously, in Nanguneg, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, another wave of relief reached 300 flood-affected families. In partnership with RC Narvacan, led by Pres. Richard Gomez and coordinated by PP Arnel Cabatu, goods were delivered by raft to isolated communities.

The Hope Mission breached the ₱500,000 mark in total relief assistance on 27 July, as Chair Nicky Ramos and Yaron Hahami proceeded to San Isidro, Bay, Laguna. The first stop was Brgy. San Isidro, where 100 food packs containing rice, canned goods, and slippers were distributed to families who had opted to remain in their homes despite the flooding. The mission continued to San Isidro Elementary School, where 100 families staying at the evacuation center received mats, blankets, and slippers. Both missions were conducted in close partnership with RC Makati’s brother club, RC Bay, led by Pres. DJ Quirino.

In the span of just six days, from July 22 to 27, the RC Makati Hope Mission reached a total of 1,795 families, distributing 1,020 food packs, 695 sets of mats and blankets, and 200 pairs of slippers—amounting to ₱544,700 worth of assistance.

As the rains persist and floodwaters remain in many areas, RC Makati stands firm in its mission to serve. The Hope Mission is not only about delivering goods—it’s about delivering love, care, and above all, hope.

The *RC Makati Hope Mission has now breached the ₱500,000 mark in relief assistance* with today’s operations, July 27, in San Isidro, Bay, Laguna. The first stop was at Brgy. San Isidro where 100 food packs containing rice, canned goods, and slippers were distributed to families who chose to remain in their homes despite the flooding. The mission then proceeded to San Isidro Elementary School, where 100 families staying at the evacuation center received mats, blankets, and slippers. Both missions were carried out in partnership with our brother club, RC Bay.

With the sun finally out for most of the day, we are now wrapping up this phase of the Hope Mission. In the span of six days, from July 22 to 27, the *mission reached a total of 1,795 families, distributing 1,020 food packs, 695 sets of mats and blankets, and 200 pairs of slippers—amounting to ₱544,700 worth of assistance.*

As we close out this initial episode of the Hope Mission, RC Makati extends heartfelt thanks to Disaster Relief Chair Nicky Ramos for overseeing every aspect of the effort—from site selection and partner coordination to procurement. We also thank Dir. Chris Ferareza for his steady guidance under the Community Service Directorate.

We are grateful to the members who joined the field missions: Pres. Eddie Galvez, Yaron Hahami, CB and Meg Rivilla with Mari, IPP Keith Harrison, Carlos Prieto, and PP Bing Matoto. Our appreciation also goes to our Rotaractors who devoted two full days to the repacking of goods, as well as to Sue Ann Nolido who joined one of the repacking sessions. A special thank-you to Taba Samson for the donation of slippers.

We likewise acknowledge the invaluable support of our partners on the ground: RC Bay, RC Narvacan, RC Dagupan, Angat Navotas, Bolanday, Upskills Foundation, GK Baseco, GK Smokey Mountain, and Missionari Della Fede School.

The Hope Mission delivered not just relief goods—but most importantly a message of hope, love, and care from the Rotary Club of Makati to the communities we served.