RC Makati Hosts Career Guidance Seminar at General Pio Del Pilar National High School

In line with its ongoing commitment to youth development, RC Makati returned to General Pio Del Pilar National High School on March 27, 2025, to conduct a Career Guidance Seminar for 150 Grade 10 students. This initiative, in partnership with the school’s Interact Club, aimed to inspire and equip students as they prepare for senior high school and beyond. The seminar was held in the school’s AVP room, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City, and was attended by Pres. Keith Harrison, PP Louie Aseoche, PND/VP Chris Ferareza, Dir. Boy Arteche, Dir. Neil Makasiar, and Rtn. Aaron Mempin. Interactors Marcus Dwayne Garcia and Rhyll Orada confidently hosted the event.

The seminar was designed to guide students as they reflect on their future career paths, with four distinguished speakers from RCM sharing their personal journeys and offering invaluable advice. Each speaker not only discussed their respective fields but also emphasized the significance of perseverance, purpose, and passion in achieving success.

PP Louie Aseoche was the first speaker and spoke about the true essence of being a lawyer, which goes beyond the formalities of barongs and courtrooms. He painted a picture of the legal profession as a calling, one that demands a dedication to justice and a willingness to stand for the oppressed. He shared his own experiences studying law during Martial Law at the University of the Philippines, highlighting the profound impact of legal pioneers who courageously fought against injustice. PP Louie also discussed the challenges students might face in law school, particularly the rigorous Socratic method, encouraging students to view these difficulties as opportunities for growth and to pursue law with passion and purpose.

Dr. Nicky Ramos, the second speaker, shared his inspiring life story, focusing on his “3M principle”—Make it, Master it, Matter. He began by recounting his humble beginnings, where he worked feeding pigs, collecting restaurant leftovers, and washing jeepneys just to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, Dr. Ramos went on to become a licensed physical therapist in the United States. He emphasized that success comes from mastering one’s craft and using that expertise to make a positive impact on the lives of others. His message of grit, resilience, and determination resonated deeply with the students, urging them to rise above their circumstances and pursue excellence in whatever they choose to do.

Dir. Neil Makasiar, an entrepreneur, took the stage as the third speaker and shared his journey from starting a business in Zamboanga to building a diversified business empire. His businesses, which span across food, retail, and manpower services, are a testament to his vision and hard work. He also spoke about his passion for giving back to the community, notably through the establishment of a free technical school for the children of his employees. Dir. Neil left the students with five key lessons: have a clear vision, take no shortcuts, build sustainable happiness, surround yourself with positive influences, and always stay rooted in faith and purpose. His words served as a powerful reminder that success is not only about financial gain but also about creating lasting, meaningful impact.

The final speaker, PND Chris Ferareza, shared his personal journey as a certified public accountant. His talk centered around the importance of finding one’s “why”—the deeper purpose that drives us. PND/VP Chris recounted his own struggles with uncertainty, as he was initially torn between pursuing law, medicine, or a career in the military. He eventually chose accountancy, driven by the need to support his family. His story of balancing work and studies with limited resources during his college years in Manila served as a testament to the power of resilience and determination. He urged students to always seek a sense of purpose in whatever career they choose, as this would serve as their guiding light throughout their professional journey.

After the talks, students were given the chance to ask questions and interact with the speakers. Rtn. Aaron Mempin took a moment to remind them that having access to such mentorship at an early age is a gift—and that with the right mindset, they each hold the power to shape their own future.

The event concluded with a heartfelt message from Dir. Boy Arteche of the New Generation Youth Service, who encouraged the students to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams fearlessly, and remember that Rotary will always be there to support them on their journey.

The final question of the day was directed to Pres. Keith: “What was your biggest challenge as a student?” He candidly shared that he wasn’t a top student and had experienced failure, even in exams. But instead of giving up, he and a close friend made a promise—to always retake, revise harder, and keep pushing forward, no matter how tough it got. “There’s always more in the tank,” he said. “So never give up. Keep chasing the dream.”

As a token of appreciation, the school presented each speaker with a caricature portrait and a certificate of recognition. What began as a seminar ended as a turning point for many of the students. From being unsure of their futures, about 95 percent of participants left the event feeling inspired, motivated, and equipped with clarity for the next steps in their educational and career journeys.