RC Makati Rolls Out Medical Caravan in Ilocos Sur

It was another Mission Impossible kind of moment for the Rotary Club of Makati—the mission: to deliver much-needed medical services to families in Ilocos Sur before a looming super typhoon could unleash its force.

On November 7, the RC Makati team led by Pres. Eddie Galvez, together with PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza, Community Service B Dir. Michael Hsu, and Anns Mitzi Parungao and Meg Rivilla, flew to Laoag and made their way to Vigan for a medical mission scheduled the following day. That evening, members of RC Vigan warmly welcomed the delegation with a fellowship dinner at their clubhouse—a night filled with camaraderie, stories of shared history and projects, and of course, lots of singing.

The next day, the medical mission took place at the covered court of Sitio Namnama, Barangay Tamorong, Sta. Catalina, where nearly 180 patients, mostly senior citizens, availed of free consultations and medical services. The WOW Clinic+ team conducted blood tests, ECGs, and urine dipstick tests, while medicines—some generously donated by Unilab—were distributed to those in need. The use of the WOW Clinic+, including all medical tests and medicines, was fully sponsored by RC Makati.

The program began with welcome remarks from RC Vigan Pres. Benjie Buen, followed by acknowledgments for the RC Makati delegation, the WOW Clinic+ staff, and the Ilocos Sur Medical Society. Pres. Eddie delivered a message on this year’s Rotary theme, “Uniting for Good,” emphasizing how this mission exemplified collaboration among many organizations to bring much-needed healthcare to Ilocos. Dir. Michael and PN/Dir. Chris also gave words of encouragement, with Chris endearing the audience by speaking a few lines in Ilocano.

While the medical services were ongoing, RC Makati representatives and some RC Vigan members visited Laoingen, Ilocos Sur to explore potential collaboration on RC Vigan’s ongoing water project. They also stopped by Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, to check on RC Makati’s Global Grant water project.

Upon completion of the mission, reports showed that 162 patients availed of ECG tests, 120 underwent blood tests, and 114 received urine dipstick testing.

In addition to medical services, RC Vigan also conducted an optical mission using an eye refractor machine donated by RC Makati during the presidency of PP Bing Matoto, under the project “EYE AYATENKA” (meaning “I Love You” in Ilocano). Through this initiative, many residents received free eyeglasses—bringing clearer vision and brighter smiles.

In the evening, the team gathered at Grandpa’s Inn Restaurant to meet with RC Narvacan, where both clubs renewed their Matched Club Agreement, reinforcing their bond of brotherhood and shared service. The agreement was signed by RC Narvacan Pres. Richard Gomez and PP Gigi Ramos-Tesoro, alongside Pres. Eddie Galvez and PN/Dir. Chris Ferareza. Bannerettes and tokens were exchanged to commemorate the partnership.

It was during this meeting that the group learned all activities in Ilocos Sur had been suspended by the LGU upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled medical mission in Narvacan the next day. RC Makati left the medicines and testing kits with RC Narvacan to allow them to carry out the project at a later date, in coordination with Sta. Maria RHU and the Southern Ilocos Sur Medical Society.

Another activity that had to be postponed was the planned collaboration with RC Baguio Summer Capital on November 10, which will be rescheduled alongside the medical caravan with RC Dau and RC Dagupan in March 2026.

RC Makati would like to express its heartfelt thanks to RC Makati Premier District, the proponent of the WOW Clinic+ under a Global Grant project. RCMPD played a vital role in ensuring the program’s success, with PP Leah Quesada actively participating in the weekly coordination meetings and contributing significantly to the smooth implementation of the mission.

While the mission ended as “mission incomplete,” RC Makati still accomplished what mattered most—delivering essential healthcare to over 180 patients, and rekindling strong ties with its brother clubs, RC Vigan and RC Narvacan—a true testament to Rotary’s enduring spirit of service and fellowship.