The Sower's Quill by Pres. Chris Ferareza

Published in the Kaunlaran Newsletter on August 25, 2026. 

Rotary Anns’ Day

Today’s luncheon is a special one as we celebrate Rotary Anns’ Day. It is a welcome reversal of roles, at least for today. At home, of course, we all know who the real bosses are!

For our first Rotary Anns’ Day of the year, I am delighted to welcome Ms. Gina Lorenzana, Chief Executive Officer of the Belo Medical Group. We thank her for accepting our invitation to speak on “Beauty, Health and Longevity,” a timely reminder that while we devote ourselves to serving others, we must also take care of our own health and well-being.

To all our Rotary Anns, thank you for your support, encouragement, and the many ways you enrich our Rotary family. Today, the program belongs to you. We Rotarians will gladly step aside, enjoy the festivities, and leave ourselves in your capable hands.

Hope Mission in Calapan

After almost a week of continuous habagat rains, our Hope Mission team remained on alert, monitoring affected communities. When RC Downtown Calapan reported heavy flooding in Caguisikan, Calapan City, we immediately mobilized.

On August 18, despite the inclement weather, Hope Mission Chair Nicky Ramos and Art Villafuerte traveled by bus and ferry to Calapan to help distribute relief goods to affected families.

RC Makati and the RC Downtown Calapan combined their resources and efforts to bring timely food assistance to vulnerable families in the community. Amid the relief distribution, the persistent floodwaters highlighted the ongoing struggles of families working to recover from the disaster.

Clubwide Social Hosted by AJ Violago

The rains may not have let up on August 19, but neither did the spirit of fellowship. At least 100 Rotarians and Rotary Anns attended our club-wide social graciously hosted by Dir. AJ Violago at his stunning home, a place so impressive that “beautiful” hardly does it justice.

The evening also served as our thanksgiving celebration for the success of the 61st Induction Ball, where we recognized and presented tokens of appreciation to those who participated in and supported the program. Once again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone.

We also took the opportunity to formally induct the Directors who were unable to attend the Induction Ball, Dir. AJ Violago, Dir. Tony Lopez, and Dir. Michael Hsu, who joined us via Zoom.

Thank you, Dir. AJ, for opening your home to us once again. This gathering is quickly becoming one of the Club’s much-anticipated events. More importantly, thank you for your generosity and continued support of our projects, including the latest scholarships for our AI Academy.

Speaking of fellowship, our Friday Night Lights returns this Friday, hosted by our August celebrants. PP Bimbo Mills has already volunteered to sponsor the lechon, so that is one more reason to join us!

We hope to see everyone on Friday for another fun evening of Rotary fellowship.

High Impact Rotarian and Baby Rotarian of the Month

This Rotary year, we introduced a monthly recognition for Rotarians and Baby Rotarians who make outstanding contributions to our Club. The criteria are simple—the Three Ts: Time, Talent and Treasure. We recognize those who give their time by actively participating, share their talents in our projects and activities, and contribute their treasure in support of our causes.

For July, we recognized Chris Edwards as High Impact Baby Rotarian and PP Louie Aseoche as High Impact Rotarian.

We also presented Presidential Citations to Rotarians, Rotary kid and Anns, who recently exemplified Service Above Self through their participation in our relief mission.

At our next luncheon on September 1, we will announce our High Impact Rotarian and High Impact Baby Rotarian for August. Let us continue giving our Time, Talent and Treasure as we create lasting impact together.

Rotary Homes Paranaque Visit

Even on a holiday, Dir. Patrick Parungao visited Rotary Homes Parañaque to assist the RCC Parañaque Cooperative with its CDA registration. I am pleased to share that the Rotary Homes RCC Parañaque Consumers Cooperative, with its 18 charter members, has successfully completed the first three stages of the registration process.

Dir. Patrick also visited the Rotary Homes Library at the Par 3 of Rotary Homes to assess how RC Makati can help provide electricity and make the facility functional and accessible to the community.

Thank you, Patrick and our partners, for giving your time even on a holiday.

Public Image Seminar

I would like to thank Boy Arteche for representing our Club at the D3830 Public Image Seminar last Saturday at the Dusit Thani Hotel. I would also like to acknowledge PP Peter Manzano for serving as part of the D3830 Public Image Committee.

Speaking of Public Image, we also received the wonderful news that RC Makati will be among the awardees at the Zone 10A Public Image Awards on September 12, recognizing our public image efforts during RY2025–26.

Congratulations to IPP Eddie Galvez and Public Image Director Roger Collantes, and to everyone who contributed to this achievement.

99th Installation of RC Kuala Lumpur Diraja

Over the weekend, PDG Sid Garcia, IPDG Reggie Nolido, PP Keith Harrison, IPP Eddie Galvez, Sonny Tambunting Jr., and I traveled to Malaysia for the 99th Installation of our sister club, the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur Diraja.

It was a wonderful opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of our sister club and, more importantly, the internationality of Rotary. Visiting another club allows us to see how fellow Rotarians conduct their meetings, build fellowship, and create impact in their own communities. It reminds us that while our clubs may be separated by borders, we are united by the same commitment to service.

More international fellowship is ahead. We have the Charter Anniversary of RC Taoyuan in Taiwan on November 5–6, followed by the Rotary Institute in Pattaya, Thailand, on November 18–22.

I hope more of our members and Anns can join us on these trips and experience firsthand the international fellowship that makes Rotary truly unique.

Upcoming Activities

As mentioned earlier, our Friday Night Lights is happening this Friday at the RC Makati Clubhouse. The fun starts at 6:00 PM, and I hope to see many of you there!

On Saturday, we have the D3830 Awards for RY2025–26 at The Bellevue Manila in Alabang, celebrating the year led by IPDG Reggie Nolido and IPP Eddie Galvez. We understand that seats are limited, but we congratulate them in advance for the well-deserved recognition they will receive for an outstanding Rotary year.

Then, next Tuesday, we return to The Peninsula Manila for our luncheon meeting with Dante “Klink” Ang, Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, as our guest speaker.

We have another busy week of fellowship, recognition, and learning ahead. I hope you can join us in these activities and continue to make your presence felt in our Club.