The Sower's Quill by Pres. Chris Ferareza

Published in the Kaunlaran Newsletter on September 1, 2026. Welcome, September!

Time really flies. We are already entering the “Ber” months, a familiar signal for Filipinos that the merriest season of the year is just around the corner.

For us at RC Makati, September also signals an exciting stretch ahead. With the first two months of the Rotary year behind us, many of the projects and activities we carefully planned are now moving into implementation. Our calendar is getting busier, our partnerships are growing stronger, and more opportunities to serve are opening before us.

Today, we are back at The Peninsula Manila for a joint meeting with our daughter club, RC Makati North. We are pleased to welcome their member and Past President, Dante “Klink” Ang II, Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, as our guest speaker. It is always meaningful to come together with our Rotary family, strengthening fellowship while engaging in conversations that broaden our understanding of the communities we serve.

Hope Mobile

Last week, we unveiled and activated Hope Mobile, our new and innovative public image campaign. This is another milestone for our Club, as Mazda Philippines entrusted RC Makati with the free use of a Mazda BT-50 pickup to support our humanitarian and community service activities.

I consider this a significant milestone because it reflects something important: organizations beyond Rotary now recognize the value of our work and believe in the impact of our projects. It is encouraging to see partners choosing to invest their trust, resources, and support in our shared mission. More than being an affirmation of what we have accomplished, it demonstrates that meaningful and sustainable change is best achieved when like-minded organizations come together in service of a common purpose.

This is a welcome development, and I hope it is only the beginning of many more collaborations with organizations that believe in our mission. With all the good work our Club continues to do, we have a compelling story to tell. We simply need to keep doing good, communicate our impact effectively, and use our networks to build partnerships that can help us do even more.

As an innovative public image campaign of RC Makati, Hope Mobile serves as a moving symbol of Rotary in action, carrying our name and message of hope wherever service takes us.

Finally, I would like to thank First Ann Nette for facilitating this partnership and helping make Hope Mobile possible for our Club. This is the first of a number of projects she lined up for RY2026-2027.

Friday Night Lights

Just last Friday, we had another wonderful Friday Night Lights at the Clubhouse. Thank you to everyone who joined us, especially to our August birthday celebrants for generously covering the bill!

This year, we want to create more opportunities for fellowship and strengthen the camaraderie among our members and families. We plan to hold Friday Night Lights every month, along with more family-oriented activities throughout the year.

One to look forward to is our Family Day on Sunday, October 4, being organized by Chris Edwards at the RC Makati Clubhouse. In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have a Pet Blessing, where everyone is welcome to bring their pets. Expect a short walk, games, barbecue, and plenty of fun for the whole family. More details will follow, and I hope you can join us.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, we are also planning a short trek and camping activity in the Sierra Madre to coincide with the unveiling of our marker there. To help ensure the event is well planned and properly coordinated, Chief of Staff Ron and I conducted an ocular visit to the site on August 30.

Service keeps us together, but fellowship makes the journey even more enjoyable. I look forward to sharing many more good times with all of you.

Hope Mission for Typhoon-Affected Families

With the inclement weather upon us, our Hope Mission team continues to prepare for our relief efforts. Last Sunday, Hope Mission Chair Nicky Ramos and Ann Mayette procured 500 food packs for families affected by the typhoon in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

On Monday, despite the holiday, our Rotarians and volunteers gathered at the Clubhouse to repack the relief goods in preparation for our September 2 relief mission.

Tomorrow, we will be in Hagonoy, Bulacan, to distribute these goods to families in two barangays endorsed to us by Caritas Manila. Members and Anns who would like to participate in the mission are most welcome. Please let us know if you can join us.

Thank you to everyone who continues to give their time and support. Hope Mission is always ready to respond when help is needed.

One Meal a Day Less for Me. More Hope for Nepal.

The catastrophic flash floods in Nepal and the Nepal-Tibet border region have caused tremendous loss of life and widespread devastation. In response, RC Makati has committed US$5,000 from our Disaster Relief Fund and launched our campaign, “One Meal a Day Less for Me. More Hope for Nepal.”

The response has been inspiring. In just a few days, we have already received ₱250,000 pledges and contributions from our members. This is on top of the Club’s US$5,000 commitment from its Disaster Fund.

Participation in the campaign is entirely voluntary, and every contribution, regardless of size, is sincerely appreciated. Through coordination with Rotary International as well as local Rotary Clubs and organizations on the ground, we are striving to ensure that our support reaches those most affected and in greatest need.

Thank you for your generosity. Once again, RC Makati is showing that our mission to serve knows no borders.

One meal less. One act of compassion. More hope for Nepal.

The Best in District 3830!

Last Saturday at The Bellevue Manila, we proudly watched and applauded IPP Eddie Galvez take the stage again and again to receive the numerous awards earned by RC Makati and by himself as president for RY 2025–26. The awards were capped by being recognized as the Most Outstanding Club and Most Outstanding President for Unite for Good President Eddie Galvez —ranking No. 1 in both categories.

Congratulations to IPP Eddie, his Board, and all our members who contributed to this remarkable achievement. Congratulations as well to IPDG Reggie Nolido for a successful and meaningful term as District Governor.

You all deserve the recognition. What a proud moment for RC Makati!

Upcoming Activities

Next week, we return to the Clubhouse for a dinner meeting with Mr. Rafael Jose Consing Jr., President and CEO of Maharlika Investment Corporation, as our guest speaker. We also hope to make it another joint meeting with one of our daughter clubs.

On September 10, we will have the President’s Cup at Canlubang, hosted by IPP Eddie Galvez. To all our golfers, we hope to see you there for another great day of fellowship on the fairways.

This month, we will hold the charter presentation of RCC Malasakit, our third Rotary Community Corps (RCC), representing our adopted community at Rotary Homes Muntinlupa, where RC Makati solely sponsored 40 homes. Details will be shared soon, and I hope you can join us in welcoming our newest community partner to the RC Makati family.

September is shaping up to be another busy and exciting month. See you at our upcoming activities!