The Sower's Quill by Pres. Chris Ferareza

Published in the Kaunlaran Newsletter on October 6, 2026.

Welcome, October!

We begin October with a special joint meeting with our mother club, RC Pasay. Following RC Pasay’s Induction at Hilton Manila last October 1, where we had the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen our fellowship, discussions naturally led to the idea of holding a joint meeting. Thank you, Pres. Markley, for readily accepting our invitation and for helping make this gathering possible.

During said induction, PP Gil Yuson shared RC Pasay’s pride in the achievements of its daughter club, highlighting RC Makati’s financial strength and robust membership as indicators of its success. We are grateful for those kind words, which also remind us of our responsibility to use our strength and resources for greater service.

Tonight, we are also pleased to welcome Prof. Ronilo Balbieran, who will speak on the topic, “From Setback to Springboard: Seizing the 2027 Great Rebound for Lasting Impact.” To accommodate his schedule, we have adjusted our usual meeting format and gathered this evening for dinner. We look forward to hearing his insights on the Philippine economy and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Family Day

“The kids had fun. Thank you!” “Actully, we all had fun!” “Thank you for organizing this Family Day!” These were some of the words I heard from our members and Anns who joined our first Family Day.

It was a perfect Sunday to bring our Rotary families and fur babies together in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi’s Day. The event started with Holy Mass, followed by pets strutting down the green carpet for the Paw-shion Show and receiving their special blessing. Then came the games and magic show, which even our members and Anns enthusiastically joined!

My heartfelt thanks to Chris & Jennife Edwards for conceptualizing and organizing this very successful Family Day and for agreeing to organize one or two more for RY2026-27, each with a different concept.

So please join us next time. We promise, it will be fun!

Fully-loaded Saturday

In RC Makati, we have so much to do and sometimes to get it done, it will take a whole day for several activities just like what our last Saturday was.

The day began at Rotary Homes Muntinlupa, where we formally turned over 12 newly constructed homes, completing RC Makati’s commitment to provide 40 houses for the community through a project fully funded by the Club. We also formally chartered RCC Malasakit, composed of community residents and family members, and presented its Charter Certificate while inducting its first set of officers. As PDG Sid Garcia emphasized in his remarks, our commitment does not end with providing homes. Beyond shelter, we aim to empower the community with the tools, organization, and opportunities needed to build a more sustainable future.

After Muntinlupa, we returned to our Clubhouse to join our AI Academy team in meeting with participants of the Bridgeway Program, who are now deployed across various partner companies. The session provided an opportunity to hear about their experiences, guide them through the challenges they are encountering in the workplace, and support them as they continue applying their skills in real-world settings.

Then, in the afternoon, we participated in the Hospital on Wheels Mission in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, sponsored by RC Makati. The mission addressed the medical and surgical needs of 758 patients, providing essential healthcare services to community residents. It was another meaningful example of Rotary’s commitment to responding to immediate needs while promoting healthier and more resilient communities.

District Activities

Last September 26, we had the privilege of hosting The Rotary Foundation Seminar at our Clubhouse, with Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation, serving as keynote speaker. His insights enriched our understanding of service and impact, and we thank all those who took the time to participate and contribute to the success of the event.

I encourage our members to continue participating in District-initiated activities. These gatherings give us opportunities to learn more about Rotary, exchange ideas, and see best practices from other clubs that we can bring back to RC Makati.

On October 10, we will once again open our Clubhouse to the District as we host the Cluster Membership Workshop. I will be one of the panelists. I hope many of you can join us and show our support to the district.

MCS Bar Crawl

If you have not visited Makati Cinema Square recently, now is a great time to rediscover it. Once known primarily for its retail shops and hobby stores, MCS has evolved into a vibrant destination for food, entertainment, and nightlife. We are grateful to PP Carlo Rufino for introducing us to what the new MCS has to offer and for hosting a memorable fellowship on September 24.

The evening began with a Michelin-starred BBQ dinner, followed by a guided tour of MCS, including stories from its colorful history, a visit to PP Carlo’s “man cave,” and a bar-hopping experience from the ground floor down to the basement. It was an enjoyable evening of fellowship, and we hope to do it again soon, with even more members joining the fun.

Farewell, Rtn. Mon

Over the weekend, we received the sad news of the passing of our longtime member, Rtn. Ramon “Mon” Diokno. Last night, our Club came together in a memorial Mass to pray for him, honor his memory, and pay our final respects.

I had the privilege of serving with Mon on the Board, though I had only a few opportunities to interact with him closely. I came to know him as a quiet, humble, and private individual whose kindness was evident not through words, but through his actions. This was affirmed during last night’s eulogies, as we heard heartfelt stories that reflected the kind of person he was and the many contributions he made to our Club over the years, often without seeking recognition.

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Makati, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. We are grateful for his friendship, service, and steadfast commitment to Rotary. Farewell, Rtn. Mon. Your quiet presence and lasting contributions will be fondly remembered, and you will be greatly missed.

Upcoming Activities

I hope you can join us and participate in our upcoming activities.

This Saturday, we have two meaningful service activities taking place almost simultaneously. At 2:00 PM, we will induct the new members of our Interact Club at General Pio del Pilar National High School in Makati, welcoming another generation of young leaders committed to service. Then, at 2:30 PM, we will join the turnover of a heavy-duty fan at Rotary Homes Parañaque, a project that RC Makati proudly supported as a funding partner. We look forward to participating in both activities as we continue creating lasting impact in our communities.

So, take your pick! If Youth Service is your passion, join the Interact Induction and help inspire these young people to become the leaders they dream to be. If community development is closer to your heart, join us at Rotary Homes Parañaque and see how we can continue improving lives and building a more sustainable community.

Then, next Tuesday, we will hold the Governor’s Visit at the RC Makati Clubhouse, with DG Jaz Limon as our guest of honor. During the dinner meeting, we will present what RC Makati has accomplished during our first 100 days, as well as our plans and priorities for the next three quarters.

I hope to see many of you there as we show the strength of our membership and the significant progress of our projects.