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The Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila was transformed into a captivating world of mysteries, spies, and glamour as RC Makati hosted a James Bond-themed Induction Ball, an inspiring nod to the place where the club’s president-elect was born. Over 250 guests, dressed in black tie and long gowns, were transported into the sleek and sophisticated realm of Agent 007. The atmosphere was set right from the entrance, where the cocktail area featured a photobooth designed to mimic the iconic opening sequence of every James Bond movie. A blackjack table evoked scenes from “Casino Royale,” inviting guests to try their luck in true Bond style. And, of course, no James Bond event would be complete without the signature martinis—shaken, not stirred. The evening began with fellowship cocktails, providing friends and acquaintances the perfect opportunity to catch up. This was followed by the traditional lechon parade. The lechons were ceremoniously carved at the cocktail area led by PP Freddie Borromeo who generously donated the lechon, as he does year after year, adding a touch of Filipino tradition to the British-themed affair. Joining him in this festive carving were Pres. Bing Matoto, PE Keith Harrison, and the guest of honor, Atty. Leila de Lima. It was not all tradition for the night, as this year’s event added a new twist with the parade of the guest of honor. Atty. Leila de Lima, accompanied by Pres. Bing and PE Keith were welcomed with a red-carpet entrance into the ballroom. Leading the parade as the sergeant-at-arms was our baby Rotarian, Anton Cabrera, adding a fresh and charming element to the event. PP JunJun Dayrit opened the formal program with the invocation expressing profound gratitude for the blessings received in the past Rotary year. The prayer sought divine favor and guidance for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of the Rotary members’ work and responsibilities. Special blessings were requested for the new president and his team, who were to be formally inducted. The invocation also asked for protection, good health, and the unwavering adherence to truth, aiming to make the Rotary an effective instrument in promoting justice, peace, and prosperity for all. The flag ceremony and march of colors, accompanied by the national anthems of Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, along with the Rotary Makati Hymn, set a patriotic and unifying atmosphere. The flags were then planted, and the flag officers departed, paving the way for the introduction of the evening’s emcee, Patrick Parungao. The ceremonial toasts followed, with PP Cesar Campos toasting to the Republic of the Philippines, PDG Sid Garcia to Rotary International, and PE Eddie Galvez extending special thanks to the distinguished guests. PP David Ackerman presented the Four-Way Test, while PDG Pepz Bengzon delivered a warm welcome and introduced the guests individually. This was followed by the welcome remarks from the chairpersons of the organizing committee, Rtn. Paolo and Christine Turno. As dinner was served, guests enjoyed delightful entertainment by Thristan on the marimba and pianist Mikhael, with a special performance by soprano Anya. The evening’s program also included the presentation of new members: H. E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Aaron Virata Mempin, Roy Moss and George Guthrie Haxton, Jr.. It was immediately followed with the recognition of 38 rotarians who pledged to donate a Paul Harris Fellow or $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. While still at dinner, Pres. Bing Matoto conferred the Youth Leadership Role Model Award on the Hon. Secretary Alfredo “Fred” E. Pascual, a past president of the Club, for driving the Department of Trade and Industry to unprecedented success. During PP Fred’s speech, he talked about Acceptance Speech for the Youth Leadership Role Model Award. This was followed by a stirring introduction of the Guest of Honor by PP Louie Aseoche. In her speech, Atty. Leila de Lima, centered on the Four-Way Test. Her address was followed by a vote of thanks and the presentation of a gift by PE Keith Harrison. The evening then transitioned to the induction ceremony, where the emcee introduced the directors, executives, and advisors. DGE Shahul Hameed from RC Singapore, District 3310, led the charging of the Board, followed by the swearing-in of the new Board by District Governor Prescy Yulo, of District 3830. PDG Tony Quila annotated the turnover ceremony. DGE Reggie Nolido then introduced the new President of RC Makati, PE Keith Harrison, who delivered an inspiring acceptance speech outlining his vision and goals for the upcoming year. The celebration continued with a James Bond-themed entertainment segment, featuring a movie screening led by Pres Keith and IPP Bing Matoto, reprising the roles of James Bond and M, respectively, followed by a short dance by the Board members, capped by a rousing dance by the Rotary Anns, led by Ann Rachel Harrison, as Bond Girls – FA Rachel Harrison, Amy Villatuya, Menchit Ordoveza, Tess Aseoche, Irene Barcelon, Aiai Galvez, Marie Segura, Jenny Bosch, Caling Young, Myda Prieto, and Kathy Liu. A well-attended event, glamorous setup, fast-paced program, exciting speeches, and entertaining numbers all contributed to RC Makati’s successful opening year.

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Read more : https://tribune.net.ph/2024/07/21/rc-makati-opens-4th-dorm-in-puerto-princesa

On June 24, RC Makati proudly inaugurated its fourth Dormitory Project at Palawan State University (PSU) in Puerto Princesa, a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to education and community development. A delegation from RC Makati, including President Bing Matoto, VP Howie Calleja, Directors Rodrigo Segura, Bom Villatuya, Winston Uy, PE Eddie Galvez, PP Louie Aseoche, PDG Pepz Bengzon, and incoming RAED Doris Ensomo, traveled to witness this momentous event." The day's events commenced with a quick lunch at the PSU Hotel with Atty. Leni Robredo, Chairperson and President of Angat Pinas Foundation. Following lunch, the delegation proceeded to the dormitory site for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by President Bing Matoto, Atty. Robredo, and Dr. Ramon Docto, President of Palawan State University. Rev. Fr. Francis Mark Guzman led the dormitory blessing, covering all areas from the main door to the well-equipped kitchen, study area, 20-bed double-decker room, and the comfort rooms. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the marker bearing the RC Makati logo and the symbolic turnover of the dormitory key to PSU officials. The formal program at the jam-packed PSU auditorium followed. In his message, President Bing emphasized the impact of the project on students and discussed potential future projects for the province. Atty. Leni Robredo shared how the partnership with RC Makati began, leading to a P1M commitment to Angat Buhay, which eventually funded the dorm project This project, funded by RC Makati at P2.2M, aims to address absenteeism caused by long travel distances. The dormitory will accommodate 20 female students from underprivileged backgrounds, providing a safe and conducive living environment for their studies. RC Makati's partnership with Angat Pinas Foundation has been instrumental in previous dormitory projects in Sumilao, Bukidnon; La Libertad, Negros Oriental; and Infanta, Quezon." RC Makati also partnered with RC Puerto Princesa for the purchase of necessities inside the dormitory, further strengthening the collaborative efforts within the Rotary network. This collaboration underscores RC Makati's unwavering commitment to education and community development. Plans are already underway for a fifth dormitory in the upcoming Rotary year, continuing the legacy of support and empowerment for students in need. RC Makati: Building Futures, One Dormitory at a Time.

RC Makati has added another feather in its cap with the remarkable achievement of the Feed Back program, which bagged 1st runner-up in the nationwide search conducted by the Philippine Rotary Media Foundation, Inc. (PRMFI) for the Most Outstanding Environmental Project Awards in the Philippines for RY2023-24. The awards were presented during the Awards & Turnover Night held on June 29 at the Palms Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Present to witness the triumph and receive the award were IPP Bing Matoto, PDG Tony Quila, PDG Sid & Tesha Garcia, who is also the vice-chair for the Environmental Awards, PDG Pepz Bengzon and partner Doris, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, PE Eddie Galvez, PP Bimbo Mills, Philip Soliven, who chairs the Feed Back program, PP Louie Aseoche, and PP Bimbo Mills. They were joined by representatives from ARK, Iris Alonso and Ode Soliven. The Feed Back program, in partnership with Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), focuses on establishing sustainable vegetable exchange programs in various communities. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also emphasizes that caring for the environment begins at home. In the Philippines, rural communities, home to 60 million people—half of the population—face severe environmental degradation. Encouraging eco-friendly practices like tree planting and coastal cleanups is challenging when over a third of these communities are impoverished, hungry, and desperate to find their next meal. This desperation often forces families into environmentally destructive acts like forest burning or dynamite fishing to earn income and feed their families. When basic survival is at stake, thinking about future environmental sustainability becomes nearly impossible. The Feed Back program addresses these challenges by empowering communities with the knowledge and resources to cultivate and exchange vegetables. This not only provides a sustainable source of nutrition but also fosters economic independence and community resilience. By improving food security, the program reduces the pressure on families to resort to environmentally harmful practices, thereby promoting long-term environmental sustainability. The road to the award was not easy. First, the Feed Back program had to win at the district level to be nominated at the national level. Besides the Feed Back program, two more RC Makati projects entered the top five at the district level—the BGC Greenway project chaired by PP Charlie Rufino and the Save Our Reefs project initiated by PP Peter Manzano. On April 2, District 3830 conducted its presentation of the top five finalists, where Philip Soliven and PP Louie Aseoche led the presentation for Feed Back. Following the win at the district level, Feed Back competed at the national level against nine other winners from other districts in the Philippines. This stage required us to submit presentations and videos showcasing our work. On June 9, at the Palms Country Club, PP Louie presented the program in front of the national judges, with assistance from Iris of ARK. RC Makati received a total cash prize of P250,000, with P50,000 coming from the district as the top winner and P200,000 from PRMFI as the 1st runner-up winner. This award would not have been possible without the support of our partner ARK through Ayesha Vera Uy, their CEO and Founder, as well as the support and guidance from our own district led by PDG Mildred Vitangcol, PP Doris Ensomo, and CP Danny Abinoja. This award again puts RC Makati in the nationwide spotlight and provides significant exposure to the Feed Back project, which will now be known to other Rotary clubs. This recognition is a testament to RC Makati’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. The Feed Back program has not only made a positive impact on the environment but has also set a benchmark for other Rotary clubs to follow.

Monday, July 1, marked the beginning of the new Rotary Year, and RC Makati was determined to kick it off with a vibrant celebration. Despite being a weekday, the club successfully organized their traditional Children’s Day in partnership with RC Paranaque St. Andrew at Rotary Homes Parañaque, embracing this year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary.”. This special occasionaimed to celebrate the new Rotary Year by providing children with a day filled with joy, magic, and new experiences. For the third consecutive year, the rotary event saw collaboration with the Rotaract Clubs of Makati and Paranaque St. Andrew. The day’s activities were meticulously planned to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for the children. Different areas within the Rotary Homes compound hosted a variety of events tailored to various age groups. The diverse and simultaneous programs included storytelling, a magic show, educational seminars, and vocational talks, ensuring every child had a meaningful and engaging experience. The event saw enthusiastic participation from RC Makati, led by Pres. Keith Harrison, along with IPP Bing Matoto, PDG Sid Garcia, DGE Reggie Nolido, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, Sec. Regi Ponferrada, Manny Padiernos, and James Bosch. RAC Makati members, headed by Pres. Hira Hermoso, PP AJ Sembrano, rotaractors Darlah and Vian Leonardo also played a crucial role in the day’s activities. Additionally, the event was graced by Gov. Prescy Yulo, Paranaque Mayor Eric Olivarez, and Congressman Edwin Olivarez. The Rotary Children’s Day targeted 200 children aged 5-10 years, who were treated to a captivating storytelling session and a mesmerizing magic show. The storytelling emphasized Anti-Bullying Awareness, a critical topic for young minds. Each child received a loot bag filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year, along with pre-loved storybooks from the Last Angel gift-giving project chaired by Ann Papat Escaler. These thoughtful loot bags were prepared and arranged by the dedicated members of RAC Makati. Girls aged 11-15 participated in a seminar on Mental Health Awareness and Teenage Pregnancy, providing them with essential knowledge and support. Boys aged 17-21 and selected parents engaged in a Youth Vocational Talk with Dualtech Foundation, highlighting career opportunities and vocational training. The event also included a health component, with free polio vaccines provided by the Paranaque Municipal Health Office. In addition, a Disaster Preparedness Seminar was conducted at the open court by the Don Galo Fire Fighters, ensuring that both children and parents are equipped with vital safety knowledge.

RC Makati has successfully inaugurated its fourth Dormitory Project, formally turning over the facility to the Palawan State University (PSU) in Puerto Princesa on June 24. Among those who flew in to witness the turnover were Pres. Bing Matoto, VP Howie Calleja, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, Dir. Bom Villatuya, Dir. Winston Uy, PE Eddie Galvez, PP Louie Aseoche, and PDG Pepz Bengzon and incoming RAED Doris Ensomo. The day’s events commenced with a quick lunch at the PSU Hotel with the Chairperson and President of Angat Pinas Foundation, Atty. Leni Robredo. Thereafter, they proceeded to the dormitory site for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pres. Bing led the ribbon-cutting alongside Atty. Robredo and Dr. Ramon Docto, President of the Palawan State University. The dormitory blessing, led by Rev. Fr. Francis Mark Guzman, covered all areas of the facility, starting from the main door to the well-equipped kitchen, the study area furnished with computers, the 20-bed double-decker room complete with beddings, pillows, and mosquito nets, and the comfort rooms and shower area. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the marker bearing the RC Makati logo, followed by the symbolic turnover of the dormitory key to PSU officials. The team then moved on to the jam-packed PSU auditorium for the formal program of the event. In his message, Pres. Bing shared the impact this project will have on the students of the school and discussed potential future projects for the province. Atty. Leni shared the story of how the partnership with RC Makati was conceived and this was at the time when she was invited to be guest speaker of the club. Right after her talk, the Club committed P1M to Angat Buhay — one of the projects under Angat Pinas Foundation — which later on was earmarked for a dorm project after then President Fred Pascual, now the Secretary of DTI, noted that school dorms for students who lived in far-flung barangays were not being funded by the government. This project aims to address absenteeism caused by the significant distances students must travel from their homes to school. The PSU dormitory, funded by the RC Makati at P2.2M, will accommodate 20 female students from underprivileged backgrounds and remote areas, providing them with a safe and conducive living environment for their studies. RC Makati’s partnership with the Angat Pinas Foundation has been instrumental in previous dormitory projects in Sumilao, Bukidnon; La Libertad, Negros Oriental; and Infanta, Quezon. RC Makati also partnered with RC Puerto Princesa through Pres. Claudio Favila for the purchase of necessities inside the dormitory, further strengthening the collaborative efforts within the Rotary network. This collaboration with Angat Pinas underscores RC Makati’s unwavering commitment to education and community development. Plans are already underway for a fifth dormitory in the upcoming Rotary year, continuing the legacy of support and empowerment for students in need.