A new symbol of hope and service officially hit the road on August 25 as RC Makati and Mazda Philippines unveiled Hope Mobile, a Mazda BT-50 4x4 pickup that will support the Club’s humanitarian missions, disaster response, and community service projects. With the Rotary wheel proudly displayed across its body, Hope Mobile serves as a moving symbol of RC Makati’s commitment to bring hope and service closer to communities that need it most. Bearing the message, “Powered by Rotary. Driven by Service. Delivering Hope.”, Hope Mobile is more than transportation. It is RC Makati’s newest public image initiative, carrying the Rotary wheel as a visible symbol of hope wherever service is needed. Past District Governor Sid Garcia has hailed the project as an innovative public image campaign, demonstrating Rotary in action and bringing its message of hope closer to the communities it serves. “Having a dedicated vehicle significantly strengthens our capacity to respond when and where help is needed,” said Pres. Chris Ferareza. “Whether we are delivering relief goods to disaster-affected communities, transporting supplies for our projects, or supporting outreach activities, Hope Mobile enables us to bring Rotary’s service closer to the people and communities we serve.” A Partnership for Service The partnership was formally sealed during RC Makati’s luncheon meeting at Manila House in Bonifacio Global City. Signing for RC Makati were Pres. Chris Ferareza and Dir. Patrick Parungao, while President and CEO Steven Tan, CFO Tan Eng Hwa, and First Ann Nette Tanjuatco, represented Mazda Philippines. Through the partnership, Mazda Philippines entrusted RC Makati with the use of the Mazda BT-50 4x4, giving the Club greater mobility to carry out projects and respond quickly during emergencies. “I love this program, and I think this is the kind of thing that we should be doing, all the time together,” Tan said, expressing Mazda Philippines’ enthusiasm for the collaboration. Following the luncheon, Hope Mobile was formally turned over and blessed, officially beginning its journey of service with RC Makati. From Hope Mission to Hope Mobile For Pres. Chris, Hope Mobile carries a meaning that goes beyond the vehicle itself. The idea traces its roots to his earlier responsibility as Chair of RC Makati’s Disaster Relief Committee, when he adopted “Hope Mission” as the banner for the Club’s disaster response efforts. The inspiration came from his own childhood experience during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, when the compassion of Rotarians showed him how ordinary people could make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others. Today, that same spirit lives on through Hope Mobile. “For RC Makati, Hope Mobile is more than a vehicle. As a young boy, I was inspired by Rotarians who showed me that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference,” Pres. Chris shared. “My hope is that wherever Hope Mobile travels, it brings not only aid and assistance but, most importantly, hope, i.e., inspiring future generations to serve others and believe they, too, can create a lasting impact.” As it travels to disaster areas, adopted communities, outreach activities, and service projects, Hope Mobile will also serve as a moving public image campaign for RC Makati. It will bring the Rotary wheel and its message of hope and service wherever the road leads. For RC Makati, this partnership also marks an important milestone: organizations outside Rotary are now recognizing the impact of the Club’s work and stepping forward to help make that work possible. And, as Hope Mobile begins its journey, RC Makati hopes it will also pave the way for more partnerships with organizations that share its commitment to creating lasting impact. HOPE MOBILE Powered by Rotary Club of Makati. Driven by Service. Delivering Hope.

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!

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LOOK | Relive the powerful and inspiring speech of RC Makati President Chris Ferareza during the Club’s 61st Induction Ball, held last July 17 at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila. Watch as Pres. Chris shares his vision, commitment, and call to service for the Rotary Year ahead.

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.

RC Makati celebrated another milestone for its AI Academy as 78 students completed the program’s second cohort, culminating in its Graduation and Final Pitch Day on August 8. This year’s cohort was unique. Due to time constraints, the original 16-week program was compressed into 11 weeks, challenging both students and mentors to cover the intensive curriculum within a shorter period while maintaining the program’s focus on practical and relevant AI skills. The second cohort also expanded the reach of the Academy beyond its original beneficiaries. While the majority of the students came from the Sisters of Mary, the program welcomed nine students from a Caloocan community supported by their local parish, opening the opportunity for more underserved young people to gain access to emerging technologies. Final Pitch Presentation The 78 learners were divided into 20 groups, with each team assigned a real-world business challenge from the AI Academy’s partners—RC Makati, Delca through Mike del Carmen, and project partner YMCA. Each group was given 15 minutes to present its AI-assisted solution, followed by a 15-minute open forum with the panel. For RC Makati, students were challenged to develop solutions for a membership campaign. The panel of judges included PP Fred Pascual, Dir. Patrick Parungao, Neil Makasiar, Chris Edwards, and Ms. Marivic Espano, former CEO of P&A Grant Thornton. For YMCA, teams developed solutions for the YMCA Hotel. Judges were PE Leo de Leon, VP/Dir. Philip Soliven, Tom Banguis, President of Makati YMCA, and Laurent Lamasuta, former President & CEO of Ayala Property Management Corporation. For Delca, the challenge focused on developing solutions to improve its sales funnel. The panel included Pres. Chris Ferareza, Mike del Carmen, Notsky Lou, and Mac Esmilla, CISO of SM Investments Corporation. The pitches and judging ran throughout the day, with the panelists impressed by the quality of the students’ presentations and their ability to develop practical solutions despite completing only an 11-week program. One judge even remarked that the students presented their ideas better than some newly hired staff they had encountered—a strong testament to the confidence and skills developed through the Academy. At the end of the competition, one winning team was selected for each business challenge: Group 4 Boystown – ADLAS for RC Makati, Group 2 Girlstown for YMCA, and Delca BT Group 2 for Delca. Each member of the winning teams received ₱4,000 worth of gift certificates. Be Brave When the second cohort was welcomed to the AI Academy in May 2026, President Chris Ferareza gave the learners a simple challenge: Be brave. At graduation, President Chris congratulated the students for rising to that challenge. Over the course of the program, they demonstrated not only courage but also creativity, perseverance, and the willingness to step outside their comfort zones as they learned new technologies and developed solutions to real-world problems. He congratulated the graduates for being brave, for being creative, and most importantly, for making the Rotary Club of Makati proud. Three‑E Learning Journey Dir. Roger Collantes—founder and visionary behind the AI Academy—shared the transformative story of an intense 11‑week journey. He described how learners moved from mastering AI fundamentals to creating and presenting solutions for real business problems, emerging with both technical skill and real‑world experience. He underscored the Academy’s guiding principle: the Three‑E Initiative—Educate, Empower, Employ. More than a curriculum, the program is a deliberate pathway that lifts underserved young people by giving them hands‑on expertise, strengthening their confidence, and opening doors to meaningful opportunities in the world beyond the classroom. From Education to Opportunity In his closing remarks, IPP Eddie Galvez reminded the graduates that their graduation was not a finish line but a launching point. He highlighted the Academy’s Triple E Initiative—Educate, Empower, and Employ—which seeks to provide young people not only with technical knowledge, but also the confidence, professionalism, and resilience needed to pursue meaningful careers. He also paid tribute to the first cohort for “lighting the flame” and challenged the second cohort to carry it forward as “Torchbearers of Transformation.” He encouraged the graduates to continue learning and, one day, return as mentors, innovators, entrepreneurs, employers, and leaders who can create opportunities for others. With the completion of its second cohort, the AI Academy has now reached 139 graduates, demonstrating RC Makati’s continuing commitment to making AI education and opportunities accessible to underserved youth. More than teaching students how to use technology, the AI Academy is creating a pathway from education to empowerment and, ultimately, employability—equipping young people to solve real-world problems and shape a better future for themselves and their communities.

Two hundred families in Caguisikan, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro will have one less worry about where their next few meals will come from after RC Makati, through its Hope Mission, partnered with RC Downtown Calapan in delivering food packs to families affected by severe flooding. The relief mission was carried out on a very rainy August 18. Despite the inclement weather, Hope Mission Chair Nicky Ramos, Art Villafuerte, and staff member Al Marcial were already at the bus terminal in Pasay at the crack of dawn to begin their long journey to Mindoro. From Batangas, the team crossed choppy waters by ferry before arriving in Mindoro. Upon arrival, RC Downtown Calapan members led by Pres. Sam Gayeta and PP Nanette Geronimo, welcomed the RC Makati Hope Mission team and embarked immediately on their journey for another 45 minutes to Caguisikan, where floodwaters still covered portions of the community. The local school principal was enthused about the timely relief mission, saying that the assistance came at a very opportune time. Many residents in the area depend on scavenging and other daily-income work, which had to be suspended because of the flooding, leaving their families with limited means to provide for basic needs. Working alongside members of RC Downtown Calapan, the Hope Mission team distributed food packs directly to the affected families, providing much-needed support while the community continues to recover from severe flooding. RC Makati provided ₱60,000 for the relief mission, while RC Downtown Calapan contributed an additional ₱20,000. The combined ₱80,000 worth of food packs benefited 200 relief bags worth ₱400 each for affected families. The Calapan deployment is part of RC Makati’s continuing Hope Mission, enabling the Club to respond quickly to communities affected by disasters and emergencies. Beyond providing food for the coming days, the mission brought something equally important—the assurance that even in difficult times, hope can find its way to communities that need it most.

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They say an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.But prevention begins with something even more basic: awareness. Perhaps this is why, in Rotary’s Area of Focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment, prevention comes before treatment. By helping people understand health risks, recognize warning signs, and make informed lifestyle choices, we can help prevent diseases before they become more serious health concerns. With this in mind, the Rotary Club of Makati supported Diabetes Awareness Week, recognizing the importance of raising public awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and the value of early detection and prevention. On July 26, after attending the RCC Orientation at Rotary Homes Muntinlupa, Pres. Chris Ferareza, together with FA Ronette and their daughter Kris, joined Derrick Tan and Boy Arteche at the Diabetes Awareness Week activities at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center. The whole-day event featured speakers who discussed diabetes, its impact on individuals and families, and practical ways people can reduce their risk through healthier lifestyles, proper nutrition, regular screening, and early intervention. RC Makati supported the event with a ₱50,000 sponsorship, helping make the awareness campaign possible and enabling it to reach thousands of people throughout the day. The project was endorsed to the Club by Derrick Tan, a good friend of Dr. Robert Michael Gan, brother of RC Makati member Mark Gan. Recognizing how closely the initiative aligned with Rotary’s commitment to disease prevention, the Club readily extended its support. Diabetes remains a major health concern, but many cases and complications can be prevented or better managed when people are equipped with the right information and encouraged to take action early. Supporting Diabetes Awareness Week reminds us that service in healthcare does not always begin with treatment. Sometimes, it begins much earlier—with information, education, and awareness. Because when it comes to our health, awareness is the first step toward prevention—and prevention can save lives.

Nearly a week of continuous rains brought flooding to several parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas, forcing the suspension of classes and government work and compelling many families to leave their homes and seek temporary shelter in evacuation centers. In response, RC Makati activated its Hope Mission, the Club’s disaster relief initiative, to monitor affected communities, coordinate with local partners, and identify areas where assistance was urgently needed. The Hope Mission carries a special meaning for Pres. Chris Ferareza. The initiative traces its roots to the time when he served as Chair of the Club’s Disaster Relief Committee and adopted “Hope Mission” as its guiding message. It was inspired by Pres. Chris’ own personal experience. During a difficult period in his life when the Mt. Pinatubo erupted, he and his family became beneficiaries of assistance from others. More than the material support they received, it was the sense of hope that stayed with him—the reassurance that, even in the most difficult circumstances, someone was willing to help. Through Hope Mission, RC Makati seeks to pay that hope forward by providing timely and meaningful assistance to disadvantaged families affected by disasters. On August 10, after days of continuous rain, a bit of sunlight finally shone through. For the Hope Mission team, it was the sign they had been waiting for—it was time to mobilize. News had reached the Club that many families in San Mateo, Rizal, were staying in evacuation centers. The team immediately reached out to Rotary partners in the area and connected with the RC San Mateo Highlands, which was itself in the midst of relief operations. By morning, the team had identified its destination: the Barangay Sta. Ana covered court, where some 500 families had been staying since Friday. The relief goods were ready. The next challenge was getting them there. A simple message was sent to the Hope Mission committee’s Viber group asking for help with transportation. Baby Rotarian Kris Uy immediately responded: “I can bring my van.” Within an hour, Kris found himself loading mats and blankets into the back of his van. And he was not alone. His daughter, Ely, was already inside, ready to join her father and the rest of the team in distributing relief to the affected families. With everything set, the Hope Mission team proceeded to the Sta. Ana covered court, where around 500 families had been staying since Friday. There to join the mission were Pres. Chris Ferareza, Lester Kiong, Nicky Ramos and partner Mayette, Kris Uy with daughter Ely, and Art Villafuerte. RC Makati focused on an important need at the evacuation center. While food assistance was already being provided by various groups, families also needed basic sleeping necessities as they spent their days and nights away from their homes. The Hope Mission therefore delivered 500 sets of sleeping mats and blankets, providing the displaced families with a little more comfort while they waited for conditions to improve and for it to become safe to return home. Disaster Relief Committee Chair Nicky Ramos had arrived back in the country only the night before. Yet almost immediately, he went to work for Rotary, joining the mission and responding to the needs of the families at the evacuation center. Pres. Chris Ferareza during his message shared words of encouragement and hope with the affected families. He reminded them that they were not alone and that Rotary stood with them as they faced the difficult days ahead and began the process of recovery. The San Mateo operation demonstrated what the Hope Mission was created to do: respond quickly, work with partners on the ground, understand what people actually need, and mobilize Rotarians who are ready to serve. From a partner club already working in the community, to a new Rotarian volunteering his van at a moment’s notice, to a disaster relief chair who went straight to Rotary work after returning to the country, every part of the mission came together because people were willing to respond. And perhaps it was fitting that it all began with a little sunlight after days of rain. For Pres. Chris, Hope Mission is deeply personal. He knows what it means to receive help during a difficult moment—and, more importantly, what it means to receive hope. Today, through RC Makati, that hope is being paid forward. Five hundred families received mats and blankets that afternoon. But the greater message the Hope Mission hoped to leave behind was much simpler: even in the most difficult times, you are not alone. There is always hope.

Same Day Edit (SDE) of the 61st Induction Ball of the Rotary Club of Makati held on July 17, 2026 at the Rigodon Ballroom, The Peninsula Manila.