Free Massage for the Elders

The UPLB Elderly Development Program (EDP), headed by Dr. Renato Torres, is an extension initiative of the Department of Human and Family Development Studies (DHFDS) and College of Human Ecology (CHE). It aims to motivate and keep senior citizens to “Stay Active, Productive and Happy” to improve their quality of life and delay the onset of dependency. RC LB Makiling has been supporting EDP for the past years, by providing food and other essential amenities during EDP’s monthly Elderly Day Care.

For their 5th Anniversary and Senior Citizens Summit held last September 24, 2016 at Baker Hall, UPLB, RC LB Makiling set up a free massage booth and hired 3 masseurs who were graduates of and licensed under TESDA. It was a very tiring morning for the masseurs, who provided massage services for 57 people in a span of four (4) hours. The Club recognized their efforts and assured to partner with them again next year.

A Busy Day for RAC Makiling

The Rotaractors of RAC Makiling were all over the place last September 17, 2016. After participating in the coastal cleanup held at Brgy. Bayog, Los Baños, they went straight to Bahay ni Maria at Calamba to do community service together with their fellow Rotaractors based in Laguna and District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Christian "Cita" Castillo and company. Afterwards, each Rotaract Club presented their Club Leadership Plan in front of DRR Cita during the official DRR's Visit. To cap off the day, the Rotaractors bonded over party and live rock music.

Community service in Bahay ni Maria

Bahay ni Maria is a retirement home for elders located in Calamba, Laguna. The center caters female senior citizens with psychological disability, where they are admitted and properly taken care of by staff and volunteers.

The Rotaractors of Laguna organized a community service project in line with DRR Cita's visit. It was a very heart-warming activity for everyone and it was a first time for RAC Makiling to have an activity there. The Rotaractors were at first very hesitant and cautious on how to approach the elders; but later on, they were able to make good conversations with them.

The program started at exactly 1:00PM and ended at 3:00PM. A simple intermission was presented by the All Star Presidents and simple personalized letters were given to each elders present. In addition, ROTEX Theo thought the activity was very relevant.

The AllStar Rotaract Presidents during the visit at Bahay ni Maria, Calamba, Laguna.

DRR's Visit 

This event is an opportunity for each clubs to present their activity for the new rotary year. When RAC Makiling presented the report, the District Rotaract Committee were very amazed and congratulates the club for a very detailed presentation and they were looking forward for all of the activities presented. DRR cita Castillo was very happy and really appreciate all the efforts of the clubs in the district.

RAC ASP AJ Mendoza presenting her club's Leadership Plan to DRR Cita and company.

Mass Induction

That evening, the Rotaract Clubs, headed by District Rotaract Area Representative (DRAR) Jill, conducted a Mass Induction to welcome the new Rotaractors, with RAC Makiling assigned in the Intermission and Fellowship part. DRAR Jill was very thankful for the club for providing both the sound system and live band (courtesy of RC LB Makiling and PP Beth Beltran) which completed the Rock Star feel that night.

The new members of RAC Makiling, from left to right, RAC Lorenzo Magadia, RAC Anne Humarang, RAC Gretel Principe, and RAC JI Sumague.

Photos courtesy of RAC  JI Sumague.

International Coastal Cleanup 2016

RC LB Makiling celebrated the International Coastal Cleanup Day last September 17, 2016—together with RAC Makiling, Interact Club of LBNHS Poblacion, the Makiling Medical Society, and the Philippine Medical Association - Laguna. A total of 36 volunteers joined together to collect and segregate trash found blocking the shoreline near the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna. With the coordination of Kagawad Olan Evangelista, the cleanup was a success.

A total of 17 trash bags weighing 136.75 kg was reported to RID3820 ICC District Chair PP Cecilia Rosales for data consolidation. Items collected (number of pieces) were: cigarette butts (3); food wrappers (233); plastic take out/away containers (33); plastic bottle caps (42); metal bottle caps (15); plastic lids (15); straws/stirrers (39); forks, knives, spoons (68); plastic beverage bottles (14); glass beverage bottles (6); plastic grocery bags (21); other plastic bags (19); paper bags (10); plastic cups & plates (10); fishing buoys, pots & traps (2); fishing nets & pieces (23); rope (4); fishing line (4); balloons (7); cigarette lighters (7); construction materials (20); tires (4); toys (26); shoes/slippers (5); cloth/clothing (106); other plastic/foam packaging (18); other plastic bottles (5); strapping bands (2); tobacco/cigarette packaging/wrappers (7); diapers (19); sanitary napkins, tampons & applicators (5); and, tiny trashes measuring less than 2.50 cm include foam pieces (37), glass pieces (21) and plastic pieces (1,051). There was also a dead cat collected along the shore.

The volunteers enjoyed the activity and were willing to do it again in support to the worldwide interest to protect the environment.

The ladies of RC LB Makiling.

The members of Interact Club of LBNHS Poblacion.

The ladies of RC LB Makiling, together with the volunteers from the Makiling Medical Society and Philippine Medical Association - Laguna.

The aftermath of the cleanup drive at Brgy. Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna.

Governor’s Visit

September 16, 2016 was a busy day for RC LB Makiling. Aside from the Club’s participation in the Bañamos  foot parade, the Club also had the Governor’s Visit (GV) as scheduled by RD3820 RCSO.

DG Manuel Dindo L. Katigbak arrived with spouse Lady Princess, Ms. Sheena Cornejo and Ms. Lizanne Aldueso.  Prior to the GV Program, the Club toured DG Dindo and his company around the University of the Philippines Los Baños, (UPLB) for a brief pictorial session showcasing the UPLB campus and the breath taking view of Mt. Maria Makiling from the site of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Photos taken will be used in the promotional video of Rotaryo Educare, a district event hosted by RC LB Makiling, to be held on November 19, 2016. After the tour and photoshoot, they went straight to Mer-Nel’s Place in Barangay Maahas where the GV took place. Attendees were ASP Wen Parducho, IPP Carla Jimena, PP Tere Peralta, PP Beth Beltran, PP Lumen Gomez, PP Tess Pantua, PP Lisa Ronan, RTN Joy Pinca, RTN Gelli Parducho, ROTEX Theo Dussart and Rotaractors ASP AJ Mendoza and Tobie Parducho.

The official visit of DG Dindo aimed to: (1) know and have a better understanding of each club based on respective Club Leadership Plan; (2) provide helpful and friendly advices to club officers; (3) answer questions about the District and Rotary International; and, (4) assess the accomplishments of each Club based on the District Challenges and Presidential Citation. ASP Wen reported RC LB Makiling’s accomplishments for the first quarter of RY 2016-2017 as well as the Club’s planned programs/projects/activities until June 2017. In response, DG Dindo commended ASP Wen’s leadership and R LB Makiling Ladies for the accomplishments presented and the good line up of club projects for this RY.  Furthermore, he commented that it was the first time he encountered a Club who has already made a self-assessment before the District’s evaluation of its performance. In the end, considering the small number of physically active members, he suggested the Club to ensure implementation of proposed projects which will create greater impact to LB community.

To wrap up the evening, the GV was capped with a simple fellowship dinner with guests from neighbor clubs, i.e., RC Bay, RC West Bay and RC Los Baños.

Photo courtesy of RCSO.

LEFT TO RIGHT: IPP Carla Jimena, Prof. Emy Mendoza, ROTEX Theo Dussart, RTN Gelli Parducho, RTN Joy Pinca, PP Lumen Gomez, DG Dindo and Lady Princess Katigbak, ASP Wen Parducho, PP Lisa Ronan, PP Beth Beltran, PP Tere Peralta, RAC ASP AJ Mendoza, and RAC Tobie Parducho.

Bañamos Civic Parade 2016

This year marked the 15th Bañamos Festival of the municipality of Los Baños, a week-long celebration of its 401st founding anniversary. The term bañamos meant “to bathe” and was used to refer to the abundance of hot springs present in the municipality. The program include events such as booth trade fair, sale, pageants, foot parade, singing contest, and an awarding ceremony to recognize outstanding citizens. This year’s theme is “Nagtutulungan Mamamayan, Nagkakaisang Bayan, tungo sa Kaunlaran”.

RC LB Makiling, represented by ASP Wen Parducho, PP Lisa Ronan and RTN Gelli Parducho, participated in the foot parade held last September 16, 2016, with ROTEX Theo Dussart, RAC Makiling led by ASP RAC AJ with RAC Jerome and RAC Enzo, and with the Interact Club of LNBHS Poblacion. RC LB Makiling walked next to RC Los Baños with their Rotaractors and Interactors too, led by ASP Digna Austria. It was a good day for everyone to get to know each other.

ASP Wen Parducho and PP Lisa Ronan, together with Rotaractors ASP AJ Mendoza, Jerome and Enzo, ROTEX Theo

Dussart, and Interactors of LBNHS Poblacion, during the 15th Bañamos Foot Parade last September 16, 2016.

RID3820 VTT 2016 bound for South Korea

The selection of this year’s Vocational Training Team (VTT) is hosted by the Rotary Club of San Juan chaired by PP Jenny Salud, Chairman Outbound Team Selection. The selected team is bound for South Korea in October 2016. Pool of applicants were those with background or engagement in the field of agriculture. Rotarians may apply for either the team leader or team member position and must be a Past President and in god standing with the Club.

The Club endorsed two of its members, PP Lisa Ronan and PP Tess Pantua, to apply as team member and team leader, respectively. The selection was held at San Juan, Batangas last September 9, 2016. That afternoon, it was announced that the official team would include Marites P. Violanta-Pantua as Team Leader and the following as members: John Emmanuel T. Oliva, Mara Shyn M. Valdeabella, Francisco Jerome Isabela and Elizabeth M. Eseo.

The official RID3820 VTT bound to Jinju, South Korea, with DG Dindo Katigbak and DGN Jose Boy Garcia.