Partnered Livelihood Project with RC Alabang Centrepoint

On November 12, 2016, RC Alabang Centrepoint of District 3830, in partnership with RC LB Makiling of District 3820, and RC Pio del Pilar, RC Fort Bonifacio Global City, and RC Jose P. Rizal of District 3830, organized a series of events— (1) Punong Kahoy Itanim, Sariwang Hangin Lasapin, Global Warming Pigilan ; (2) Pampamilyang Pangkabuhayan tulong sa Pag - unlad ng Bayan (Vocational Skills Training: Pandan leaves and banana stalks look-a-like leather making); and, (3) Alay Kalusugan Series 4: HIV/AIDS— Iwas Droga, Iwas HIV, at Brgy. Sto. Tomas, Luisiana, Laguna.

The program started early morning with tree planting at San Buenaventura National High School Compound and medical mission at the covered court of Brgy. Sto. Tomas happening simultaneously. The Rotarians went to the covered court after the tree planting and was greeted by Vice Mayor Luibic R. Jacob, a member of RC Pagsanjan, and Councilor Rhea Apaya-Osinar who were overseeing the medical mission. Various health awareness topics were discussed by each member of RC Alabang Centrepoint. All Rotarians enjoyed a boodle fight lunch specially prepared by the Municipality of Luisiana. PP Tes Pantua of RC LB Makiling co-planned the Vocational Skills Training with guest speaker/ entrepreneur Ms. Edna Palad who has been a regular speaker for RC LB Makiling’s livelihood seminars. It was a successful event covering health, environment, and camaraderie development amongst the community, and fellow Rotarians as well.

Originally, RTN Marissa Cuaresma tapped PP Tes Pantua for a collaborative livelihood project in her hometown at Luisiana. Later on, the former proposed the project to her club, the Rotary Club of Alabang Centrepoint, headed by ASP Arlene Dias; the project was approved and planned to be conducted in line with their other ongoing projects, as stated above. A sisterhood agreement also took  place between RC Alabang Centrepoint and RC LB Makiling, to mark the joint project.

Membership Orientation

Below are the proposed AllStar District Challenges under Club Membership:

1. Club President to recruit at least one (1) new member (Leadership by example)
2. Increase in membership per Club:

• Clubs with less than 20 members to reach its charter strength or 25% increase, whichever is higher  Clubs with 21-30 members—20% increase 
• Clubs with 31-40 members—15% increase 
• Clubs with 41-50 members—10% increase 
• Clubs with 51 members and more—5% increase 

3. 100% retention rate
4. All members must create profiles on My Rotary

To comply with the challenges stated above, RC LB Makiling’s Club Membership Committee Chair Mariah Chryzl “Chea” Pantua proposed a membership orientation plan during the Club’s Business Meeting last October 21, 2016. Based on  her proposal, there are no invited speakers, rather, the point of the orientation is to showcase a brief background of what Rotary is and more on who and what RC LB Makiling is as a community organization.  The Club’s Membership Orientation was held last November 11, 2016 at Parduch Extension, Diamond St., Umali Subd., Batong Malake, Los Baños. Aside from RTN Chea, other members who attended the orientation were ASP Wen Parducho, PP Beth Beltran and RTN Gelli Parducho. Unfortunately, most of the invited potential members were unable to come because of traffic and heavy rain going from Metro Manila to Los Baños. Regardless, the orientation pushed through and served as a refresher to present members, both old and recently inducted.

RTN Chea Pantua, discussing the Club’s projects from then to now, based on the six (6) rotary areas of focus

Wheelchair Assembly - Leg 2

SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd., represented by Mr. Victor Persius Chan—CSR, Communications and Engagement Manager of SunPower—under their #PROJECTWHEELCHAIR, donated a hundred (100) make-shift wheelchairs to RC LB Makiling. The beneficiaries of the wheelchairs were selected based on the following criteria:

1. In need of wheelchair but cannot afford their own;
2. Disabilities as result of accidents, injuries, illness, birth defects, or old age;
3. Annual income should not be more than PHP144,000; and,
4. Bonafide resident of either Laguna or Batangas. 

Since the distribution of the wheelchairs was exclusive to Laguna and Batangas areas, RC LB Makiling tapped its sister club RC Bauan headed by ASP Lorenzo “Jun” Tatlonghari, and partnered with them to distribute half of the wheelchairs to beneficiaries in Batangas. The first leg of the assembly workshop for Laguna area was organized by RC LB Makiling, held last September 24, 2016, at Los Baños Central Elementary School (LBCES) Covered Court (see Luntiang T a n a win V ol 1 6 N o 4 for details). The second leg for Batangas area was organized by RC Bauan, held last November 6, 2016 at Bauan’s Municipal Hall, wherein ASP Jun invited RC LB Makiling and Mr. Chan of SunPower to grace the event but the latter apologized because of prior engagement. ASP Wen Parducho and PP Tes Pantua attended as representatives of RC LB Makiling, with ASP RAC AJ Mendoza and RAC Gretel Principe of RAC Makiling as volunteers. Potential beneficiaries were carefully selected by both ASPs, following the criteria stated above, making sure that all necessary documents have been attached together with the form provided by SunPower. On that day, five (5) wheelchairs were already given to selected beneficiaries who attended the workshop. The rest of the units shall be distributed only until November 24, 2016.

Members of RC Bauan, with ASP Wen Parducho, and PP Tes Pantua of RC LB Makiling, RAC ASP AJ Mendoza,
and RAC Gretel Principe of RAC Makiling (photo grabbed from RC Bauan).

ASP Wen Parducho with the members of RC Bauan, discussing the selection process of the potential
beneficiaries who have complied and submitted the necessary requirements. 

AllStar District 3820 Area 1 Meet-up

AllStar District 3820 Area 1, headed by DDG Carmela “Mela” Acebedo, includes thirty-one (31) Rotary Clubs divided into seven (7) groups.

Group 1 headed by AG Leofelia “Fe” S. Aquinde consists of: RC San Pedro (ASP Mateo “Jun” G. Lee, Jr.); RC Metro San Pedro (ASP Francis Abner “Francis” A. Abanilla); RC San Pedro Magic (ASP Zennia “Zen” G. Zamora); RC San Pedro South (ASP Shirly “She” U. Tejero); and, RC San Pedro South New Generations (ASP Michael “Mike” L. Co). Group 2 headed by AG Pamela “Mel” M. Braga consists of: RC Biñan (ASP Reynaldo “Rey” R. Araos); RC Metro Biñan (ASP Allan M. Farcon); and, RC Metro Sta. Rosa (ASP Antonio “Tony” Obien). Group 3 headed by AG Rey “CP Rey” G. Anonuevo consists of: RC Sta. Rosa (ASP Rolando “Rolly” Dictado); RC Sta. Rosa Centro (ASP Evelyn “Evs” B. Laranga); and, RC Sta. Rosa South (ASP Isabel Besangre). Group 4 headed by AG Bryan A. Ercia consists of: RC Cabuyao (ASP Simon Jude “Jei” Baterina); RC Cabuyao Circle (ASP Ma. May Punongbayan-Voluntad); RC Calamba (ASP Reynaldo “Rey” A. Gedoria); RC Calamba City (ASP Lino “LJ” C. Jarilla); and, RC Metro Calamba (ASP Amado “Madz” resurreccion). Group 5 headed by AG Maria Elisa “Lisa” Ronan consists of: RC Bay (ASP Omar F. Zubia); RC Los Baños (ASP Digna C. Austria); RC Los Baños Makiling (ASP Rowena “Wen” Parducho); and, RC West Bay (ASP Ma. Teresita “Tattie” B. Osalla). Group 6 headed by AG Patrocinia “Pat” Kalaw consists of: RC Cavinti (ASP Jay R. Estrellado); RC Infanta (ASP Lourdes “Malou” O. Gucilatar); RC Pagsanjan (ASP Ambiel John “Ambiel” C. Panganiban); RC Pila West (ASP Alexander “Alex” Reuyan); RC Siniloan (ASP Abner B. Mancilla); and, RC Sta. Cruz (ASP Filipinas “Pia” L. Bonagua). And lastly, Group 7 headed by AG Monet Gaw consists of: RC Nagcarlan (ASP Nelson De La Paz); RC San Pablo City (ASP Francisco “Fran” Librojo; RC San Pablo City Central (ASP Angelo Ian “Ian” A. Sampelo); RC San Pablo City South (ASP Virgilio “Benjie” Monzones); and, RC Silangan San Pablo (ASP Nonelito “Noni” B. Benitez).

As part of the AllStar Leadership Plan, a semi-annual area meeting is required by the District for each ASPs to report his or her Club’s accomplishments and  evaluate each Club’s performance. Thus, DDG Mela, together with four (4) AGs, seventeen (17) ASPs, six (6) District Officers, and AllStar RCSO, gathered on November 5, 2016 at Café Lagro, near Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City, to conduct the First Semester Area 1 Evaluation Meeting.

Photos grabbed from AG CP Rey Anonuevo.

Sisterhood Signing with RC Cavinti

During the Induction Ceremony of RC Cavinti last September 2, 2016, ASP Jay Estrellado of RC Cavinti invited ASP Wen Parducho for a sisterhood signing between the their clubs. The signing did not happen because the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was not yet ready; thus, it was postponed for later. Nevertheless, ASP Wen shared and proposed a tie-up project with ASP Jay RC LB Makiling’s project entitled “Rotary Wheels-on-the-Go” wherein the make-shift wheelchairs assembled last September 24, 2016 (see Luntiang Tanawin Vol 16 No 4 ) are to be distributed among beneficiaries residing in Laguna.

ASP Wen and RTN Gelli Parducho went to Cavinti last October 23, 2016, to accompany RC Cavinti in the wheelchair distribution to the selected beneficiaries in their area. After which, they gathered at Flordeliz, where RC Cavinti hold their meetings, and officially signed the MOA. ASP Wen is thankful that ASP Jay accepted the partnership even before the MOA and hopes that the two clubs to have more tie up projects in the future.

LEFT TO RIGHT: RTN Gelli Parducho, RAC Hazel del Barrio of RAC Cavinti, ASP Wen Parducho,,
SP Jay Estrellado, and two other members of RC Cavinti (Photo grabbed from RC Cavinti).

#ThewonderfulworldofrotaryD3820

This is the official video entry of the Rotary Club of Los Baños Makiling to the District 3820 Philippines Video Contest RY 2016-2017.
#ThewonderfulworldofrotaryD3820

Youth Seminar: Bullying

On October 17, 2016, ASP Wen Parducho visited Brgy. Captain Lapitan of Brgy. Baybayin for a courtesy call. She talked about the mission and vision of the Club and its ongoing projects which may benefit the barangay. The captain offered the Club to be a co-organizer of the barangay’s Youth Week where they plan to spread awareness about the following: bullying, antidrug campaign, HIV/cancer, disaster preparedness, and environmental concerns. The Club invited Mr. Edel Parducho, a psychologist at Medical Action Group, Inc. (MAG), to conduct the seminar on bullying on October 31. He first talked about the various definitions of the concept itself, facts and myths, and enumerated the types. Afterwards, he explained in detail the difference among “victim”, “bully”, “parent”, “educator”, and “society” given a situation. He also held an interactive activity wherein the participants were grouped to display the following situations and how to handle them:

(1) physical abuse;
(2) verbal abuse;
(3) societal/ relational abuse; and,
(4) gender-based abuse.

The participants were very responsive and even shared a few experiences which was great because that day became an outlet for them.  The Club hopes that through its small efforts to spread awareness on various topics concerning the youth, such as leadership and bullying, that it can at least prepare those children and young adults to face their future in a braver way.

Mr. Edel Parducho, a psychologist, spreading awareness on bullying in front of the youth of Brgy. Baybayin. 

ASP Wen Parducho and Mr. Edel Parducho, together with the participants of Brgy. Baybayin
Youth Week 2016 and the barangay officials. 

Youth Seminar: Leadership

Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho held its Youth Week last October 28-30, 2016 at Tuntungin-Putho Covered Court. The event was spearheaded by the Youth Task Force in cooperation with the barangay officials. They previously sought the assistance of RC LB Makiling to conduct a leadership seminar during the latter’s courtesy call to Brgy. Captain Ronald Oñate last October 8. On October 28, RTN Gelli Parducho conducted a youth leadership seminar entitled “The Young Leaders, Today and Tomorrow.” She was joined by RAC Makiling’s ASP AJ Mendoza and RAC Lorenzo Magadia. She started the seminar with an activity wherein each group will have to build the tallest tower using only six (6) barbeque sticks and four (3) small pieces of marshmallows. Next she presented the following: (1) definition of leadership; (2) facts and myths on leadership; (3) qualities of a good leader; (4) leadership styles; (5) biggest mistakes a leader can make; and (6) short clips about the concept of between a leader and his followers, bayanihan and stepping out of the comfort zone. She finished the seminar by asking each participant what he will do if he was the president of the Philippines. Many answered that they will find a solution to solve the problems of the working sector, i.e., provide more jobs and increase salary; others wanted to solve the never ending traffic, to build more schools, to provide household allowance, etc. All their ideas have potential but the question remains on how will all those ideas be executed. We do hope that at least one of them will step up and achieve to solve those problems.

RTN Gelli Parducho, RAC ASP AJ Mendoza and RAC Lorenzo Magadia, together with some
of the participants of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho’s Youth Week 2016. 

World Polio Day 2016

What is polio and why celebrate World Polio Day? Polio (poliomyelitis) is a viral disease usually found in children which causes total paralysis and sometimes death.  It is incurable but can be prevented through vaccination. Thus, in 1985, Rotary launched the PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through mass vaccination. The advocacy efforts displayed by the organization have played a major role in the decision making of donors and government agencies. As a result, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was formed in 1988, a partnership involving Rotary, World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments worldwide. The initiative focuses on advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness building. To date, there are only three (3) countries remaining with reported polio cases, namely: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. In 2015, less than seventy-five (75) cases were confirmed worldwide—a reduction of more than 99.9% since the program began. The remaining one percent is always the most challenging to overcome. Due to factors such as geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict, and cultural barriers, there is always the possibility of an outbreak. These conditions are the reason why Rotary and its partners continue to spread awareness and raise funds to end polio. As part of the initiative to spread awareness and report real time updates regarding the movement  against polio, Rotary established the World Polio Day which is celebrated annually every 24th of October, in commemoration of Jonas Silk’s birthday, as the person who spearheaded the development of the first polio vaccine. This year, the objective of the celebration was: “One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio.”

A livestream event organized by Rotary International was held at the CDC Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to answer the following questions:

(1) Where are we in the fight to eradicate polio?
(2) What’s left to do?
(3) And why does it cost so much?

The questions and much more were answered by health officials from the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary leaders and special guests ( Source: www.endpolio.org ). In addition, Rotary International encouraged everyone to host an event in their own communities as part of the celebration to which RC LB Makiling responded. The Club organized an online campaign, using social media, i.e., Facebook, as the medium, to spread awareness and direct people to watch the livestream event. On October 3, the members of the Club and its partners-in-service, i.e., Rotaract Club of Makiling and Interact Club of LBNHS Poblacion, changed their profile pictures with the “This Close” backdrop—the official public awareness campaign used by Rotary International—with the caption: “Be aware, spread the word, and contribute to the global fight to end polio. Watch the livestream event on October 24 at 6:30PM EDT for the #WorldPolioDay update. endpolio.org.” In addition, facts about polio were posted daily by everyone on their own timelines as part of the campaign. The campaign lasted the whole month of October, many people reacted to it and the Club concluded that it was successful because of the many people it reached. Despite the small effort, the Club proved that there are other ways to celebrate World Polio Day without spending money but rather donating that money instead to the Rotary Foundation.

Featurette: RC LB Makiling's Interactors

On September 25, 2016, Acebert Velasco, a member of Interact LBNHS TuntunginPutho and one of the Club’s scholars under the “Sakay Mo, Libre Ko” project wherein a monthly stipend is given to each scholar which is allotted for their transportation to and from school for the purpose of encouraging them to go to school, participated in the Brain Gauge 2016 held at the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), organized by the League of Agricultural Engineering Students (N.-G.). The event is lined up with the following contests: quiz contest (Mathematics, Science, and General Information); editorial cartooning; poster making; essay writing; extemporaneous speaking; and, symposium or career orientation. As the representative of his school, Tuntungin-Putho National High School, he specifically participated in the editorial cartooning contest where he won 3rd place.

Interactor and one of RC LB Makiling’s scholar under the “Sakay Mo, Libre Ko” project, Acebert Velasco,
who won 3rd place at Brain Gauge 2016

Meanwhile, on October 5, another Interactor from the same school and Interact Club, Jay Platino, with his partner Elaijah Gironella, participated in the Water Rocket Competition, one of the many contests lined up in celebration of World Space Week. The other contests were 2nd Can Satellite Launch Competition and On-theSpot Poster Making Contest. All contests were held at DOST-PCAARRD, Los Baños. They won the Water Rocket Competition and was awarded to be part of the Philippine Team to represent the country in the 23rd Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) to be held on 1518 November 2016, at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Pasay City. According to their adviser, Mr. Jom Oliveros, it is the first international contest their school has ever participated.

Sir Jom Oliveros, the adviser, and partners Elaijah Gironella and our own Interactor  Jay Platino,
during the celebration of World Space Week at DOST-PCAARRD

Interact Club of LBNHS Tuntungin-Putho is not the only one in need of recognition but also some members of our other Interact, the Interact Club of LBNHS Poblacion. The Cluster 7 Schools Training Workshop of Campus Journalism held last 8-9 September 2016 at Nicolas Galvez Memorial High School, Bay, Laguna, wherein eight (8) schools participated, including the Los Baños National High School Poblacion (LBNHSP), to which our Interactors belong to. The goal was to train potential journalists that will participate in the Division Schools Press Conference to be held at Famy, Quezon on 28-30 September. Two participants from LBNHSP won during the said workshop, both are Interactors. Ms. Angeline Canino, the current president of the Interact Club, won 3rd place in the Feature Writing category under the Filipino sub-category. Mr. Cron Malomog, the immediate past president of the Club, also won that day; he placed second in the Copy Reading and Headline Writing category. Another Interactor from the same school and Club, named Fiona Angeles, won 1st runner-up and best in costume when she represented Venezuela during their school’s pageant as part of their United Nations celebration last October 14. The Club would like to extend their sincerest congratulations by recognizing their accomplishments, whether big or small, and that the Club is very proud of them.

Interactor Fiona Angeles who won 1st runner-up in their school’s pageant in celebration of the United Nations.

Increasing Cultural Awareness

IPP Carla Jimena and Rotarians Jill Visbal and Gizelle Gonzales helped ROTEX Theo Dussart increase his knowledge about the culture of Filipinos from then to now. On September 18, 2016, they visited the National Museum of the Philippines located at Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila, and the Ayala Museum located at Makati, Metro Manila. The exhibits displayed the history of the Philippines, i.e., the cultural traditions of each tribes before they became urbanized by the coming of the Spaniards, the artworks of famous Filipino painters depicting the society of the Filipinos during the Spanish, American and Japanese colonization, the story of how Philippines was discovered, the time of the barter trade between Chinese merchants and the existing tribes on the islands before Magellan and his men set foot on the islands, and many more. It was a mind-packed day for Theo and hopefully he can now further understand the uniqueness of the Filipino culture compared to other nations.

ASP Wen's Courtesy Calls to LGUs

Los Baños

ASP Wen Parducho, together with Rotarians Gelli Parducho and Gina Umali, and Ms. Gemma Encinares, went to visit Hon. Mayor Cesar Perez at his office in the Municipal Hall of Los Baños last September 19, 2016. She informed the Mayor about the current and proposed projects of the Club for the whole Rotary year, and sought partnership with a few of the projects. The Mayor said, that the LGU-LB office is willing to enter into any partnership initiatives on environmental protection in general and waste management in particular as well as sustainable livelihood projects. Likewise, he mentioned the need to conduct needs assessment and consultation meetings with his team and the target program/project beneficiaries of the Club before implementing any community project. Lastly, he enumerated the heads of respective offices in Los Baños, with whom the Club could coordinate its proposed programs/projects to ensure compliance with local ordinances and avoid overlapping of activities.

The municipal office of the town of Los Baños.

Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho

The morning of October 8, 2016, ASP Wen Parducho, accompanied by RTN Rona Parducho, went to the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho to officially meet Hon. Ronald T. Oñate (the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho). She has contacted him and requested for the meeting days before, to which he gave his consent enthusiastically. She started the introductions by playing the latest video promotion of the Club where projects executed from 2015 to present were showcased. This was followed by a brief history on how the Club was created, its mission and vision, and projects which may benefit the community. She also shared the Club’s ongoing project, entitled “Rotary Wheels-on-the-Go” wherein part of the project was to distribute fifty (50) make-shift wheelchairs to selected Laguna-based beneficiaries who fit the required qualifications set out by the donor, SunPower Manufacturing Philippines (see Luntiang Tanawin Vol 16 No 4 ). He was very much interested and promised to help find potential beneficiaries in their community. She also introduced to him the idea of establishing community-based Interact and Rotaract, the official partners-in-service of any Rotary Clubs, to which the latter pushed the decision of the establishment to the current officers of the Task Force on Youth Development of their barangay. He invited ASP Wen to attend the Task Force’s meeting tonight at the Barangay Hall to discuss it with the youth officers. Before the meeting ended, ASP Wen offered the Club’s assistance to the barangay in whatever they need but emphasized the limitations of the Club based on the 3 Ts (Time, Talent, Treasure). In response, he toured them to the room they have provided for one of the barangay’s ongoing projects—rag sewing—which provides income to a few seamstress in their community. They already have a market for it but they are currently in need of additional machines to cope with the demand. She did not promise anything but instead told him that she will discuss the matter with the Club and they will deliberate on how the Club can help them. That night, ASP Wen came back to the Barangay Hall, with RTN Gelli Parducho. She discussed the intention of the Club to establish community based Interact and Rotaract, with consent from Brgy. Captain Oñate, to the members of the Task Force. They were open to the idea and even Task Force officers from Brgy. Mayondon, which were present during the meeting to offer their assistance to the Task Force of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho, expressed their interest when they talked with RTN Gelli. Putting that aside, the main agenda of their meeting was to discuss matters relating to their Youth Week celebration on October 28-30. They finalized the list of activities and pointed out which they needed assistance. Here, ASP Wen offered the Club. In response, the Task Force proposed if the Club can be in-charge of the leadership seminar scheduled on October 28, to which ASP Wen accepted the invitation in behalf of the members. The Club instills the idea that leaders are not born but made and providing leadership seminars was just one of the many ways how leaders of today can train and prepare the leaders of tomorrow.

 ASP Wen Parducho , with  RTN Rona Parducho, introducing the Club to Hon.
Ronald T. Oñate (the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho).  

ASP Wen Parducho, with RTN Gelli Parducho, discussing the idea of creating
community-based Interact and Rotaract in Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho.

The Task Force on Youth Development of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho deliberating on the
list of activities previously laid out as part of their Youth Week 2016 celebration. 

Brgy. Anos

ASP Wen, accompanied by RTN Gelli, went to the Barangay Assembly of Brgy. Anos on October 16, as per the invitation of Brgy. Councilor Sammy Domingo to present the Club and its project, Rotary Wheels-on-the-Go, to their Brgy. Captain, Hon. Celerino Balasoto, Jr. Upon arrival, they first approached Brgy. Councilor Domingo who immediately and officially introduced them to Brgy. Captain Balasoto. Brgy. Captain Balasoto gave ASP Wen a few minutes to introduce the Club and its projects in front of the community and to the rest of the officers. She did the same introductions as she did when she visited Brgy. Captain Oñate of Brgy. Tuntungin-Putho. The response this time was also promising because according to the Brgy. Captain himself, they know of some who are in dire need of wheelchairs. ASP Wen further explained the necessary qualifications required by the donor, SunPower Manufacturing Philippines (see Luntiang Tanawin Vol 16 No 4 ), for the selection of beneficiaries. They promised to assist the potential beneficiaries and will make sure that they will provide the necessary documents as instructed. After which, she approached the representatives of Generika (Los Baños branch). Coincidentally, she is acquainted with Ms,. Chi Anne Lacson, the officer-in-charge of the Los Baños branch. Both parties agreed to meet on October 27, with the presence of Ms. Charity Talabis, their Cluster Head, to further discuss the matter on exploring the idea of a tie-up project.

Hon. Celerino Balasoto, Jr. (the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Anos), ASP Wen
Parducho, and Sammy Domingo (Brgy. Councilor of Brgy. Anos).

The community of Brgy. Anos who attended the Barangay Assembly of Sangguniang
Barangay Anos held last October 16, 2016 at the Brgy. Anos Covered Court 

ASP Wen Parducho speaking in front of the Brgy. Anos community, introducing RC LB
Makiling, its mission and vision, and current projects that will benefit its community.

Wheelchair Assembly - Leg 1

SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd., represented by Mr. Victor Persius Chan—CSR, Communications and Engagement Manager of SunPower—under their #PROJECTWHEELCHAIR, donated 100 make-shift wheelchairs to RC LB Makiling. The beneficiaries of the wheelchairs shall be selected based on the following criteria:

1. In need of wheelchair but cannot afford their own;
2. Disabilities as result of accidents, injuries, illness, birth defects, or old age;
3. Annual income should not be more than PHP144,000; and,
4. Bonafide resident of either Laguna or Batangas. 

LEFT TO RIGHT: The representatives of the Los Baños Federation of People with Disabilities (LBFPWD),
together with Victor Persius Chan of SunPower and ASP Wen Parducho of RC LB Makiling.

Since the distribution of the wheelchairs is exclusive to Laguna and Batangas areas, RC LB Makiling tapped its sister club RC Bauan headed by ASP Lorenzo “Jun” Tatlonghari, and partnered with them to distribute half of the wheelchairs to beneficiaries in Batangas. Furthermore, the wheelchairs need to be assembled first before they are given to the beneficiaries. Thus, an assembly workshop was organized and held last September 24, 2016, at Los Baños Central Elementary School (LBCES) Covered Court. Volunteers include SunPower staff, RC LB Makiling ladies, RC Bauan brothers, DSDSCHE faculty, student members from STP-UPLB and UNESCO Club-UPLB, LBFPWD officers and members, ASPLaguna representatives, and LBCES teachers. The 50 wheelchairs for distribution in Laguna were assembled that day and 16 of those were already given out to selected beneficiaries. The remaining 34 units are currently stored at LBCES. Distribution commenced on September 24 and will end on November 24, 2016.