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. 

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.

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.

RC Cavinti Induction

ASP Jay Estrellado of RC Cavinti invited the Club to attend their Induction Ceremony last September 2, 2016 at Cavinti Covered Court. Attendees were ASP Wen Parducho, PP Lisa Ronan, PP Tere Peralta, and RTN Gelli Parducho.

ASP Jay Estrellado during his inaugural speech.

The ladies of RC LB Makiling with the members of RC Cavinti.

The AllStar Presidents who attended the induction ceremony, together with DG Dindo and Lady Princess Katigbak.

Sisterhood Signing with D3800 RC Pasig Sunrise

The Club was invited by the Rotary Club of Pasig Sunrise from District 3800 to attend their Induction Ceremony and renew the sisterhood agreement between clubs last September 1, 2016 at One Shangri-la Place, Ortigas, Metro Manila. The ceremony was attend-ed by ASP Wen Parducho, PP Lisa Ronan and RTN Gelli Parducho.

The sisterhood between clubs started back in 2010 and was initiated by PP Lisa Ronan and her fellow high school alumna ASP Jose "Pepe" de Silva. That year, both clubs collaborated on a project that benefited their alma mater. That was the first and last collaboration between clubs since the sisterhood agreement was not renewed; but this year, they graciously agreed to renew the agreement and both clubs promised better partnership and more fellowship for this year and the coming years.

Sisterhood agreement signing between ASP Wen Parducho of RC LB Makiling and ASP Pepe de Silva of RC Pasig Sunrise.

The ladies of RC LB Makiling together with almost all the members of RC Pasig Sunrise.

FORESTHACK 2016

Foresthack 2016 took place last August 27-28, 2016 at UPLB, organized by IDC Environment and Livelihood Development Foundation (ELDF) partnered with 8Layers Technologies, Inc. and Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI). It challenged computer technology enthusiasts to develop an application through the use of mobile platforms. The Mobile App aimed at serving users with a tool that would enable them to: (1) contribute and access data and information for planning and monitoring sustainable forest management activities; (2) understand the challenges in the forestry sector; and, (3) search solutions that will address those challenges.

Nearly 150 college students from Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, metro Manila, and Palawan taking up Information Technology, Computer Science, and Forestry courses participated in the event. A total of 26 teams (composed of 4 students each) competed not only for the Grand Prize but as well as the opportunity to work with technology incubators and to pre-sent their “Winning App” at the Annual Conference of the Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc., to be held in Iloilo City in October 2016. The team “H.E.Y.L.” with their mobile app on calculating carbon footprint won the grand prize. The other two teams that won the first and second prize were Team “Newbie” with their “GoHarvest” app and Team “Supremo” with their “Kolektiv” app, respectively.

RC LB Makiling was invited as community partner of the organizers. As such, the Club provided tokens for the panel of judges, resource persons and guests.


Photo courtesy of 8Layers Technologies, Inc.

RC Sariaya Induction

The club was chartered on December 1999 during the term of PDG Paeng Tantuco as District Governor of District 3820. And so, it has been the Club's tradition to attend the induction of PDG Paeng's home club, RC Sariaya. The induction was held at Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena last August 25, 2016. It was attended by ASP Wen Parducho, IPP Carla Jimena, PP Lisa Ronan, RTN Joy Pinca, RTN Gelli Parducho, and ROTEX Theo Dussart.

The AllStar Presidents with DG Dindo Katigbak.

RC LB Makiling celebrates International Youth Day

In celebration of International Youth Day last August 12, 2016, the club hosted a gathering for everyone to say their welcoming and farewell greetings to the club’s youth exchange students Inbound Theo Dussart and Outbound Buggy Mendoza, respectively.

Invited guests were the four (4) host families, namely, Prof. Emy Mendoza; RTN Diane Guieb with her children, Claire and Clark; Eli Toribio; and Karen and George Kolojejchick-Kotch. Likewise present were members of RAC Makiling, WCP and ASP of RAC Caloocan, and some UPLB students.

Furthermore, RTN Alleli Domingo, the Club’s ROTEX Counselor, presented the five stages of adjustments an individual must go through when introduced to a new environment, which both the exchange students will experience.

Welcome to the Philippines, Theo and Bon Voyage to France, Buggy!


Photos courtesy of Ms. Isis Liwanag.

Sisterhood Signing with D3810 RC Rosario Magdiwang

RC Rosario Magdiwang of District 3810 has been a sister club to RC Los Baños Makiling (RCLBMak) since 2014, during PP Tess Pantua’s term as Club President. They have visited RC LB Makiling twice last year, during IPP Carla Jimena’s term, where they had a little tour around the UPLB campus.

This year, ASP Jacque Caaya and ASP Wen Parducho renewed the sisterhood agreement during their club’s induction last August 16, 2016, at Noveleta, Cavite. The two clubs signed the new MOA and exchanged bannerettes. There were already some discussions of partnered projects between the two clubs, and both are looking forward for a very fruitful and productive partnership.

(Left to right) PP Lisa Ronan and ASP Wen Parducho of RC LB Makiling and ASP Jacque Caaya and PP Ed Reyes of RC Rosario Magdiwang.

The ladies of RC LB Makiling (left) together with some members of RC Rosario Magdiwang (right).

Rotary Wheels On-the-Go

This is a joint project of RC LB Makiling and RC Bauan, as part of their sisterhood agreement.

SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd., under their SunPower Wheelchair Project, will donate a total of 100 make-shift wheelchairs to RC LB Makiling, to be assembled on September 24, 2016 at Los Baños Central Elementary School (LBCES). Since the distribution is exclusive to Laguna and Batangas communities only, RC LB Makiling tapped its sister club RC Bauan to help distribute the wheelchairs. Each club will have 50 wheelchairs to distribute to beneficiaries in their own communities who qualify the conditions stated below. Distribution of the wheelchairs will be from September 24 to November 24, 2016.

Volunteers for the assembling of the wheelchairs include SunPower, RC LB Makiling, RAC Makiling, STP-UPLB, and a few teachers of LBCES.

RC LB Makiling is seeking financial assistance to cover the expenses on storage, transportation, and distribution of the said wheelchairs. Any contribution will aid in the delivery of items to the beneficiaries.

For donations, please proceed through this link -- bit.ly/2ch3DxD.

Your help will go a long way.

_________________________

For Laguna area, thee beneficiaries will be selected according to the following requirements:

1. In need of wheelchair but cannot afford their own;
2. Disabilities as result of accidents, injuries, illness, birth defects, or old age;
3. Beneficiary's annual income should no be more than PHP144,000; and,
4. Should be a bonafide resident of Laguna.

If you know anyone who fits the qualifications stated above, please email us at rclbmakiling@gmail.com or contact us at 0950-672-8146.

Thank you!