Bringing Magic to Communities: Health, Livelihood, Community Economic Development Opportunities
By Past President Harold J, Dacumos, RI D3830, DCC, RCC 2024-25 and Past President Allan Palacio, Public Image Vice Chair, RI District 3830
ABOUT THE EVENT
Rotary International District 3830, in partnership with the First Rotary Credit Cooperative (FRCC), successfully conducted the RCC Expo2025 and Awards on Community Excellence (ACE) for Outstanding Rotary Community Corps on March 1, 2025 held at the Paeng Hechanova Hall, RC Makati Clubhouse, Camia St, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. With the theme, “Bringing Magic to Communities: Health, Livelihood and Community Economic Development Opportunities”, the event provided a lot of opportunities for networking and collaborations especially for those Rotary Clubs and their RCCs who showcased and marketed their amazing products and services.
At the end, the RCC Expo and ACE for Outstanding RCCs inspired and energized everyone from the various learnings and insights on the achievements of RCCs in building stronger and resilient communities.
“Together, we Grow with RCC!” - PP Harold Dacumos.
WINNERS OF ACE AWARDS
Attended by more than 130 delegates from 22 Rotary Clubs and 15 Rotary Community Corps, the RCC Expo2025, also highlighted the noteworthy Area of Focus (AOF) service projects of RCCs. The adjudged winners of the ACE Awards for Outstanding RCCs received their glass trophies and P7,000 cash prizes each. Congratulations to the following ACE winners: RCC Tanglaw ng Pagkakaisa of RC Rizal West for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene AOF, RCC Makati Premier District for Maternal and Child Health AOF, RCC Par Homes 1 of RC Paranaque St. Andrews for Basic Education and Literacy AOF, RCC of RC Makati Bel Air for Community Economic Development AOF, and RCC of Makati F. Zobel for Environment AOF.
Best Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Project: “Safe Water, Save Lives” project involving the distribution of 50 portable water filters providing safe drinking water for the indigent and vulnerable families in Tanglaw ng Pagkakaisa, Pateros. Watch the project video: https://youtu.be/_vImIIzMOBc and photo compilation <click here>
Best Maternal and Child Health Project: “2nd Supplementary Community Based Feeding Program” that aims to help reduce malnutrition of 20 children aged 3-7 in Barangay Singkamas Community and Francisco Benitez Elementary School III pupils.
Watch the project video: https://youtu.be/-UFsULVkJzE and photo compilation <click here>.
Best Basic Education and Literacy Project: “Donation of Printer & Photocopier, and Provision of WIFI Internet Connection for the Students of Rotary Homes Par 1” project to help reproduce learning materials, and allow students access the internet and attend virtual classes, respectively.. Watch the project video: https://youtu.be/8umtedRkT6E
Best Community Economic Development Project: “Negosyong Pangkabuhayan: Pundasyon ng Matatag na Kinabukasan”, a livelihood and entrepreneurship program designed to empower individuals and communities in Pateros by providing them with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to build sustainable businesses. Check out the photo compilation <click here>.
Best Environment Project: “Marikina Watershed Reforestation & Livelihood Project Part 2” which involves planting bamboo on a new 20-hectare plantation site at Sitio Karugo, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal, providing a stable source of clean drinking water to over 27 million residents in Metro Manila, protecting residents from flooding during heavy rainfall, as well as providing livelihood opportunities to local farmers through ecotourism and bamboo farming. Watch the project video: https://youtu.be/C8F88TI71_M?t=223 and photo compilation <click here>.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GUESTS
Charter President Lucille Lopez of Rotary Club of Makati F. Zobel, Deputy Chairperson of the Community Service Committee, RI D3830, RY 2024-25, enthusiastically welcomed all the delegates, guests, and dignitaries present during the event.
WELCOME MESSAGE
In her welcome message, Charter President Lina Sullivan, Chairperson of the Community Service Committee, RI D3830, RY 2024-25, noted that “RCC Expo 2025, is a testament to the vital role RCCs play in addressing local needs and fostering positive change. RCC initiatives are not merely projects; they are transformative forces that revitalize communities and empower individuals. At their core, RCCs unlock the transformative power within individuals, fostering self-reliance, leadership skills and a profound sense of community ownership, ultimately building stronger, more resilient and vibrant communities.”
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
In her Inspirational message, RI D3830 Governor Prescy Yulo emphasized the significant role of RCCs: First, By sponsoring RCCs, we empower community members to take the lead in addressing their needs. Second, RCCs enhance the Club’s Service Impact. By Partnering with RCCs it increases the club’s ability to make a lasting difference. Projects are more sustainable and have greater impact when community members are involved in planning, implementation, and long- term oversight. Third, RCCs help expand the Club’s reach. RCCs opens Rotary to a wider audience, gives the Club the opportunity to work with community volunteers, and help develop deeper relationships with the adopted community. And RCCs diversify participation & develop leaders- Through RCCs, Clubs can diversify participation in their service activities and develop new leaders in the community.
Watch the video message: https://youtu.be/ncjj7zHCCl8
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Overview of the RCC and ACE for Outstanding RCCs was discussed by PP Harold Dacumos. The RCC program was initiated by Past R I President (PRIP) M. A.T. Caparas during his term professing the theme- Rotary Brings Hope. Since then, the original name Rotary Village Corps transformed into Rotary Community Corps and institutionalized as an RI program. As valued Partners in Service of Rotary Clubs, PRIP Caparas recognized the need to organize and mobilize the people in their communities as self-help groups to address their common and urgent needs. To date, there are more than 13,000 RCCs worldwide, with 4,028 sponsoring clubs in 257 Districts in 105 Countries. In the Philippines, RI D3830 has more than 560 active RCCs registered with RI.
PANEL DISCUSSION
After which, a Panel Discussion involving RCC Officers moderated by PP Marge Lamberte of RC Muntinlupa Metro and PP Allan Palacio of RC Rizal West followed. RCC Presidents shared their experience and insights in undertaking effective and sustainable AOF service projects. Some key takeaways were: projects must be responsive to the member’s needs, active participation of members, continuous communications, training of members, committed leadership and transparency.
TECHNICAL SESSION 1
The afternoon session featured three distinguished Resources Persons. PDG Mildred Vitangcol discussed the critical role of Rotary in addressing diseases such as end polio, dengue as well as non- communicable diseases (ie hypertension and diabetes, cancer) as well as maternal and child health. As a physician, PDG Mildred led the nationwide MVV health caravan and founded the H.E.L.P. Pilipinas to respond to the need of the marginalized communities for them to have better access to health, education and livelihood opportunities. The abstract of PDG Mildred’s paper is appended in this article.
TECHNICAL SESSION 2
Another talented Resource Speaker who has been in the cooperative movement for over 30 years was Ms. Maricris Bautista, General Manager of San Dionisio Credit Cooperative, who shared the key success factors of their cooperatives whose assets grew from P30,000 in 1965 to P2.77 billion today. These factors are embodied in the acronym WISE MENTOR which stands for WILL, INTEGRITY, SERVE, EFFICIENTLY AND ETHICALLY… MORALLY DRIVEN, EXPERIENCED, NURTURING, TRUSTWORTHY, OPEN AND RESPONSIVE.
TECHNICAL SESSION 3
The last and equally talented speaker was CP Ester A. Florendo, Chairlady of the FRCC. Elaborating on the financial services of FRCC to benefit its members, she invited all Rotarians and RCCs in attendance to join FRCC to save and invest as well as avail of loans at very affordable interest rates. This common bond of association is one of FRCC’s strengths because of its shared values, ideals and ethical standards.
FRCC is a savings and credit cooperative, which you can trust. FRCC got its tax exemption for 5 years which redounds to its members. FRCC has lined up responsive and meaningful lending and savings products for the benefit of its members. The regular loans are offered exclusively to all its members at a very affordable interest rate of only one percent per month. And eligible members can borrow up to 5 times their fully paid share capital and savings deposits or Capital Build UP. On the side of increasing the source of loanable funds and to encourage savings and investments from members, FRCC has designed special high interest yielding time deposits from 6% to 18 %, which are all tax exempt. For more information, you can follow FRCC’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FRCCD3830.
CLOSING MESSAGE The session ended with the very inspiring and impactful closing message by DGE, RI D3830 Reggie Nolido of RC Makati.
Watch the video message: https://youtu.be/OpCoXYONZLA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This event was coordinated by Past President Harold J. Dacumos of Rotary Club of Makati Bel-Air and District Coordinating Chair, RCC of RI D3830, RY 2024-25. The resounding success of the event was made possible with the full support of the Community Service Team Headed by Charter President Lina Sullivan of Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Amity and Governor Prescy Yulo as well as with Technical support provided by Past President Allan Palacio of Rotary Club of Rizal West and Past President Alex Lopez of Rotary Club of Makati F. Zobel.
The organizers extend its heartfelt thanks for the sponsorships of the Landbank of the Philippines, NHMFC, Gardenia Bakeries, Unilab, PDG Edna Sutter, PP Arfel Joseph Austria, Praise Realty Marketing Corporation. And the 15 Hosts and Co-hosts Clubs.
Access these links for more event photos and videos:
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