September 6, 2008 marked the third year of RC Makati North’s House Building project at Gawad Kalinga Ave Maria Village in Tanay, Rizal.  It was my first time to visit the project site and I was pleasantly surprised with the location’s natural beauty.  The climate is as cool as Tagaytay’s - perfect for a peaceful living.

Together with the Inner Wheel Club of Makati North (IWCMN), RCMN actively supports Gawad Kalinga’s vision of providing decent homes to our less fortunate but deserving countrymen. RCMN's sister clubs, RCs Raffle City Singapore, Shah Alam Malaysia and Hong Kong Island East are our partners on this project, who, from the start, have donated the community’s safe drinking water system.

A short program was held to introduce Mr. Bong Ocampo, Project Director, and  Mr. Jeff Catangay of the GK Ave Maria Technical Committee, who briefed the volunteers on the project.  Pres Klink handed over the donation from RCMN and its sister clubs.  Then, it was time for the "dirty work" to build a few housing units.

Pres Klink took charge of the cement mixing and we were given shovels, then lined-up side-by-side for the passing of the cement bucket.  It was a fun!  The activity was made more colorful by the presence of Inner Wheel Club National President, Vicky Magadia, IWCMN Pres Menchu Esteban, IWCMN IPP Cynthia Magdaraog, Marje Syjuco and son Stanley.

From RCMN, present were Dir Chris Bellinger, PE Vic Austria, Treas Robert Syjuco, IPP Joe, Pres Klink, myself, Jay (PE Vic Austria's son), Moly, Cris, Betty and special guest Diana Soriano from ADB.  We were able to finish early with the help of the lively and cheerful student volunteers from the Manila Times College of Journalism.

What a successful and fulfilling day for each one of us.  Though physically tiring, the experience was very refreshing, knowing that we have shared to make dreams real for some Filipino families.

For me, a Baby Rotarian, it was overwhelming!

I highly encourage everyone to join us in our upcoming visits to RCMN’s adopted GK Ave Maria community in Tanay.

MORE POWER, ROTARY!