MANILA, Philippines - The local government of Quezon City marked the 132th birth anniversary of the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon with a tree-planting activity led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte, the Rotary Club of Pag-asa and supported by Asiawide Refreshments Corp. (ARC).
Various tree species like narra and mahogany were planted in the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
The Rotary Club is no stranger to public service. “Our club was born out of a desire to give hope (pag-asa) to our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” said Oscar Karaan, one of the founding members and immediate past president of Rotary Club Pag-asa. “We were giving them hope, and in the process, we are also empowering them to become useful citizens of the society.”
For instance, the Rotary Club of Pag-asa has also been helping an Aeta community and the school children of Kanawan Elementary school in Morong, Bataan since 2008 — giving them food, medicine, education plus a chance to succeed and enjoy a better life.
One of the clubs that supported the activity is ARC, the licensed manufacturer and distributor of RC Cola products, which, according to the top executives of Rotary Club of Pag-asa, had been very supportive of their projects.
ARC also got involved with the Rotary Club of Pag-asa’s feeding, health, and literacy programs. ARC also extended its services by providing two RC motorcycles (called “Arsikel”) for the community — one for their livelihood, and another as service vehicle for the children in going to school.
“Everyday, these children have had to endure walking nine kilometers to go to school, so the motorcycle is really a big help,” explained Karaan.
Joe Montenegro, current president of the Rotary Club of Pag-asa, believes that RC Cola’s support is a big boost to the success of their community projects.
“RC Cola is really one of our biggest supporters,” he said. “During missions, ARC execs even make it a point to travel with us to the mountainous barangays in Kanawan. There are organizations whose support ends with giving funds but ARC really goes out of their way, going with us to give hope, happiness and other amenities,” Montenegro adds.