25/11/2024
November 22 - 24, 2024 – Members of the Rotary Club of Alabang Lampara (RCAL), together with some of their family members, travelled all the way to Marinduque for a meaningful project.
November 21, 2024 – RCAL Members travelled from Manila to Talao-Talao Port in Lucena, Quezon, where they took a 3-hour boat ride to Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Marinduque. Upon arrival in Marinduque, they went straight to “Luzon Datum of 1911,” a tourist spot in the province. It is the primary geodetic station for the triangulation network of the Philippines. The marker placed therein stands as the Geodetic Center of the country. Thereafter, they proceeded to Casa de Don Emilio for dinner, where they were served mainly with local delicacies, like Ulang Ulang, Sinaing sa Asin, Tinolang Manok sa Luya, Pinaso na Gabi, among others.
November 22, 2024
(a) Tree-Planting Activity, Project: Madonna, and Poster Making Contest –
RCAL Members planted about thirty (30) Narra Trees by the stream in Brgy. Poras, Boac, Marinduque. They were joined by officials and residents of the Barangay.
RCAL Members then visited the Barangay Health Center and Evacuation Center to see its condition. The Barangay officials explained what their Health Center needs to improve their facility and services. Then, they proceeded to the Barangay Multi-Purpose Hall, where the rest of the activities transpired. Upon arrival therein, they were first served with snacks, among which are also local delicacies, like Sinudsod, and Pinaltok, among others.
Then, RCAL turned over to Barangay Poras supplies and equipment for the locality’s Health Center. This project is in line with the thrust of Rotary D3830 Precious Irresistible Governor Prescy Yulo – to give priority to the health and well-being of mothers and children. Among those that were turned over were hospital bed, breastfeeding chair, blood pressure gauge, maternal and breastfeeding needs (pumps, pillows), weighing scales, multivitamins, etc. The Barangay, through their Captain Rico Jandusay, and Boac Municipal Health Officer Dra. Catherine Dell S. Cruz expressed their immense gratitude to Rotary for this donation. According to them, these donated items will greatly help in addressing the health concerns of mothers in the community.
The guests were entertained by a dance number from two students of Poras Elementary School.
Fifty-six (56) students from Poras Elementary School, all of which came from Grades IV, V, and VI, joined the Poster Making Contest organized by the Club. The theme of the contest is “A Happy Barangay is a Happy Community.” Seven (7) of them qualified to the finals --- with 1 Champion (receiving P2,000 cash and Yakult products) and 6 Consolation Prize Winners (each receiving P900 cash and Yakult products).
The Tree Planting Activity and Project: Madonna were co-hosted by the Rotary Club of Makati Jose P. Rizal.
(b) Traditional Putong
To welcome the members of RCAL, some locals of Barangay Poras in costume performed the traditional putong, where the guests were treated as if they are kings and queens. They handed them with flowers, crowns placed on their hands, and showered with coins and paper bills. This is for them to wish their guests with good life, health and luck.
Lunch was later served, with local kari-kari, chicken curry, to name a few.
(c) Other Activities
RCAL members enjoyed shopping for pasalubong. They grabbed wall frames/clocks with preserved butterflies as ornaments, t-shirts, fish sauce, bagoong, sweets, dried fish, etc.
After, they had a quick dip at the beach right in the front of their hotel.
Next, time for dinner.
November 23, 2024 – After breakfast, RCAL members headed to Boac Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Parish) to hear mass. The church was erected in 1792. It has beautifully carved doors, massive buttresses, intricately carved ceilings, and exterior walls made of red bricks.
Shopping of pasalubong continued at Boac Hotel. Thereafter, they headed back to Balanacan Port to take a boat ride in going back to Manila.
Philippine Rotary Media Foundation, Inc.
