December 17, 2021, aftermath of Typhoon Odette, at 8:28 p.m. Past President Josephine Natalaray sent a message to the group chat of Rotary Club of Bacolod Central “Good evening Centralians. Pres. May Castro will our club initiate relief efforts or the Council of Presidents initiate the move? IBP would like to partner with Rotary.” District Governor Nominee Mate Espina replied “Yes agree, let’s help out, especially sa south. Ka lain gid sang natabo there”. Then PP Jules Carbon replied “I will help, good evening”. Then the beautiful story of Rotary as people of action began. A spark lit the fire of humanitarian spirit.
The fund drive started and one by one the members of RC Bacolod Central gave their cash pledges. DGN Mate emerged as the Leader. First, she asked, “Can someone volunteer to spearhead this one”. But she ended up marching at the front, leading the raising of funds, getting donations from Centralians, former Rotarians, relatives, business establishments, and friends. This happened on December 18, 2021.
Then on December 19, 2021, everything was ready. The Centralians traveled to Binalbagan with loads of water, bread, food packs, rice, and many more. Efforts were concentrated in Binalbagan City which was devastated by Odette. In coordination with Rotary Club of Binalbagan East, relief assistance was extended to more than 800 residents in three coastal barangays – Enclaro, Canmorros, and San Juan.
President Floressa May V. Castro with DGN Ma. Esther Espina headed the RC Bacolod Central delegation composed of PP Josephine Natalaray, PP Lourdes Rosa Abelido, PP Roseo Depra, PP Mhel Sillador, IPP Glia Mabag and PN Patrick Mabag, PP Robert Aguillon and Rotarian Yanibee A. Noynay. The RC Bacolod Central thanked the donors, Nepan Sales, Country Mart, Alex Abelido, Phil. Institute of Civil Engineers, Jocelyn Escamilla, Albert G. Gomez, Jr., sisters of DGN Mate, Inday, Malou, Mary Ann Nenen Espina, Victorias Milling Company, and Merczi. Food items, water, hygiene kits, and other goods, and cash donations of about Php 57,500.00 were gathered from centralians and donors.
In between packing and distribution, the centralians bonded as a family through a sumptuous lunch and lots of photo operations. Their smiles of joy and fulfillment were like rays of sunshine after the storm. The sunset photographs were the climax of the day.
“Every Sunset brings the promise of a new Dawn”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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