Gawad Parangal: Area 2 Honors the Most Outstanding Garbage Collectors

January is Vocational Service Month.

And for the Vocational Service Excellence Award, Area 2 Clubs were designated to choose the most Outstanding Garbage Collector as awardees.

The Vocational Service Excellence Award award is given to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to vocational service, including promoting vocational skills, mentoring, supporting vocational education, and upholding high ethical standards in their profession.

Recipients of the Rotary Vocational Service Excellence Award are typically recognized for their contributions to their community, profession, and the ideals of Rotary International. The award serves to highlight the importance of vocational service and to honor those who have made a significant impact in this area.

Additionally, Rotary clubs may also recognize individuals within their own communities with awards or certificates for their dedication to vocational service and ethical conduct in their profession.

This Rotary Year, the Rotary Club of Ibaan’s recipient of its Vocational Service Excellence Award is Dante Pelarin.

Dante is a 44-year old father of seven who hails from Negros Occidental where he was a farmworker in a sugarcane plantation. His situation in Negros was dire, so when he was given an opportunity to work for a sugarcane field in Ibaan, he grabbed it. He lost his wife giving birth to their child during the pandemic and he has been raising all his seven children alone since.

His kids are aged 15, 14, 10, 9, 6, 5, and 3.

In a community where waste management is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability, the role of garbage collectors cannot be overstated. Day in and day out, these individuals work tirelessly to ensure that our streets are clean, our neighborhoods are sanitary, and our environment is protected. Despite the often thankless nature of their work, they perform their duties with diligence and dedication.

HCP Marge “found” Dante while paying for her monthly garbage collection fee at the municipal office. The interview that followed led HCP Marge to recommend him as the Club’s recipient of the Gawad Parangal. And just like in every other thing that she does, she did her due diligence to ensure that Dante is the deserving recipient of the award.  She interviewed Dante’s immediate superior at the General Services Office where he now works, and visited his home to meet his family, along with Maternal and Child Health Chair, Nila dela Roca, and Hope Creating Treasurer, Isabel Aberásturi.

Do you know that the tiny shanty that you see on the photo is home to eight people?

Yes, this shanty is where Dante and his seven kids sleep. And this is where they keep their prized possessions, which basically are clothes.

Dante told us that when it rains, this little piece of land they occupy is where all the water goes. So when it rains, it literally pours on them.

He shares a common cooking area with his brother who has a house pretty similar to his. His brother has a wife and one son, and his brother’s wife is actually who takes care of his 3-year old daughter when he has to leave for work and the older kids go to school.

Despite the apparent hardship, Dante demonstrates a sunny disposition. He drives one of the garbage trucks of the municipality as his regular job. Then on his days off, he buys and sells scraps using a borrowed trike.

He said he is proud of his children because despite the challenges that they face everyday, they are excelling in their education.

He was teary-eyed when he gave him his certificate of recognition and cash award.

I know that the little amount we gave him is not enough. It will never be enough. But we do what we can, and we provide what we can afford. One thing is for sure, being up close and personal with another person’s circumstances inspires us, Rotarians, to persevere to do more. And we will do more. 

As the Rotary Club of Ibaan continues its mission of service and community development, this experience serves as a poignant reminder that true greatness lies not in grand gestures but in the everyday acts of service that uplift and enrich the lives of others.

Spreading Joy and Kindness Through Gift-Giving

The Rotary Club of Ibaan has always been at the forefront of community service, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. One of our most cherished traditions is our annual gift-giving activity, where we come together to spread joy and kindness during the holiday season.

rc ibaan giftgiving

The Spirit of Giving

At the core of the RC Ibaan’s mission is the spirit of giving. Our members believe that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others. The gift-giving activity is a perfect embodiment of this belief, as it allows us to reach out to individuals and families who may be facing challenges or experiencing hardship.

Community Engagement

Our gift-giving activity isn’t just about handing out presents; it’s about building connections within our community. This not only allows us to expand our reach but also fosters a sense of unity and togetherness among all those involved.

Choosing Recipients

Identifying the recipients of our gifts has always been a delicate process. We used to work closely with barangay health workers who are the closest to the community to ensure that the gifts reach those who need them the most. This strategy, however, proved to be problematic, as we have no control over the bias of people we work with.

This year, we came up with an idea of simply identifying areas with the most number of indigent residents and and visiting houses one by one. We came up close and personal with the residents of San Pasion and Bonete, where we witnessed the hardships they are facing daily. But we could see in their eyes the happiness that they were not forgotten and disregarded, and the hope that we will be back so we can help them help themselves.

The Joy of Giving

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the recipients when they receive their gifts is a truly heartwarming experience. It reminds us of the power of compassion and the difference we can make when we come together as a community. The joy of giving is something that our members cherish and carry with them throughout the year.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of our gift-giving activity extends far beyond the immediate recipients. It creates a ripple effect of kindness and generosity in our community. People who receive gifts often feel inspired to pay it forward, leading to a chain reaction of goodwill that spreads throughout the year.

The Rotary Club of Ibaan’s gift-giving activity is more than just a seasonal tradition; it’s a testament to the power of community, compassion, and generosity. We are proud to continue this tradition and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. As we gather each year to share the joy of giving, we are reminded that together, we can create a brighter and more hopeful future for our community.

Alay sa Ibaeño, Mula Kay Sol at Rotaryo

AKAY Ni Sol is a non-profit organization on a mission to uplift the quality of life, welfare and promote the dignity of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and those of their families. The Rotary Club of Ibaan has been fortunate enough to have forged a partnership with them so we can bring the much needed devices to the PWDs of Ibaan and its nearby municipalities.

The Club identified a total of 117 beneficiaries (27 canes, 14 walkers and 76 wheelchairs).

Because the club has no place for storage, the devices were delivered in bulk at St Jude Science and Technological School. The devices were then delivered to the beneficiaries over a period of five (5) months.

Liwanag at Pag-asa: Siyam na Proyekto Hatid ng Mga Rotaryo

The spirit of community service shines brightly through the concerted efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Batangas as they launch a 7-in-1 (+2) activity in the Municipality of San Pascual.  United by a common goal of making a positive impact, different clubs have joined forces and combined their resources to stage one big community project addressing the Seven Areas of Focus of Rotary.

HCP Marge Aberásturi and Rtn Isabel Aberásturi participated in this activity as members of the Basic Education and Literacy Committee.

The group gathered a group of young students for storytelling, and distributed lunch boxes and art materials.

The activity was made more fun by none other than Hope Creating President Aileen Montalbo of the Rotary Club of Downtown Batangas. HCP Aileen has a natural talent of engaging young minds in fun activities.

Indeed, the strength of Rotary lies in its network of dedicated Rotarians who selflessly give their time, skills, and resources to serve others. By leveraging the Seven Areas of Focus as a framework for action, the Rotary Clubs of Batangas were able to address a wide range of issues impacting the municipality.

As Rotary Clubs continue to unite in their mission of service above self, they inspire hope, ignite change, and build a brighter future for generations to come. In a world that often seems divided, Rotary reminds us of the power of unity, compassion, and collective action in creating a better world for all.