RC Manila Visits Soldiers Wounded in Battle-Torn Marawi at Army Hospital

A quaint Sunday afternoon could have been the perfect time to relax and unwind with family yet for many of our Manila Rotarians, the call of humanitarian assistance beckons at every step. With a united stand to at least paint a smile on the faces of our soldiers wounded in battle-town Marawi, we embarked on a life changing experience that would bring Asia's First Rotary Club closer to the people whose lives we are bound to touch.

September 17, 2017 was our date with humanity. Led by DE Raffy Alunan and DE Jackie Rodriguez under the leadership of President Jimmie Policarpio and with the help of our friends from Pepsi Cola Philippines and the Miss Philippines Beauty Pageant candidates, we proceeded to the Philippine Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City after Manila Rotarians appointed a meet up at the American Cemetery in Bonifacio Global City.

As we entered the Multipurpose Hall of the hospital, faces of hope greeted us with many wounded soldiers in our midst as Manila Rotarians took turns in entertaining the crowd in an impromptu program where Rotary Club of Manila World Famous Chorale serenaded them with a birthday song with DGE Rudy Bediones belting out his favorite while Lord Brian and PAT Muhammad Aslam's son took turns in rendering accoustic numbers where soldiers even sang with them. Birtthday celebrants for the month of September were given gifts by Manila Rotarians on hand to cheer them and uplift their spirits.

The entry of two of the Miss Philippines candidates, namely, Ms. Butuan and Ms. Zamboanga, got the wounded soldiers in high spirits as they gamely exchanged pleasantries and photos with them, one by one, to the delight of the wounded soldiers' community at hand.

The fun-filled afternoon, where President Jimmie Policarpio, DE Raffy Alunan, DE Jackie Rodriguez and PDG Obet Pagdanganan took turns on the microphone in explaining our presence in their midst, ended with the distribution of Pepsi products and goodies to all the wounded soldiers. Rtn. Karl Leung, not to be left out, gave a special gift in the form of a filled up travel trolley, given to a special soldier who gamely answered our question in a game.

On the euphoria of a very successful charitable event, PAT Muhammad Aslam hosted an early dinner for the Manila Rotarians on hand at his Kabab & Curry Restaurant along Jupiter Street in Makati City. Indeed, no amount of financial remuneration can ever equal the feeling of having made someone happy. Our soldiers have fought the good fight for us. It is time for them to receive a heroes' welcome they justly and truly deserve.

This is Rotary: Making A Difference. Doing Good in the World has now become our lasting legacy as our name humbly reverberates to the far reaches of our archipelago and beyond. Let us continue the good work and let the many savor the blessings of a good life.

RC Manila Rotarians led by Pres. "Jimmie" Policarpio, Pres.-elect/Dir. "Susing" Pineda, IPD "Obet" Pagdanganan and Dist. Gov. Elect "Rudy" Bediones with Spouse Sharon, with VPE/Dir. "Lance" Masters, Dir.-elect "Albert" Alday, Dir.-elect "Raffy" Alunan, Dir.-elect "Jackie" Rodriguez, PD "Oscar" del Rosario, PAT "Muhammad" Aslam, Rtn. "Vee" David, Rtn. "Karl" Leung and Dir. Caloy Reyes, visited soldiers wounded in the Marawi conflict last Saturday, September 16, at the Philippine Army General Hospital in Ft. Bonifacio together with Binibining Pilipinas 2018 beauty contestants. The RCM World Famous Chorale serenaded birthday celebrants, had Filipino guitarist "Lord Brian," and were supported with Pepsi products in abundance to share with the troops. Great to thank these brave soldiers for their service, sacrifices and suffering. We finished our afternoon with a great buffet at Kebab n Curry on Jupiter, hosted by PAT Muhammad Aslam.