Kuya Mark’s Triumph: A Victory for the Children

“Not all heroes wear capes” – a common adage that is brought to life by the most recent Grand Winner of THE ONE Philippines Humanitarian Award, Mr. Mark Martin Soriano. Mr. Soriano, or Kuya Mark as he is more fondly known by his community, bested twenty-three (23) other candidates from all over the Philippines. Kuya Mark has been serving the underprivileged, at-risk, and out-of-school-youth of Tondo, Manila for the past nine (9) years. As part of Young Focus, an organization dedicated to providing education and holistic support to the neglected youth of Tondo, Kuya Mark has headed several programs catering to the needs of their students such as Young Unlimited.

Kuya Mark’s unwavering dedication to helping children and his community for almost a decade is an echoing example of Rotary’s motto “service above self”. The grant that Kuya Mark won will be used to renovate and create more classrooms in Young Focus Catch Up center, allowing them to serve even more students in the future. In Kuya Mark’s own words: “It’s not about me, it’s for the kids!” This victory is not only his but belongs to the entire Young Focus community, to all those whose lives he’s touched, and to the future we are all building together. The Rotaract Club of Manila couldn’t be prouder to have played a small role in elevating his incredible work and commitment.

THE ONE Philippines Humanitarian Award, a subsidiary project of THE ONE International Humanitarian Award, seeks to find and honor unsung heroes in the Philippines who are doing good for and within the community. The Rotaract Club of Manila is the only Rotaract Club that nominated a candidate for The One Humanitarian Awards 2024.

On September 14, a devastating fire swept through Aroma, Tondo, displacing 2,000 families, including many of the students of Young Focus. As these families face the challenge of rebuilding, Rotaract Manila and Rotary Manila are joining forces with Young Focus to step up relief efforts. Together with IPP Arvin Reyes, Community Service Director Sherlene Ramos of Rotaract Club of Manila, Pres. Barbara Pauli from Rotaract Club of Weimar, Germany, Dr. John Cutter from Rotary Club of Manila, and 15 volunteers from Rotaract Club of STI College Pasay-EDSA, we’re committed to helping the affected residents, who are being served three meals a day by Young Focus.

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, members and officers of the Rotaract Club of Manila, Rotaract Club of STI College Pasay-EDSA, together with RCM representation, gathered at the Young Focus Recovery Center under the supervision of its Director, Mark Soriano. Throughout the day, they toured the destruction from Aroma Tondo's fire; sorted donated clothing; and helped prepare hot meals for the 47 families (approximately 160 individuals) currently being sheltered in the Young Focus facility. To date, of the 2,000 displaced individuals, Young Focus has provided hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for over 1,200 people.