A Trail of Green, A Story of Service
- rcpasigeast3800
- Sep 7, 2025
- 3 min read
On August 24, 2025, the SM Megamall Mega Trade Hall became a hub of connection, compassion, and collaboration as the District 3800 First Service Project Expo took center stage. More than 100 Rotary clubs filled the venue with colorful booths and inspiring exhibits, each one telling stories of how service changes lives. It was a day that captured the true spirit of Rotary—showing not only Rotarians but also the wider public what it means to “unite for good.”
Amid the vibrancy of the hall, one booth stood out—The Rotary Club of Pasig East (RCPE). With its inviting strip of artificial grass, RCPE’s booth titled “Creating Greener Pastures for Community through Livelihood” symbolized a journey of renewal and opportunity. Visitors were invited to literally walk the green path, an experience that reminded them of the club’s mission: to create greener pastures for families in need. At the end of the path, a donation box quietly encouraged generosity, carrying the assurance that “every peso will go to fund RCPE Service Projects.”
Bread That Gave Families New Life
The booth shared stories of transformation, beginning with “Bagong Buhay sa Tinapay,” a 2023 project spearheaded by Past President Reinier Lacsamana. This initiative addressed the struggles of 60 families in Bulacan who lost their livelihoods when the fireworks industry was banned. Through partnerships with DOST, LGU, TESDA, and DAMPA, these families were given ovens and meat processors, opening doors to new opportunities in breadmaking and meat processing.
To bring this project to life at the Expo, RCPE served fresh, hot pandesal—a taste of renewal for visitors, and a living symbol of what the project stood for: “Bagong Buhay” (New Life) in every bite. Guests could even take a bag of pandesal home in exchange for a small donation, allowing them to carry with them not just bread, but the story of resilience behind it.
Skills That Empower Women
RCPE also highlighted “Hanep Buhay para kay Nanay,” a livelihood project led by Past Presidents Dean Camua and Abi Mancilla. This initiative focused on empowering women from Mariban by teaching them leather crafting skills. What began as simple training sessions has since become a channel of income and pride for mothers, showing how skills development can create lasting impact for families.
Art That Gives Back
Another attraction was “Buy Art, Empower Families.” Here, RCPE members showcased their talents through artworks by Reinier Lacsamana, Marie Criselda Basilio, Criselda Manalo, Angel Gonzales, and guest artist Alexandra Dela Cruz. While the pieces were not directly connected to the livelihood projects, they reflected the creativity, resilience, and generosity of the artists. Each purchase was more than an acquisition of art—it was an act of support for RCPE’s ongoing service projects.
Lifting Hopes, One Balloon at a Time
Suspended above the booth was a colorful display called the “Balloon of Hope” ceiling, inspired by the film Up.Guests were invited to write messages of hope for the communities RCPE serves, attach them to green balloons, and give a small donation in the process. As the balloons floated above, they became symbols of collective dreams, rising higher through the power of shared compassion.
Living the Colors of Commitment
All these elements came together under RCPE’s guiding theme, “Colors of Commitment.” First embodied in the RCPE Green Vest, this theme reflects the club’s dedication to service. At the Expo, both the green path and the green balloons became extensions of that same spirit. The green path invited guests to join RCPE in creating opportunities for families, while the green balloons represented the hopes and dreams we uplift together. For RCPE, green is more than a color—it is a commitment to growth, renewal, and community.
More Than an Exhibit
In the end, RCPE’s booth was not just another display in a hall filled with service stories. It was a living, breathing narrative that combined bread, crafts, art, and balloons into a powerful statement of service. It invited people to walk with RCPE, to lift dreams with them, and to contribute to projects that make real impact in people’s lives.
On that remarkable day at Megatrade Hall, RCPE’s trail of green became a story of service, a reminder that when we unite for good, even the simplest symbols—a path of grass, a piece of bread, a balloon—can inspire hope, empower families, and change communities.
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