Rotary Club of Makati honors youth leaders through Paing Hechanova Youth Leadership Awards
The awards reflect HECHANOVA’s lifelong commitment to leadership, excellence and nation-building.
The Rotary Club of Makati (RC Makati) crowns the nation’s top young change-makers in its second Paing Hechanova Youth Leadership Awards (PHYLA), RC Makati’s flagship project that recognizes exceptional young leaders from across the Philippines. Launched in Rotary Year 2023–2024, PHYLA honors the memory and enduring legacy of the late Past Rotary International Director Rafael “Paing” Hechanova, a distinguished member of RC Makati known for his exemplary service to Rotary and his significant contributions to Philippine sports.
RALPH Eric F. Bernardo, representing District 3770 from San Miguel, Bulacan, leads Tayo ang Kalikasan, a community-led environmental advocacy that encourages people to take an active role in protecting their local surroundings. Eric was nominated by the Rotary Club of Metro San Miguel.
EUGENE dela Cruz, representing District 3780, leads Project Paghilom at Pag-unlad, an initiative serving underserved students in Quezon City and helping them continue their education. Eugene was nominated by the Rotary Club of Roosevelt QC.
The awards reflect Hechanova’s lifelong commitment to leadership, excellence and nation-building. Now on its second run, PHYLA is RC Makati’s flagship project that recognizes and honors exceptional young leaders from across the Philippines who have demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities and a deep commitment to service and innovation. From 5 April to 14 November 2025, the program received 84 nominations nationwide from each of the 10 Rotary districts in the country, culminating in the awarding of the Top Winner on 30 January 2026.
