METRO

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.

DT

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. 

RODMER P. Madrid, representing District 3810 from Tondo, Manila, is Vice President of a Smokey Mountain community organization advocating for community resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and urban poor rights. Rodmer was nominated by the Rotary Club of Metro Escolta.
DAVE Louie Ang, representing District 3830, is the founder of The Sustainable Gardener Philippines, advocating food security through sustainable, community-driven solutions. Dave was nominated by the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo.

PHYLA was conceptualized and continues to be chaired by Past District Governor Sid Garcia, with Rotary Club of Makati president Eddie Galvez serving as lead convenor. “We have an exceptional trove of finalists this year thanks to the dedication  and commitment of our 10 Rotary Districts all over the country,” PDG Garcia remarked. 

COLEEN Awit, representing District 3850 from Bacolod, Negros Occidental, is the founder of Sagup Negros, a social enterprise working to build a self-sustaining ecosystem for communities. Coleen was nominated by the Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod.

This year’s program is steered by  Past District Governor Pepz Bengzon, Past District Governor Tony Quila, District Secretary Louie Aseoche and Past President JunJun Dayrit backed by a dedicated organizing committee composed of Past President Bing Matoto, Immediate Past President Keith Harrison, President-Elect Chris Ferareza, Rotarians Leo de Leon, Howie Calleja, Rodrigo Segura and Regi Ponferrada. 

JUANQUINE Carlo R. Castro, representing District 3860 from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, is the founder of Youth Service Philippines, which creates safe learning spaces for underserved and indigenous communities. Juanquine was nominated by the Rotary Club of Tagum Golden LACES.
REGINE M. Cortez, representing District 3820 from Biñan, Laguna, is the founder of Beloved Kids, an initiative promoting basic education and literacy through reading. Regine was nominated by the Rotary Club of San Pedro Magic.

The ten (10) finalists — who emerged as the top winners from the 10 Rotary districts nationwide — will each receive a cash award of P50,000 and will advance to compete for the grand prize of P500,000. The nominating Rotary clubs of the 10 finalists will also receive P50,000 each. 

All cash awards are intended to support and sustain the ongoing community projects of the PHYLA finalists and their nominating clubs. 

As part of the program, the top 10 finalists participated in a two-day boot camp and team-building activity that were designed to equip them with practical leadership skills, fortify their initiatives and amplify their impact in communities they serve. The boot camp, which was conducted by Roger Collantes and Marie Segura, likewise provided the finalists with mentorship and networking opportunities. 

VANESSA Gabrielle V. del Rosario, representing District 3790 from Cabangan, Zambales, is the founder of Alon and Araw, a movement that transforms environmental action into a joyful and inclusive community effort. Vanessa was nominated by the Rotary Club of San Marcelino.

The national panel of judges for this year’s edition is composed of President Galvez; Ms. Raissa Hechanova-Posadas, representing the Hechanova family; Mr. Willie Fernandez, President of the Daily Tribune; Dr. Antonio del Carmen, President of STI College Sta. Rosa; and Mr. Gregory Domingo, Senior Board Adviser of SM Investment Corporation. 

SHAWNTEL Nicole M. Nieto, representing District 3800 from Cainta, Rizal, is the co-founder of Sustainability PH, which equips and empowers professionals from diverse fields to lead and implement sustainable change. Shawntel was nominated by the Rotary Club of Wack Wack.
HERNA Francis Mae B. Tano, representing District 3870 from Opol, Misamis Oriental, is the co-founder of Talentrail 2.0, a program providing accessible opportunities for young people rebuilding their lives. Herna was nominated by the Rotaract Club of Metro Valencia.

The PHYLA is the Rotary Club of Makati’s powerful commitment to building the next generation of Filipino nation-builders — young leaders whose service and passion are already driving transformative change across the country, while continuing to uphold the vision of Paing Hechanova in ensuring that the passion, service, and leadership of the Philippines’ most promising young individuals are celebrated and empowered to shape the nation’s future.