District Activities & News
By Maria Lisa Del Rosario-Dumlao
Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Chinatown Circle
Strengthening Our Culture of Giving:
District 3810 Holds TRF Grant Management Seminar
On May 30, 2026, Rotary International District 3810 brought together eighty-eight clubs and close to 400 Rotarian leaders, Rotaractors, and Foundation champions for the highly anticipated The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Grant Management Seminar at the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) in Binondo, Manila.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila, the seminar embodied the spirit of “By Rotarians, for Rotarians”—a collaborative learning environment aimed at strengthening the district’s capacity to deliver sustainable, high-impact service locally and globally. Helping set that tone from the outset was seminar emcee SDG Michael Roy “Mike” Soliman of the Rotary Club of Chinatown Circle, Editor-in-Chief of the Governor’s Monthly Letter (GML), whose dynamic presence brought energy and focus to the day’s program.
This year’s seminar represented a strategic investment in the future of the district and its clubs. Designed to equip Rotary clubs and district leaders with practical, proven strategies, the program reinforced a strong culture of support for The Rotary Foundation. With TRF at the heart of Rotary’s global mission, the seminar underscored that stewardship, transparency, and effective grant management are essential to turning every contribution into meaningful change.
Observing Rotary protocol, Impact-Creating President (ICP) Arlene Jane Tanchay welcomed distinguished guests and Rotarians, including District Learning Team Chair and Past District Governor (PDG) Josefina “Josie” Ang, District Governor-Elect (DGE) Elmer Francis “Jun” Pasion and his wife Past President (PP) Peaches Pasion, and District Governor Nominee (DGN) Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra.
ICP Arlene Jane Tanchay of RC Downtown Manila
A Opening Message and Foundation Focus
The session opened with a strong focus on The Rotary Foundation’s mission, sustainability, and the practical value of sound grant management. Key speakers reinforced how informed leadership and shared responsibility can strengthen both club projects and Foundation support.
Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Mary Mei Rodrigo opened the session by emphasizing TRF’s central role in Rotary’s transformative work around the world.
District Governor (DG) Maria Rosa “Bing” N. Carrion thanked the organizers and participants, and urged Impact-Creating Presidents (ICPs) to make projects more sustainable through innovation and shared responsibility.
District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC) Chair / PDG Ernesto “Ernie” Choa provided an overview of TRF fundamentals and the impact of Foundation-funded projects, reminding participants that, “No gift is ever truly small when it changes a life.”
A powerful example of a Foundation-funded initiative was highlighted by Third District Councilor of Manila, PP Jefferson Lau of RC Downtown Manila. He praised RC Chinatown Manila’s donation of an advanced human milk pasteurizer to the Milk Bank at Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital—a meaningful project made possible through a Rotary Global Grant. The equipment processes and extends the shelf life of breast milk, continuing to benefit underserved infants and newborn patients.
PP Jefferson Lau also welcomed participants from across the district and helped ensure that the seminar venue was comfortable and safe for everyone in attendance.
PDG Ernie Choa, DG Bing Carrion, and
IPDG Mary Mei Rodrigo
PP Jefferson Lau
A Endowment and Major Gifts Made Accessible
A highlight of the seminar was the session on Endowment and Major Gifts led by Region 11 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor (EMGA) Arch Klumph Society (AKS) member, PDG Joyce Michelle Ambray. Using bite-sized, animated, and practical examples—including the relatable story of “Maria Rosa”—she made the framework for contributing to Rotary’s Endowment easier to understand. In her closing remarks, she emphasized, “Gifts—big or small—help Rotary do more good in the world.”
PDG Joyce Michelle Ambray
PP Rayms Ciriaco
How the SHARE System Works
District Learning Facilitator PP Raymond “Rayms” Ciriaco explained Rotary International’s SHARE System, which distributes Rotary Foundation funds to districts worldwide. He noted that contributions to The Rotary Foundation are divided into two key funding streams:
District Designated Funds (DDF): Funds that the district can allocate to projects and priorities it chooses to support.
World Fund: Funds used to support Rotary’s broader mission and global initiatives.
By channeling contributions through these two streams, the SHARE System helps ensure that funds are managed effectively and used to advance the mission of The Rotary Foundation.
District Grants: Impact Directed
District Learning Facilitators PP Anthony Chua and PP Eduardo “Pen” Albaran II led a practical District Grants session focused on helping clubs turn local needs into well-planned, grant-supported projects.
They guided participants through the essentials of planning and implementing effective grant-supported projects, including how to prepare stronger and more purposeful grant applications, avoid common pitfalls in grant management, and move projects from concept and paperwork to meaningful implementation in the community. Throughout the session, they emphasized clarity, purpose, and responsible execution as keys to maximizing local impact.
PP Pen Albaran
PP Anthony Chua
Global Grants and Project Impact
The session on Global Grants drew particular interest as District Learning Facilitators PP Marci Supsup and PP Linda Cristobal shared insights on developing “Big Impact Projects” through partnerships, innovation, and long-term vision.
Participants were reminded that global grants are more than funding mechanisms—they are opportunities to build legacy initiatives that address systemic challenges in health, education, economic development, and peacebuilding.
Through the seminar, participating clubs gained tools not only to access funding but also to design projects that are measurable, sustainable, and aligned with Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus. By applying these strategies, each club can strengthen both its financial support for TRF and the impact of Foundation-funded projects, helping District 3810 continue delivering service that uplifts communities and transforms lives.
PP Marci Supsup
PP Linda Cristobal
Stewardship and Lasting Commitment
The seminar also highlighted the importance of stewardship. Through clear guidelines and best practices, clubs were encouraged to uphold the highest standards of financial integrity and project monitoring. As Regional Cadre Organizer for South Pacific, PDG Michael “Mike” Lirio of RC Tanauan (District 3820) emphasized, proper stewardship is not just compliance; it is a commitment to honoring the trust of donors and beneficiaries alike.
As a token of gratitude, DG Bing presented each speaker with a sculpture of a bear holding a salmon, symbolizing strength, wisdom, and the rewards of dedicated leadership. The gift served as a tribute to The Rotary Foundation champions, honoring their guidance and the lasting impact of their service to the district.
District Chief of Staff (COS) Jardine Bautista from the host club, RC Downtown Manila, delivered the closing remarks, noting that the seminar ended with a renewed sense of purpose among participants. With stronger knowledge and a deeper appreciation of TRF’s mission, clubs left better prepared to champion Foundation giving and develop projects that create lasting, measurable impact.
As District 3810 continues its journey of service, the TRF Grant Management Seminar serves as a timely reminder that when Rotarians invest in learning, collaboration, and stewardship, they expand their collective capacity to do good in the world.
PDG Mike Lirio
COS Jardine Bautista
-
![]()
Forging the Vanguard: The Blueprint for a Year of Lasting Impact
By Nikkole Anne Marie “Nikki” Parlade
Member, Rotary Club Manila Supreme 198 -
![]()
Cultivating Impact: PELS Sets the Course for the New Rotary Year
By Aida Go
Past President, Rotary Club of Manila San Miguel -
![]()
A Grand Preview of Purpose: Impact-Creating Team Gathers for Merienda Cena
By Henry Endradora
Past President, Rotary Club of Manila South -
![]()
Strengthening Our Culture of Giving: District 3810 Holds TRF Grant Management Seminar
By Maria Lisa Del Rosario-Dumlao
Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Chinatown Circle
