RC Cebu Gloria Maris Celebrates Newborns and Honors Families for Maternal and Child Care

As the sun rose over Cebu on July 1, 2025, the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris didn’t just mark the beginning of a new Rotary year it embraced it with open arms, warm hearts, and the joyful cries of new life.

At the heart of this year’s kickoff celebration was the welcoming of Maria Rose A. Giganto, the club’s 3rd Rotary Baby Girl of the Year, born at Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital. More than a ceremonial gesture, Maria Rose’s arrival stands as a living symbol of Rotary’s continued commitment to maternal and child healthcare a cornerstone of the organization’s Areas of Focus and a passion deeply rooted in the heart of our club.

Since this tradition began in 2023, the club has joyfully welcomed a new Rotary baby each year, creating a legacy of love, life, and service. This year’s celebration did not simply mark a date on the calendar it reaffirmed a mission. As Maria Rose was gently introduced to the world, she was also lovingly embraced into a larger Rotary family one committed to nurturing life, empowering mothers, and supporting healthcare systems from the ground up.

The event was graced by the heartfelt presence of Rotarians Gaym Tiu, Frauline Co, Mary Rose Rafols, and Mita Caballes, who celebrated her birthday alongside this beautiful occasion—a serendipitous reminder of the cycle of life and the joy of giving. Also present was Ms. Bernadette Ponce, a generous sponsor and unwavering supporter of this initiative. Her consistent advocacy for maternal care has been instrumental in making these celebrations not only possible but meaningful.

True to Rotary spirit, the club did not stop with honoring the present. It also looked back with gratitude and joy as we celebrated the birthdays of our previous Rotary babies—Scarlet (2023) and Evander (2024). These children, now walking, smiling, and growing, are more than just names on a program. They are living proof of what sustained care, community connection, and Rotary love can nurture over time.

“This isn’t just about the first day of a new Rotary year,” shared one Rotarian. “It’s about reaffirming our ‘why.’ And nothing reminds us of our purpose more than the birth of a child.”

Of course, none of this would be possible without the vital support of our community partners and medical collaborators. Dr. Juanito T. Tiu, Chief of Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, has been a pillar of support since the inception of this initiative. His commitment to public-private collaboration is a testament to what true service leadership can achieve.

Also lending their expertise and presence were key figures in the healthcare community: Dr. Maria Theresa Tipgos, Head of the Pediatrics Department; Dr. Fiel Rona Fortes, also of Pediatrics; Ma’am Liane Malinao, Nurse from the PHU; Mr. Peter John Toreta, Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO); and Ms. Denise Velayo, Administrative Aide from PHU. Their involvement highlights a beautiful unity between civic organizations and medical institutions, working hand-in-hand to bring care directly to those who need it most.

This celebration may have lasted only a few hours, but its impact resonates far beyond the hospital walls. For the Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris, it was a powerful reminder that real service happens in life’s quietest yet most profound moments—in a mother’s gratitude, a baby’s breath, a family’s hope.

As we step into Rotary Year 2025–2026, may we continue to be guided by the same spirit that welcomed Maria Rose: a spirit of compassion, unity, and joyful service. In every beginning, may we find purpose. In every life, may we see the spark of Rotary’s enduring mission: Service Above Self.