Threads of Unity, Waves of Change
- Rotary Club of Rizal Mideast
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
There are moments when service becomes more than action—it becomes a heartbeat that connects people, communities, and nature. On September 6, 2025, along the shores of Mabini, Batangas, I witnessed one of those moments. What started as a clean-up grew into a beautiful story of unity, shared purpose, and hope for our oceans.
Together with Sàl·ve Dive House, SAG1 Dragon Boat Team Philippines (inspired to act after seeing the trash while diving), Plastic Palit Bigas (PPB), the Marine Education and Preservation Institute (MEP), barangay leaders, and volunteers, the Rotary Club of Rizal Mideast undertook its "Run Clean Dive" service project. This event showed that when hearts and hands unite, even the biggest challenges, like marine pollution, can be faced with courage, compassion, and determination. Protecting our oceans cannot wait for programs or policies alone; it begins when communities come together, united by a common cause.
Protecting a Shared Treasure
Anilao’s reefs and vibrant marine life are celebrated worldwide, yet every habagat season brings back what humans discard—plastic bottles, wrappers, fishing nets—threatening ecosystems and families who depend on the sea. "Run Clean Dive" was not just about picking up trash; it was about bringing people together, connecting them to the ocean, and showing that every small action, when done together, can create lasting change.
Hibla ng Dagat: Unity in Action
The heart of this movement is PPB, which transforms plastic waste into hope. Families bring in plastic and receive rice, supporting households while keeping shores clean. Over 10 tons of plastic have been collected, and more than 3 tons of rice distributed since its beginning. Bottle caps are transformed into “Hibla ng Dagat” bracelets, funding rice for volunteers. Each bracelet tells a story: when people unite, small actions become powerful, creating impact for both the ocean and the community.
Anchoring Our Commitment
The Rotary Club of Rizal Mideast supported PPB by donating a buoy to protect coral reefs, providing rice and food for all volunteers, and organizing simple games for children. Seeing children laugh while learning about the ocean, and volunteers returning home with rice and pride in their hearts, reminded us that unity brings joy, connection, and hope—and that together, we can achieve what no one can do alone.
A Legacy of Unity
The most lasting gift of "Run Clean Dive" was not the trash collected, but the bond it created. Runners, divers, Rotarians, Rotaractors, children, families, and community partners all became one heartbeat for the ocean. Each stride, each dive, and each gesture of service wove threads of unity into a stronger, more hopeful future.
"Run Clean Dive" is more than an event; it is a living testament that when communities come together, love for the ocean, care for each other, and hope for the future flow endlessly—like the waves themselves.
Written by: Richeen Padua, President, Rotary Club of Rizal Mideast
Threads of Unity, Waves of Change.
Strength in unity creates waves of service that uplift communities.