Tungkod Para kina Lola at Lolo - A Walking Stick for our Grandmothers and Grandfathers

In a heartfelt celebration of compassion, dignity, and community service, the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central (the "Club"), led by Good President Edgard M. Reyes with the Club members and spouses, recently launched its service project entitled, “Tungkod para kina Lola at Lolo”, bringing comfort and support to the elderly seniors of Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City on February 23, 2025.  The service project was held in partnership with JobClean Manpower and General Services Philippines Inc. ("JobClean Manpower"), with its Vice President Jed Magrimbao, highlighting a shared commitment to uplifting the lives of older adults as part of Rotary International’s 121st anniversary of Service Above Self — a legacy of Rotary's humanitarian work.

The service project, whose name translates to “A Walking Stick for Our Grandmothers and Grandfathers,” was designed to provide practical assistance to senior citizens who face challenges with mobility and daily independence.  Through the efforts of dedicated Rotarians, spouses and its external partner - JobClean Manpower,  reusable walking sticks (locally called tungkod) were distributed to elderly seniors from Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. 

The partnership with JobClean Manpower, with its Vice President Jed Magrimbao, played a key role in the success of the outreach as the Club signed a 3-year Memorandum of Agreement last December 1, 2025  — demonstrating that service extends beyond charity to include corporate social responsibility and genuine community collaboration.  

The event also served as a moment to reflect on Rotary International’s 121 years of “Service Above Self.”  Vice President Jed Magrimbao at the program highlighted how Rotary’s core mission—to bring together civic and business leaders to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action—still resonates in grassroots initiatives like Tungkod para kina Lola at Lolo.

This philosophy motivates the  Club to pursue projects that not only meet physical needs but also reinforce human dignity, social inclusion, and community unity.

As Good President Edgard M. Reyes  remarked during the event: “We honor our elders not just with gifts, but by walking alongside them in their journey—just as Rotary has walked beside communities in need for over a century.”   

In closing,  buoyed by the success of this service project, the Club plans to expand its programs for senior citizens with regular check-in visits, health education seminars, and future collaborations with its external corporate partner, JobClean Manpower.

With every service initiative, the Club continues to embody Rotary’s founding principle of selfless service and its belief that small acts, when done with great love, can create lasting impacts.

Written by: Good President Edgar M. Reyes, Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central