When Service Meets Sunrise: How Project SIKAT Brought Light, Hope, and Lasting Change to Castilla, Sorsogon

“Basta’t tayo’y magkasama, laging mayroong umagang kay ganda…” (“As long as we are together, there’s always a beautiful morning.”)

In the quiet, often-overlooked community of Barangay Poblacion in Castilla, Sorsogon, these familiar lyrics became more than just a song—they became a reality.

On a bright morning in July, the Rotary Club of Pasig Sunrise returned to the town not as visitors, but as kin. Years prior, the club had stepped foot on this same ground to deliver service with sincerity. This time, they returned with something even more powerful—Project S.I.K.A.T.

Rooted in the spirit of Sunrise—the very heart of the club’s identity—and inspired by Rotary International’s Seven Areas of Focus, Project SIKAT (an acronym that also means “ray of light” in Filipino) evolved from a simple initiative into a comprehensive movement. A powerful response to Rotary’s call to “Increase Our Impact.”

But more than that, Project SIKAT is a love letter to the community.

The Power Behind Each Letter: S.I.K.A.T.

S – Solar Light Donations

Twenty solar-powered streetlights were constructed and installed, transforming unlit, unsafe areas into secure spaces. These lights are more than infrastructure—they symbolize renewed dignity and peace of mind. The installation process showcased Bayanihan, the Filipino spirit of community collaboration, with donors, workers, and residents uniting to light up their neighborhood.

 I – Investment in Farming

Three farm hand tractors were donated to empower local farmers—replacing backbreaking manual labor with tools that increase efficiency and yields. It was not simply equipment; it was a message of respect for their livelihood, their labor, and their legacy.

K – Kalikasan at Kalinisan na Kinakalinga (Caring for Nature and Cleanliness)

To promote environmental responsibility, the club initiated tree planting and distributed waste drums for better sanitation. These small yet symbolic actions serve as a call to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

A – Abot ang Kalinga at Alaga (Extending Care and Compassion)

Each household received essential goods including grocery packs and 10 kilos of rice. For Past President Alex “Nonong” Sotto, this act of giving was deeply personal—it was his birthday wish to give back to the hometown that shaped his values and service.

T – Tulong Mula sa Puso (Help from the Heart)

Access to basic health needs was prioritized through the distribution of first-aid kits, maintenance medications, and vitamins. In communities where access to healthcare can be limited, these small packages can mean the difference between struggle and survival.

Beyond the Acronym: A Deeper Commitment

Project SIKAT went further. The club helped establish a community vegetable garden, unveiled a Rotary Marker to commemorate the partnership, and signed a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Gawad Kalinga Kapitbahayan Homeowners Association—solidifying a long-term commitment to the people of Castilla.

These actions made one thing clear: this was not a drop-by mission. It was a deliberate, enduring promise.

Roots That Run Deep

Leading the charge was President John Lester Lisano, a proud Probinsyano and former Rotaractor of Metro Sorsogon (2012–2013), now paying forward the values he learned in his youth. Alongside him was his mentor and fellow native son, Past President Alex Sotto, whose guidance and heart remain vital to the club’s direction.

Their leadership was complemented by the steadfast support of their long-time sister club, the Rotary Club of Metro Sorsogon (RI District 3820)—a partnership spanning over a decade. Under the dynamic leadership of Heart-Working President Nonito “Nonie” Marquez, District Governor Nominee Josefa “Japps” Callos, and Club Adviser PP Edgar “Ed” C. Balasta, the local alliance was crucial to the project’s success.

Together, they exemplified what Rotary is all about: community, continuity, and collective impact.

A Movement, Not a Moment

With over 50 households served and more than 300 lives touched, Project SIKAT is proof of what happens when Rotarians choose to Unite for Good—when compassion fuels action, and action becomes lasting change.

At the Rotary Club of Pasig Sunrise, Sunrise is more than a time of day. It is a way of doing service—illuminating, inclusive, and impossible to ignore.

May this sunrise never set.

And may every community touched by Rotary feel the same light, warmth, and enduring hope that Project SIKAT cast across the fields, homes, and hearts of Castilla, Sorsogon.

Written by: PE Luanne Penano, Rotary Club of Pasig Sunrise