CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a powerful showcase of service, leadership, and community engagement, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban marked a milestone in its history through the Rotary Impact Expo 2025, held from October 27 to 29, 2025, at Ayala Malls Centrio. Bringing together health advocacy, youth empowerment, education, and global humanitarian efforts, the three-day event transformed one of the city’s busiest commercial spaces into a living platform of service-demonstrating the enduring relevance of Rotary International in today’s communities.
Day 1 — October 27: Opening with Purpose, Stories, and a Call to End Polio
Morning: Opening ceremony marks a unified Rotary presence
The Expo officially began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting led by Club President Stephanie Rosalind Caragos, Expo Chair Vice President Melanie Talimio, and District Governor Marlowe Selecios. They were joined by distinguished Rotary leaders including Past District Governors Bing Juarez, John Mark Sarraga, Hubert Quiblat, Manny Along, and Tess Navales, reflecting the strong and united leadership behind the initiative under Rotary International. The opening symbolized more than the start of an event, it represented Rotary’s commitment to making its work visible, accessible, and meaningful to the wider community.
Midday: “My Rotary Story” brings service to life
Following the opening ceremony, the Expo transitioned into the “My Rotary Story” program, chaired by Assistant Governor Goldie Serate, under the theme “Discover Rotary: From Stories to Service.” Designed for new members, prospective Rotarians, and the public, the session aimed to deepen understanding of Rotary’s mission through real-life experiences.
The program featured a series of inspiring talks:
- PDG Manny Along on The Rotary Foundation: Doing Good in the World
- PAG Maite Sarraga-Malawani on From Reluctance to Relevance: Finding My Place in Rotary, where she shared how her perspective evolved from hesitation to purpose through active service, encouraged by her father, PDG John Mark Sarraga
- AG Christina Jugador on How Rotarians Create Positive Change: The Seven Areas of Focus
- Rtn. Catherine Ann Aquino, who shared her journey through a moving video presentation
Special messages were also delivered by Giselle De Pedro, Marketing Assistant of Ayala Malls Centrio, and President Bert Acut of the Rotary Club of Opol, Vice Chair of the Zone 1 Council of Presidents, highlighting the importance of partnerships in amplifying community impact.
The program resonated strongly online, with the live stream generating over 9,600 views and reaching more than 8,000 people, extending Rotary’s message far beyond the venue.
Afternoon: Movement Meets Mission in End Polio Advocacy
As the day progressed, the Expo shifted from storytelling to action through one of Rotary’s most globally significant advocacies, the fight to end polio.
More than 120 Rotarians and advocates gathered for the End Polio Walk and Zumba event, filling Centrio Mall with movement, energy, and a shared sense of purpose.
Held in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs, with an estimated 68,000 daily visitors, the activity transformed a public space into a powerful platform for awareness. Participants walked and danced together, symbolizing unity in Rotary’s decades-long global mission to eradicate polio. The presence of Rotary leaders further reinforced the importance of the cause, turning the event into a visible and dynamic expression of service.
The activity was not only a celebration of health and community, it was a reminder that Rotary’s impact extends far beyond local initiatives, contributing to a worldwide effort that continues to save lives.
A day that defined the Expo’s purpose
From the formal opening to the personal stories and the collective movement for a cause, Day 1 of the Rotary Impact Expo 2025 delivered a clear and powerful message: service is most meaningful when it is shared. By combining leadership, storytelling, and action, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban successfully brought its mission closer to the community, transforming awareness into engagement, and engagement into inspiration. As the Expo moved into its succeeding days, the momentum from Day 1 stood as a testament to what Rotary represents at its core: people coming together to create lasting change.
Day 2 — October 28: Inspiring Futures and Celebrating the Power of Knowledge
If Day 1 was about understanding Rotary, Day 2 was about shaping the future it serves.
Career Talks: Inspiring pathways, building futures
The day opened with the Career Talks: Inspiring Pathways, Building Futures, drawing 131 students and 20 teachers and guardians eager to explore different professions and understand what it truly takes to succeed.
The session began with welcome remarks from Overall Expo Chair Vice President Melanie Talimio, followed by guidance from Project Chair Past President Agnes Adviento, both emphasizing that career success is deeply rooted in purpose and service.
A distinguished lineup of speakers from various fields shared not only their professional journeys but also the challenges, lessons, and fulfillment they found along the way:
- Atty. Christy Jugador – Law and the Legal Profession
- Dr. Myra Maria V. Peralta, MD – Medicine
- Dr. Myrna S. Motoomull, PhD – Education and School Administration
- Ms. Merlinda B. Rebolos, BSN, MAEd, MSN – Nursing and Healthcare Services
- Engr. Lolit M. Villanueva, PECE – Engineering
- Raymundo Talimio, CPA – Accountancy and Business Administration
- Capt. James Michael A. Lumontod, MME – Maritime Education and Life at Sea
- Stephanie P. Caragos – Information Technology and Entrepreneurship
- Col. Ricky L. Canatoy, PA (MNSA) – Government Service and the Philippine Army, recognized as a 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Soldier
Each speaker delivered a consistent and powerful message: a career is not merely a means of earning a living, it is an opportunity to serve, to grow, and to create meaningful impact. For many of the students present, the session provided not just information, but clarity, bridging the gap between ambition and reality through real-life experiences.
Mind Brawl: Celebrating knowledge, teamwork, and leadership
Following the Career Talks, the Expo shifted into high energy as students from across the city gathered for the Mind Brawl, an interschool trivia competition that placed intelligence, teamwork, and quick thinking at the forefront. A total of twelve (12) high schools competed head-to-head in a dynamic contest that filled the venue with excitement and friendly rivalry.
The competition was held in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban, with CDO Trivia Night serving as the official trivia game master.Leading the event were Project Chair Director Emilyn Roxanne Go and Rotaract President Alexius Cabral, whose efforts ensured a seamless and engaging experience for both participants and audience members.
Winners of the Mind Brawl:
🥇 Champion: Xavier University High School
🥈 2nd Place: Corpus Christi High School – Macasandig
🥉 3rd Place: St. Mary’s School
Beyond competition, the Mind Brawl served a deeper purpose. It demonstrated that learning can be interactive, collaborative, and empowering. More importantly, it highlighted the potential of young individuals to think critically, lead confidently, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
A day dedicated to the future
Day 2 of the Rotary Impact Expo 2025 was more than a lineup of activities, it was an investment in the future. By bringing together students, educators, professionals, and Rotarians, the event created a space where knowledge met inspiration, and where young minds were encouraged to see their potential not just in terms of success, but in terms of service. From career guidance to intellectual competition, the day reinforced a core Rotary belief: that empowering the youth today is essential to building stronger, more compassionate communities tomorrow.
Day 3 — October 29: Advancing women’s health through awareness, courage, and community support
The final day of the Rotary Impact Expo 2025, held on October 29, 2025, brought the event to a meaningful close with a strong focus on women’s health, awareness, and community care.
A safe space for awareness and early detection
At the heart of the day’s activities was the Breast Cancer Awareness event and free breast cancer screening, chaired by Rotarian Myra Sicat, which welcomed 150 women from across the community. The initiative created a safe and supportive environment where participants were encouraged to openly discuss breast cancer, what to watch out for, the importance of early detection, and how to navigate the emotional challenges that often come with diagnosis.
More than just a medical activity, the session fostered understanding, reassurance, and empowerment among women who may otherwise have limited access to such services.
Voices of expertise and stories of hope
Participants benefited from insights shared by experts from various sectors, including:
- Medical professionals
- Mental health advocates
- Government representatives
- Private sector partners
The discussions covered practical and life-saving topics, including available healthcare support systems, preventive measures, and strategies for managing anxiety and stress following diagnosis.Equally powerful were the stories of hope shared by survivors, whose personal journeys served as reminders that breast cancer is not faced alone, and that resilience, support, and early action can make a life-changing difference.
Ending the Expo with purpose and impact
As the Rotary Impact Expo 2025 concluded, Day 3 stood as a powerful reminder of what service truly means: meeting real needs with compassion, knowledge, and action. Through one conversation, one screening, and one shared story at a time, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women, raising awareness, and ultimately saving lives. The closing day did not simply end the Expo, it reinforced a mission that continues beyond the event: building healthier, stronger communities through service.
A Milestone of United Action for Good
What began as a vision has now become one of the most impactful events in the club’s 35-year history – a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together in service. The success of the Rotary Impact Expo 2025 was driven by the leadership of President Stephanie Rosalind Caragos, whose vision mobilized nearly the entire club into action. Behind the scenes, a dedicated network of committee chairs and volunteers ensured the seamless execution of the three-day event:
- Documentation & Impact Reporting: Rachel V. Polestico
- Overall Expo Chair: Melanie Rp Caragos-Talimio
- Public Image Chair: Bebotte Chu
- Service Projects Chair: Bing LA
- Secretariat & Registration: Ophelia Gumahad
- Ways & Means / Sponsorship: Karina May Galinato-Olavides
- Christmas Bazaar: Bebbot Chiu
- Venue & Logistics: Mags Cue, Jone Juaneza Tabilla, Dionela Juaneza
- Branding & Creative Communications: Pam Navarro-Salon, Jalou Batilong, Carl Pontillas, Syntactics, Inc.
- Spiritual & Ceremonial Affairs: Lina Estrella Faburada, Rita Lim, Rosalinda Caragos, Dionella Juaneza, Jonel Juaneza Tabilla, Ligaya KO
- Programs & Emcee Coordination: Shirley Mbs, Mika Mora
- Zumba to End Polio: Justina Uy, Rosalinda Caragos
- Career Talk & Youth Engagement: Agnes O. Adviento, Emilyn Roxanne Yu Go
- School Relations & Student Participation: Ophelia Dela Cerna, Bing Dacudao, Bebotte Chui, Lolit Villanueva, Past President Myra Motoomull
- Milestone Awarding & 35th Anniversary: Wen Raflores, Karina May Galinato-Olavides
- Breast Cancer Awareness: Myra A. Sicat, Sam Booc
- Booth & Exhibit Curation: Ella Yu and RCEU Past Presidents
- Food Committee: Nelia Lee, Mavictoria G. Abogado, Malou Mercado
- Finance Monitoring: Joyce Es, Angela Lim
- Documentation & Impact Reporting: Rachel V. Polestico
The Expo also drew strength from the Rotaract Club of CDO East Urban, sponsors, exhibitors, professional organizations, past presidents, speakers, and volunteers, each playing a vital role in bringing the vision to life. Together, they touched hundreds of lives directly and thousands more through the ripple of service. More than an event, the Rotary Impact Expo 2025 became a celebration of 35 years of united action for good, a reminder that when people come together with purpose, service becomes a force that transforms communities.
As the Expo concluded, one message remained clear:
Rotary’s impact does not end here, it continues in every life changed, every story shared, and every act of service that follows.
