On September 20, 2025, along the shores of Red Beach, the Rotaract Club of Tacloban, in partnership with Sangguniang Kabataan Luntad and Baras, came together for a meaningful Coastal Cleanup Drive in celebration of World Coastal Cleanup Day while also commemorating the 57th Anniversary of the First Rotaract Club in the Philippines.
Red Beach holds deep historical significance for our province, but on this day, it also became a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect what has been entrusted to us. As the morning began, the sound of waves meeting the shore felt symbolic. It mirrored the kind of service Rotaract strives to embody.
Together with President Sam, Vice President Eugene, Immediate Past President Larry, and fellow volunteers from the SK councils, we participated as volunteers who believe that real leadership is grounded in action. There was no spotlight, no stage. Just gloves, sacks, and a stretch of coastline waiting to be cared for.
In a few hours of collective effort, we gathered 35.7 pounds of waste, filling 7 large bags with plastic bottles, food wrappers, sachets, and other debris scattered along the shore. Some were freshly discarded, others weathered by time and tide. Each piece told a story of consumption and neglect, but also of responsibility reclaimed.
What struck me most was how service transforms perspective. A shoreline that may seem clean at first glance reveals layers of waste when you look closely. In the same way, community issues require more than surface-level awareness. They demand commitment, collaboration, and consistency. That is what Rotaract stands for.
Environmental sustainability is not separate from our mission, it is deeply connected to it. Healthy coastlines mean safer communities, protected marine life, sustained livelihoods for fisherfolk, and a better future for the next generation. By protecting our environment, we promote peace, health, and economic stability, values that align with Rotary’s Areas of Focus and our guiding principle of “Service Above Self.”
Marking 57 years of Rotaract in the Philippines through hands-on service made the celebration more meaningful. It reminded us that our anniversary is not just about history, it is about continuity. The first Rotaractors paved the way through courage and commitment. Today, we honor that legacy by showing up and doing the work.
This cleanup drive may have collected 35.7 pounds of trash, but its impact goes beyond numbers. It strengthened partnerships with youth leaders, fostered fellowship among members, and reinforced our shared belief that small, consistent actions lead to lasting change.
As we tied the final bags and looked out at a cleaner stretch of shoreline, I felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. The waves continued to roll in but so will we. Because for the Rotaract Club of Tacloban, service is not a one-day effort. It is a continuous promise to act, to lead, and to care.
And in every small step we take, we create ripples that carry forward, transforming coasts, communities, and ourselves.
