Mariano Marcos
State University

Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine, MMSU poised for stronger partnership under PJM’s leadership

By Jareason Fabre

As Rotary Year 2026–2027 officially began on July 1, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr. assumed the presidency of the Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine (RCLS), signaling stronger collaboration between the service organization and the university.

The new Rotary year commenced with a district-wide motorcade that traversed Laoag City, San Nicolas, and the City of Batac, symbolizing the official launch of Rotary activities across the district and reaffirming the organization's enduring commitment to its global motto, "Service Above Self."

Members of the Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine proudly donned their Rotary badges during the kick-off celebration, showing the diverse group of professionals united by a commitment to serve the community.

The celebration also marked the formal turnover of leadership as Atty. Therese Zsa Raval concluded her successful term as Club President for Rotary Year 2025–2026 and formally handed over the leadership to Dr. Manzano.

Joining the celebration was the MMSU Extension Directorate, which expressed its continued support for the Rotary Club as one of the university's valued partners in community development.

Former Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine President Emmanuel Ramos shared that Rotary International has been transforming lives for more than a century through volunteer service.

"Rotary has over 1.4 million members worldwide working together with communities to address pressing social issues and improve lives," Ramos said. "Its strength lies in bringing together professionals from different fields who are united by the common goal of serving humanity."

For Dr. Manzano, joining the Rotary Club in 2022 was a natural decision rooted in his background in public service.

"I joined Rotary because I believe in its advocacy of 'Service Above Self,'" Dr. Manzano said.

He added that the same values continue to guide his leadership as President of MMSU.

"Even as President of MMSU, I remain guided by the principles of 'Truth, Fairness, Building Goodwill and Better Friendships, and being Beneficial to All.' These are aligned with how we serve our university and our communities."

Dr. Manzano said Rotary's extensive network of professionals and community leaders presents valuable opportunities that can further strengthen MMSU's extension, research, and public service initiatives.

"It is a wide network that will surely help MMSU in many ways," he said.

As the club's new president, Dr. Manzano said his leadership will be anchored on this Rotary year's international theme, "Creating Lasting Impact," focusing on meaningful and sustainable service projects that create positive change in communities.

Meanwhile, outgoing president Atty. Raval reflected on her year of service, emphasizing that the essence of Rotary has always been its people.

"Our goal has always been to serve, and the heart of Rotary is its people," she said. "I am grateful to Rotary for allowing me to serve our communities."

She also encouraged more professionals, particularly young people, to become Rotarians and continue the tradition of volunteerism.

"I hope more people, especially the youth, will join Rotary so together we can serve our communities and create a greater impact," she added.

The partnership between MMSU and the Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine began in 2022 during the administration of then MMSU President and now Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis. In October 2022, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly implement human rights education and community service initiatives across Ilocos Norte, combining the university's extension mandate with Rotary's humanitarian advocacies.

Since then, the partnership has expanded into various initiatives, including the conduct of Human Rights Education seminars for National Service Training Program students and environmental conservation activities. In December 2025, MMSU and the Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine, together with the Local Government Unit of Badoc, planted 280 mangrove propagules in Barangay Pagsanahan, Badoc, to help restore mangrove areas damaged by previous typhoons. During the activity, Dr. Manzano emphasized that the initiative reflected MMSU's commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions for ecosystem restoration.

With Dr. Manzano now serving as both MMSU president and Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine president, the partnership is expected to further expand through collaborative programs in education, extension, environmental stewardship, community development, and humanitarian service.

Founded in 1905 in Chicago, USA, Rotary International has grown into one of the world's largest humanitarian service organizations, bringing together members in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Through its global network of Rotary clubs, the organization advances projects focused on peacebuilding, disease prevention, maternal and child health, education, economic development, clean water and sanitation, and environmental protection. The Rotary Club of Laoag Sunshine continues to uphold these ideals by mobilizing professionals and community leaders to implement meaningful service projects across Ilocos Norte.