JCI Alabang’s History
Foundation Years – 1999-2007
The Junior Chamber Philippines (JCI) Alabang, or Alabang Jaycees as the group was more fondly known, was established in October 1999 by a group of young individuals led by Ricky Ocampo as its founding President. In its first year, the Alabang Jaycees embarked on numerous important projects including “Galak Para sa Marillac,” a continuing project for the benefit of Marillac Hills, a center foryoung female victims of maltreatment, sexual abuse and exploitation. Other projects included “Pamaskong Handog Para sa Kabataan,” for the public school students of Muntinlupa; “Computer Para sa Bayan,” where computer learning seminars were conducted for the poor barangays of Muntinlupa and the 1st Alabang Jaycees Invitational Golf Cup. The efforts of the group during its first year were recognized when it won the ‘Best Jaycee Chapter for the Metro Area’ and the ‘Best New Chapter for the Year 2000’. In addition, the Alabang Jaycees was awarded the 2nd Best New Chapter in the World for 2000 during the Jaycee International World Congress in Japan.
In 2001, the Alabang Jaycees started off with the Grand Induction Ceremonies of its then President Lourdes Guerrero. The event titled “Parangal, Pista at Pagtitipon” was held at the Manila Orchidarium in Rizal Park, with no less than the JCI World President Georges Bouverat as the Inducting Officer. In 2002 and 2003, Jorge Bocobo and Pinky Reyes were elected Presidents, respectively. Numerous projects were undertaken during these three years such as the continuation of “Galak sa Marillac”, “Alabang Jaycees Scholar ng Bayan”, “Kalinisan at Kalusugan sa Bilibid”, “Puso ng Bayan” and several projects in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and Mc Donald’s.
The fifth year of Alabang Jaycees in 2004 proved to be one of its banner years. Under the leadership of Oscar Coscolluela III, the group once again proved that it is a Chapter to reckon with. A record total of 33 projects and activities were undertaken by the group. The three most significant projects of the group were “Galak Para sa Marillac: Pangakong Panghabang-Buhay”, “Saranggola ng Pag-Asa” and “Got Milk! Project”. “Galak Para sa Marillac: Pangakong Panghabang-buhay”, a partnership project with Pfizer Philippines which set up Marillac Hills to receive a lifetime supply of medicines, this project won the Best Humanitarian Assistance Project Award during the JCI’s 24th Metropolitan Area Conference. Next, “Saranggola ng Pag-Asa”, a biodiversity awareness campaign in cooperation with the Haribon Foundation to encourage the preservation, protection and rehabilitation of the country’s natural resources, It also won the Best Environmental Improvement Award during both the 2004 JCI Metropolitan Area Conference and 2004 JCI National Conference. It was also honored as “The Most Outstanding Local Project Award (“Best of the Best”). During both conferences, JCI Alabang also received an Award of Merit for its “Got Milk! Project”, a partnership project with Nestle Philippines and Wyeth Philippines that aimed to highlight the importance of public health in community development. Other significant projects during this term were Libreng Ngiti Project in cooperation with the Cranio-facial Center of Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Paskong Super Nanay with the Sikap Development Foundation, Pasko sa Batang Riles, the World AIDS Day Project and Wild Manila!
The Alabang Jaycees gained further momentum and achieved even more recognition during its sixth year under the term of Don Juan “DJ” Bagatsing. With the theme “Building Leaders, Serving the Community”, DJ brought a new breed of dynamic leadership and dedicated service to the chapter and to the community.
The group created a huge impact during the commemoration of its unique induction ceremony – a seven day long celebration of leadership and service dubbed “The Alabang Jaycees Induction with the People”. During this week, seven projects were launched, including the “Muntinlupa, Mahal Kita!” City-wide Partnership and Awareness Campaign, the fund-drive for the Asian Tsunami Aid and the Aurora and Quezon Province Typhoon victims, the family badminton tournament, and the Alabang Jaycees Tribute Night. This was capped with a simple induction during a medical mission in Barangay Filinvest. This week-long project won as the Most Outstanding Community Program during the Metro Area Conference in 2005.
DJ’s term was also highlighted by significant projects such as the year-long School Feeding Nutrition Program for the Barangay Cupang Annex Elementary School children, the donation for the two-classroom building for the same school, the donation for the rehabilitation of the Barangay Sucat Fire Truck, the massive tree planting project in Victoria Elementary School, the Alabang Jaycees Sportsmanship Award and Sports Development Program, the Yamang Pinoy Childrens’ Book for Environmental Awareness Campaign, the Muntinlupa Ten Most Outstanding Students project, the induction and elevation of the first two JCI Senators of the chapter and the Flood and Drainage Cleaning Drive in Barangay Cupang.
On its seventh year, under the leadership of Dr. Kiko Tranquilino, the Alabang Jaycees continued to undertake relevant projects relating to public health improvement, humanitarian assistance, community development and environmental preservation and rehabilitation.
Revival of JCI Alabang – 2013-2014
2013 was marred with many tragedies for the Philippines. Still reeling from feelings of shame, anger and hopelessness brought about by the Maguindanao massacre, the Hong Kong tourist bus massacre countless bus and ferry tragedies, the once indomitable Filipino spirit seemed at the edge of breaking with 2013’s twin disasters of the Bohol earthquake and typhoon Yolanda, the discovery of the ongoing pork barrel scam and the worsening relations with China.
The country’s future seemed so bleak. However, it is also because of this downward trend of the country that a group of young individuals led by Maria Victoria “Vicky” Martinez has decided to counteract and volunteer to pursue the JCI Alabang 2014 revival. The group felt it was high time for the youth of Alabang to step up once again and contribute in nation building by embracing its social responsibilities, building strong networks and honing their business and leadership skills. Founding President Ricky Ocampo and its original extending chapter, JCI Manila, assisted the new group in its pursuit for the revival of JCI Alabang with great passion and together they worked swiftly to regain lost footing and put JCI Alabang back on track.
Only five months into its revival, the new JCI Alabang already garnered more than forty new JCI Alabang members and had four General Membership Meetings (GMMs) with high caliber speakers who are well known and respected in their industries. JCI Alabang wants to partner with like-minded leaders and agents of change of society. It made courtesy calls with Fr. Rocky Evangelista, founder and president of Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation, Sr. Eva Maamo, founder of Our Lady of Peace Foundation and the Philippines’ Barefoot Doctors, Capt. Ruben Baes of Barangay Ayala Alabang and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa City. It also launched “Stairway to Haven” which is an umbrella program for projects to benefit the children of Haven For Children, a DSWD-run temporary haven for young boys rescued from substance abuse.
Through the “Stairway to Haven” program, JCI Alabang has donated educational Lego toys in partnership with Felta Multi-Media Inc, more than 200 books during its “Books n’ Roses” event and 30 basketballs through the generosity of Barangay Ayala Alabang, 100 color-coded sports bibs and has organized a three-day basketball clinic for the children under the tutelage of University of Perpetual Help former head coach Jimwel Gican. The group was supported by numerous organizations to make the projects happen: Eastern Petroleum, Philomena Properties, Shalimar Builders and Development Corporation, Gardenia, JCI Barcelona, and Midland Industrial Sales.
The 2014 revival group is working very hard to ensure the continuation of JCI Alabang and help grow its influence and social relevance in these fast-changing times. The 2014 JCI Alabang Induction and Charter Night is the start of a new beginning and recognition so that the community and its people will know and help JCI Alabang with its goals and projects that will benefit the Alabang community and the country. JCI Alabang wishes to thank the 30+ companies who helped make this historic event possible, especially the major sponsors—Globe, Emperador, Solaire, EC Gas, Marcbilt, and BJ Marthel International.
More than the socio-civic and business development projects it plans to undertake in the future, JCI Alabang has its eye on its most important project of all – its members; the young men and women of JCI Alabang who have been irresistibly drawn out from their comfortable lives to try to make a positive difference together. By harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and imagination of the youth through meaningful, sustainable solutions to the country’s many persistent problems, JCI Alabang hopes to continually create effective, inventive and conscientious leaders – leaders who will someday rewrite the country’s present status quo for the better.
