PROJECT NEXT: Building the Next Chapter of Macrohon’s Economic Success

5 Days. 2 Major Programs. One Bigger Vision for Macrohon.

The Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central, in coordination with the Local Government of Macrohon, Southern Leyte, has begun the first phases of PROJECT NEXT: The Macrohon Economic Transformation Roadmap — a five-project series designed to strengthen local enterprise, tourism, livelihood, and ultimately, the economy of the entire municipality.

PROJECT NEXT is RCMC’s High Impact Project: a long-term effort built on the belief that meaningful economic transformation requires more than a single seminar or one-time intervention. It starts with people, builds practical capability, strengthens local businesses, and creates experiences that can open new opportunities for the community.

Before Transformation Comes Mindset

Before transformation can happen, people must first be ready for change. That principle shaped the first major program under PROJECT NEXT.

In July 2026, Past President Meg Marzan led a two-day Mind Setting Seminar for department heads and community stakeholders. The goal was simple but essential: prepare the people before changing the system. Through activities and discussions on embracing change, motivation, teamwork, and “leveling up,” the program worked to create the buy-in and shared mindset needed to begin Macrohon’s transformation journey.

Past President Meg Marzan leading the PROJECT NEXT orientation and mind-setting workshop — The orientation and mind-setting phase focused on preparing stakeholders to embrace change before larger economic initiatives are introduced.

“Prepare the people before changing the system.”

From Mindset to Market-Ready Skills

The next phase translated the vision into practical capability through three days of restaurant management and culinary training. High Impact President Jed Carlo Magrimbao, together with Chef Russle Encarnacion, Head Chef of Canva Philippines, worked with Macrohon’s restaurant and resort owners to explore the potential of food tourism as another driver of the local economy.

Project organizers and partners during the PROJECT NEXT restaurant management and culinary workshop — Project organizers and partners during the restaurant management and culinary workshop.

Charter President Robert Catañares speaking during PROJECT NEXT — Charter President of the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central Robert Catañares.

Food Tourism as an Economic Opportunity

Chef Russle demonstrated and coached participants on ten iconic Filipino regional dishes that can inspire new food experiences in Macrohon. The sessions were designed not simply to reproduce recipes, but to show how regional food traditions can become part of a stronger local dining identity and visitor experience.

La Paz Batchoy
Pampanga Sisig
Pancit Malabon
Ilocos Bagnet
Pancit Luglog
Bicol Laing
Batangas Lomi
Bacolod Inasal
Gotong Batangas
Cebu Belly Lechon

Industry resource speaker during PROJECT NEXT — Industry experience was shared on restaurant management, marketing, and customer service.

Food safety and food cycle discussion during PROJECT NEXT — Food safety and the food cycle formed part of the restaurant management and culinary discussions.

Hands-on culinary coaching during PROJECT NEXT — Hands-on culinary coaching helped translate classroom learning into practical kitchen skills.

Beyond the Kitchen

Great food is only one part of a successful restaurant. SAG Biboy Castañares shared his knowledge on food costing and proper pricing, helping participants understand how to price products sustainably while protecting profitability.

Former AVP of Jollibee Foods Corporation Sir Joel Villamayor shared his industry knowledge and experience on marketing, restaurant management, and customer service — helping participants connect stronger operations with better customer experiences and more resilient businesses.

Learning by Doing

The three-day workshop emphasized hands-on learning. Participants saw food prepared, discussed the discipline behind kitchen systems and costing, and observed how presentation, consistency, service, and operational thinking all contribute to a restaurant’s ability to compete and grow.

Kitchen teams preparing dishes in volume during PROJECT NEXT — Kitchen teams prepare dishes in volume during the practical workshop.

Regional dish prepared during the hands-on culinary session — Regional dishes take shape during the hands-on culinary sessions.

Participants observing finished dishes and restaurant operations — Participants observe and discuss finished dishes and restaurant operations.

Participants tasting and giving feedback during PROJECT NEXT — The workshop concludes with tasting, feedback, and shared learning around the prepared dishes.

More Than a Seminar — A Roadmap

Two days of mind-setting. Three days of restaurant management and culinary training. Five days dedicated to building capability and opportunity. Yet PROJECT NEXT is designed to go further than training alone.

The project recognizes that economic transformation does not happen overnight. It starts by changing mindsets. Then skills are built. Businesses are helped to improve and become more sustainable. Experiences are developed that can bring more people to Macrohon. Over time, these efforts are intended to create opportunities that can benefit the wider community.

The Next Chapter Is Only Beginning

The first two major programs established the foundation of the Macrohon Economic Transformation Roadmap: people who are more prepared for change, and local entrepreneurs who have been exposed to practical tools for food, pricing, operations, marketing, and customer service.

With more projects ahead under the five-project roadmap, the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central and the Local Government of Macrohon continue working toward the NEXT chapter of Macrohon’s economic success — one that connects people, businesses, tourism, and community development in a shared direction.

Participants, organizers and partners at the completion of the PROJECT NEXT workshop — Participants, organizers, and partners mark the completion of the restaurant management and culinary workshop — one step in the larger PROJECT NEXT roadmap.

Empower People. Strengthen Businesses. Build Tourism. Transform Communities.THIS IS PROJECT NEXT. THIS IS HOW WE CREATE LASTING IMPACT.

Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Central · Rotary International District 3800
PROJECT NEXT · Macrohon Economic Transformation Roadmap
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