From the Netherlands to Lubao: How Kiwanian Marlyn van Es Helps Transform a Small Club into an Internationally Recognized Force for Service
Distance has never diminished Marlyn van Es’ commitment to service. Although she now lives and works in the Netherlands, thousands of kilometers away from her hometown of Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines her heart remains firmly rooted in the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems, where she continues to serve with dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment.
For Marlyn, being a Kiwanian is not defined by geography. It is defined by purpose.
Her story is one of servant leadership, quiet excellence, and the belief that technology, storytelling, and teamwork can expand the reach of even the smallest community organization. Through her tireless volunteer work, the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems has grown from a young club into one recognized across the Philippine Luzon District, the Asia-Pacific region, and the international Kiwanis community.
A Charter Member Committed to Her Hometown
When the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems was organized in 2015, Marlyn immediately embraced the opportunity to give back to the town where she grew up.
At the time, she was living in Subic Bay, Olongapo City, yet she chose to become a Charter Member because she believed in the club’s vision of serving the children of Lubao.
Years later, although life and career brought her to the Netherlands, she never stepped away from her responsibilities.
Instead, she continued serving.
Today, Marlyn remains the club’s Secretary, proving that meaningful volunteerism knows no borders.
Wearing Many Hats in the Service of Children
Throughout the years, Marlyn has served the club in numerous leadership capacities, including:
Charter Member
Club Secretary
Treasurer
Board Director
Chairman of the Board
Public Relations and Marketing Chair
Webmaster
Each role has required dedication, organization, and countless volunteer hours—all while maintaining a demanding career in healthcare overseas.
Working across different time zones, Marlyn often spends evenings and weekends preparing reports, coordinating club documentation, managing memberships, publishing newsletters, updating social media, maintaining the website, and ensuring deadlines are met for both district and international requirements.
Her commitment exemplifies that service is measured not by convenience, but by consistency.
Building a Digital Presence that Connects the World
In Aug 2024, Kiwanis International provided the club with its official website.
Marlyn became its Webmaster and has since managed and continuously developed the club’s online home at k18866.site.kiwanis.org.
Through timely updates, project stories, leadership announcements, and service highlights, the website has become more than an archive—it has become a digital window into the heart of the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems.
Combined with active Facebook management and digital storytelling, Marlyn has helped increase the club’s visibility far beyond its local community.
The Story Behind the First ASPAC Recognition
One of the club’s proudest milestones came during the 49th Kiwanis Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Convention, held in Adelaide, Australia, from March 7–9, 2024.
During the ASPAC Green Generation Photo Contest, a compelling photo documenting the Division 2B Joint Tree Planting Project—held during the 2023 Kiwanis One Day Celebration—was selected as one of only two finalists.
The youth-led environmental initiative showcased collaboration among Division 2B clubs, particularly the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems and the Kiwanis Club of Bacolor, promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable community action.
Behind that finalist entry was Marlyn’s creative eye.
She carefully designed, edited, and prepared the contest submission, ensuring the image powerfully reflected the project’s purpose and impact.
For the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems, becoming an ASPAC Finalist marked its first regional recognition, a milestone that filled every member with pride and demonstrated that even a young club could stand alongside larger and more established clubs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Turning Stories into International Recognition
If 2024 marked the club’s first regional achievement, 2026 became its defining international breakthrough.
When the ASPAC Stories Video Contest opened for entries, participants were invited to submit three short videos under different categories.
Recognizing the opportunity to showcase the club’s work, Marlyn took the initiative.
She gathered photographs, collected video clips, interviewed members, coordinated materials, edited every scene, produced each video, and ensured all submissions complied with the contest requirements.
Through countless hours of volunteer work, the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems successfully submitted entries in all three contest categories.
The results exceeded everyone’s expectations.
During the joint Kiwanis International Convention and Kiwanis ASPAC Convention held in Manila from June 24–27, 2026, the club earned an extraordinary distinction:
Grand Winner – Video 2: Our Impact
Grand Winner – Video 3: Why I Joined Kiwanis, featuring Lieutenant Governor Marilen Ramos
The victories represented the highest international recognition the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems had ever received.
For Marlyn, however, the awards belonged to everyone.
She consistently credits every Kiwanian who served in projects, appeared in videos, shared photographs, supported documentation, and believed that telling authentic stories could inspire others around the world.
Giving a Small Club a Global Voice
Even before the international video awards, Marlyn was already sharing the club’s inspiring work beyond the Philippines.
She submitted an article highlighting the club’s signature project serving the Aeta Community in Nabuclod, Pampanga to ASPAC.
The story was later featured on the official ASPAC Facebook page in April 2026, introducing the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems to Kiwanians throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
For many international members, it was their first introduction to the small but dynamic club from Lubao.
That recognition reinforced an important truth:
Every club has a story worth telling.
Marketing that Strengthens Service
Marlyn understands that communication is more than publicity.
It is stewardship.
Her work in:
website management
Facebook administration
newsletter publication
article writing
project documentation
district reporting
public relations
digital marketing
has strengthened the club’s credibility, increased awareness of its programs, and showcased the impact of its service initiatives.
Her meticulous reporting also contributed significantly to the club earning Outstanding Club recognition from the Philippine Luzon District in AY 2020-2021 and in AY 2024-2025, reflecting excellence in administration, communication, and service documentation.
A Healthcare Professional with a Heart for Service
Outside Kiwanis, Marlyn works part-time in healthcare in the Netherlands.
Despite the demands of her profession and the significant time difference between Europe and the Philippines, she continues to prioritize her responsibilities as Club Secretary and communications leader.
She coordinates memberships, prepares reports, meets submission deadlines, supports club officers, mentors fellow members, and helps secure generous partners whose support makes many service projects possible.
Her volunteer work often happens long after her professional workday has ended.
It is a commitment fueled not by recognition but by purpose.
Success Built by an Entire Kiwanis Family
While Marlyn’s leadership has been instrumental in the club’s growth, she is always the first to acknowledge that every achievement is the result of collective effort.
From club officers and members to Division leaders, volunteers, partner organizations, sponsors, donors, and community stakeholders, every project reflects collaboration and shared commitment to improving the lives of children.
The club’s international awards, district recognitions, environmental initiatives, and signature community projects were made possible because dedicated Kiwanians worked together with generous partners who believed in the mission of serving children.
Together, they demonstrated that when passion meets collaboration, extraordinary things happen.
Inspiring Others Through Service
Marlyn van Es reminds us that leadership is not limited by distance.
A volunteer living halfway across the world can still strengthen a hometown club, inspire fellow members, connect communities through storytelling, and bring international recognition to local service.
Her journey proves that technology can bridge oceans, but it is compassion that truly connects people.
Through every report submitted, every article written, every website updated, every video produced, and every child whose story is shared, Marlyn continues to demonstrate the true spirit of Kiwanis.
Her legacy is measured not simply by awards, but by the lives touched, the opportunities created, and the inspiration she leaves for future generations of Kiwanians.
Because in Kiwanis, every story matters—and thanks to volunteers like Marlyn van Es, those stories are reaching the world.
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Last Updated: September 19, 2026 by mvanes
From the Netherlands to Lubao: How Kiwanian Marlyn van Es Helps Transform a Small Club into an Internationally Recognized Force for Service
Distance has never diminished Marlyn van Es’ commitment to service. Although she now lives and works in the Netherlands, thousands of kilometers away from her hometown of Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines her heart remains firmly rooted in the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems, where she continues to serve with dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment.
For Marlyn, being a Kiwanian is not defined by geography. It is defined by purpose.
Her story is one of servant leadership, quiet excellence, and the belief that technology, storytelling, and teamwork can expand the reach of even the smallest community organization. Through her tireless volunteer work, the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems has grown from a young club into one recognized across the Philippine Luzon District, the Asia-Pacific region, and the international Kiwanis community.
A Charter Member Committed to Her Hometown
When the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems was organized in 2015, Marlyn immediately embraced the opportunity to give back to the town where she grew up.
At the time, she was living in Subic Bay, Olongapo City, yet she chose to become a Charter Member because she believed in the club’s vision of serving the children of Lubao.
Years later, although life and career brought her to the Netherlands, she never stepped away from her responsibilities.
Instead, she continued serving.
Today, Marlyn remains the club’s Secretary, proving that meaningful volunteerism knows no borders.
Wearing Many Hats in the Service of Children
Throughout the years, Marlyn has served the club in numerous leadership capacities, including:
Each role has required dedication, organization, and countless volunteer hours—all while maintaining a demanding career in healthcare overseas.
Working across different time zones, Marlyn often spends evenings and weekends preparing reports, coordinating club documentation, managing memberships, publishing newsletters, updating social media, maintaining the website, and ensuring deadlines are met for both district and international requirements.
Her commitment exemplifies that service is measured not by convenience, but by consistency.
Building a Digital Presence that Connects the World
In Aug 2024, Kiwanis International provided the club with its official website.
Marlyn became its Webmaster and has since managed and continuously developed the club’s online home at k18866.site.kiwanis.org.
Through timely updates, project stories, leadership announcements, and service highlights, the website has become more than an archive—it has become a digital window into the heart of the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems.
Combined with active Facebook management and digital storytelling, Marlyn has helped increase the club’s visibility far beyond its local community.
The Story Behind the First ASPAC Recognition
One of the club’s proudest milestones came during the 49th Kiwanis Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Convention, held in Adelaide, Australia, from March 7–9, 2024.
During the ASPAC Green Generation Photo Contest, a compelling photo documenting the Division 2B Joint Tree Planting Project—held during the 2023 Kiwanis One Day Celebration—was selected as one of only two finalists.
The youth-led environmental initiative showcased collaboration among Division 2B clubs, particularly the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems and the Kiwanis Club of Bacolor, promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable community action.
Behind that finalist entry was Marlyn’s creative eye.
She carefully designed, edited, and prepared the contest submission, ensuring the image powerfully reflected the project’s purpose and impact.
For the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems, becoming an ASPAC Finalist marked its first regional recognition, a milestone that filled every member with pride and demonstrated that even a young club could stand alongside larger and more established clubs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Turning Stories into International Recognition
If 2024 marked the club’s first regional achievement, 2026 became its defining international breakthrough.
When the ASPAC Stories Video Contest opened for entries, participants were invited to submit three short videos under different categories.
Recognizing the opportunity to showcase the club’s work, Marlyn took the initiative.
She gathered photographs, collected video clips, interviewed members, coordinated materials, edited every scene, produced each video, and ensured all submissions complied with the contest requirements.
Through countless hours of volunteer work, the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems successfully submitted entries in all three contest categories.
The results exceeded everyone’s expectations.
During the joint Kiwanis International Convention and Kiwanis ASPAC Convention held in Manila from June 24–27, 2026, the club earned an extraordinary distinction:
The victories represented the highest international recognition the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems had ever received.
For Marlyn, however, the awards belonged to everyone.
She consistently credits every Kiwanian who served in projects, appeared in videos, shared photographs, supported documentation, and believed that telling authentic stories could inspire others around the world.
Giving a Small Club a Global Voice
Even before the international video awards, Marlyn was already sharing the club’s inspiring work beyond the Philippines.
She submitted an article highlighting the club’s signature project serving the Aeta Community in Nabuclod, Pampanga to ASPAC.
The story was later featured on the official ASPAC Facebook page in April 2026, introducing the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems to Kiwanians throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
For many international members, it was their first introduction to the small but dynamic club from Lubao.
That recognition reinforced an important truth:
Every club has a story worth telling.
Marketing that Strengthens Service
Marlyn understands that communication is more than publicity.
It is stewardship.
Her work in:
has strengthened the club’s credibility, increased awareness of its programs, and showcased the impact of its service initiatives.
Her meticulous reporting also contributed significantly to the club earning Outstanding Club recognition from the Philippine Luzon District in AY 2020-2021 and in AY 2024-2025, reflecting excellence in administration, communication, and service documentation.
A Healthcare Professional with a Heart for Service
Outside Kiwanis, Marlyn works part-time in healthcare in the Netherlands.
Despite the demands of her profession and the significant time difference between Europe and the Philippines, she continues to prioritize her responsibilities as Club Secretary and communications leader.
She coordinates memberships, prepares reports, meets submission deadlines, supports club officers, mentors fellow members, and helps secure generous partners whose support makes many service projects possible.
Her volunteer work often happens long after her professional workday has ended.
It is a commitment fueled not by recognition but by purpose.
Success Built by an Entire Kiwanis Family
While Marlyn’s leadership has been instrumental in the club’s growth, she is always the first to acknowledge that every achievement is the result of collective effort.
From club officers and members to Division leaders, volunteers, partner organizations, sponsors, donors, and community stakeholders, every project reflects collaboration and shared commitment to improving the lives of children.
The club’s international awards, district recognitions, environmental initiatives, and signature community projects were made possible because dedicated Kiwanians worked together with generous partners who believed in the mission of serving children.
Together, they demonstrated that when passion meets collaboration, extraordinary things happen.
Inspiring Others Through Service
Marlyn van Es reminds us that leadership is not limited by distance.
A volunteer living halfway across the world can still strengthen a hometown club, inspire fellow members, connect communities through storytelling, and bring international recognition to local service.
Her journey proves that technology can bridge oceans, but it is compassion that truly connects people.
Through every report submitted, every article written, every website updated, every video produced, and every child whose story is shared, Marlyn continues to demonstrate the true spirit of Kiwanis.
Her legacy is measured not simply by awards, but by the lives touched, the opportunities created, and the inspiration she leaves for future generations of Kiwanians.
Because in Kiwanis, every story matters—and thanks to volunteers like Marlyn van Es, those stories are reaching the world.
Category: Blog Post Tags: ASPAC Green Generation Photo Contest, ASPAC Stories, club secretary, community service, digital storytelling, healthcare volunteer, kiwanis club of lubao gems, Kiwanis International, Kiwanis International Convention 2026, Kiwanis Philippines, Kiwanis website, Lubao Pampanga, Marlyn van Es, nonprofit marketing, Philippine Luzon District, public relations, servant leadership, service to children, social media for nonprofitsAeta community project, volunteer leadership, website management
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