CARD MRI brought eight media practitioners to Laguna for its final 2026 Panaghiusa Exposure Tour, showcasing programs in healthcare, education, livelihood, and business.

CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) conducted its final Panaghiusa: CARD MRI Exposure Tour Program for Media for 2026, bringing eight media practitioners from different parts of the Philippines to Laguna from August 26 to 28.

Led by CARD MRI Publishing House Inc., the three-day program introduced participating journalists and media practitioners to CARD MRI’s integrated approach to community development, covering programs in healthcare, education, housing, livelihood, and business development.

According to CARD MRI Publishing House President Marilyn M. Manila, addressing poverty requires more than providing access to microfinance.

“Ending poverty takes more than offering microfinance. It requires an integrated community development approach that tackles core challenges like healthcare, education, and business support.”

Manila said the exposure tour gives media partners an opportunity to see how the organization’s programs operate within communities and help communicate these initiatives through stories that highlight the experiences of Filipinos.

Showcasing CARD MRI’s Community Programs

As part of the tour, the participants visited several CARD MRI client-facing institutions and facilities.

Among those included in the itinerary were the CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI), which serves as CARD MRI’s school and learning institute; Bay New Town, a housing and community development project; and healthcare facilities under the CARD Care Network, including BEST Health Clinics, BotiCARD, CARD Clinics and Allied Services, and CARD Astro Laboratories.

The group also visited Mga Likha ni Inay (MLNI), CARD MRI’s marketing arm, and CARD Indogrosir, its grocery distribution arm.

Another stop was the CARD-Business Development Service Foundation Inc. (CARD-BDSFI), which focuses on organic farming, value chain development, and business development.

The exposure tour provided the media participants with a look at how these institutions form part of CARD MRI’s broader community development model.

Exploring San Pablo City’s Heritage and Lakes

The program also included the Heritage and Lagos Tour, facilitated by CARD MRI Hijos Tours, CARD MRI’s community-based tour company.

Participants explored several lakes in San Pablo City, Laguna, while also visiting the city’s historical sites, including the San Pablo City Hall and the Cathedral of Saint Paul the First Hermit.

The activity provided the participants with an opportunity to learn more about the local culture, history, and tourism assets of the province alongside their exposure to CARD MRI’s community programs.

Meeting a Laguna Entrepreneur

A key part of the program was the opportunity for the media participants to meet and interview Rhodora Angeles, a CARD SME Bank client from Barangay Mabacan, Calauan, Laguna.

Angeles is known for producing homemade “Trio Juice.” Her story gave the visiting media practitioners a firsthand look at how CARD MRI’s business-related services connect with the experiences of entrepreneurs in local communities.

Through the client interaction, participants were able to hear directly from a community member about her livelihood and business journey.

Eight Media Practitioners Join the Tour

The 2026 exposure tour brought together eight media practitioners representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

They were:

Sheila Mae Butlig — Gold Star Daily News, Cagayan de Oro City
Menzie Montes — RMN Inc. and iFM CDO
Edalyn B. Acta — Capiz Times Publishing, Roxas City, Capiz
Maritess Fernandez — Mindanao Examiner, Zamboanga City
Dexter A. Perez — MindaNet Balita, Davao de Oro
Marlon Alexander S. Luistro — Dyaryo Veritas, Batangas City
Claire S. Cariño — Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., Manila
Sheena Ann Ancheta — Pahayagan ng Kabitenyo, Cavite

The organizers said the exposure tour was designed to help media practitioners develop a deeper understanding of CARD MRI’s community development initiatives and produce stories centered on the people and communities served by its programs.

By bringing media representatives directly to its facilities, projects, and client communities, CARD MRI aims to provide a closer look at how its different institutions work together in supporting livelihood, health, education, and other community needs.