About Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc.
A non-stock, non-profit civic organization reviving the Filipino tradition of Bayanihan.
Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. (KCI) is a non-stock, non-profit civic organization established to revive and strengthen the Filipino tradition of Bayanihan — a culture of mutual assistance, compassion, volunteerism, and shared responsibility among members of the community.
The word Kaubanan is derived from the Cebuano word Kauban, meaning companion, partner, or one who stands beside another. Guided by this spirit, KCI serves as a fellowship of individuals committed to helping one another during life's most challenging moments — whether brought about by illness, bereavement, financial hardship, disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Founded on the principles of brotherhood, integrity, compassion, volunteerism, and community service, KCI promotes a culture where every member is not alone, but is supported by fellow members who willingly extend a helping hand whenever needed.
Beyond providing mutual assistance among its members, the organization actively encourages civic participation through humanitarian missions, environmental initiatives, educational activities, health promotion, disaster response, livelihood support, youth development, and partnerships with government agencies, private institutions, and community organizations.
KCI also seeks to build a nationwide fellowship of Kaubaniaries — official community centers where members gather for fellowship, planning, leadership development, volunteer service, and community engagement.
The organization believes that the strength of a community lies not merely in financial resources, but in the willingness of its people to unite for a common purpose.
Today, Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. continues to inspire Filipinos to become part of a compassionate movement where every member becomes a companion for life — ready to serve, willing to share, and committed to building stronger communities through genuine brotherhood.
Background of the Program
For generations, Filipinos have practiced Bayanihan — helping neighbors in times of need without expectation of return. In Visayan culture, this is known as Dayong, a deeply rooted system of communal cooperation. In today's economic environment, many families remain vulnerable to unexpected events such as death, hospital confinement, or accidents. Kaubanan bridges tradition and innovation by digitizing Bayanihan, allowing members to contribute small amounts collectively to support one another.
Vision
To become the Philippines' leading civic brotherhood that promotes compassion, mutual assistance, volunteerism, and community empowerment through the enduring Filipino spirit of Bayanihan.
Mission
Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. exists to:
- Promote genuine brotherhood among members.
- Foster a culture of mutual aid and compassionate service.
- Organize humanitarian and civic programs that benefit communities.
- Encourage volunteerism, leadership, and responsible citizenship.
- Develop sustainable programs that improve the quality of life of members and society.
- Build partnerships that strengthen community resilience and social responsibility.
Our Core Values
Eight values, one word — the letters spell KAUBANAN.
Kindness
We meet people with warmth, especially when they are at their lowest.
Accountability
We answer for what we do with the community's trust and the community's money.
Unity
We move as one. What one member cannot carry alone, many can carry together.
Brotherhood
Every member is a companion to every other. Every companion is family.
Altruism
We give without keeping score, and we help without being asked twice.
Noble Service
Service is not a favour we grant. It is the reason the organization exists.
Advocacy
We speak up for members and for the communities they belong to.
Nation Building
Stronger families make stronger communities, and stronger communities make a stronger nation.
What We Do
Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. aims to organize activities and programs that may include:
- Community outreach initiatives
- Educational and awareness activities
- Volunteer and humanitarian programs
- Member fellowship and community engagement
- Wellness and social development activities
- Family and community support initiatives
- Values formation and civic-oriented programs
All organizational activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, ethical standards, and the organization's guiding principles.
Why Join Kaubanan Civic Club?
Joining Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. means becoming part of a growing community that values compassion, unity, and positive social connection. Members enjoy opportunities to:
- Participate in meaningful community activities
- Build friendships and circles of support
- Engage in humanitarian and volunteer efforts
- Contribute to positive social impact
- Promote a culture of cooperation and shared responsibility
Our Commitment
Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. is committed to maintaining an ethical, transparent, and community-oriented environment that promotes responsible participation, mutual respect, and constructive social engagement.
Together, we believe that small acts of kindness, when shared collectively, can create lasting positive change.
Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. — “We’re Always at Your Side”
Where this came from
The story of Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. (KCI) began with a simple act of compassion and a sincere desire to help fellow community members during life's most difficult moments.
Several years ago, former Municipal Councilor Hon. Romeo D. Cabantugan of Badian, Cebu witnessed the financial struggles faced by many senior citizens and their families whenever a loved one passed away. Inspired by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and community solidarity, he initiated a voluntary mutual assistance program known locally as Dayong.
Under this humble initiative, each participating member voluntarily contributed only ₱50 per month. Though the contribution was modest, its purpose was profound — to ensure that every senior citizen, regardless of financial capacity, could be laid to rest with dignity and respect. More than financial assistance, Dayong became a symbol of compassion, unity, and shared responsibility within the community.
As the program continued to grow, its inspiring vision reached friends and community leaders from different parts of the Philippines, including Mindanao. Individuals who shared the same passion for helping others joined the movement, among them Jimuel B. Desoyo and Raul O. Cardona.
Recognizing the opportunities offered by modern technology, information technology professionals Jandenber A. Cael and Elmar A. Angao enthusiastically developed an online platform capable of bringing people together regardless of geographical distance. Their innovation transformed the traditional Dayong concept into a modern Digital Bayanihan System, allowing members from different communities to unite through technology while preserving the timeless Filipino values of compassion, cooperation, and mutual assistance.
From this collective vision emerged Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. (KCI) — a non-stock, non-profit civic organization committed to strengthening communities through organized mutual assistance, digital innovation, volunteerism, and social responsibility.
Today, KCI continues to expand its mission by providing community-based assistance programs, promoting volunteer service, encouraging civic participation, and building a nationwide fellowship of members dedicated to helping one another during times of need. Guided by the enduring Filipino spirit of Kaubanan (friendship), Bayanihan (community cooperation), and Malasakit (compassion), KCI strives to become a model organization where technology and humanity work together in service of the common good.
The people who planted the seeds
KCI recognizes the individuals whose early ideas, experience and effort helped bring the organization into existence.
Romeo D. Cabantugan, DSc-TIN
The seed of Dayong and community bayanihan
Having studied law and business, he served as a Municipal Councilor in Badian, Cebu and continues in public service as a barangay official. In his own town he helped start the local Dayong so that families with little — especially senior citizens — would not carry the cost of a dignified funeral alone. That effort became the seed KCI grew from.
Jimuel B. Desoyo, RNT
Compassion, entrepreneurship and concern for ordinary people
A former overseas Filipino worker in Thailand, businessman and entrepreneur, he had seen both the sacrifices people make in search of a better life and how quickly a hospital stay or a death can exhaust a family's savings. His conviction shaped KCI: if one person cannot carry the burden, many people can carry it together.
Raul O. Cardona, NMD, DSc, DMScV, RMV
Philosophy, compassion and the light of service
A philosopher, naturopath, writer and educator, and founder of Transcendentalism-PH and the Luminarian Philosophy. He helped shape KCI's principles, educational materials and organizational philosophy, arguing that it should be more than a mechanism for financial assistance — it should be a civic culture of compassion.
Jandenber A. Cael, DMS-V, ND
Research, data and the groundwork of the digital platform
A Doctor of Metaphysical Science in Vitalogy (DMS-V), he is an IT professional with GIS experience at DENR. He later pursued Natural Product Development & Wellness Innovation and provided consultation. He helped KCI by gathering the requirements and information that shaped its digital platform. He shares what he has learned and uses his skills to support community service and assistance.
Elmar A. Angao, MBA
Turning what he observed in the hospital into a digital platform for help
He served for eight years as the Information Technology Manager of a hospital. There he observed, day after day, the struggles of families trying to pay their hospital bills and the grief of those who had lost a loved one. That experience moved him to help KCI by designing and developing its digital platform, applying his expertise as a full-stack engineer and a DevOps and AI integration specialist, so that help can reach people in their time of need.
They are not presented as owners of Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. They are remembered as individuals who helped transform an idea of community compassion into an organized civic movement.
Board of Trustees and Corporate Officers
- Trustee / Chairman of the Board / President
- Romeo D. Cabantugan, DSc-TIN
- Trustee / Vice President
- Jimuel B. Desoyo, RNT
- Trustee / Corporate Secretary
- Raul O. Cardona, NMD, DSc, DMScV, RMV
- Trustee / Treasurer
- Jandenber A. Cael, DMS-V, ND
- Trustee / Auditor
- Elmar A. Angao, MBA
Organizational Philosophy
KCI believes that no person should face life's greatest challenges alone. Whether confronted by sickness, hospital stays, bereavement, calamity, or financial hardship, every individual deserves a trusted companion who is willing to stand beside them with compassion, encouragement, and practical support.
More than an organization, Kaubanan Civic Club, Inc. is a growing family of volunteers and civic-minded individuals committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Every member is a companion to every other. Every companion is family.
Official Motto
Together in Brotherhood, United in Service
Become a companion
Membership is voluntary, and it begins with a single decision to stand beside someone else.