Two long flights, movies, games, and many expectations. This is how our Arcores volunteers’ adventure to the Philippines began, where a month awaited them that would forever change their perspective on volunteering and solidarity.
Marie and Sandy welcomed us with that Filipino warmth that would accompany us throughout the entire journey. These two workers from San José Recoletos University became our first guides in Cebu, a land full of contrasts where the Augustinian prayer house of Talavera was our first home.
Within its walls we met the sisters and staff who welcomed us like family, showing us not only the university campus facilities —including that building under construction that symbolized constant growth— but also the soul of their community. The moment that marked us most: participating in the charcoal workshop made from recycled paper. Seeing how they transformed waste into useful resources was our first lesson about Filipino creativity and sustainability.
On July 5th we set off for Palawan. Keneth, our future companion in Casian, welcomed us in Puerto Princesa with a smile that already anticipated the experiences awaiting us. The “San Ezequiel Moreno Spirituality and Development Center” became our refuge, where the sisters showed us that Filipino hospitality has no limits.
Fun fact: San Ezequiel Moreno not only gives his name to the center, but was the founder of Puerto Princesa. Visiting his cathedral and the city’s emblematic places was like walking through the pages of the Philippines’ living history.
Bus, tricycle, and pump boat. Three means of transport that took us through incredible landscapes to our final destination: Casian island. But if there’s a hero in this story, that’s Berni, the great Berni. This pump boat captain earned our absolute trust —we would literally trust our lives to him if necessary. We arrived at night, where the four pillars of the community were waiting for us: prior Nestor, Cris, Ivan, and Keneth.
Once settled in our new home, we began the real work. Tuesdays and Thursdays became our favorite days thanks to Calampisao, a small nearby island where we developed the feeding project: providing food to 36 students, their mothers, and teachers. But the best part came during recess, when recreational activities with the children reminded us why we were there. Their laughter, their energy, their ability to enjoy with so little… we all had a great time together.
Among our special tasks was emptying, cleaning, sorting, and organizing the school library. Each book we organized was a door to knowledge we were helping to open. We also carried out the same activities at the school on Casian island itself, although this first week we could only attend one day.
Free time gave us unique moments that made us feel truly part of the community. Basketball games with the locals left us surprised by their impressive level of play, but even more impressive was how sports united us without the need for words. We were invited to the 60th birthday of one of the school principals: roasted pig, karaoke, and Filipino traditions that gave us total immersion into their customs.
In Taytay we had the privilege of meeting the bishop of northern Palawan, we visited the facilities including his ecological farm, and as a token of gratitude we presented him with some Arcores bracelets.
Each passing day we gain more confidence with the friars and the island people. This human connection is what makes our stay increasingly enriching. Because in the end, volunteering is not just about giving, but also receiving. And in the Philippines, we are receiving much more than we ever imagined.
