Gaspar Island Vacation Outreach

Taking a vacation recharges the body. Volunteering, meanwhile, recharges the soul. Do both, and imagine the euphoria one can get from such experience. For people who are after such feeling, then there are vacation outreach activities (or volunteer vacation programs). Vacation, since you’ll swim, eat, island hop, tour and at times, just laze around. On the other hand, the outreach part comes into picture by extending one’s gifts, talents and abilities into the locals / host community.

Now that’s what you call a win-win situation.

An example of this is the vacation outreach to Gaspar Island, Marinduque. In this event, volunteers from NCR travel all the way to bring joy to the locals, and at the same time, enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this remote island. It started years ago as a simple, private activity held by Dominic Lacastesantos and his friends. Through word of mouth and Facebook, more and more individuals, and even organizations, have signed up to join as a volunteer, or pledge donations.

This usually happens twice a year:

• Holy Week – from Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday; and
• Last weekend of November

The Holy Week outreach coincides with the province’s celebration of the Moriones Festival, thus the volunteers also get to tour around the mainland Marinduque (specifically on the towns of Gasan and Boac) to watch and experience the feast of the “masked men”.

It’s my second time to join this year’s Holy Week outreach, which is organized this time by fellow Hands On Manila sherpa and good friend Ernan. Knowing Ernan’s knack for spearheading volunteer activities during our HOM days, I’m convinced that spending Holy Week this way again is very much worthwhile. This year’s Holy Week delegation is composed of 13 individuals, half of which are newbies. Name it, the group has it – accountants, writer, NGO professional, admin & BPO professionals, scientists, fitness instructor, and college instructors.

The 2014 Holy Week Gaspar Island volunteers
(photo credit: Norvyn “BD” Villanueva)

The author’s recruits: officemate Vic, former colleague Jhal, sister Karen and yours truly
(Photo credits: Vic Urquiola / Norvyn Villanueva)

The following are snippets of the groups’ adventures, tasks and endeavors during the three-day activity:

Day 0 (Apr 16): Departure to Marinduque

Still looking fresh. Claudine and Rose with the bus they rode from Pasay terminal to Lucena port.
(Photo by Rose Arcibal)

The RORO chance passengers. 🙂
(Photo by Jhal Fojas)

Day 1 (Apr 17)

Almost there. Ton, Rose and Claudine on the boat ride to Gaspar Island. (Photo by Rose Arcibal)

Our humble abode. (Photo by MaRose Anatalio)

The busy Gaspar Island kids. The island is teeming with tourists from Holy Thursday to Black Saturday. Shown here are the kids helping out their parents in constructing the rental cottages by weaving palm leaves, which serve as the huts’ walls and roofs. (Photo by Norvyn Villanueva)

This is how we do it. Claudine learns and helps a kid weaving the palm leaves.
(Photo by Norvyn Villanueva)

Kids warming up with the cooling down volunteers. (Photo by Vic Urquiola)

Work, work, work. Volunteers sort and pack the school supplies and giveaways for kids and families. (Photos by Norvyn Villanueva)

Sweet, gummy treats for the kids.
(Photo by Norvyn Villanueva)

Let’s play Hep Hep Hooray and relay!
(Photos by Norvyn Villanueva)

Bigger and older kids playing patintero and basketball. (Photos by Ton & Ernan)

Top: Raffy and Jhal demonstrate their balloon twisting prowess to the kids. (Photo by Norvyn Villanueva)
Bottom: Kids and volunteers post with their twisted balloons. (Photo by Rose Arcibal)

Twister game, Gaspar-style.
(Photos by Ton & Ernan)

Bonding and storytelling ’til sun down. Gaspar Island kids spend most of their free time outdoors. Watching TV is a luxury for them since Gaspar Islands doesn’t have electricity until 6pm. The island’s power, which is supplied by a private generator set, runs until 9pm. (Top photo by Rose Arcibal)

 

Day 2 (Apr 17)

Volunteers heading to Gasan and Boac for the Moriones Festival. (Photos by Vic Urquiola)

Morion galore! (Photos by Norvyn Villanueva)

Marinduque culture as seen in Boac’s National Museum, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, as well as tasted in Kusina sa Plaza. (Photos by Roj Fernandez)

Trek and freshwater dip before heading back to Gaspar Island. (Photos by Rose Arcibal and Vic Urquiola)

 

Day 3 (Apr 18)

Island hopping to Baltasar Island and tour of the abandoned Tres Reyes lighthouse. (Photos by Norvyn Villanueva, Rose Arcibal and Roj Fernandez)

Outreach culmination. Art contests were held, loot bags and school supplies are distributed to Gaspar Island kids, starting from Day Care to College students. (Photos by Norvyn Villanueva)