Last October 23, a group of 9 young individuals made a journey to different parts of our country to make a difference by doing good and getting dirty. Green Cross Philippines continues its advocacy of social responsibility and "voluntourism" by encouraging tourists to be more than tourists and be transformed into vanguards and stewards of the environment.
Celine Reyes, one of the lucky voluntourist who took part of the Do Good, Get Dirty program, share her insights as she experiences Sarangani, South Cotabato. We interviewed Celine and asked her how the Do Good, Get Dirty of Green Cross made a difference.
1. Kindly share something about yourself.
I'm Celine Reyes. I hail from Angono, Rizal - the Art Capital of the Philippines. I am a full-time adventurer who has a passion for writing. I also do HR consultancy gigs for small to medium enterprises, and am also a part-time professor of Business Studies and Liberal Arts at the National College of Business and Arts in Taytay, Rizal. I chronicle my adventures and misadventures on my personal blog: www.celineism.com.
2. What were the instances during your Do Good, Get Dirty trip where you wished your friends were there with you?/"I wish you were here" moments.
Truthfully? I wish my friends were with me the entire trip. The whole experience will surely break all their misconceptions about Mindanao and its people. But ziplining across Lake Sebu, whitewater tubing in the Pangi River, tuna grading at the GenSan Fish Port, and the cultural immersion with the B'laan tribe are definitely "I wish you were here" moments.
3. What was your most memorable experience in your Do Good Get Dirty trip?
Having the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the B'laan and the people of Tupi, to be part of a noble advocacy, was the defining moment of the trip for me. Planting a Bakan seedling with the rest of Team Sarangani, getting our hands dirty for the Tarsiers, had changed me profoundly. I will never forget that day of meaning and purpose. I am deeply inspired by the sincere commitment of all the people involved. I felt that we did not only plant trees; we also planted Hope.
4. How can/will you continue to do good, get dirty despite the end off your epic journey?
Before this epic journey, I was contented with being a responsible traveler. Practicing "Leave No Trace" policy, you know, that sort of thing. But after the Do Good, Get Dirty adventure, I was inspired to take my personal adventures to a whole new level. I have always been an advocate of domestic tourism and now that I have gotten to know the concept of eco-tourism, I'm taking it to heart. Aside from signing up for tree-planting activities and marine conservation efforts, I have trips lined up that incorporate volunteer work with having fun. I also plan to visit Palawan and Dumaguete to participate in their respective conservation efforts. I shall leave a little sparkle wherever I go. :)
5. How would you encourage your friends and family to do the same?
I believe in the concept of centrifugalism - change should start from within. Thanks to the Do Good, Get Dirty adventure, I'm now going through life with a more substantial sense of purpose. And because I want others to experience the same level of satisfaction I get from doing good, I'll start with my family and my friends. I'll take them on "voluntours". And, who knows, they might take their families and friends next time.
6. What do you love to do during the weekends or when there is a long weekend ahead?
I write during my free time. And, of course, I make sure that I get to travel and seek for adventure at least once a month. I'm always out and about, if not in made-up places in my head, then in actual real places - which are actually much better. Cheers to the next adventure!
Thank you Celine for sharing us your story. You got us all inspired to do good and get dirty whenever we travel and make a difference.
You can follow Celine and her adventures at www.celinism.com.
