
When I signed up for a volunteering trip to Cebu, Philippines, I expected to lend a hand, learn a few things, and maybe pick up some local phrases. What I didn’t expect was to be embraced by a culture so warm, and deeply rooted in tradition that it would leave a lasting imprint on my heart.
A tradition that truly touched me was a heartfelt gesture of reverence and blessing. In this custom, children and younger individuals respectfully take the hand of an elder and gently raise it to their forehead. The elder then offers a silent blessing, a simple yet powerful act believed to bring protection, guidance, and goodwill. It’s a quiet moment that speaks volumes about the deep respect for elders embedded in their culture.
Spending time with the Badjao community reshaped my understanding of what it means to be truly wealthy. In a world that often equates success with material possessions, the Badjao showed me a different kind of richness, one rooted in care, connection, and communal responsibility.
In their community Children contribute meaningfully, helping with daily tasks like gathering water, assisting with fishing, or caring for younger siblings. Elders are honoured and consulted, their wisdom guiding decisions and their presence treated with reverence.
Generosity flows freely, meals are shared, help is offered without hesitation, and no one is ever truly alone. There’s a quiet dignity in how they support one another. Whether it’s lending a hand during a wedding celebration or helping a neighbour repair a boat, the Badjao live by the principle that everyone matters, and everyone belongs.
While volunteering at the Nano Nagle Learning Centre, I witnessed this close-knit spirit in action. At the end of each school day, children would burst out of the gates and head home, on their own. At first, I was stunned. Where were the parents? Is it safe for children as young as 3 year olds, to leave by themselves?
But through conversations with the teachers, I learned something beautiful, in their community, everyone looks out for each other. Neighbors, shopkeepers, and older siblings all play a role in ensuring the children’s safety. There’s an unspoken network of trust and care that makes this possible.
The Badjao way of life made me question how disconnected many of us have become. We live in cities filled with people, yet often feel alone. We chase careers and accumulate things, but sometimes lose sight of the relationships that truly sustain us. We build walls, literal and emotional, while the Badjao build bridges.
Their example reminded me that true wealth lies in togetherness, in knowing your neighbour, in trusting your community, and in giving without expecting anything in return.
Volunteering in Cebu was not just an act of service, it was a personal awakening. I arrived to help, but I left having received so much more- kindness, stories, and a deeper understanding of culture, resilience, and community.
If you ever get an opportunity to volunteer say yes. Say yes to the discomfort, the unknown, the learning. You may find yourself in the most unexpected and beautiful ways!
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