Bayani Challenge 1700 Heroes
I heard about Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge from a friend of mine from Bacolod through Facebook. Entitled ”Kalinga sa Bayan”, this year’s Bayani Challenge will go beyond the traditional building of houses. There will be various activities, like island greening, which includes coastal clean-ups, a school build, a farm build, health build-up, and praising pambata, to bring out the heroism in each and every one.
This year’s challenge sends the statement and sets the example that Filipinos can build a nation by caring for their own hometown through acts of volunteerism and ‘bayanihan’ (working together). Let's go!
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How to get there: Cebu City to Bantayan Island
From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport
- You can take a cab to the North bus terminal. The estimated fare is 250-350 PHP, depending on traffic. Or you can take it straight to Hagnaya port, but we opt for the cheapest travel method, which is by bus.
- Alternatively, if you're familiar with Uber and/or Lyft, then you can download and use the mobile app, Grab, to book your transportation.
From the North bus terminal
Take the Ceres Bus
- Bus Fare: less 200 PHP
- Bus Route: from Cebu to Hagnaya Port
- Drop off: Hagnaya Port, San Remigio, Cebu
- Travel time (bus/private car): 3-5 hours
Prices may have changed.
From Hagnaya Port
Take Super Shuttle Ferry or Island Shipping
- Boat Fare: less than 200 PHP
- Terminal fee: less than 20 PHP
- Boat Route: Hagnaya Port to Sante Fe Port
From Sante Fe Port, Bantayan Island
Head to the Tourism office by following the covered walk.
- Ecological Fee: less than 40 PHP
- Lastly, you can take the tricycle to your resort, Tricycle Fare: less than 30 PHP or you can simply pre-arrange a resort pick up from the Port.
If you're coming from Malapascua Island
Take a paddle boat from Malapascua to Maya Port.
- Boat fare: 30 PHP - 50 PHP
- Drop off: Don Pedro junction in Bogo
- Travel time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
- Tricycle Fare (from Don Pedro to Hagnaya Port): 100 PHP - 150 PHP
- Travel time to Hagnaya Port: 20 minutes - 30 minutes
Tips
- Power outlets are commonly type A, with a standard voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 60 Hz. Be sure to bring a universal plug adapter!
- Money matters: We recommend exchanging your currency via Western Union (WU) because you'll get a better rate than at the airport. You can send your travel budget to yourself and pick up the exchanged amount at the local WU.
- Convenient phone apps: Grab for transportation.
Survival Terms
- CR is the term for the toilet
- Salamat means "thank you"
Visit the Cebu event checklist for the latest Cebu events, and you can submit any Cebu happenings too.
I decided to join this challenge without any hesitation. Together with a friend of mine, we headed to Bantayan, but on the second day, due to some personal reasons. I woke with a big, bright smile on my face, and the sun was like a pretty sunflower set up in the clear blue sky. We arrived at the port area at a very slow pace. The ferry was enjoying riding the waves, but it was a good thing we had some more time to relax and get some sleep.
We roam around the area where some of the volunteers are staying. The site was a real immersion, they were staying in tents, some inside classrooms and for some of us who were fortunate were able to rent a whole resort for our group.
I can't really say I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm glad we have a functional room; on the other hand, I felt like a cheater knowing some of the participants were living in tents and a classroom - that's a real experience. I wanted and expected these kinds of things; however, it turned out differently from what I thought.
We came here to join a team of our friends; however, almost all of them were not able to be there. She was placed in a group of young participants, from high school to 1st year college students. There was a language barrier, and that was a big problem; only two of us are from Cebu in the house, but that won't stop us from doing what we came for.
This year, there are 1700 volunteers, an amazing number that made me realize that there are still people who are willing to do public service work without pay. A genuine heart can do a lot of things, and I'm so glad there are still a thousand of them. Every night there's always an activity: either a talk from a GK speaker or a live band. During my first night, the GK Bayani theme song was taught to us, and people sang and danced with glee.
A new and wonderful experience for me, and I hope everyone will be given a chance to join this kind of activity and be willing to do work for other people. We stayed at a Private Resort just beside Sugar Beach Resort, the Villacastin Resort. Every time I woke up in the morning, I saw these clothes hanging around the resort and even in the cottages, and I wondered why I didn't feel irritated with the mess, instead I loved how their clothes are placed there.
We woke up early in the morning to get ready for our assigned task. I sat around the beach shore, and eventually my two friends joined me, then a man approached us with a pail of honey in one hand. They said to really know if the honey is real or well-made, I guess, it would light up with a lighter, and it did. We were like having a magic show, and that was a great start to my day. Going around the riding an Elf is a new experience for me, being inside the truck makes it more interesting to go around the island.
Hang on tight coz' we're going for a ride! While we were enjoying our ride, the staff were talking about getting the paints at the Bantayan Island GK Village. This is where the Home Building teams were assigned - this is what I wanted to do, supposedly. They had a sign placed in front before you'd reach the village.
We had to carry some paints from the village to our elf, hand in hand. The paints were loaded and unloaded with everyone's help. The Madridejos Elementary School was next on the list, and the faculty were really kind to provide us with snacks during our break.
It was almost late in the afternoon, and from afar, you could really see how the school was changing. It looks very cheerful, and the colors were eye candy. I'm sure the kids will love it. A few teachers were even helping to paint their designated rooms. I had a contact with one of them, and she asked me about myself and what Gawad Kalinga is really all about. I was stunned, I really don't know that much about Gk. I just said yes when my friend invited me through Facebook, and that's it. I just know that they do incredible work with their outreach programs.
A lot of people are too lazy to wake up so early in the morning, and I admit to being one of these people. I signed up and came here to camp for a purpose, and with that motivation in mind, it was a piece of cake to wake up before the rooster even had the chance to say his prayers. It's also a good thing, so I won't have to wait in line, and more than 25 people are staying inside this house, so I should be exactly on time, dressed up and ready to paint. We greeted the day with a song and dance to praise the Lord.
The next day...
We walked along the seaside going to the school where all participants gather to talk about the day's activities. We started the day with a song and dance with the GK Bayani Song as our beat. We were assigned in School Building, we painted from one school to another. I didn't get the chance to choose any activity because I came in on the second day, too bad, I was expecting to be in the Home Building Activity group. It was quite difficult to transfer, knowing no one in the group except an acquaintance who invited us.
It was a great challenge to do the task in the heat of the sun. It wasn't really tiring to paint all day, but what sucks the life out of you is the heat of the ever brightly, smiling, shining, center of the universe - the sun, you're perspiring more, and we end up getting dehydrated, which is also at risk for heat stroke. We had to rest, freshen up and fuel ourselves with water, which we only had a few ounces of in hand. The time we allotted for staying in the shade could have been one column painted, but we can't help it; the summer sun was too much to bear.
The day ended with a big, bright, sunny smile with me. I felt great looking at the wall in front of me. Every day I see and meet different kinds of people in different schools. They all have curious stares and shy grins, one thing I love to see early in the morning. Through Gawad Kalinga, we somehow painted the town red. I want to see how love embraces their hearts, and each corner of the classroom be filled with hope.
A few eager students wanted to lend a hand. It was a great sight to see a volunteer working hand in hand with students. Volunteers who are willing to file a leave from their work just to be there, asking nothing in return- that's genuine service to other people. To reach out to someone they don't know, to do something significant and have nothing to say but smile.
We finished painting the school before dinnertime, which was a relief; I thought the day would never end. I was starving and craving grilled foods. We found the perfect place to have our delicious dinner, only at the nearest Barbecue stand just a few blocks away from the school grounds. We ate like there's no tomorrow, a perfect way to satisfy our appetite. I ordered Grilled Pork Chop, Chicken and Chorizo (Pork Sausage), and of course, Cebu's Pride "Puso" (aka Hanging Rice).
Another great day...
Every day during my Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge is always another day full of new experiences and realizations which also meant seeing more smiles and cheers.
Gawad Kalinga was founded by Mr Antonio Meloto from Bacolod, which is why a lot of participants are from his hometown. That's basically what I know about this organization. A teacher from that school whose also lending a hand for the activity, asked a lot of questions. She was surprised when I told her we were not paid to do this kind of work, and everyone signed up of their own will. She can't imagine how I would want to spend my time and money just to join this activity. I'm really not a helpful person, but I want to learn how to be useful. We had some time off after painting the school, so we made our way to the beach.
While walking around the beach, I saw a child who seemed to be looking for something in the sand. I was curious, and I approached him. He told me he was searching for crabs, and he smiled at me with his hands widely open, he was like showing off his collections to me- I just love how kids think and smile.
The sunset plus Low tide has a very dramatic effect, and I took out my camera to capture such beautiful scenery. I saw these men working together to lift the boat, and I thought this is what they call Bayanihan (working together) and what a coincidence that I'm participating right now in Gawad Kalinga that has the same goals and objectives. The main core that makes GK successful.
Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge - Wild and Crazy Day Finale
Every now and then, someone would ask, why join Gawad Kalinga's project? I simply smile. I can't seem to find the right words to express how it feels to do something for someone whom you don't even know.
After a whole day of painting at the school, we were almost done, and the colors were radiating. I can't help but be proud of myself for the great job we've accomplished. After that, the group was starving, and we ate at Kermits located at B. Rodrigues St., Bantayan Town Proper, Bantayan Island, just a walking distance from the plaza. Every night there's always a gathering in the school grounds, it could be: a speaker is invited to share, or a musical gathering, or a cooking contest is also part of the activities.
During our last night, it ended with the 6 Cycle Mind Concert. We were in the front row, and we could see the band sweating; they were like ice cubes melting at a very fast pace. Everyone was jumping, singing and dancing like crazy people, especially during the fire dance performance; people were shouting because of his daring acts. It was fun to see people get wild and crazy after how many days of tiring work.
If you want to know more about the island, read more. How to go to Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
- If you still have more days to spare, try Scuba diving or snorkeling and see the thresher sharks at Malapascua Island
Where am I going next?
- My next adventure is The Sunset Paradise of Moalboal Beach, this time on the southwestern side of Cebu.
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