The children of San Remigio (Antique), Iligan (Lanao del Norte), and Kitaotao (Bukidnon) experienced a love-filled Saturday last February 21 as volunteers traveled all the way to the community to spend the morning with them. 

In Antique, over 50 volunteers braved the 2-hour journey and had to stay over the night before to make sure they can give love and joy to around 55 kids the following morning. Read the account of GK Volunteer Sheila Abella below:

Journey of Love
By Sheila Abella

I have been in these grounds many times but this night was just extra different. I had my first sleepless night reflecting, and because together with other volunteers we dared to fight the strong and howling cold wind recalling how and why we were brought to this place, we slept in tents in the hills of GK Arch Angel, Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique. In the past decades, this place used to be the playground of the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army, a place where no one would dare go because of the dangers that await, but a place with a hidden beauty starting to be exposed. Today there is peace in this place, and I know that peace is therefore attainable if each one of us Filipinos will take a call.

The night before, youth volunteers gather around a bonfire with marshmallows, hotdogs, and other fun activities

For several occasions, nameless volunteers have been in the process of building this village: the Philippine Army, LGU, and volunteers from the different sectors. Even if some eventually choose to live a life away from the challenges of the work, there was never an occasion when God failed to provide the gift of more people who will continue and press on.

Building a community for the poor in a place where there are limited means of transportation is not easy. Giving values formation sessions to the Kapitbahayan (residents) every weekend would require us to sleep in the barangays and stay for at least 2 days.



The multipurpose hall of GK Arch Angel Village is now filled with love as volunteers from SAC, ACC, GK Culasi and Pandan together with the 82nd IB Phil. Army celebrate Valentine’s with the kids and the Kapitbahayan (residents).

Yet amidst all these challenges, some in the process of resolution, some even pushing me to the point of giving up on this mission, the Love Means Walang Iwanan activity last February 21, 2014 gave me several things to consider. The smiles of the kids being taken care of by the volunteers in just half a day gave me the strength to push myself more for this work, the cooperation and the looks of hope from the Kapitbahayan we organized for more than a year made me to look for possible answers for unfinished tasks, and the presence of our partners from the Philippine Army planted a strong conviction that they are trusting us with the mutual hope for peace, in this place and the country as well.

Lt. Jerome Hernandez asked me more than three years ago why I am in Gawad Kalinga. Today, I will still have the same answer: With GK, I wanted to see the different faces of LOVE – and the journey of experiencing love in this fabled GK Arch Angel Village continues. Soon, partners and volunteers will see and experience for themselves the perfect love for this mission and for the poor. And love will make everything here complete.

Love means walang iwanan.

The journey of loving also continues in Iligan, a city that was devastated by Typhoon Sendong (Washi) back in December 2011. On the morning of February 21, 2015, volunteers also went to Bayanihan Village in Sta. Elena, a community that was built after the storm displaced thousands of families. Years after the disaster, the community stands as strong and as vibrant as ever, with hope shining in their eyes. Around 80 children had so much fun listening to the stories, participating in song and dance, and making Valentine cards for their parents.

Volunteers leading the song and dance

Storytelling and card-making

The kids beam with pride and show the Valentine cards that they made

75 kids also felt the love in GK Kitaotao, Bukidnon. A big thank you to all the GK Bukidnon partners who made this possible: Evelyn Jumawid, Kath Paraguas, SFC Valencia Musuan Chapter, Del Villanueva, Atty. Marlowe and Mai Selecios, Francis Carpio and Ann Ruyeras. Thank you also to the GK Youth CMU for conducting the GK Camp for the youth of GK Dangcagan, Kitaotao as well as Don Carlos Polytechnic College for having a 'lunch date' with the kids and keeping their hearts and stomachs full that day.

Kids play outdoor fun games with the volunteers

Gawad Kalinga is not a charity, rather, it's a nation-building movement that aims to end poverty by building empowered and sustainable communities. Like these volunteers, you too can make children’s hearts happy by spending Saturday morning with them. For the Love Means Walang Iwanan campaign, we’ve lined up Valentine card-making, parlor games in pairs, and of course, lunch to end the date! Check out the main campaign page HERE, or check out what other volunteers have posted.

You can also GIVE NOW directly to the campaign.