Giving Back 2023

May 25, 2024 - Visit to PagAsa Island -

Pag-asa Island, the lone barangay of Kalayaan town in Palawan, lies beyond the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the backbone of the country’s South China Sea claims which the arbitration court in The Hague upheld in 2016.What it enjoys is the presence of Filipinos, who call it home.

More than 500 kilometers away from Palawan, the children of the community that firmed up Philippine sovereignty still go to school with buildings in disrepair two years after Typhoon Odette.

There’s also a lack of health facilities with just a clinic for the sick and two midwives. Medical supplies are at the mercy of the availability of trips to the island. However, events of the recent weeks — the use of water cannons on a Philippine resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal and subsequent resupply missions and dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard — have again drawn national attention to the Spratlys and the military calling for “effective presence” in Philippine-occupied areas like Pag-asa. One Heart For Hope visited the island to give the "hope." We are one of the very few charity organizations who were ever to set foot on this far-flung island. With the stressful 34 hour boat trip on choppy waters and with the Chinese coast guards following us instilling fear, we reached the island with a beautiful sunset welcoming us. The next day, OHFH and our volunteers met with the teachers and the students for morning-filled with fun and excitement. We brought assorted toys for students from Elementary to High School. We distributed Chess Boards, Scrabble, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Spinning Tops, Jack Stones, and Books. The educators were given Malongs as our token of our appreciation for teaching the kids. For some of the fishermen and workers that we met, Pocket knives and water proof headlamps were given as gifts. The fiesta atmosphere were held for 4 days and nights that we stayed there. We could've stayed longer to be with our people who opted to stay and reiterate our rights of sovereignty and sacrificed their lives for the lingering threat of occupiers. The threat of storms and depleted supplies are some of the problems they mostly had to deal with. Thus, our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Pag-asa for their sacrifices.

January 5, 2024 - San Marcelino,Zambales Giving -

The Christmas spirit continued in January when One Heart For Hope volunteers visited the impoverished indigenous people of San Marcelino, Zambales. Volunteers had to traverse the dusty and rough lahar road under the heat of scorching sun to reach the community. Rice, sardines and snacks were distributed to almost 50 Aeta families living in harsh conditions. Huge thanks to Angels of Hope USA who sponsored this project.

As always, your donations will be given personally by OHFH to the disadvantaged women and children and their families regardless of distance and extreme situations.

March 13, 2024 - Zambales Outreach for the Aetas - Part 1

Headed by One Heart For Hope project donor Jun Alcantara from the USA, the team proceeded to the harsh environment of lahar road going to Mapanuepe Lake to visit the Aeta tourist guides and share some blessings with them. With the rising prices of basic commodities like rice and canned goods, the group appreciated such gestures from OHFH to alleviate their hardships. Sumptuous food was shared with everybody even those who were not in the lists.

March 14, 2024- Zambales Outreach for the Aetas - Part 2

he next day, headed by One Heart For Hope project donor Jun Alcantara from the USA, the team proceeded to the far flung Buhawen Elementary School to be with the majority of Aeta students. Fun games, dancing and singing made the event so much fun. Sumptuous arroz caldo and puto (rice cake) were served. Kudos to Jun Alcantara for donating a laptop for the students to use.

To the volunteers and teachers and all those people who made this worthy event happen, Maraming Salamat po!

June 17, 2024 - Dumagats of Dimayanan

One Heart For Hope visited the Dumagats of Dimanayat. To get there, you have to travel from Manila to Baler (6 hours or more) and another 3.5 to 5 hours by boat (on good weather). With the mighty Sierra Madre behind it and the capricious Pacific ocean facing it, Dimanayat is always at the mercy of the elements. We are grateful to encounter good weather on the day of our mission. We started the festivity with a hot meal and fun games. We distributed rice (a very precious commodity these days) and sporting goods and toys for the children. This mission would not be possible without the help of the following generous friends: Angie Mijares, Joana Sy Yang, Jay Uttamchandani, Rose Razon, Virginia Cananea-Lam, Royce Galang (my brother), Juliet Heck, Alma AUy (in memory of his brother Albert Uy), and to a very good friend Michael Angara Palispis, who partly sponsored our boat and his beautiful wife Dawn, who took time to prepare coffee and breakfast by the fish port before our long boat trip. And to Dumagat Chieftain Robelyn Guevarra, who made our stay safe and comfortable (and for the picnic and food) and to my volunteer Matthew Agustin who has been a great assistant to me. There are no lodgings or guests houses in Dimanayat and volunteers camped out by the beach and had dinner and bonfire.