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Philippines

Community + Surf + Teaching

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Discover the Philippines

1000's of tiny islands.

Often overlooked by those either heading to Australia or those who are “doing” Asia, so we're doing our bit to bring this awesome country to your attention, having spent a hefty amount of time there last year.

Firstly – it works, it’s efficient and we like that especially when it might be your first stop on your itinerary. Secondly - the people are so kind and interesting – their history is fascinating and therefore their culture is a true mix of their past. Thirdly – the country itself - gloriously diverse, made up of over 7000 islands and covered in stunning Spanish – Filipino architecture, emerald rice fields, smouldering volcanoes and beaches – of yes, the type you see in the brochures.

However, as we like to do, we are going to lead you to the remoter parts of this country where you will be introduced to real life and not the normal traveller set up. You’ll fly into the capital, Manila and catch a one-hour domestic flight onto Legazpi City, which is on the southern tip of the main Luzon island, dominated by the active Mayon volcano.

After you have settled in and explored the volcano, Jess’s team will then lead you on an adventure to explore and contribute to two creative community conservation projects, working alongside dynamic teams who are doing their bit for development. This is what we have planned...

Venture out to some of the remotest islands of the Philippines to explore and contribute whilst being immersed in the kindest of cultures.


Program Itinerary

Step way off the backpacker trail and into traditional communities for a 3 week cultural immersion. Interweave yourself with the community, teach, learn how to surf and step onto the sides of a live volcano. Frankly it doesn’t get much better.

The following is a sample itinerary.

Wk 1

Legazpi City Acclimatise and explore

Stand in awe of the volcano...

You’ll fly into the capital of Manila, before catching a 1- hour domestic flight to Legazpi where you’ll be met in arrivals by Jess and her amazing local team.

As an introduction to the country, to allow you some rest after your long travel, and to give you time to acclimatize, you will be spend your first and last 3 days and nights at Casa Simeon, a half hour drive outside Legazpi City in the small town of Bacacay.

From the comfort of Casa Simeon you will borrow Jess’s bikes (or hop on a local tricycle) to explore this little town’s beaches, markets and waterfalls. Another day you will head off with one of Jess’s team to see the Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, Lignon Hill, Legazpi Boulevard, and of course the shopping centres (huge shopping centres…well worth the visit and they love to dance in the shops…just saying, don’t be shocked!)

On the last day you have to brave the volcano – there are some great quad biking tours that whizz you up the side to see the volcano in all its glory and incredible views of the town below before zip wiring back down. Has to be done, especially for closet geographers as this is a perfect cone shaped volcano.

Accommodation

Casa Simeon is a 1920s Spanish-American colonial house which has been restored into a small hotel, yet remaining Jess’s family home. It is absolutely stunning and the food here is to die for – so try everything.

2 or 3 to a bedroom. Shared bathrooms. Air-conditioning and cable TV in the rooms.

Food

3 meals a day are provided.

Wk 2

Gubat Surfing and Mangrove Planting

Surfing and Mangrove Planting

An hour and half away from Legapzi is the small beachside town of Gubat, in the province of Sorsogon. Just outside the town and tucked away on one of the most stunning beaches is a small surf club run by Noli and his team. Let me tell you this is a little slice of Robinson Crusoe paradise.

Projects:

Noli is one of those good people – a surf instructor by profession and now a surf club hotelier BUT he has taken it one step further. He has started a “School to Surf” project which encourages the local kids to attend school and keep them out of trouble and in return he will teach them to surf – a life skill which in turn could provide them with an income. This is where you come in. While here, Noli will teach you to surf, in return for helping him teach the kids English, swimming and surfing.

Noli and team are also very active with environmental projects in the community so you will help him with his little projects here and there like mangrove replanting and making roofs out of nipa, a local plant, to give to the less fortunate in the community. For the surf camp’s sustenance, Noli and team have started producing bottled local food sold and marketed to the larger cities. Given the chance, he may ask you to help cook. Better yet, you might become the next model for his ads. He is a dynamic man.

Accommodation

Beach side surf camp in simple thatched stilted bungalows - beds are mattresses on the floor on a raised platform. 4 volunteers per bungalow.

Shower block and a restaurant on site selling delicious local food.

Food

3 meals a day provided.

Wk 3

Ticao Island Marine and Teaching

Marine Conservation and Teaching

Next stop - Ticao Island, an island community in the Masbate province. Approximately one hour by traditional motorized boat from the mainland. BTW this is another stunning location and a great contrast as the culture here is unique.

The people of Ticao have learned to survive based on what the land and ocean can provide. Very little government support comes to this area and the main developments on the island are a result of donations and strategies from Ticao Island Resort which has become popular in the past 10 years with the scuba diving community because of the Manta Bowl, a dive site which is the highway for large marine creatures like Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, and Thresher Sharks.

The Island resort now helps support the community and marine life through its NGO called LAMAVE and this is where your help is needed. Through LAMAVE you will help collect data and identification analysis on the marine life – through snorkelling or diving whilst teach English to the local children. There is no need to be able to dive but courses are available if you would like to complete a course though the dive school at Ticao.

Optional PADI Open Water Diver Course = PHP 20,000 (£320) per student (inclusive of learning materials, instructor/DM services, diving equipment rental, 2 days boat use to nearby reefs for training dives, certification upon completion of the course).

Accommodation

3 nights village home stay then you will move into twin rooms at the dive school, on the beach

Food

3 meals a day are provided.

Program Details & Costs

This program is currently closed. We will shout when the Philippines let us back in.

Options and costs

This program is currently closed. We will shout when the Philippines let us back in.

Whats included?


Budget

Flight: £800 (depending on time of year and availability)

Spending money: £50 per week approx

Social Life

Guaranteed. You will be part of a tight team of like minded volunteers, who will be on your journey from start to finish.

Cultural Exchange

Through living and working beside remote communities who will welcome you into their society.

Contrast

Combines the heights of the Mayon volcano with the beaches and island paraside of Ticao.

Physical Challenge

A journey which mixes home-stay living with community development and beach recouperation.

Program Days

Expect to carry out project work 5 days a week for 6-8 hours per day however each phase will vary depending on the work ethic and culture of the community.

Free Days

Free days will be interspersed throughout the itinerary when you are free to explore.

Backpacker favourites:

  • Snorkeling and scuba diving
  • Wildlife tours.

The Philippines is very well-connected to other countries like Indonesia and Singapore – all great add-ons if you plan to extend your stay in the region.

One of the most off grid

This program is managed by our lovely friend Jessica Noelle Wong who runs Donsol Eco Tours. Each team will be led by a local project leader, who speaks

English, Filipino and local dialects. All I can say from spending a lot of time with Jess and her team last year - they are awesome, interesting and oh so kind.

Jess is hugely connected in this area and has pulled these two projects togther for us through her friends and contacts. Both projects are dynamic and make a huge difference to the local communities and environment. You will love them all and will want to carry on exploring this fantastic country which is so overlooked, so don't rush off.




"Best food!"

The best food I have ever eaten in my life

- Jack

"Team were amazing"

Thanks so much for your kind email, I am sorry that I only have just seen it now! That evening was definitely a scary shock but it has now made me so much aware about going out at night.

The Leap team were also amazing and I cannot thank Chris and Meli enough for helping me both at the hospital and then the following morning when dealing with insurance. My mum is also very, very grateful that you guys have been there to help the entire time!


- Anonymous

"You felt prepared"

The daily schedule was always written out at the start of the day, so you felt prepared for what was happening when.

- Mimi

"An experience not to be missed!​​"

The Leap took all the responsibility and stress out of the gap year experience. Would advise that all teenagers do this part of their gap year before they 'free' travel. The Leap are highly professional and inclusive of parents.

- Sara

"They have the gap year formula spot on"

Speaking only for our experience with Costa Rica, The Leap know and understand the country so well. The team communicated brilliantly-they were always pro active and accessible, nothing felt like too much trouble and they never made you feel like your question or concern was a silly one.

They have the gap year formula spot on. All the reassurance that parents need whilst safely delivering the freedom and adventure that the volunteers want-and all through a Pandemic (!)

My daughter had the absolute time of her life with them and I’m sure has made friends for life, I wouldn’t hesitate in giving them the very highest recommendation possible.

- Frances (mum)

"​Thank you guys SOOOO much"

Thank you guys SOOOO much for the whole experience I have LOVED it all and couldn’t thank you enough for all the effort you have put into the trip my heart is so full from everything you have helped us achieve!! Enjoy your well deserved break :)

"I would say 100% I was able to make a positive contribution"

I was helping the community by making the beach cleaner and also helping protect the turtles from poachers and plastic in the ocean.

- Kit

"The best experience of my life!"

Thanks to everyone involved as they have managed to make the trip a once and a life experience! I have learnt so much about the local community which will stay with me forever, this has shown that at home we are so privileged in every aspect of life and that anything we have done for the community has and could change lives. Also helping the fish community and restoring the ocean has opened my eyes.

- Niamh Anderson

"Grown in confidence"

I have grown in confidence from meeting new people and I have realised how much of an impact everyone could make with everyday things

- Louisa

" I felt really enriched by the end of it"

I just wanted to let you know that I'm safely back in the UK, and missing Costa Rica already! A huge thank you to you though, as I had an absolutely wonderful time - everything was so well organised, and so comprehensive. All the volunteering was great, and I felt really enriched by the end of it, and well prepared for the little bit of solo travelling I did. I'm so so glad that I went and I will really treasure the time I spent there (especially in the months until lockdown ends!).

- Rose

"I have seen some amazing things that I never would have otherwise been able to do"

I’ve had a really good experience at the leap. My two leaders Lizzie and Carmen were amazing. Really helpful and fun, making my experience much more enjoyable. Having them around also made me feel a lot more comfortable and safe. I have done and seen some amazing things that I never would have otherwise been able to do and have made a load more friends in the process.

- Lucy Wise

"We’re having an incredible time in Costa Rica "

I just want to quickly thank you very much for the amazing Leap trip. I honestly had the most unbelievable time and feel it is thanks to you for organising it, especially so last minute! I’ve been recommending it to all of my friends as I would do anything to do it all again. You were so kind and patient with both myself and Emma and we are truly grateful for all the help you gave us. We’re having an incredible time in Costa Rica at the moment and never want to leave!

- Clemmie

"One of my favorite memories from my trip to Costa Rica was the first time I released a baby turtle into the ocean"

I was immediately lucky because most baby turtles crawl out of their nests in the dead of night, so you don't get to enjoy the sight of seeing them walk to the water when it's so dark out.

When I saw my first baby turtle it was just before the sun went down, so it was still incredibly bright out! Watching all the babies push their little flippers against the sand as they fight to get to the water is something else. They are so excited to be alive! It's something so wonderfully inspiring that I will always remember.

- Madison

"You are amazing organising it all"

How exciting for them!! - Trip of a lifetime. Inigo has been stuck at home since last March as I suppose they all have - so what a wonderful, exciting, fun and not to mention horizons broadening time they will have. You are AMAZING organising it all - I don't know how you do it. Huge thanks for everything


- Rose (mum)

"I had the best month with The Leap"

I had the best month with The Leap. It was made so special by our amazing leaders Lizzie and Carmen who were always attentive but made sure everyone was having so much fun. As well as this everyone who I did the trip with was so incredible it was great how well we all got along and how fun we made every experience for each other, from building a shower in Cocal to laughing on a coffee tour in Monteverde to endless blissful beach days in Sámara. I would highly recommend The Leap to anyone looking to travel in a big group and enjoy moving from place to place at a really nice pace.

- Maddy Jones

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