“Tales from the iVolunteer Team” is an ongoing series of personal stories from the team that runs the Philippines’ first volunteerism portal.
Before you respond to an emergency or join a volunteer activity, it is paramount that you understand some challenges you may encounter when volunteering. As good as our intentions are, it’s never advisable for any individual to offer themselves up for a cause or an event without taking the necessary preparation and precaution. Continue reading Staying Safe and Finding Joy While Volunteering
iVolunteer Philippines, together with all the volunteers, dreams of a BETTER PHILIPPINES by sharing our capacity and capability to the sectors that are in need. In 2017, 4,500 Filipinos responded to the volunteer opportunities of different NGOs and advocacies. We have accounted a total of about 11,000 Filipinos to-date who have taken part in this revolution. Continue reading “Thank You For 2017!”
Many of us are searching for true love—a soulmate who will make us feel complete in a world that’s ever-changing. But love is a vast enterprise. It’s more than the giddy emotions we have when we see our crushes and more than the palpitations we feel on our first kiss. In limiting our view of love, we forget that true love comes in various forms, and that service is love in its truest form. Continue reading “Volunteering, a Different Kind of Romance”
Looking for new adventures this 2017? Be part of the team that spreads the passion of volunteerism.
Last February, iVolunteer Philippines in partnership with ASpace Manila gathered individuals who believe that every Filipino can be a Hero. True to its purpose, Aspace became the venue to connect and collaborate with people who have the same vision of the future. The quarterly recruitment was held at Palet Makati last February 25, followed by a capability building session for iVolunteer members. It became an opportunity for volunteers to converse and brainstorm about their ideas on encouraging everyone to help.
“The best time to give back is now.”
As the year draws to a close, December is when a lot of people usually feel the most celebratory and generous at the same time. For volunteers around the world, the 5th of December is very special as it is recognized by the United Nations as the International Volunteer Day: “a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities”.
For iVolunteer Philippines, celebrating the International Volunteer Day and giving back to the community was much more meaningful, as it spent its last official volunteer day in 2016 for its staff with a partner NGO caring for the elderly home, Tahanang Balik-Alay in Taytay, Rizal on December 3, 2016.
Continue reading “How iVolunteer Philippines gave back this Christmas”
What is your purpose in life? This is a question we all want to be answered. For Rina, one of the volunteers I met from PPCRV (manual count of the 2016 election returns), she genuinely believes that doing her best in helping others is her mission in life.
A student from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Rina is currently the Executive Council President of the university’s Emergency Response Group (ERG), a rescue volunteer organization that primarily upholds the spirit of volunteerism within the community. She’s one of those who were captured by the spirit of the organization, and eventually one of the few who remained active from her batch.
During the manual count activity at PPCRV, she arrived alone. I already sense her genuine spirit, as she asked the question, “I’m one of the volunteers, what should I do?” As we talked, I found out that she’s been spending her summer joining volunteer activities available via the iVolunteer website. With or without her friends, she’d go as long as she’s able.
Preparations for the Go Volunteer! Event are now in full swing, as iVolunteer Philippines held its kick-off session last January 23, with over 20 Non-Profits and Partner Organizations in attendance. The kick-off event, held at the Office Project in Salcedo, Makati, brought together iVolunteer’s various Partner Organizations – both current and new, to share what everyone should look forward … Continue reading It’s a GO!
iVolunteer Philippines had a hectic but meaningful year as we took one step closer toward making our dream of a better Philippines into a reality with each and every Filipino taking part in nation building. Continue reading “Thank you for 2015”
It’s important to tell the story of Gerald (Ge) Catapang who breaks the stereotypical mold of a call center agent which some of us might have in mind, that young people like him working in the BPO industry often spend their time and money on food and drinks with their friends in the office after work hours. The truth is, if we are on the other side of the fence we might not fully understand the difficulties they face in order to survive the demands of their work. In his case, it might surprise you that despite working a graveyard shift, Ge has an active and healthy lifestyle as a volunteer who also recently turned vegan.
Continue reading “Making Smart Life Choices Through Volunteerism “
Last July, iVolunteer received an e-mail request from Ronnie Marquez for a meeting regarding his new organization. Not knowing what to expect, I went ahead to meet Ronnie in a coffee shop and the first thing he said to me was, “matagal ko na kayong gustong makausap pagkatapos ko marinig yung radio interview niyo.” (I … Continue reading Inspiring One At A Time
Instead of becoming bitter afte
r going through a difficult period in her life, Yehlen dela Luna or “Yee” to her friends was inspired to reach out to people who need help.
Rhea Doligon is in her early 30s but she doesn’t look like it. The secret to her youthful looks could be because of positive outlook in life. “I find joy in the little things,” she says. On weekends, you could find her sitting contentedly on the warm grounds of Quezon City Memorial Circle, admiring the blue skies and observing families enjoying each other’s company over a simple picnic or groups of friends frolicking around, engaging in playful banter.
Hi! Im JB Tan, one of the co-founders and currently a volunteer & the Executive Director of iVolunteer Philippines. I am a graduate of Computer Science and have full time day job as a Project Management Professional in a multinational company.
When asked what I do during my spare time.. I answer “I volunteer!”.. I used to be shy about it as it is always followed by a tough question on why I “waste” time in volunteering and it is not always easy to get people understand. Overtime I realized these tough questions are a channel of advocating and inspiring individuals to participate in my cause. Today I am energized with such doubt as it confirms that iVolunteer Philippines has a place where we are really needed.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead
This year’s Social Media Day #ChangePH made us believe that anything is possible, that #ChangePH is not a far-off reality for as long as we unite—as a community, united by one cause—to shape the nation for the better. Inspired by this year’s theme and focus on communities, we at iVolunteer Philippines participated in the event not just with our booth, but with both our hearts and minds shouting a resounding YES to the aspiration behind #ChangePH.
Gawad Kalinga (GK) is well-known for building houses and creating sustainable communities, all toward transforming the lives of our less privileged countrymen. This kind of transformation is contagious and is GK’s best kept secret–the volunteer’s self transformation.
