SCAW Blog: Philippines, 2026: May 21

Our last day of distributions (18 & 19) in the Philippines dawned with an early morning bus ride to the famous Talisay area. The Taal volcano sits in a lake in a very mountainous area. The backdrop was stunning as we prepared our site as a now experienced team. Excited smiles beamed at us despite the heat. The children were polite and treated us to a rousing chorus of the Philippine national anthem. We have all taken this tune into our hearts now.

Over a lunch that included refreshing whole coconuts we learned that Talisay had been the victim of devastating land slides just two years ago. Many of the children from today’s distributions were living in government-sponsored resettlement camps. These families that had lost everything were truly grateful to receive a bedkit. We saw many bedkit bundles being transported home up the steep road.

Talisay skies treated us to a spectacular sunset display which felt like a celebration of our long weeks of work. A quiet and contemplative team rode back to Manila, having been strangers just a few weeks ago. I’m grateful to now consider them a special kind of family and can vouch that the SCAW volunteer experience is a life-changing one.

Team Philippines, 2026

World of Sweet Dreams, Inc. Philippines 🇵🇭 + SCAW 🇨🇦