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Week 4 na ng Bayani Challenge!!! Nakasama ka na ba namin? Kung hindi pa, pwede pa humabol! Andami pang bahay na itatayo sa malawak na ground zero sa Masinloc, Zambales at mga batang papasayahin sa Bantayan Island, Cebu! Mahaba ang weekend kaya magroadtrip kung nasa Luzon, Visayas, o Mindanao ka man na kasama ang mga pamilya at kaibigan!

Mas masaya kapag kapit-bisig! Pwede ka pang sumama at magsama ng mga kaibigan! Tara: http://gk1world.com/bc2015-locations #‎EndPoverty

ZAMBALES (Masinloc)

The spirit of bayanihan and walang iwanan was in full force in Masinloc, Zambales, with the Bayani Challenge that gathered thousands of volunteers. Just like what happened about 3 years ago with the first ever Kalinga sa Bayan activity in Masinloc (read about what happened HERE), the local government led by Mayor Desiree Edora took the lead.

Because Masinloc recently won the Street Dance Competition of the 2015 Zambales Mango Festival, the champions were there to give volunteers the most festive and most unique welcome ever.

Mayor Desiree Edora herself was also there to open the Bayani Challenge and lead her entire town to commit to Barangay Walang Iwanan, helping #endpoverty one barangay at a a time. She led thousands of volunteers from the Unity Dance to the Unity Walk, showing their commitment as one town before volunteers were deployed to different activities.

The volunteer activities happened simultaneously across 9 barangays in Masinloc. Volunteers also witnessed the groundbreaking of the GK Masinloc Bayani Village, which will soon rise and give hope to poor families.

"Naalala ko noong may binisita akong matanda na nakatira sa tagpi-tagping bahay at malapit sa baybayin ng dagat, doon ko naramdaman gaano kahirap mabuhay na walang maayos na bahay. Mula noon nangarap na ako magkabahay ang taga Masinloc. Salamat at ang Gawad Kalinga ay aking nakilala."

— Hon. Desiree Edora, Masinloc Mayor

Volunteers also experienced mangrove planting and other environmental activities. They even went to one of the islands in the West Philippine Sea. The Masinloc Bayani Challenge experience was one of the most fun and exciting highlights of the summer, and the volunteers, as well as the people of Masinloc, will surely never forget it.

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AKLAN (New Washington)

Bayani Challenge in Aklan opened with a cultural presentation from the Aklan State University (ASU) - College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences dance troop. Ano pa hinihintay nyo? Tara na, magbayanihan tayo!

Volunteers from New Washington and surrounding towns, as well as ASU students, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Aklan Chapter, MCYA and PCYA enjoyed all the activities to the fullest, rain or shine. "Habang ang iba nakaupo, habang ang iba natutulog, habang ang iba nanonood. Eto kami, ginagawang makabuluhan ang bakasyon. — Gerry Sulayao Tocol Jr.

"Poverty is just a state of mind. Walang mahirap, walang mayaman. Lahat tayo may kakayahang tumulong."

— Earl Morales, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

The present and future residents of GK New Washington were also very active during the Bayani Challenge, helping paint their own homes and working (as well as having lots of fun) together with the volunteers. This Bayani Challenge was also extra special because 20 new homes were turned over to the residents, thanks to Liz Orteguera and Friends of the Philippines.

(During last year's Bayani Challenge, only 20 new homes stood in Brgy. Fatima, thanks to Thomson Reuters, who also sent their employee volunteers to help build these homes. A year later, thanks to the generosity of many more partners who gave, GK New Washington is now a safe community for ~120 families who survived Typhoon Haiyan. Find out what happened a year ago and read the story of Brgy. Fatima HERE.)

"We were really pleased to mark the completion of our 'Friends of the Philippines' village for typhoon victims and needy families in New Washington, Aklan this weekend. Twenty new homes ! In addition, with generous donations from my office at Amex, Brandon and I distributed clothes, books and toys to 100 families with more goods on the way. Our next step will be to raise funds to build a small library for the 300+ resident children. Pls let me know if you're interested in supporting this effort."

— Liz Orteguera, GK Partner

Closing the Bayani Challenge was the last Unity Dance, symbolizing the solidarity of the volunteers and the people and children of Brgy. Fatima. "This closing program is the fruit of our hard work. Service team. MCya. ASU volunteers. Beta Sigma. Boy and girl Scouters. Tears and Smiles will conquer everything." — Gerry Sulayao Tocol Jr.

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BOHOL (Sagbayan)

Bayani Challenge Sagbayan is officially open! In 2013, a 7.2. magnitude earthquake shook Bohol and displaced thousands. Today, these new, colorful, and permanent homes stand from the rubble of devastation.

To build more homes for more families, volunteers from GK Youth Maribojoc, the future residents themselves, and GAWA builders from Caloocan are joining forces here in Sta. Catalina, while barangay activities are also ongoing in other areas.

During the Kalinga sa Kalikasan, the Boholanos did their clean up drive right: in solidarity with one another. The residents themselves took up their brooms and gloves to help their barangay.

"Maganda yung Bayani Challenge dito sa amin. Kasi mas napapalapit kami sa mga tao and at the same time nalalaman namin kung ano ang mga kailangan gawin sa barangay. Pinapatuloy namin ito every last Saturday of the month kasi kami din naman ang makikinabang."

— Eulogio Aparri, Brgy Captain,
Brgy. Canmaya Centro, Sagbayan

"Masaya kami na nakikita ng ibang tao ang mga bulaklak na tinanim namin kasi pinag paguran namin ito. Ganyan palang bawing bawi na ang pagod namin."

— Tita Blessie (in green),
Barangay Health Worker & GK Volunteer

During the feeding, volunteers bonded not only with the kids and also with each other.

And finally, during the closing ceremony of the Bayani Challenge in Sagbayan, all barangays brought their own food to share with each other in the classic boodle lunch. The food was shared not just within each barangay but also with the others.

"Ganito kami sa Sagbayan

After ng sayawan

Diretso na sa kainan

Samahan pa ng tawanan

At sabay sumigaw ng Walang Iwanan!"

BUKIDNON (Sumilao)

Maayong buntag mula sa Sumilao, Bukidnon! The Alalum Falls is situated near the GK community where our Bayani Challenge is so you can take a dip after a loooong day under the heat of the sun! Kuyugi nami diri! :)

It's the opening day of Bayani Challenge here at Kisolon, Sumilao! Walang Iwanan, Bukidnon!

"Bahay ni Nanay"

"The Kapitbahayans (residents) of Kagsabuwa GK Village in Sumilao, Bukidnon and some volunteers have come together to build this "Bahay ni Nanay". This is the first ever home of its kind, where soon-to-be mothers from far flung areas can spend their last few days of pregnancy. This will help them be nearer hospital facilities which will prevent complications caused by childbirth at home. More than the home, what touches me the most is that instead of resting on this hot Thursday afternoon, these men got their hands dirty and helped build this home. The women, on the other hand, have pooled their resources to come up with a simple merienda for all the hardworking men. This is PADUGO and BAYANIHAN at it's finest. With simple but powerful acts like these, who says we can't end poverty in the Philippines?"

— Madel Balane, GK Worker

Maternal death is high in Sumilao and Jason Deveza, a nurse, joins in the construction of "Bahay ni Nanay." It was also very important to educate the nanays, and we did this through the "Usapang Buntis at Pampamilya" on April 30.

There were many other build activities throughout the Bayani Challenge, and everyone contributed their efforts and time, including LBC employee volunteers from Northern Mindanao.

"We've been working with Gawad Kalinga since it started. We've been there in Leyte after Yolanda. LBC Foundation is one with GK. It has been our behavior to help others. I'm leading the girls today of LBC.. Girl Power!"

— Jacinto Benados,
LBC North Mindanao Area Manager

The Bayani Challenge has always been a family affair, and no one is ever too old or too young. Because everyone has a role to play in nation-building, even kids can contribute — from the kids in the community to the kids of volunteers and even GK full time workers. 

"Our summer wouldn't be complete without joining Bayani Challenge 2015. The best we could ever pass on to our children is when we teach them how to love the work."

— Harvey Maraguinot, GK Worker

"Challenge accepted! This morning, we joined with the LBC of Valencia and Cagayan de Oro branch in repainting the trellis in front of Alalum Falls, Sumilao."

— Jeanette Pesquera-Maraguinot,
GK Volunteer

Volunteers also joined hands for the clean-up drive, saving the environment and caring for mother nature one step at a time.

But of course, nothing beats the pure joy and smiles of the kids during the Paraisong Pambata activities and the long-awaited firehose bath.

"And mga ngiti at saya ng mga bata dito sa Sumilao na di kayang suklian ng ano mang bagay."

— Darius Mondia, GK Worker

Bayani Challenge 2015 in Sumilao just ended with a bang! Daghang salamat sa mga sponsors who spared their resources and most especially sa mga volunteers from GK Kagsabuwa, GK Paglaum, GK Imbayao, GK Youth CMU, BSU and Alemarz.

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CEBU (Bantayan Island)

In the province of Cebu, volunteers headed to Bantayan island, which was also devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. But this time, the roar of volunteers was louder than any storm that could come their way. Dali na sa isla!!!

From building houses to playing with the kids, teaching values, sharing stories, and passing on smiles, the volunteers, the Kapitbahayan, and most especially the kids had a blast.

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In Zone 5, Brgy. Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, volunteers were hard at work building more houses for even more families.

Cagayan de Oro is also a city that has risen from tragedy, and it has come a long way from the time it was devastated by Typhoon Sendong (Washi) in December 2011. (Read more in "Hope Rises in Cagayan de Oro")

"Kahit napakainit ng panahon, hindi pa rin natitinag ang mga bayaning Pilipino, mapabata man o matanda, sa pagtulong sa pagpapatayo ng mga tahanan para sa mga nangangailangan. Hindi iniinda ang pawis at pagod sa ngalan ng pagtutulungan, kaunlaran, kapayapaan, pagkakaibigan, at pamilya. Umulan man o umaraw, tuloy pa rin ang bayanihan."

— Hiacynth Caingin Daing, GK Volunteer