Summer 2012 (Part 2)
Each one of us wants to travel if only we can afford to we will probably do it everyday. But life presents us challenges so that we can grow and learn from these experiences and hopefully become better individuals.
Over the next 3 months before I leave for New York to start my fellowship with Acumen Fund, I promised myself that I would visit as much Philippine destinations (some known, some unknown) as I could in the Philippines so that I could share these awesome places with the people that I'm going to meet in this exciting journey that will take me to the US and quite possibly somewhere in Africa, India or Pakistan.
Cotabato
Last April 2012, when STI College Cotabato invited me to be their commencement speaker, I readily accepted it as Cotabato City is my hometown. I haven't been back in the last 3 years and I was surprised to find this magical structure in my hometown. It is the Yellow Mosque of Peace.
The mosque is truly magical and I've never quite seen something like it before. And it's right in the city where I was born. I prayed for peace in Mindanao and that hopefully our national leaders would allocate more resources towards this often-neglected region in the country.
It was only fitting that I reignited a new journey starting in Cotabato City.
Palawan
Right after this trip, I went to the Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan, which includes the islands of Busuanga, Coron, Culion and Linapacan.
Seeing Coron for the first time made me realize that the Philippines really has a lot to offer the world. I have traveled Mindanao quite extensively while growing up and I have seen how beautiful this side of the Philippines is but I was really awe-struck with the beauty of the islands and beaches around Coron and Culion.
I hope every Filipino can go there and see this magical place esp. the Kayangan lake, which is considered to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines.
It truly is more fun in the Philippines! 
When I was traveling in Europe in January 2012, I realized that language is not a barrier to tourism. There were many instances where I couldn't find a person who speaks fluent English or who spoke English at all but we got along just fine. This made me realize that our biggest challenge in attracting more tourists is in infrastructure and human development. We need to build more connections (physically and culturally) among the different regions in the country. And we also need to understand fully that what makes the Philippines unique is its people. We are probably the most welcoming and hospitable people on the planet.
Banaue
They say that to truly experience the world, you have to go out there and see it for yourself. Banaue was one such destination. All along, I had this perception that the Banaue Rice Terraces were the only rice terraces in the Philippines. Considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World, I thought it was located in one place.
But alas, I was wrong, in fact, UNESCO picked 5 major Rice Terraces clusters that it considered as heritage sites and the famous Banaue Rice Terraces is not even part of it. These are Batad, Bangaan, Mayoyao, Nagacadan (Kiangan), and Huangduan Rice Terraces. And there are even more rice terraces that are not part of this UNESCO list.
Batad, Banaue
Batad Rice Terraces in the morning
Standing before the Batad Rice Terraces on an early Sunday morning made me proud to be a Filipino. This place was both magical and mystical. I wondered how on earth did the early tribes in Ifugao built these rice terraces. It made me realize that part of our history was lost somewhere. Our civilization was probably at par with those of the other contemporary Asian and even European states 2,000 years ago. I hope the national government would encourage every child to visit the rice terraces - it will make them appreciate our history better and also make them a little bit prouder to have the Filipino heritage.
I promised myself that I would go back to stay longer in Ifugao to learn more about their culture and learn how to help them restore the rice terraces, which is being threatened by both natural disasters and by neglect.
Mt. Pinatubo
Mt. Pinatubo gained global attention when it erupted in 1991. It was considered to be the second largest terrestrial eruption in the 20th century.
But now, it is a must-see summer destination.
I couldn't imagine how some things like volcanoes can be so beautiful when at peace. This is how the crater of Mt. Pinatubo now looks like, after 20 years since its last eruption.
More places to visit
In the coming months, I hope to explore more of the Philippines where I have visited close to 60 provinces already out of the 80.
If you want to invite me, here's my wish list:
Batanes
Mt. Pulag (might be going there end of May 2012)
Sagada
Hundred Islands, Bolinao
Polillo Island
Nasugbu/Calatagan/Anilao/Verde
Marinduque
Caramoan/Catanduanes
Mindoro
El Nido
Romblon
Roxas City, Panay/Guimaras
Siquijor
Poro Island, Samar
Dinagat Islands
Siargao Island
Mambajao
Dapitan/Dipolog
Sarangani
Basilan/Tawi-Tawi
Let's explore more of the Philippines coz #itsmorefuninthephilippines!
Summer 2012 (Part 1)
A lot of things have happened since my last entry in March 25, 2012 and I just wanted to share a few of these things.
Graduation Time
Last March and April 2012, I was invited to be a graduation speaker to 3 educational institutions in the country, namely: Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Proverbsville School Inc., and STI College Cotabato.
I never imagined that I would one day be a Commencement Speaker at age 30. In fact, I have never imagined that I would one day be 30 years old. Haha!
These are just some of the things I can't complain about since I boarded this 'yellow boat' more than a year ago.
You can check out my commencement speech to the high school graduates of Ateneo de Zamboanga University here.
I just tweaked this speech a bit for the ones I gave to Proverbsville School Inc. in Angeles City, Pampanga and also to STI College in Cotabato City. During the graduation ceremonies of Proverbsville School, I was pleasantly surprised to find 3 (yes three!) valedictorians in one ceremony. Two valedictorians for elementary since they have 2 branches and one for high school. And of course, I couldn't forget this banner that welcomed me:
STI College Cotabato was quite memorable too as it was my first time to visit my hometown in 3 years. The last time I went there was in 2009 when an uncle died.
STI College Cotabato gave me this token of appreciation that I would never forget and speaks a lot for what we are trying to accomplish in the Yellow Boat Project - the project is an attempt to bring out the best in Filipinos, to unite and work together to bring HOPE and dignity to struggling communities around the Philippines.
Learning is a continuing journey
The whole experience of being a graduation speaker brought me back to my school days when I graduated as class valedictorian in high school and when I miserably failed in two major subjects while taking up Computer Science in college.
Today, I could talk publicly about these failures but back then I actually went into hibernation. I couldn't accept it. After failing in those two major subjects, the division was forcing me to shift but I didn't want to accept it and so I resented formal schooling and college and I went back to Cotabato City. After a few months, I moved to our farm in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. After a year of what I now call as soul-searching, I went back to school. It was a painful and difficult process but it has made me stronger today (refer to my graduation speech for more details).
Looking back, I actually don't remember what the graduation speakers for both my high school and college graduations were saying but one thing struck me - most of those who succeed in life after college are those who continue to learn. In truth, our education only really starts after graduation, as that is the only time we get beaten up and learn to stand up in the real world.
And so as I remember all these experiences, I am happy to share with you that I am going on another learning journey starting this September 2012 as one of the Global Fellows of the Acumen Fund, you can read about it here.
And as I enter this new chapter in my life, I've learned that we are always given second chances in life and we can always write a better story.
And so this summer 2012, I resolved to visit more Philippine destinations than I have ever done before. See those trips on the next post.
Thanks for reading!
The Awesome 1st Quarter of 2012
It has been a really really AWESOME journey so far in the Yellow Boat project.
During the 1st Quarter of 2012 with 3 more weeks remaining, I have been to 3 continents and to over 10 different cities.
I had tested India's Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) program when I went to Mumbai for a brief visit during the second week of January 2012, visited Europe for the first time in January, spoke in a TEDx event in Montpellier (France) last January 20, saw the Church of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) in Barcelona, sat on top of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for an hour, attended a Papal Audience, visited the Roman Coliseum, had my picture taken with the Eiffel Tower in the background, visited the beautiful Sacre Coeur Basilica (Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Paris, and almost missed my flight from Paris to Manila because I arrived 30 minutes before departure.
It is really an amazing ride!
And to think that I just "accidentally" boarded this yellow boat only 16 months ago.
I together with my co-founders and partners-in-crime, Anton Lim of Zamboanga (the Mother Teresa of Mindanao), Ofelia Samar-Sy of Legaspi City, John Michael Dellariarte of I CAN make a difference in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, and many others in our team are truly grateful for your support, dedication and commitment at helping us, volunteering for us and donating resources for the communities we are helping. (Help us more!)
Let me summarize the major highlights on how the yellow boat has influenced my life this year:
March 4, 2012 (The Boat to Success, Starweek Magazine of The Philippine Star)
Me holding a copy of the Starweek Magazine of The Philippine Star
The cover of the Starweek Magazine of The Philippine Star (March 4, 2012)
March 2, 2012 (The Yellow Boat of Hope, Huffington Post)
February 26, 2012 (Ito ang Contri ko sa Country Ko - Pulsong Pinoy TV program, A People Power Special by the Presidential Broadcast Staff - Radio-TV Malacañang and NBN-Channel4)
February 17, 2012 (Regional Awarding, Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards)
February 12, 2012 (9 Filipinos among World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
February 11, 2012 (Saturday Success Story #23, Jay Michael Jaboneta)
February 8, 2012 (The Yellow Boat of Hope, Rappler.com)
January 20, 2012 (Speaker - Jay Michael Jaboneta , TEDxMontepellier)
And here are some things to watch out for before the 1st Quarter of 2012 ends:
1. The official Yellow Boat Project video for winning the Liberal Project last year;
2. Masbate updates (I will be there starting tomorrow, March 5, and will stay for a few days); and
3. Graduation speech to the High School Batch 2012 of Ateneo de Zamboanga on March 23
PS - There is also something AWESOME that's going to launch on March 7!
Day 12 of my Europe Tour (Leaving Paris)
Visiting Europe for the first time was a great experience.
It made me realize so many things in life while I was in-flight.
FIRST, is that it allowed me to find a deeper meaning for HOPE and these are:
H is about harnessing one’s potential. It is about finding your passion in life. I personally feel, even after 16 months into the project, that I have found my life’s mission and it is to help children who struggle to go to school.
And more than that, it is to help bring communities in the Philippines the resources they need to get a better chance in life. Without discovering what you are passionate about in life, it is very hard to stay focused on a mission, on a project. You’ve got to find what you love to do.
O is about opening one’s mind and one’s heart. When I first heard about the story, I couldn’t shake it off. I didn’t know what to do then. I shared it on Facebook, not thinking that it would transform into a thriving national movement helping children in 3 communities around the Philippines.
P is about Perspiration. You cannot help people without getting both your hands and your feet dirty. When we want to help people, we should act on it. Only in doing so can we gain insights into how our efforts and operations can be made better. Perspiration is very good for the body and the soul too, as it cleanses our system. Personally, I have become thinner as a result of my involvement in the project.
E is about empowering others. And this is for me, where the challenge really lies, even when you think of our national leadership. In order to succeed sustainably, we must equip and empower more leaders to take on the challenges in education and the other challenges our country is facing.
SECOND, I gained a deeper understanding of the world and how the shift of both economic and political power to Asia from the Western nations is now slowly happening. This was clearly pointed out to me by the entrepreneurs and businessmen I met over coffee in Europe. The tide is truly changing and it is pointing to Asia.
THIRD, I fully realized the significance of continuing what we are doing in the Yellow Boat Project. To the naked eye, it seems we are just building boats to ferry children to school and to help provide tools to their parents' livelihood. But on a deeper level, we are providing HOPE, opportunities and more importantly, a platform where these communities can take center stage, teach us a thing or two about community development and then bring and scale it to other areas. Take note that I am not saying we are teaching them about development, THEY ARE TEACHING US. (If you want to learn more, you can take me to lunch or even just coffee.)
Social Entrepreneurship is an amazing new field that allows us to tackle social problems with an entrepreneurial attitude and skill set. Governments and the corporate sector must encourage it, if not fully embrace and support it.
The only reason why poverty continues to exist is because we expect it to.
Wouldn't companies have bigger markets and bigger incomes if we get to enlarge the pie? Think about it...
Eradicating poverty is a lot like climbing these mountains, it's hard, time-consuming and sometimes might lead to failures - the important thing is we keep trying! Sooner or later we will make a dent!
HELP US!
If you have read this far, I invite you to jump on board the Yellow Boat and together let's save the world from the flood of indifference and hate.
You can reach me at jay.jaboneta[at]gmail.com.
Thank you!
Day 11 of my Europe Tour (Paris)
Paris was truly lovely not only for its history and the many structures around it but also for its vibrant nature. It was really a lot like New York with its cultural diversity and its cosmopolitan look.
January 29 was to be my last day in Paris since I'm leaving at 11AM on the 30th, the next day.
First stop was the beautiful Pont Neuf - the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris, France.
According to the Wikipedia, all through the 18th century, the Pont Neuf was the center of Paris, lively with both crime and commerce.
Next stop was of course: the Louvre Museum. I didn't get in this time. I promised myself I would one day have to go back to visit the Mona Lisa.
Honestly, I was looking forward to going back to Manila. The weather was really getting colder by the day.
An arc on the other side of the entrance to the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum area spans almost 60,000 square meters and is considered to be one of the largest museums in the world.
Next stop was Pont Arts (Arts Bridge). The bridge is thought to contain almost 1,600 padlocks where couples make a vow to stay together forever. I hope they do get to stay together.
Next stop was the Notre Dame Cathedral which is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe.
Me standing in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral
Exquisite sculptures in the Notre Dame Cathedral
And below I found Kilometer Zero (0) outside the entrance of the Notre Dame Cathedral. I didn't have enough time though, I wanted to have re-traced it back to the Holy Grail.
And that ends my first trip to Europe.
It was a wonderful first taste of the Old Continent and I will surely be back for more in the years to come. Ciao!