Locals and visitors alike who are interested to do some charitable work in Bacolod City, Philippines often ask me where they can volunteer or donate or visit to extend their help to those in need. You see, traveling is not just about seeing the popular landmarks or hanging out in the beach or tasting the local food. Traveling is also about reaching out to the local community, most especially to those who need it the most.
I, myself, have traveled for the purpose of helping a community. When I worked full-time with Habitat for Humanity and with Hands On Manila (an affiliate of Hands On Network, powered by Points of Light Foundation in the US), I was able to go to different parts of the country and abroad to lend a hand, to share my knowledge, and to learn from the families we deal with.
And if you want to volunteer with other organizations and also want to build houses, repair schools or plant trees, make sure that you wear comfortable and casual clothes. Always wear closed, sturdy, durable shoes, too. The good thing is that ZALORA carries a wide variety of athletic footwear from Mizuno. You have plenty of choices which you can use when you travel and when you volunteer.
Since it is also the 25th anniversary of the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Foundation, Inc., a local non-profit foundation where I served as Executive Director for over a year, I recall the great experiences I had going around Bacolod City, visiting partner organizations. My stay in this foundation, albeit short, was sweet and fulfilling and I hope that through this post, I am able to inspire others to experience the beauty of touching other people’s lives.
We traveled to all the ends of Bacolod City to distribute donations in December 2014 and July 2015. Here are some institutions that you, too, can support, may it be by spending time, sharing your skills and talents, or giving material blessings to those who are under their care. And when you see them light up by your presence or gifts, you will find that Bacolod, indeed, is the City of Smiles.
1.) St. Mary’s Home for the Aged
Brgy. Alangilan, Bacolod City
(+63 34) 433-3310; 435-6465; 434-0976
We drove all the way to the easternmost barangay of Bacolod, towards the upland area. At some point, our vehicle had to go through a small portion of rough road, in order to get to the St. Mary’s Home for the Aged. But the scenery that will greet you along the way is spectacular. The place itself is so serene, perched atop a hilly area. Just across the institution are vegetable plantation. Inside the compound are also full of trees and vegetation.
The elderly who are living in this institution have become a family and they enjoy the fresh air that they get in this facility. They also want to busy themselves by making mats, wallets, rags, or any item that they can make out of fabric cut outs or straws.
2.) St. Vincent’s Home for the Aged
Tangub, Bacolod City
(+63 34) 432-0399; 432-0011
The institution is administered by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, which I also had the opportunity to work with while I was in Manila. They shelter and nurse abandoned elderly. Their compound is located near the highway towards the southern part of Bacolod. They also plant organic vegetables for their use and to sell to their supporters.
3.) Missionaries of Charity
Circumferential Road, Tinagong Paraiso,
Barangay Banago, Bacolod City
(+63 34) 441-1473
The Missionaries of Charity, which is the order founded by Mother Teresa, have been serving the sickly and children, housing them temporarily in their institution. Volunteer doctors often come to provide free regular check-ups and consultation to the beneficiaries. One time, when we visited their facility, they sheltered a foreigner who had no family to take care of him in Bacolod City. Their institution is found in the quiet place near the coastal area, at the northernmost barangay of Bacolod City.
4.) Holy Infant Nursery
San Francisco St. San Sebastian Village, Brgy. Sum-Ag, Bacolod City
(+63 34) 444-1905
Located at the southernmost part of the city, the Holy Infant Nursery houses children who have been orphaned or abandoned. These children are up for adoption, but while they are in the facility, the foundation had to take care of their milk, food, daily commodities, and, often, education.
5.) St. Ezekiel Moreno Clinic
Handumanan Access Road, Bacolod City
(+63 34) 446-1911
The St. Ezekiel Moreno Clinic is located in Handumanan, which is at the southeastern most area of Bacolod City. They serve patients who have minimum resources. When I went there to turnover medical tools and materials as donation, I was greeted by nuns from the Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR). St. Ezekiel Moreno, as it turns out, is the patron saint of cancer patients. They also provide consultation to needy patients at very low cost, and maintains a small pharmacy that caters to the needs of their beneficiaries.
If you happen to live in Bacolod City or nearby towns and cities, or if you are here for a vacation or for family visits, it would be good to allot a day to visit these institutions. The families and the staff running these facilities would be delighted to have visitors. Still, it is advisable that you call first so they know when they can expect you. Please note that they also want to protect the rights and privacy of their beneficiaries, so they also screen who they will welcome in their compound and the purpose of such visit.
wow! a few weeks ago we just had an outreach activity somehow similar to this.. it really is nice to see people helping others.. 🙂
That’s great to hear. We should always find ways to help those in need.
It’s very rare that people visit a place just to help a charity. What you did is very admirable. And thank you for providing everyone with a list of institutions that they can help, maybe it’s a good stop over during a vacation, right?
Thank you. I hope locals and visitors alike can stop by any of these institutions to lend a hand.
Home for the aged is the best place to visit aside from the orphanage, because as what I’ve experienced during my college years during our EXPOSURE..most places being visited is for the orphan kids not so much with the elders who also need special care and attention.
Remember, without this people we are not here and soon our path will be like them ( I mean were going there- being old), but we are lucky enough that we have families to care and give us attentions.
Note: Kindly disregard my previous comment. Thanks.
That is true. Most often, volunteers and donors prefer children. Even in Manila, the elderly receive not as much visitors than orphanages.
Some people find organizations where they can share their blessings through donations and community services. Helping these institutions will bring happiness to them for sure.
I have worked with many non-profits and it is heartwarming to know that there are people who are so devoted to helping others.
You are admirable. To be able to travel and help the less fortunate is such a blessing. More power to you!
Thank you. I am glad to have fellow friends who have the same passion as I do. 🙂
Charitable events like this really warm my heart! I really wish to be more involved someday! 😀
That is good! I used to work with Hands On Manila Foundation. They allow individuals to volunteer to a particular cause they want to support.
I love visiting orphanages, especially those with babies. They need cuddles and love!
Oh, they love to be held and carried! They don’t even want to be put down.
It is indeed a great work you are doing by visiting them and spending time with them.
Thank you. I’m glad that I have been given the opportunity to help and allow others to help.
I truly admire people like you who spend time and exert effort to better the society and reach out to those who need attention and affection the most. I myself have experienced several volunteering opportunities, both local and abroad, to the point that people ask me what I gain from doing those stuff. 😉 Good job and keep it up!
In fact, it is not just the beneficiaries who are transformed but, in the process, we are the ones who learn more from them. 🙂
Helping someone makes you feel good.I sometimes visit orphanages in a teamteam,conduct some games for them,distribute chocolates, play with them and come back happily.
The kids enjoy those activities and most especially the volunteers and donors, too!
I have been thinking of volunteering more now that I’m home retired. It’s such a great thing to do and you get such a great feeling when you see what you’ve done to help others.
It makes life more fulfilling when we get to help others. I wish you all the best in your volunteering effort!
It would be nice to plant tree as it’s definitely gonna help our future. It’s also nice to see home for the aged of the children’s area since your presence can really uplift them.
It is good to be involved to as many causes because there are varied sectors in our society that are in ned of help.
It is heartening to see that there are people who are working for noble causes. Comprehensive list you have created in this post.
There had been many people who want to help but don’t know where and how. I hope that this list can help them, too.
I really want to visit the Philippines! What a great idea to spend a day of my vacation volunteering with one of these organizations. My husband and I would love to do that. 🙂
You should come here and visit our country! If you want to volunteer, you can inquire with non-profits based here. Some of my recommendations are Habitat for Humanity Philippines and Hands On Manila Foundation as they have contacts at a nationwide scale.
Hey Claire, great post! I’ve been to St.Mary’s and St.Vincent’s a couple of times. I will definitely keep in mind what you’ve shared here. I plan on getting heavily involved in charity next time I visit there. Thank you for sharing.
You can also inspire others to be involved in the causes you support. 🙂
Hats off to you for finding charitable things to do when you’re traveling. And very thoughtful of you to share this list for fellow travelers…
Thank you. I’ve been in the same shoes before, where I didn’t know where to go. Now that I’m familiar with them, I hope to pay it forward and share this list with others.
Good that Bacolod also has very good facilities to take care of abandoned orphans and elderly. It is good you compiled them in an article like this for ease of reference for those looking for places to donate their time and treasure.
That’s my intention so that those who want to help can choose from among this list. I think there are still more but I haven’t been to them so I hope to update this article in the future.
Its such a noble initiative of you all to go to Bacolod and visit the homes. Hope there will be more people helping out.
I hope so, too. Thank you!
A great list for those who are keen in contributing back to society! Keep up the amazing work dear!
Thank you!
Good job researching and publishing this list so many people can be aware of these institutions. Sometimes, they really need help in exposure.
That’s the usual thing we hear from the institutions especially that they do not have the budget to promote their organization regularly.
What a meaningful day you had in Bacolod! Thanks for sharing…
Thank you so much!
It’s always nice to help others. It’s also important to know where our help is needed. Useful article!
I agree. Through this post, I also received other leads and I hope to update this article as I go along.
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