WHERE ARE WE GOING?

We will be flying into Manila and then through various modes of transportation going to the island of Mindoro to minister to the Manyan Tribe.

Oriental Mindoro is a province in the Philippines located on the island of Mindoro under Mimaropa region in Luzon, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) southwest of Manila. The province is bordered by the Verde Island Passage and the rest of Batangas to the north, by Marinduque, Maestre de Campo (or known as Sibale but official name is Concepcion) Island, Tablas Strait and the rest of Romblon to the east, by Semirara and the rest of Caluya Islands, Antique to the south, and by Occidental Mindoro to the west. Calapan, the only city in the island, is the provincial capital and Mimaropa's regional center.

Oriental Mindoro is touted as the country's emerging eco-tourism destination. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost of the mission experience is $3,600 per person. Due to exchange rates and increase in inflation, this may change slightly but we will do our best to keep it as close to $3,600 as possible.  Additional cost - any needed shots, spending money food while traveling etc. 

WHO IS LEADING THE TRIP?

Pastor Marcel deRegt will be leading both the intergenerational & Young Adult trips. This will be his 8th trip to the Philippines (Mangyan Tribes)

Jayden Tuin will be co-leading the intergenerational trip and has been to the Philippines, specifically the Mangyan Tribes two times.

Pastor Justin Carruthers will be co-leading the Young Adults trip. This will be Pastor Justing first time to the Philippines.

WHAT ARE OUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS?

TBD

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE?

You will need to have a valid passport for 6 months following our return. You passport should be valid until August 2025. No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days in the Philippines. When you enter the country, your passport will be stamp with a visitors entry stamp. 

If you are under the age of 18 at time of travel, PLEASE have this form filled out and notarized prior to our departure. (Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad)

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/children-travel

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter

DO I NEED ANY VACCINES/SHOTS TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES?

Various vaccines are required and recommended to enter the Philippines. We encourage you to reach out to the Fraser Valley Travel Clinic to find out what you need and when you need it by.  This is the travelers expense.  Fraser Valley Travel Clinic. 

As of Dec 19, 2023:  If you’re thinking about the Philippines as your next destination, we can confirm that COVID-19 vaccination passports or certificates are not mandatory to enter the Philippines anymore. However, if you're a fully vaccinated traveler, you will be exempted from testing requirements. iVisa is here to help you with any requirements you may need to enter the country hassle-free!

You must also acquire the Philippines Health Pass before your trip to The Philippines. This health document is mandatory to fill out before boarding the plane, or on arrival.

NOTE! See Side for clarification - https://www.ivisa.com/philippines-blog/philippines-vaccine-requirements-do-i-need-a-vaccine-to-travel-to-philippines

IS IT SAFE?

Yes, it is safe to travel in the Philippines. Like any country you travel too there are risk involved. We will have Filipino's with us to help learn the lay of the land, what to eat and not to eat, share their 'street smarts' with us, all in an effort to keep us safe. 

Remember, no news is good news. Communication will be difficult so do not worry if you don't hear from us. If there is an emergency, we will connect with you. 

WHAT ARE OUR SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS?

It has been confirmed that while in in the tribe, we will be sleeping inside the church. The ladies will be in one large tent and the men in the main area - all inside.   You will need to pack a sleeping bag (see below about buying a sleeping bag in Manila). A new pillow will be provided for you. We are sleeping fold out beds - comfy! .  May I suggest that you bring a sleeping bag etc that you can donate to Love Beyond Borders at the end of our trip.  

It has been confirmed that we can buy a sleeping bag at SM Mall which is directly across the street from our Hotel. This is optional, you can pack a sleeping bag or you can buy one at the mall. Sleeping Bag: 1,888 peso = Approx. $50.00 CND

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOD/WATER?

We will be eating good Filipino food prepared for us by our own chefs. It will be safe to eat. When we are with host families we will be required to eat what they serve us. Not to eat would be extreme disrespectful and a hindrance to our ministry. We will be doing a lot of praying. The water is not drinkable so we will be drinking bottled water while in Manila and boiled water at the Mangyan Tribe.

Good rule of thumb. Ice prepared with purified water will have a whole in the middle.

WHAT IS THE POWER SITUATION LIKE? DO I NEED AN ADAPTER?

The electrical outlets are 220 volt and 50 cycles so you will need a transformer if you want to plug in your hairdryer, shaver etc.

WHAT IS THE BATHROOM SITUATION LIKE?

They may look the same and have the same function but they are not toilets.  If you were to ask - "Where is the toilet?" or "Do you have a washroom?" you are committing a rude offence.  You must at all times, whether in the heart of Manila or in the tribe of Mindoro, call them COMFORT ROOM or CR. 

DO I NEED SPENDING MONEY/CASH?

It would be recommended to take along $300 USD (small bills) for gifts. If you plan on buying a lot, bring more. Credit cards are accepted, bank cards probably not. 

WILL I HAVE TO DO ANY PUBLIC SPEAKING?

YES! You will have plenty of opportunity to share your faith story with people - either one on one or in front of a crowd of people. Come ready to share a 3-5 minute testimony.  Will you need to share - most likely. So come prepared. You story is a huge encouragement to the people. After all folks, this is missions trip - we need to share the love of Christ.  When talking, try to not share 'Christian-ese' words or Canadian references such at Tim Hortons's etc. Write it out before you leave. 

Remember:

• Your target audience - church, kids, adults, youth
• to keep it to 5 minutes or less but no less than 3 minutes
• to give God all the glory
• to give a challenge - "God can change your life as well"
• to keep it personal - use a story how God changed your life. 

Start you by...

My name is (Ako si ________ taga Canada) 

If you would like to try your hand at giving a homely - a 15 minutes message. Let me know.  Trust the Lord to lead - this may be a wonderful opportunity to share what the Lord has been placing upon your heart. 

WHAT IS GROUP DYNAMICS?

     Every day we will meet as a team debrief the days events. Group Dynamics is always a good time to bond as a team

You will be asked "Where did you see God today?"  Keep your eyes and heart open to the move of God around us and in us.  

We will also spend time following the Acts 2 model of the early church - prayer, scripture reading, fellowship.  We will take time to read through scripture together and spend significant time in prayer.  

We will also go over the next days events and any preparations that need to take place.

I'VE HEARD THERE IS A SPA DAY. WHAT IS THAT?

Love Beyond Borders will be treating us to an evening at the Spa. A great way to remove the tribal mud from under the toe nails. This is a gift to you but we do encourage you to plan on giving a donation to help cover the cost. US funds are good to us

ANY TIPS TO AVOID AWKWARD SITUATIONS?

• Don't get annoyed if people stare at you. If they find you interesting, even exotic, they'll want to take a good look at you
• Do treat senior citizens with particular respect. Always greet the elderly if they are in your presence,
• Do allow Filipino's a way out of any awkward situation. Especially, for example, when they may risk a possible 'loss of face' - a painful and embarrassing moment like trying their English. 
• Don't be punctual - yep, you are reading that correctly. A word that will become familiar is 'Filipino Time'. Events will not start on time - just get use to it. 
• Do take your shoes off before entering a home no matter how dirty the home may be. Shoe off unless given permission otherwise. 
• Do take a taste of all food offered to you. This may be challenging at times but very important. If you like it, remember to leave a little on your plate to show that you enjoyed and enough. 
• Don't remain silent in company, unless you want to imply you're not having a good time or like being in present company. Attempts to spend time alone are doomed to fail from the start. If you need quiet time, go some place truly secluded.

SAYING YES WITHOUT 'SAYING' YES

If you want to say yes but the traffic is to loud or you just have bad breath, all you need to do is raise your eyebrows. Raise them once and everyone will know you are responding with a resounding yes.  Just be careful not to raise the brow when you are just being friendly - awkward situations may arise for you

'COME HERE' HAND GESTURE

If you want to call someone but they are too far aware to yell, you may want to signal them with your hand. There is a proper way and an improper way for you to do this. You can do this with the palm of your hand facing down and use all fingers. If you signal the way we signal with one finger, palm up, to a Filipino, you are calling over a prostitute - awkward moment we want to avoid

TRUST IN A CROWDED JEEPNEY

Trust is important! Not matter how full a jeepney may become, and trust me, they pack them full like sardines, you have to pass your peso from one person to the next so that the driver will receive your payment. If you are expecting change, it will come back to you the same way. It will get handed down from person to person until it reaches you.  Trust is important

STREET SMARTS

• Keep you money and important items in your front pockets. 
• Keep your passport close. It will take a long time to get you another one and it will cost plenty of money. This will be your cost if you lose it. 
• Do not pay for a taxi until all your luggage has been removed from the vehicle. 
• Do not bring along anything that is expensive - jewelry, camera's etc. 
• Do not give your name or hotel name to anyone that is not connected to the team. 
• Remember that where there are tourists there are thieves. 
• If someone runs up to you telling you someone has stolen your wallet etc. Stay calm and move on. Do NOT immediately reach for your valuables. By doing so, you just gave the pick pocketer valuable information. Pick pocketers usually work in teams. 
• Beware of Calesas (horse drawn cabs) for they are on the look out for tourists like us.  The driver will convince you to get in for a picture and drive off before you can exit the cab. Before you know it, you owe a 1000 peso's or more. I have a personal story about this that I can share. 
• Be sensitive using hand sanitizer and facial expression. There are going to be smells you are not use to and place are not going to be clean.  Facial expressions and public use of hand sanitizers may come across as offensive

The weather is going to be warm but cool at night so please pack accordingly. Here are some suggestions: (for all clothing, please keep modest)

• Passport, Vaccination card - pack in your carry on
• Headlamp for days in tribe
• One change of cloths in your carry on just incase your luggage is delayed
• Shorts, but no short shorts.
• Pants - we could experience rain. Come prepared for wet and dry weather.
• Closed toes shoes for hiking
• Flip flops for the shower, sandals for day-to-day in the village
• Water Sandals. This could be the same pair from the above note or an additional pair. Good to have a pair for the shower as well. 
• All toiletries - extra toothbrush
• Towel
• Feminine Hygiene as needed
• Hoodie or sweater
• Light Coat
• Socks, Underwear etc
• Bathing Suit
• Hat
• Mask or two
• travel size hand sanitizers
• Bedding - sleeping bag/pillow
• Bible
• flashlight - led rechargeable
• note book
• mosquito repellant
• Imodium - this comes in handy. 
• We will continue to add as we learn more about our experience

Support Letter: When you write a support letter, you’re doing way more than just asking for money and prayer – you’re inviting someone to participate in your trip. While they won’t be hopping in the van with you, they will be filling the vital role of providing support in your mission trip experience. Keep this in mind as you write and send your mission trip support letters. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Make it look good, be interesting, make it personal, explain what you are going to do, add some details and don't forget to ask for financial and prayer support and where they can send their support. 

Adopt-a-Box: On a poster board, draw out a grid of 50 square and number each square 1-50. Invite friends and family to sponsor a square and donate the amount of the square. If someone adopts square #43, they will donate $43.00.  By using social media, talking with friends and family, try to get all 50 squares adopted. If you do, that is $1,275. Bigger Challenge - do a 75 or square grid. 

As a Team we can look at Fund The Nation and sell t-shirts. This would be best as a team effort. Check it out and chat with your fellow team members. 

Ask your Church: Don't be afraid to ask your home church for support. Make sure you give your local Deacon Board or Missions Committee a copy of your support letter. 

Mangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous groups found in Mindoro each with its own tribal name, language, and customs. The total population may be around 280,001, but official statistics are difficult to determine under the conditions of remote areas, reclusive tribal groups and some having little if any outside world contact.

The ethnic groups of the island, from north to south, are: Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tawbuid (called Batangan by lowlanders on the west of the island), Buhid, and Hanunoo. An additional group on the southernmost tip is the Ratagnon, who appear to be intermarried with neighboring Bisaya (Cuyonon) lowlanders. The group known on the east of Mindoro as Bangon may be a subgroup of Tawbuid, as they speak the 'western' dialect of that language. They also have a kind of poetry called the ambahan.

Indigenous Mangyan religion

The Mangyan have a complex spiritual belief system which includes the following deities:

• Mahal na Makaako – The Supreme Being who gave life to all human beings merely by gazing at them.
• Binayi – Owner of a garden where all spirits rest.
• Binayo – Is a sacred female spirit, caretaker of the rice spirits (kalag paray). She is married to Bulungabon. The kalag paray must be appeased to ensure a bountiful harvest. It is for this reason that specific rituals are conducted in every phase of rice cultivation. Some of these rituals include the panudlak, the rite of the first planting; the rite of rice planting itself; and the rites of harvesting which consist of the magbugkos or binding rice stalks, and the pamag-uhan, which follows the harvest.
• Bulungabon – The spirit aided by 12 fierce dogs. Erring souls are chased by these dogs and eventually drowned in a cauldron of boiling water. He is married to Binayo.

Iraya Mangyan tribe

The Iraya Mangyan tribe is an indigenous group living in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. 

Facts about them:

1. Location: Mountainous regions, including the Iraya Mountains

2. Population: One of the largest Mangyan groups in Mindoro (Eatimated 15,000-20,000 individuals)

3. Language: Iraya Mangyan language (belongs to the Austronesian). 

4. Culture and Traditions: Animist and ancestral worship. 

5. Livelihood: Subsistence farming (rice, corn, and root crops).

6. Challenges:Limited access to education, healthcare, and social services

7. Facts: The Iraya Mangyan tribe has a rich oral tradition, with stories and myths passed down through generations