15 Days in San Pablo, Philippines: Our OCEP Journey

15 days in YMCA San Pablo, Philippines—constructing, teaching, painting, and most importantly, building friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

To make way for a new student hub at YMCA, we kicked things off with what felt like a rage room: knocking down walls, hammering beams, and tearing down a shelter before removing its concrete floor. It was tough—literally—but together we pushed through, clearing debris, transporting it to another area, and digging holes for the next phase. Deconstruct to reconstruct!

The first few days welcomed us with the scorching sun as we painted base colours and sketched our vision for our mural—featuring popular sports like volleyball and badminton. Soon after, however, the weather took a turn from scorching heat to persistent rain. Undeterred, we adapted quickly and experimented with creative solutions to keep the mural alive despite the downpour.

Our visits to Don Arsenio Escudero Sr. Memorial School were equally eye-opening. Through our interactions with the students, we realised how blessed we are in Singapore—to have schools just a short commute away, the assurance that classes continue rain or shine, and the comfort of classrooms with electricity. It was a humbling reminder not to take these things for granted.

Immersing ourselves in local life also left a deep impression. From devouring authentic Jollibee meals to dyeing our hair, sightseeing, and even braving the must-try balut, every experience was made special by the kindness and warmth of the Filipino locals.

Beyond the work, our time at YMCA was filled with fun, laughter, and bittersweet goodbyes. Coming together from different cultures and backgrounds, we bonded over meals and games, singing and jamming, sports and zumba. Cultural performances and carnivals gave us the chance to exchange stories, traditions, and childhood games unique to each country. We grew to appreciate our differences while recognising the shared joys that connect us all.

OCEP is so much more than just an overseas volunteering trip. From the local volunteers to the students we met, we gained wisdom, warmth, and precious experiences that we carry home with us. Our time in San Pablo reminded us that giving is never one-way—what we share with others often comes back to us in even greater measure.