Voluntourism,
which mixes volunteering and tourism, is rapidly gaining popularity among
travelers eager to see the world while doing some good along the way. The
concept appeals to those who want to satisfy their wanderlust but also feel the
need to make a small difference, whether by teaching in far-flung schools,
helping with environmental projects, or assisting in community development
efforts.
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| The coconut lined road in Apurawan beach mirrors the famed coconut road in Siargao |
Over
the years, I’ve come across many such groups, and before the pandemic, I even
considered joining programs in Thailand and India. In the Philippines,
voluntourism has become widespread, with organizations operating in various
parts of the country. Naturally, one would expect these groups to base
themselves in well-known destinations like Siargao, Camiguin, or the
postcard-perfect towns of El Nido and Coron in Palawan.
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| The few but insightful displays inside Ethnos Farm Museum |
What
I didn’t expect was to find such group basing themselves in Aborlan, an often-overlooked
coastal town in Palawan, far from the usual tourist circuits. Yet here, away
from the crowded beaches, voluntourism has found a foothold, offering an
experience that is both meaningful and off the beaten path. From my four-day
exploration around the town, I discovered that there is so much more to see and
learn here – things not written in any travel guidebook or shown in any TikTok
video.
Meet
the Green Lion Philippines
The
Green Lion Philippines is part of a global volunteer organization founded in
Thailand in 1998. Known simply as the Green Lion, it has grown over the past
two decades to offer community-focused travel programs in more than 40
countries, including the Philippines, with an approach rooted in forging strong
local connections.
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| Members of the Tigman Women's Association performed a cultural dance for us |
At
Blessie’s Beach Cove Resort on Aborlan’s eastern coast, we met Green Lion
volunteers and members of the local community. The festival-winning Tigman
Women’s Association welcomed us with a vibrant cultural dance, but it was the
voices of volunteers and community leaders that left a lasting impression.
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| This group of women are the cultural bearers of Aborlan |
“We
don’t just travel and meet people here, watching basketball games, singing
karaoke, and enjoying the islands,” said Nathalie, a volunteer from Australia.
“We also get to do something about the environment.”
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| Three volunteers who came from different countries are both discovering local life in Palawan while able to make a small difference |
In
Aborlan, foreign volunteers work alongside locals to reduce plastic waste by
transforming discarded bottles and wrappers into eco-bricks. These bricks are
then used for building community projects such as school classrooms, fences,
sea walls, and other small but vital infrastructure.
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| One of the projects of Green Lion in Aborlan, a school fence made from plastic bottle bricks |
Their
efforts go beyond environmental advocacy. Volunteers also teach local Palaweño
children to improve their English skills and assist in basic healthcare, while
promoting cultural exchange through everyday interactions within the community.
“They
inspire us because we see them picking up plastic trash themselves,” said Mabel
Palces, president of the Tigman Women’s Association. “Now, even local kids are
doing the same because we see how it can be used to build something.”
On
this quiet stretch of powdery sand in Aborlan, a grassroots partnership is
proving that with collective action and forward-thinking advocacy, a small
group can create meaningful change.
One
can only hope that local governments across the country take notice.
Initiatives like these should not be the exception. They should become the
blueprint.
Rakudan
Festival
Coinciding
with our visit is the Rakudan Festival. Held annually, the festival takes its
name from the Palawano language, meaning “gathering in an agreed place,”
underscoring the importance of community participation. Typically celebrated in
June, the event features a range of activities, including a float parade and
the parada ng mga lechon, a procession showcasing roasted pigs, which
remains one of its most anticipated highlights.
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| A majorette performer during the Rakudan Festival |
The
parada ng mga lechon is more than just a festive display of golden roasted
pigs; it is loosely tied to the town’s origin story. Like many place-name
legends across the Philippines, Aborlan’s name origin comes wrapped in that
familiar story of a linguistic misunderstanding between locals and their
colonial visitors.
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| Each barangay comes up with their own lechon during the parade |
As the story goes, unverified but retold for everyone’s amusement, an American during the colonial era stumbled upon what is now Aborlan and after spotting several wild pigs roaming freely, shouted, “A boar land.”
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| After the parade, each roasted pig are setup for a communal boodle fight |
His impromptu
description was adapted into the name Aborlan, forever linking the town’s
identity with wild pigs.
Local
Artists and Weavers Preserves Traditions
At
Hidden Grace Farm in Aborlan, we met with local artists to learn about their
craft and cultural practices.
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| Sample script of Surat et Tagbanwa |
Aljed
Gonzales wrote my name using Surat et Tagbanwa, the ancient Palawan script once
used by the province’s earliest settlers. I told him I hoped to use it as a
tattoo design for my right arm. Gonzales, who learned the script during a
college cultural workshop, shared his hope that it will one day be formally
taught in schools.
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| Some of Rasjeh's rubber cut artworks |
Nearby,
another artist, known as “Rasjeh,” showed us his rubber cut artworks. He
learned the craft from Cordilleran artist Charles Wandag, who moved to Palawan
in the early 2000s. “He became my mentor,” Rasjeh said, adding he has created
thousands of pieces since then. Rubber cut art involves engraving intricate
designs onto rubber sheets, inking the carved surface, and stamping it onto
paper. I was instantly drawn to his display and bought one depicting two
lovers.
Another
young artist demonstrated the meticulous process of crafting tiny clay beads,
each shaped with impressive precision.
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| A few of the members of the Culandanum Handycrafts at work |
In
Barangay Culandanum, we visited the Culandanum Handicrafts organization, where
we met several of the 30 basket and banig weavers from the Tagbanua community.
Culandanum Handicrafts is a community enterprise composed entirely of Tagbanua
artisans who create handmade baskets, mats, and bags using traditional
techniques passed down through generations, working with materials such as
rattan and pandan leaves gathered from nearby farms.
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| Some of the works of the Culandanum weavers |
When
asked what message she would like to share with government agencies, the
group’s founder, Mam MJ, paused before replying. “Here in our own community,”
she said softly, “we will be happy that starting from our own Barangay, we
finally see concrete support for what we do.”
Alberto
Gadia, a marketing specialist at the Tourism Promotions Board of the
Philippines—the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism—told the group that
the TPB plans to include their community in its nationwide community-based
tourism initiatives. These projects, he said, are designed to strengthen
community-driven enterprises and ensure they align with broader tourism
programs across the country.
Farm
to Table Immersive Experiences
Fringed
with scenic beaches on both coasts, such as on the eastern side where our
accommodation Surya Beach Resort afforded us with both rest and relaxation,
while to the west, Apurawan Beach greeted us with a palm tree-lined road
running parallel to the ocean, instantly bringing to mind Siargao’s iconic
Coconut Road.
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| Local snacks at Rooted Coffee Farm |
Yet
beyond its picturesque shores, Aborlan holds another ace up its sleeve, its
potential to attract a niche market of travelers seeking educational immersion,
particularly in agriculture. Here, visitors can learn about farming practices,
engage with local communities involved in food production, and explore the
town’s emerging coffee plantations. These experiences reveal a richer, slower
side of Palawan, one deeply connected to the land itself.
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| A typical but lesser crowded beach in Aborlan |
At
Rooted Coffee Farm, we toured a 50-hectare agricultural project focused on what
its owners call the “three Cs”: coffee, cacao, and coconut. The farm’s mission
is rooted in family history, inspired by the owner’s grandfather who grew
Liberica and Robusta coffee in Aborlan’s fertile soil from the 1960s through
the 1980s.
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| An Agricultural student from WPU shows the cashew wine they harvest and produce inside the campus' farm |
By
honoring these agricultural roots, Rooted Coffee Farm aims to revive local
coffee production by blending traditional practices with modern techniques.
Beyond producing high-quality beans, the farm empowers Tagbanwa farmers who
tend the land. After touring the grounds, we enjoyed freshly brewed coffee and
local snacks at its newly built café, which is poised to become a destination
in its own right. The farm also offers coffee and cacao tours and nature hikes
for visitors.
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| Within WPU, the farm includes a lake where they raise different species of fish |
At
Western Philippines University, what sounded like a clandestine scientific
endeavor, the Paraoakan Project, turned
out to be a very insightful one. The project focuses on the conservation and
sustainable production of the Paraoakan chicken, Palawan’s prized native breed.
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| Quiet mornings at Surya |
Looming
bigger over other local chickens with its long legs, elongated neck, and larger
build, the Paraoakan was once bred primarily for cockfighting. Today,
researchers are reimagining its role to bolster food security, preserve
indigenous breeds, and empower communities, including the families of Persons
Deprived of Liberty, through agricultural innovation.
The
university’s Agricultural Department has plans to construct accommodations
within its campus farm to host visitors seeking immersive educational tours in
farming and sustainability.
Meanwhile,
at Ethnos Farm and Training Center in Barangay Sagpangan, visitors can explore
not only the farm itself but also a small museum and art center dedicated to
preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Palawan’s three indigenous
groups: the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, and Batak. Here, indigenous leaders undergo a
12-module training in sustainable agriculture, while similar programs are
available for visitors eager to deepen their understanding of indigenous
practices and enrich their travel experiences.
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| The Tagbanua's spin on the classic Pinoy "Turumpo" game |
Beyond
its well-loved beaches, the area offers a handful of other nature spots. At
Zion Flowing Bath, visitors can swim in a pristine river stream, its waters so
clear that a dip feels like a ritual cleansing in nature’s own bath. Meanwhile,
at Tangod Falls, crystalline waters cascade into pools inviting for a day’s
plunge. Here, members of the Tagbanua community graciously welcome guests,
offering glimpses into their rich heritage through cultural performances and a
playful demonstration of turumpo, their unique take on the traditional Filipino
spinning top game.
Aborlan
doesn’t bore travelers in search of a meaningful travel experience
While
the beaches of Aborlan located in its western and eastern shores might not be
as popular as the ones in El Nido, Coron, San Vicente, Port Barton, Bataraza
and Quezon, it makes up more with its distinct charm Towering coconut trees
frame its coastline, while forested roads wind through small communities with a
still preserved culture and tradition.
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| The river water from Tangod Falls lulls you into a relaxation |
It
is perhaps this sense of genuineness that has drawn volunteer groups such as
the Green Lion to establish their base here, where opportunities abound for
immersive experiences in the arts, environmental work, and community
engagement.
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| Farm experience and one of the best kebab can be found here |
The
local cuisine is equally compelling. From Palawan’s version of chao long to
roasted lechon, and one of the finest kebabs served at Green Mango Guest House
– a farm-to-table enterprise that also provides peaceful accommodations – meals
in Aborlan reflect the simplicity of provincial life. The meals we had during
the Rakudan Festival and at Surya Beach Resort further revealed the depth of
local flavors.
Though
Aborlan may not cater to tourists in search of island-hopping adventures, it
holds promise for a niche market of travelers seeking educational tours and
deeper connections with the land and its people – an experience that extends
beyond picturesque beaches to a clearer understanding of Palawan itself.
This article first appeared on Rappler.
