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.
On the Road in Palawan (Part 4): Spotlight on Palawan’s Overlooked Coastal Town
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
Rakudan Festival
Coincidentally 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, which remains one of its most anticipated highlights.
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. As the story goes, an American during the colonial era stumbled upon what is now Aborlan and after spotting several wild pigs roaming freely, shouted, “A boar land.”
Local Artists and Weavers Preserve Traditions
At Hidden Grace Farm in Aborlan, we met with local artists to learn about their craft. Aljed Gonzales wrote my name using Surat et Tagbanwa, the ancient Palawan script once used by the province’s earliest settlers.
Nearby, an artist known as “Rasjeh” showed us his rubber cut artworks, a craft he learned from Cordilleran mentor Charles Wandag. I was instantly drawn to his display and bought one depicting two lovers.
In Barangay Culandanum, we met the Culandanum Handicrafts organization, composed of Tagbanua artisans who create handmade baskets and bags using rattan and pandan.
Farm to Table Immersive Experiences
Beyond shores, Aborlan holds its potential in educational immersion in agriculture. At Rooted Coffee Farm, a project focuses on the “three Cs”: coffee, cacao, and coconut, reviving a family legacy of Liberica and Robusta cultivation.
At Western Philippines University, the Paraoakan Project focuses on the native native Paraoakan chicken, while the Ethnos Farm and Training Center preserves the heritage of the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, and Batak groups.
At Tangod Falls, members of the Tagbanua community welcome guests with 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 experience
It is perhaps this sense of genuineness that has drawn volunteer groups such as the Green Lion to establish their base here. Local cuisine is equally compelling, from Palawan’s version of chao long to roasted lechon and the kebabs at Green Mango Guest House.
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.
