Hello! I’m Shinyou Choi, a YP from International Business Team 1, supporting our projects in Cambodia and the Philippines.
In the Philippines, we are working on a project to promote the rights of the Mangyan people in Abra de Ilog, located on the island of Mindoro.
This past March, I had the wonderful opportunity to join a business trip to the field.
To be honest, it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid—always wondering, "Will I get to go on overseas business trips when I grow up?"
And finally, on March 22nd, that dream became a reality.
Of course, the actual trip was quite different from what I had imagined in my head,
but it was filled with experiences far more valuable than I could have ever dreamed of.
Want to see what I saw and felt during my journey? Let’s dive in!
Abra de Ilog, located on Mindoro Island in the Philippines, is no easy place to reach.
It takes about two hours by car from Manila, followed by another two to three hours by boat. Pretty far, right?
On this particular day, our scheduled ferry was canceled, which delayed our arrival significantly.
We started our journey at 3 AM and didn’t finally pull into our accommodation until 9 PM.
Despite the late hour, the local staff were there to welcome us with open arms.
I was so incredibly grateful. Even now, I still vividly remember the warmth I felt from them in that unfamiliar land.
The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed, though I had fallen asleep so quickly I barely remembered hitting the pillow.
My face was a bit puffy from the long journey, but the morning air felt amazing.
The weather in Abra de Ilog was nothing short of breathtaking.
It was the kind of perfect weather that fills you with all the energy you need for the trip ahead.
For the Mangyan people, an indigenous group living in the mountains,
accessing a hospital is a major challenge due to both economic and geographical barriers.
Heart-to-Heart Foundation, in partnership with ‘Abra de Ilog Hospital,‘ provides prenatal and postnatal services
as well as maternal transport to ensure they can give birth safely and without financial burden.
And here’s some great news: the facility was recently officially designated as a "Mangyan-Friendly Hospital!" (Round of applause! )
My first mission of the trip was to tour the hospital and participate in a meeting with the hospital director.
Seeing the space in person—somewhere I had only ever seen in photos back in Korea—really hit home.
It made me realize just how much heart and soul is being poured into this project to improve the health and lives of the Mangyan people.
Afterward, we visited another Mangyan-friendly hospital located in Santa Cruz.
Even though it isn‘t one of our own project sites, it was a valuable opportunity to see how other organizations support the Mangyan people.
It was a deeply meaningful experience because it gave me a chance to reflect on our own project‘s strengths and think about areas where we can improve.
Are you surprised to see me suddenly wearing a helmet?
On this trip, I had a special "YP Solo Mission": monitoring activities and field interviews!
I hopped on a motorcycle to visit Lumangbayan Village and Pambuhan Elementary School, where the nutritional meals are distributed.
Thanks to the impressive riding skills of our local staff, we safely set off on our way.
In the small villages where the Mangyan people live, mothers and babies gather at a set time to wash their hands, take their vitamins,
and receive nutritional meals prepared by local nutritionists.
Watching the children finish an entire adult-sized portion all by themselves,
I finally understood the heart behind the saying,
"I feel full just watching them eat." I truly found myself wishing for each of them to eat well and grow up healthy.
(By the way, this photo wasn‘t staged, and no, I wasn‘t trying to steal their food. Please believe me! )
During the field interviews, I asked about the changes before and after the nutritional support,
as well as the dreams they have for themselves and their children.
At first, the vitamins felt a bit strange, so both my child and I didn’t like taking them.
But now, we understand how essential they are. I hope my children grow up healthy to become teachers or doctors.
Since I didn’t have the chance to get an education, I want my children to learn a lot and share that knowledge with others.
— Celestina, a mother who participated in the program
It’s wonderful to see the villagers gathering regularly to share a meal and laugh together.
I can actually see the children gaining weight. I find so much fulfillment in this work, and my dream is to see ‘ZERO MALNUTRITION‘ for the Mangyan people.
— Mary Jean, Local Nutritionist
Though these were small-scale interviews, they left a huge impression on me.
Back in my school days, having lunch at the cafeteria every day was something I took for granted.
Here, however, I witnessed firsthand how a single meal can profoundly impact the health and lives of both parents and children.
Hearing the parents‘ heartfelt hope—that the rights they were denied due to poverty would not be passed down to their children
—made me think deeply once again about what "rights" truly mean for the Mangyan people.
Residents of Lumangbayan Village and Heart-to-Heart Foundation Philippines staff at the nutrition monitoring site
Even though I couldn‘t speak a single word of Tagalog, the moment everyone burst into laughter at something the nutritionist said still sticks with me.
Seeing everyone gathered in one place, sharing a laugh, made me realize that this project isn‘t just about improving nutrition—it’s also boosting the "happiness index" of the entire village.
I truly hope everyone stays healthy and happy!
After finishing the nutrition monitoring, I visited Pambuhan School,
where a "School-Based Rights Promotion Campaign" had been held about a week prior.
Most of the students at this school are from the Mangyan community.
I really wanted to see the actual environment where Mangyan children receive their education
and hear firsthand about how the previous campaign went!
The school was divided into lower and upper grades. I brought along some small snacks, thinking the kids might be intimidated by a sudden stranger appearing out of nowhere!
We played an alphabet game where they had to guess my name and which country and city I came from.
At first, they were a bit cautious, worried about getting it wrong, but whenever someone got the right answer, everyone would clap and cheer together.
Seeing their pure joy brought a huge smile to my face.
The moment when all the kids called out my name, "SHINYOU!" in unison is still so vivid in my mind.
It’s a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
After our short but sweet icebreaking time, I asked the kids for their feedback on the campaign.
To be honest, because they were so young, I had a tiny bit of doubt—I wondered, "Did this really have an impact?"
But then, to my surprise, the children started raising their hands eagerly, standing up one by one to talk about the rights they had learned.
I was genuinely amazed. That day, I felt firsthand that even the smallest actions can hold incredible power.
If I were given the choice between any other school and this one, I would choose this place every time.
I believe the campaign was effective because the education was tailored perfectly to the children‘s level.
My only hope is that no matter what happens, these children never give up on their education.
— Lower Grade Teacher at Pambuhan School
Spending time meeting and communicating with the Mangyan people in person was a precious opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the field.
I would also like to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our local staff member who helped with the interpretation during the interviews and games.
(Salamat po!)
The day finally came to leave for Manila after three days in Mindoro—a stay that felt both short and long at the same time.
Isn‘t the scenery just stunning? I couldn‘t help but think how truly beautiful Mindoro Island is.
The lush, vibrant greenery, unlike anything I’ve seen in Korea, left me with a mix of pure happiness and a bit of sadness to be leaving.
Unlike the quiet and secluded Occidental Mindoro, Manila was incredibly bustling and full of life!
I arrived in Manila with our local staff to attend a meeting with the KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) Philippines office.
During the meeting, we shared what we had seen and felt during the trip.
We also discussed how to successfully wrap up the current Mangyan Rights Promotion project and explored the directions we should take moving forward.
As a YP, it was a great chance to see how these professional meetings are prepared and conducted.
Using my experiences in Mindoro as a foundation,
it was also a valuable time for me to personally organize my thoughts on our current and future projects.
Bonus story! I’m someone who loves trying out all kinds of new foods.
Our local staff was kind enough to make a homemade batch of "Biko"—a classic Filipino snack—just for our visit!
I also got to try a trendy Ube-flavored shaved ice dessert prepared by the hospital director.
From the unique and tasty "Chicken with Rice" to the tart green mangoes, every bite was a highlight.
Even though it was a short stay, these dishes really gave me a true taste of the Philippines. (I still find myself craving that Biko!)
And just like that, my first business trip—which came much sooner than expected—has come to an end!
This trip was a time for me to witness "action" with my own eyes.
Having majored in International Development Cooperation, I’ve designed many projects in the classroom,
but I always had a deep longing to see how those plans on paper actually turn into reality in the field.
Seeing the field alive and breathing with my own eyes has given me a massive burst of energy!
I’ve returned with a renewed drive to support our dedicated local staff even more and a firm commitment to making the rest of my YP journey truly meaningful.
I will never forget the lives I witnessed and the concerns we shared on the ground.
For the remainder of the project, I will be a YP who takes action to ensure that their fundamental rights are fully protected.
