House your summer?

MANILA, Philippines - Beach trips, swimming parties, and out-of-town sprees are typical summer essentials. But there’s bound to be a lull in your vacation, leaving you with absolutely nothing to do. Well, make this season of sun even better by bonding with your barkada while building houses for the needy.

Make your summer vacation worthwhile and help build houses for Bicolanos and Ilocanos who lost their homes after typhoons, floods, and mudslides ravaged their provinces. They, too, are getting more than their fair share of sun and heat — in stifling, overcrowded evacuation camps where they are seeking shelter while awaiting new homes.

This April and May, Habitat for Humanity Philippines embarks on a Summer Build, an activity that will help raise funds for Bicol and Iloilo, and help cut costs on house-building. Get your barkada to join the blitz build and challenge each other on who can make the best concrete interlocking blocks, tie, and fabricate the most rebars, and lay the neatest bricks. Not only do you get to spend time with your BFFs, you also get to meet new friends who care about change the way you do.

Habitat Youth Ambassador Alex Eduque gives enough reasons why you should get on the house-building wagon:

•Be a volunteer. Volunteerism is fun because you see the immediate results of your efforts. “I’ve found my passion in service, and it’s what fuels me despite the grueling heat and laborious construction tasks,” Alex shares.

•Don’t be afraid to try new things. Volunteering is not for everyone — people have different passions and different outlets to relieve stress. “I’ve found my personal outlet to be volunteerism. However, I do encourage everyone to try volunteering at least once because it really is an experience that opens your eyes to reality. It made me realize how everyone in this world should be granted equal chances and opportunities to live a comfortable life, and thus, as the ones who come from a more privileged background, it is our duty as global citizens to make sure we contribute our share in giving them the chance to achieve this,” explains Alex.

•Have fun while helping others. Volunteerism can be as exciting as any other summer activity because the most effective kind of volunteerism is when there is teamwork. It can be an alternative venue to get a tan, and to bond with friends and family. The best part is, not only are you able to burn calories and bond with friends in the process, you are also able to help others live a better life. You are given a chance to meet people and families you would not ordinarily meet and interact with, and that’s what makes the whole process worthwhile.

Choose from Habitat’s build sites in Iloilo, Bicol, or nearby Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City. Proceeds from this activity will go to the Iloilo and Bicol building projects.

For more information, visit www.habitat.org.ph. To volunteer, call 897-3069 and look for Sharon Bidangan. To donate, look for Ann Nagtalon.