I can’t think of a catchy title but the title says it all. After a lot of introspection the past months, I decided to make my travels count. I want to journey with a purpose. Not that I don’t have a purpose before, I actually do, but it was not something that is intentional. I mean something that is more altruistic. Let me share with you what my good friend said,
travel.
not just to be famous. or to have a good time. or to be seen as cool. not even so you could earn a living.travel to widen your understanding of God, of the world, of your country, of your fellow man, of yourself.
and hopefully, when you return, you can make a contribution in the light of eternity. you would have made a difference.
make your travelling count. -Doc Jacinth Mijares
Thankfully, the past two weeks I traveled with a heart- intentionally helping others. I will share with you what we did in Gubat, Sorsogon. This is the new project I am excited and busy with. It’s different from ISANGDAAN Journey because this is not done solo, I am partnering with friends and some establishments to make this happen. Not only that, I’m actually proposing a PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU.
Please do watch the 6-minute video and hopefully you can join us in making a difference.
As I always say, “INSPIRE THE YOUTH.”
Here are some ways you can partner with us:
1. If you are a fellow blogger, feel free to reblog the project. All details are in the video and poster below.
2. Share the project to your friends, do share this blog post, the video and the poster. You can also change your Facebook cover photo with this:
and place this on the photo description:
Read about the Book Sharing Project:
http://journeyingjames.com/2012/07/travel-with-a-purpose-book-sharing-project-gubat-sorsogon/
3. Give some books. Tell your parents/teachers/friends to gather some books to be given to the kids in Gubat, Sorsogon.
4. Donate some cash. We need this as we transport the books, for packing and logistics.
- a. For donations via PAYPAL, do send to one of the organizers- PinayTravelJunkie gaye.emami@yahoo.com.
- b. For bank deposits, you can use my BPI FAMILY SAVINGS ACCOUNT:
Account Name: Christel James Betia
Account Number: 5806-2935-73
Please inform us if you chose to donate some cash so we can acknowledge you and for proper accounting. No worries, we will do some reporting online for transparency. 
4. Volunteer! After the book drive we are going to sort out the books we collected and maybe you can join us for a day to sort and pack the books. Date of sorting: August 12 at #141 Pinaglabanan Street, San Juan, Metro Manila. You can also bring your book donations here.
5. Tag along. You can go with us come September 14-16 (Fri-Sun) when we deliver the books to Rizal Elementary School, Gubat, Sorsogon. The kids would love to see the people behind this big project.
- How much? Please prepare Php3,500 for transportation, accommodation, food and activities we prepared like surfing, yoga and a whole lot more! We require Php1,500 reservation fee (non-refundable but transferable), the other Php2,000 will be paid before we leave Cubao.
- Only 20 slots available. Hurry as slots are being filled quickly.
- Travel Date: Sept 13 (Thurdays), 6:00pm at Cubao Bus Terminal), we will be back in Manila 4:00am of Sept.17 (Monday).
- We would also appreciate if you would bring with you some books for the kids. Remember this is not only travel, it is TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE.
Meet also some of the personalities behind your fave travel blogs.
If you want to join us during the Book Sharing Project Turn-Over, please email me at journeyingjames@gmail.com. I will e-mail the itinerary and things you should bring.
Here’s the official poster which you can share to your Facebook friends:
Thanks in advance for joining us in this project.
We are now open for your book donations, please drop by at:
A Runner’s Circle (ARC)
Website: arunnerscircle.com.ph
Location: Unit H, Aloha Hotel, 2150 Roxas Boulevard Cor. Quirino Ave., Malate, Manila, 1004 Philippines Store Hours: Monday – Closed; Tuesday to Friday – 12NN to 7PM; Saturday & Sunday – 9AM to 6PM
G/F, R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street
Address : R.O.X. MANILA B1 Bonifacio High St., The Fort, Taguig City.Tel. No. +63 (2) 856.4639
FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/roxphilippines
Store Hours : Friday-Saturday – 12:00PM-11:00PMSunday-Thursday – 12:00PM-10:00PM
If you have any question regarding the project, please don’t hesitate to ask, here’s my email: journeyingjames(AT)gmail(DOT)com or you can DM me on twitter- @journeyingjames
Note: This is our second year of helping a community. The first time we did this was during the ShoeSharing Project in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental wherein we gave more than 50 pairs of shoes to the young athletes. You can read the ShoeSharing Project full report and Bayawan City’s Official Statement.
I’m so glad I am part of this project! Feels awesome to help kababayans
Lezdodis!
thank you PTJ! feels good to know that one of my blogger inspirations is with the team on this.
Thanks James for letting me on board this project of yours. Feels good to once in a while travel with a purpose
i know you have a good heart marky! thanks for promoting it too!
im soo deeply touched & teary eyed on this blog James..thank u so much.. I was just your avid blog reader before and now, I stll cant believe you’re soo into & so involved in this library project..i cant thank you enough talga..the students and future generations of our alma mater rizal elem school in gubat sorsogon will be forever grateful to you and the team:
Bloggers
James Betia – http://journeyingjames.com
Ed Escueta – http://pinoyoutdoors.net
Laiza Limpin – http://azialbatanggala.com
Christine Fernandez – http://jovialwanderer.com
Josiah Sicad – http://lakas.com.ph
Gay Mitra – http://pinaytraveljunkie.com
Gael Hilotin – http://thepinaysolobackpacker.com
Estan Cabigas – http://langyaw.com
Lois Yasay – http://wearesolesisters.com
Paula Peralejo – http://ourrestlessfeet.com/
Marky Ramone Go – http://nomadicexperiences.com
Organizations
JCI Los Banos
Team USB
Snail Runners Alabang
Friends
Doc Minnie Tomas
Arvin Quilloy
Jojo Pauly
God bless all of you!! you have such a great heart! lezdodiz! wohooo
you ROCK emm! thanks for the “kulit”
nice project Sir James. I want to be part of this wonderful project.
May malapit po ba n drop off point near Elbi??
I want to donate some of our book that we’re no longer use.
hi martin! i can get the books because i live in elbi. just let me know when and where
wow that’s Great..
are you available every weekends?! B’coz I have work in weekdays.
how will I be able to able to contact you Sir James?
I’m so excited for this project. GOD bless.
This is inspiring! Will wait for your Book Sharing Project in the Visayas or in Leyte. If I am available this September, i wish to join you in Gubat, Sorsogon. I’ll be bringing some books too.
sure thing bro, come over at gubat. lapit lang yan sa ormoc, hehehe
I already asked friends for supports. sana makatulong kami by september
Naiiyak ako sa video! >.<
this is good news shugah! thank you, please share the video
So glad to be part of this inspiring project. Thanks for initiating James! Kudos to ed escuata for making these awesome posters and images!
im glad that you said YES when i invited you to be part of the team. this is just the beginning
Will respost this blog james! Good Job! I will help to spread the word!
thanks maya! it will help a lot of kids
sharing this on my wall
wud love to tag along..:)
il watch out for the dates:)
thanks arisse! tara, tag along!
count me in!
Hello James,
This is a very good project. Your generosity and that of your friends are truly inspiring. Can a donation be done thru paypal?
yes julai, do contact pinaytraveljunkie@gmail.com thanks in advance!
I’ll mark the dates in my calendar. I’ll join you guys in Sorsogon.
nice to hear that izah! see you.
How do I sign up to join you guys in Sorsogon?
Hi, I would love to join in this project, please count me in.
I’ve already sent you an email expressing my intention to join. I provided my contact numbers there. Please count me in as well.
wlang update for this?
I want to help with the packing of books. I will try to get some old books with officemates and friends too.
Please send me updates re: packing of books
Thanks!
Ido have some books, but it needs to be picked up in las pinas, if your interested please do email me.thanks
hi james! i wan’t to volunteer in sorting and packing of the books this coming sunday. may i know what time it will start? who can i call? thanks!
-ludy
Hello August,I hope to spend more time in Sorsogon next February during the whale shark ssoaen and will try to get around a bit more at that time.There are a lot of hidden gems around Sorsogon.Pilar is closer to the mouth of Sorsogon Bayay and there are regular pumpboat runs from the city pier to Masbate passing between Ticao and San Miguel Islands.Tricycles and jeepneys leave to Donsol Bay from Pilar.Sorsogon Bay itself is shallow and muddy and not set up for the tourist but there are some nice sand beaches on the Pacific side of the province.cheersdp