[SDG Study Tour] Manila Full-day Smoky Mountains & INTRAMUROS Study Tour
By learning about and studying social issues such as poverty and environmental problems in the Philippines, participants will develop the ability to think about the challenges and solutions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Smoky Mountains, a symbol of poverty in the Philippines. The Tondo area is said to be the largest slum in Southeast Asia, and "Smoky Mountain" has been introduced many times in movies and books. The name "Smoky Mountain" came about because of the constant dumping of garbage that was not incinerated at the time, and the chemical reactions that eventually resulted from the piles of garbage that were constantly billowing up in smoke. The "scavengers" who were searching for usable items from the piles of garbage and selling them to earn a living were called "scavengers". In 1994, the Philippine government shut down the Smoky Mountain operation, but those who lost their way continue to live in the Smoky Mountains. We will experience up close how these people live happily with smiles on their faces and continue their daily lives in spite of their poverty. We will then interview them and discuss current issues. How to break the negative cycle? How to break the current situation? What can we do now? What can we think about after returning to Japan? After your participation, the organization will issue a souvenir of your participation and a certificate of volunteer participation. * This tour is organized with the cooperation of local governments and volunteer groups that provide support mainly in the Smoky Mountain and Tondo areas. *Japanese-speaking guides will be provided, but local organization staff and tour leaders will provide guidance in English. * Please let us know in advance if you have any donated items. * Children's stationery and other study supplies, as well as origami, colored paper, pens, crayons, etc. can be used for the day's communal activities. [For groups] *Currently, Smoky Mountain can accept up to 45 people. For larger groups, please contact us. Basically, the local government will assign a barangay police officer (local government police) to escort and assist you. *Please let us know in advance if there are any activities you would like to do with local children or groups. *If you are participating in a group tour, tour contents and itinerary can be arranged upon separate quotation. After visiting the Smoky Mountains, you will enjoy a Filipino buffet lunch. After lunch, we will visit the historic fortress city of Intramuros, which still retains the cobblestones from the Spanish colonial period. We will visit four World Heritage sites San Augustine Church, and Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and Rizal Park. Each of the sites is filled with stories that Filipinos have cherished since the Spanish colonial period, including Jose Rizal, the hero of Philippine independence.
Days of Week
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
Duration
3 hours
Adult/Child
USD 199.00
Highlights
Highlight #1
Visit the World Heritage Site of San Agastin Church in Manila
Highlight #2
Visit the Smoky Mountain, famous in movies and books
Highlight #3
Intramuros, winner of the 27th World Travel Awards "World's Leading Tourist Attraction 2020"
Outline
Schedule
8:00
Depart the hotel
Pick-up times vary depending on the hotel.
9:00 - 9:10
Meet up with volunteer group
9:10 - 9:30
Move to Smoky Mountain
9:30 - 10:30
Visit Smoky Mountain
We will walk up to the top of the Smoky Mountains. We will visit in small groups. - Junk stores and alleyways - People living in the Smoky Mountains (e.g. houses of scavenger people) - Vegetable gardens, livestock, etc. in the village
10:30 - 10:45
Move to the Volunteer Organization Office
10:45 - 12:00
Learning about Filipino culture and activities with children at the volunteer organization's office
Activities on the first or second floor of a volunteer organization's building * The number and age range of children who can participate depends on their schedule. Activities (examples) - Brief orientation about the program - Violin performance by children - Interaction with sponsored children and youth leaders - Simple origami making - Discussion (teaching each other about the characteristics of each country, etc.) - What are students like in the Philippines and Japan? - Taste Filipino sweets
12:00
Departing from the Volunteer Organization Office
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch (Filipino and International Buffet)
13:30
Departure from restaurant
13:40 - 14:10
Rizal Park
This park is located at the northern end of Lohas Boulevard overlooking Manila Bay. It is the place where the Philippine national hero "Jose Rizal" was executed during the Spanish rule, and the name comes from it. There is a monument protected by guards 24 hours a day, and it is a place of relaxation for Manila citizens.
14:15 - 15:00
Fort Santiago
Originally built to prevent pirates, it was built into a wall during the Spanish rule and was once occupied by the American and Japanese troops. Filipino hero José Rizal was imprisoned in the dungeon before execution. The José Rizal Memorial Museum is on site.
15:00 - 15:45
San Agustin Church, World Heritage Site
It is a church built about 400 years ago, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site. The fine details of the interior, baroque interiors, chandeliers and murals make you forget you are in Asia. Stop by the adjacent museum.
15:45 - 16:15
Casa Manila
It is a museum that imitates the upper class mansion of the Spaniards during the Spanish rule. The Spanish architecture gives it a time-slip feel to the 18th century. You can see the lifestyle at that time.
16:15
Departure from Intramuros
17:00 - 18:00
shower/change clothes
*Arrival time may vary depending on the hotel where you stay.
Plan Information
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation from hotels in Metro Manila
- Lunch (Filipino and International Buffet)
- Admission fee
- Japanese/English speaking guide
- Local volunteer group guide
- Group activity fees
- a portion will be used to support the local community and distribute meals to local children.
What to Bring
- Please wear comfortable walking clothes and sneakers or other shoes. No sandals, etc. are allowed.
- In addition to sunscreen, please bring long sleeves, long pants, a hat, and an umbrella to protect yourself from sunburn, insect bites, and dengue fever.
- Avoid bringing heavy bags for a more convenient tour.
- Please bring your own bottles of drinking water to prevent heat stroke.
- The tour leader will be with you at all times during the volunteer tour. However, please take care of your valuables by yourself. We are not responsible for any loss or damage.
- When entering the church, men should wear chinos and polo shirts with collars, and women should wear sleeved shirts and skirts that cover the knees. Please refrain from wearing sandals, shorts, jeans, T-shirts, sweat clothes, etc., which are not appropriate for holy places. Entry may not be permitted.
- In the Philippines, it is forbidden to go to public places with sleeveless or sandals.
Additional Info
- A request from the locals. Please remember to enjoy this tour. And never forget to take home with you all the wonderful experiences and emotions you had on this tour.
- It may change depending on the situation of the day such as the time and order of the tour. The itinerary will change as you visit from a tourist destination closer to your hotel.
- When Casa Manila is closed on Mondays, it will be changed to Manila Cathedral or Baluarte de San Diego.
- Rates are per person.
- The minimum number of participants is 2. If you wish to join the tour as a single person, you will need to pay the fee for two people.
- There is a possibility that you may be sharing a car with other participants on the day of the tour. If you participate in the tour as a single person and you share a car with another person, we will refund the fee for one person.
- If we are over capacity on the day of the tour, or if the luggage cannot be accommodated, we may arrange an additional vehicle (for a fee) separately. If you have large loads such as large cardboard boxes, golf bags, baby strollers, wheelchairs, diving equipment, etc., please let us know in advance at the time of booking.
- Pick-up and drop-off are limited to Bay Area, Makati and BGC areas. Additional charges may apply for pick-up and drop-off in other areas. Please contact us if you would like to be picked up in a different area.
- A separate staffing fee will be charged for pick-up and drop-off at the airport ($ 20 per flight for 8 people or less, $ 40 per flight for 9 people or more)
- It is possible to leave the group in the middle of the tour (no refunds, etc.).
Minimum Participants
- 2
Cancellation Policies
0%
14 days before to 00:00
After 00:00, 14 days before
100%
Participation Date