Day 2 : Build Time

We Are Near the Heart Shaped Island


All Ready for Work for the Lord


Time to Work


It's like Glass :)


Second day.

We already slept in the GK Village and fairly knew how it felt so eeriely quiet until someone every now and then would disrupt it with a loud snore that easily can be heard across the village. One youth described it as strong enough to blow the entire GK house from the ground.

"Exag" - any teener would say for something that is more than reality. To the uninitiated, it is short for exaggeration, needless to explain.

The house was surely still intact when we woke up. I really don't know. We didn't check. What is for sure is that the snorer - was me.

Despite that ruckus, we were pumped up and ready. We did an early morning walk, which we considered to be our Morning prayers and meditation, absorbing as much fresh air before we buckled down to work.

It may not have been enough to finish one house, yet our efforts which lasted til the rains set in was enough to see the basic foundations of a GK home. We knew we did our best and whoever will live there will surely be happy that all of us ensured that it will be strong and sturdy.

We will know. I'll try to snore inside it to do a stress test next year. :)

Day 1 : Our Arrival

Start of Day : Sunrise of Marinduque


We caught a stray Moriones


If smiles are worth a dollar each, Marinduque will be a rich province


To the Island and Back
Marinduque, Philippines

"How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of good will"

There are places that feel so familiar from the moment you step into its bosom and be welcomed by its open arms, you know you're safe and that you will have a grand time!

I had the same feeling coming to Marinduque.

Although this time this was not because of places like Paris' towering love edifices or Switzerland's white capped mountains, both places you fall in love deeper every time you visit, but the smiles of the people of Marinduque. Disarmingly different compared to other places in the Philippines, the smiles are so genuine, the conversations that accompany it and the gestures of the villagers-make you feel warm all over.

So when we started the GK Youth Build program last Monday, after waking up at 5 in the morning and travelling from Ortigas to Dalahican in Lucena , Quezon for 2.5 hrs, and to Balanacan, Marinduque for another 2 hrs, all the rigors of the road trip and the unfamiliar movement of the ferry, were all swept away as soon as we saw the giant statue of Mama Mary at the mouth of the port of the heart shaped island.

So today kicks off the first day of the rest of our lives. We are all excited at the prospects of what is in store. Excited, anxious, and just happy to just be there. We are just letting go, loosely opening our stance, and just ready to be cradled in the arms of Marinduque.

Watch a slideshow of the events from our stay in the condo to our arrival in Marinduque. Click Here

Youth Power

The youth paraded with the GK Youth Build streamer and called it their own. This is the dream of GK Youth Build, that every possible youth to think beyond himself and think of his environment, his future, his freedom - and call it his own.

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Elvie took these pictures with the thought that one day, the youth will hold the fort for GK Youth Build. For its 2nd year, there is hope. The youth have embraced GK Youth Build. The future looks bright with them.

Shown on the top is Elvie representing GK and GK Youth Build in the Independence Day celebration and announcement of "Spot the Hero" program.

Summer Newsletter Released

We have released the latest newsletter with complete schedule of the GK Global Youth Build and the Nomination Forms for the GKYB Spot A Hero campaign.

We hope you find time to read through the newsletter and to also give us feedback.


To get your copy - click here

GK Youth Build Schedule Released

Slated on July 10-19, 2008 in 4 major provinces all over the Philippines


Schedule is shown on the right. Click to view larger image.





GK National Head Laksmi Flores has released the final schedule of the GK Youth Build for Summer 2008.

Scheduled for 10 fun-filled and life enriching days and nights, the youth contingents from various GK countries like the US, Australia, Canada, and other countries within Asia, Europe and Middle East will converge in Metro Manila and travel to Tarlac and Pampanga to kick off the summer event with a day with our Aeta friends.

The real BUILD event will be held in beautiful city of smiles - Bacolod and capped with a visit to Dumaguete.

The whole Youth contingent will be back in Metro Manila for a lively interaction with GK School organization partners with a power dinner with GK Corporate Partners.

The Canada contingent will continue on with a visit back to their adopted province - Marinduque for a 4-night, 5-day immersion program scheduled for July 21-25, 2008.

Spot A Hero Launched!

It was a good gathering yesterday at Parliament Library between PATAC (Philippine Advocacy Through Arts & Culture) Migrante and GKYB.
It was inspiring to see how the Holy Spirit moves people to serve their fellowmen through their God-given gifts and passions.

We were made aware of social issues affecting the Filipino community through music. Likewise, we were able to share about GKYB and promote the Paraiso movie/Spot-a-hero to a new group of potential advocates. We missed Lori, Peachy and Junnie though...

I think there were some interesting connections made from yesterday's launch. Thanks to Maripi for arranging that opportunity.

Hope to see everyone in our upcoming GKYB activities this spring/summer:
-GK Booth @ Carrasauga Festival - May 23-25
-Paraiso movie showing @ Lourdes Church - June 27
-Community Service within Toronto - June or July?
-GK Walk - Sept 6

See you soon!

To view images from the event, click here

Follow Your Passion

For 2 separate occasions now, the first last April 28, 2008 at Jean Vanier in Scarborough and yesterday, May 9 at University of Toronto, GK Youth Build has been having small sessions with 12-20 secondary students to build on its promise to have more youth hear about an opportunity for them to become modern day leaders.

Yesterday's session was attended by 12 students from 6 various secondary schools as part of the Asian Heritage Month month-long activities. The discussion cum forum was moderated by GKYB Core founders Maripi Leynes and Junnie Arreza and was well received with active discussions and a lot of interesting points coming from the youth.

The results were very encouraging. One of the youth participants intimated we will be invited to their church to speak to their youth group. Another one came up to us and volunteered to have their groups of friends join in the next events that GK Youth Build will conduct.

Indeed, these are welcome and we are excited about the prospects.

If you have schools who want to hear the good news, as well as other stories about Therese's "Bags of Beads" campaign, etc. please email us at gkyouthbuild@gmail.com