Prepared & Composed by: Yeo, Dongha (Kevin)
Photo/Video Credits: MXIS CAS Team 2023
About the MXIS CAS/A&S Trip
The Manila Xiamen International School annually organizes a CAS/A&S Trip for students in grades 9 to 12. The main purpose of this trip is to fulfill the IBDP Group 4 Project, Geography Field Work, and IBMYP Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU). However, the trip also provides an opportunity for students to build up friendships and improve their communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. During the CAS/A&S Trip, students engage in various activities such as conducting scientific experiments, collecting geographical data, and participating in interdisciplinary projects. These experiences not only enhance their academic knowledge but also foster personal growth and development. Additionally, the trip allows students to explore new cultures and environments, broadening their horizons and promoting global awareness.
Where?
Subic Bay, Philippines (Camayan Beach)
When?
September 28 to October 8, 2023
September 28, 2023
Departure to the Philippines
MYP and DP students of the Manila Xiamen International School gathered at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport T3 to depart to the Philippines. The students and teachers head to Subic Bay.
September 29-30 and October 1, 2023
Group Activities at Subic Bay
Students were divided into 4 groups and went on with activities like turtle nesting, coral reef checking, and swimming with dolphins. These activities aimed to provide students with hands-on experiences in marine conservation and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these ecosystems. Each group had the opportunity to learn from experts in each field and contribute to the Group 4 Project by performing water quality testing and forest quadrant. Furthermore, entertainments such as snorkeling and kayaking were done.
October 2, 2023
Friendly Game with NIS
Building up friendship! The MXIS Team travelled to Noblesse International School in the morning and had their volleyball and basketball games. The MXIS Varsity Team took victory on all three games. Besides the game, students from the two international school had the opportunity to interact with each other, wishing for future collaboration.
Decawake Clark Wakeboarding
In the afternoon, students travelled to Decawake Clark for wakeboarding. It was challenging for most students being their first time trying wakeboard. However, students had fun balancing on the board and enjoying the speedy ride.
October 4, 2023
Las Casas Tour
Learning the culture and history of the Philippines! Students travelled to Las Casas, examined the cultural heritages of the old civilizations in Philippines.
October 5, 2023
Aeta Community Service
The MXIS Team visited the Aeta Community at Manpueng. With the funds raised from the food sale last week at Xiamen (September 26-27), students purchased necessities such as slippers, clothes, and notebooks to the children. The school also prepared special meals for the villagers there. Furthermore, each group prepared special games and lessons to interact with the Aeta children.
October 6, 2023
Wild Life in Need & El Kabayo
The IBDP Students visited Wild Life in Need Rescue Center and learned about the wild animals in the Philippines. They were informed on how to take care of wild animals, also assisted the center on cleaning the shelter and serving meals of the rescued animals. On the other hand, the MYP Students went to El Kabayo and experienced traditional cultures of the Philippines such as riding horse, bow shooting, and other traditional games.
October 7, 2023
Cabalan Orphanage and Missionary Foundation
The Manila Xiamen International School has successfully donated goods and funds to the orphanage in Cabalan and Missionary Foundation to support the children and elderly that requires support. Students hope interactions with these organizations could continue in future trips to the Philippines.
October 8, 2023
Back to Xiamen
MYP and DP students of the Manila Xiamen International School safely returned to Xiamen.
Donation Preparation
All Donations and Funds were used to support the Aeta Children, Cabalan Orphanage, and Missionary Foundation
Reflection on the Trip
Gabby Chua G10
This is the first Subic CAS trip I have joined, and also the first time in three years I am back with my classmates face to face. This trip made me realize my strengths and weaknesses, like my inability to swim which affected my contribution to some of the activities in the trip such as the coral reef check or wakeboarding. The group-engaging activities in this trip also changed my perception on how I viewed my classmates and other students since the last time I met them was in 2020. I hope in the next CAS trip, I improve myself in all sectors that I am weak at, and I am going to be a different person then.
Rex Yu G10
This is the greatest experience of my life! There were so many activities during the trip, our skins got darker, we experienced Filipino traditions, and even got to try the mysterious egg hatchling dish. We’ve seen so much compared to our city life, too many depressing events that have happened to the people in need. We cannot physically feel empathy for them, so the least we can do is to use our resources for them to live a better life. Overall, this is the best experience of my life.
Darren Dong G12
This trip is an unforgettable journey for me. It has helped me to expand my knowledge across countries, to make friendships through cooperation, providing insights into nature, thereby enhancing my understanding of the world. We experienced different water recreation facilities, such as snorkeling, wakeboarding, boating, swimming and more. That was very fun and interesting. At the same time we also had a lot of donations activities, we went to Orphanages, nursing homes, local indigenous peoples. Made me really understand the sad side of the world .
Silvia Chung G11
This year’s 11-day CAS trip was very memorable. We do different meaningful and stressful activities each day, including activities related to studies, events related to helping others or services, and so on. I’ve gained a lot of skills throughout this journey, one example is communication skills. In each activity we have to cooperate with our teammates to achieve success. I remember when we were doing the wave speed experiment, where one needed to record the data, another needed to take note of the time and others had to measure the distance that the object needed to travel.
Evita Lai G10
I used to think that the world of disabled people was fully dark, they were no longer independent which always needed help from others. But when I see them, they can sing, can dance, even with skill s much beyond the average. They immerse themselves in the world of music, their smiles are as pure as children even though it is completely dark in front of their eyes. eleven days On this 11-days CAS trip, one of the most memorable words that has been engrave in my mind is: Those people, they may need a extra help, but they are definitely undesired for pity from us.
Joy Lee G12
Reflecting on my Philippine field trip, I can’t help but appreciate the wealth of experiences it brought across various domains. It truly was a remarkable opportunity to connect with people from different corners of the world. Despite some health-related limitations that prevented me from participating in certain activities, I found immense joy and lasting memories in the physical pursuits like swimming and wakeboarding. However, the most profound and cherished moments of the trip were the visits to the orphanage and the remote mountain elementary school. Witnessing the genuine happiness on the faces of those we helped through our donations and classes left an indelible mark on my heart. It was a journey filled with meaning, and these memories will continue to inspire me for years to come.
Alex Wong G12
Recently, the school organized a CAS trip to Subic, Philippines, from September 28 to October 8, 2023. This trip was an educational and eye-opening experience for us. During this trip, we had the opportunity to learn about the traditional ways of life of the Aeta natives, volunteer for wildlife conservation, participate in dolphin rescue and rehabilitation, and engage in community outreach. These activities helped us to gain a deeper appreciation for the environment we live in. My fellow peers and I realized the stark differences between urban and rural living conditions for those we often take for granted. This experience also left a lasting impact on us, igniting an attachment to marine and nature conservation and inspiring us to continue our efforts to protect the environment.
Jane Yeo G10
The 2023 CAS and A&S Trip to the Philippines has become an unforgettable memory. We were in the Philippines to give and serve, but I learned and gained more. By teaching the children in an elementary school and bringing donations to the orphanage and the house of the elderly, I once again could appreciate the environment wherein I live and study. Other activities prepared by our school and Ocean Adventure, such as snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, horseback riding, and visiting a wildlife rescue center, also provided me with new experiences and valuable learning opportunities.
MXIS Social Media Crew 