2027 Philippines Humanitarian Trip Fundraiser
Insignia Pathway’s mission is to expand the U.S. post-acute care workforce. Our flagship grant program provides grants to foreign nurses to immigrate to the U.S. to work in skilled nursing facilities.
The Republic of the Philippines, with a population of over 117 million people, is the largest source of those nurses.
In February 2027, Insignia Pathway is hosting a trip to the island of Negros Occidental in the Philippines to “give back” to the country through on-the-ground volunteer humanitarian work. We will also further our mission by engaging with Philippine nursing students about careers in the U.S. post-acute care industry.
Insignia Pathway will host up to 14 volunteers on this trip who meet the following qualifications:
Work in and/or are passionate about the post-acute care industry
Raise at least $5,000 in donations for Insignia Pathway
(if more than 14 volunteers apply, the volunteers who raise the most funds will be selected for the trip)Willing and able to travel to the island of Negros Occidental, Philippines from February 21 until February 28, 2027, where you will spend five days educating nursing students, performing duties in a volunteer medical clinic, visiting an orphanage, providing distributions of food and supplies to families in need, and enjoying several cultural/sightseeing activities.
Further Details
If selected, each volunteer is responsible for their own round-trip airfare to Bacolod-Silay Airport, Negros Occidental, Philippines and must arrive no later than Tuesday morning, February 23, 2027, and should book a return flight for Sunday, February 28, 2027.
Insignia Pathway will pay all volunteer expenses on the ground, including airport pick-up and drop-off, daily transportation, lodging, meals, bottled water, cultural/sightseeing activities. Lodging will be single occupancy.
Insignia Pathway will NOT cover airfare, U.S. airport parking/shuttles, passport fees, travel insurance (recommended), vaccinations, souvenirs, lodging upgrades or personal expenses.
Volunteers may not bring a +1 unless that person also meets the $5,000 minimum donation requirement met. You may indicate in your email of interest that you would like to be considered jointly with another person.
Interested in Signing Up?
Send an email of interest to: Contact@insigniapathway.org no later than September 30, 2026. Tell us your name, your cell number, your occupation, your employer’s name and provide your $ amount donation “bid” for the spot. While the minimum donation “bid” to qualify is $5,000 you may donate up to any amount. You are not required to actually donate and pay the money unless your donation “bid” is selected. Payment will be due by November 30, 2026.
Our 14 volunteers will be selected based on the highest donation bids. If you want to bring a family member or friend as an additional volunteer, they must also meet the $5,000 minimum donation requirement
You are not required to pay your donation “bid” at the time you send us your email of interest. Those selected will be provided with donation payment details.
Insignia Pathway will select the winners no later than October 15, 2026. Our winners will be notified and arrangements for payment of the donation(s) will follow.
The 14 winning donation payments must be received by Insignia Pathway no later than November 30, 2026.
Travel Information
Weather: Temperatures in February will range from the low 70s at night to 85-95 degrees during the day. Rainfall will be low and humidity will be moderate to high.
Physical Requirements: Must be in good health and able to tolerate long-haul (18 hour) trans-Pacific flights. Physical exertion will be minimal, but you will spend extended periods in outdoor and non-air-conditioned, humid environments while performing physical activity (see Daily Itinerary for more details on activities).
Vaccines: There are no required vaccines. However, recommended vaccinations are: COVID-19, Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap/Td), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Polio, Chickenpox (Varicella), Shingles (for adults 50 and older). Hepatitis A is recommended for all travelers since Hepatitis A is contracted through contaminated food and water. We also recommend using mosquito repellant.
Passport/Visa: A U.S. Passport that is valid for at least six months after February 28, 2027, is required for international travel. U.S. Citizens are not required to obtain a visa to visit the Philippines as a tourist for up to 30 days.
Air Travel: You will arrange to fly to Manila, Philippines (Airport Code: MNL) and take a connecting flight to Bacolod-Silay Airport (Airport Code: BCD) in Silay City which is 15 kilometers from Bacolod City, where our hotel is located. We are happy to review your proposed airline itinerary before you purchase your flight. We also have a travel agent that you may utilize at no additional cost who is familiar with our itinerary and can arrange your flights to align with our schedule.
Travel Agent: Josette Serrano with JJB Travel
Cell: (714) 928-5526
Website: jjbtravel.comTravel Insurance: You should purchase travel insurance in the event that you must cancel your trip or experience a medical emergency while overseas.
Airport Pick-Up/Drop-Off in Philippines: Insignia Pathway will arrange for airport pick-up and drop-off to/from our hotel, Citadines Bacolod City. You must arrive no later than Tuesday morning, February 23, 2027. Lodging is single occupancy; however, if you are willing to share a double occupancy room with another volunteer who is a family member/friend it will allow your donation dollars to go further.
Meals: Insignia Pathway will provide you with three meals/day. There are dining options and markets in and near the hotel for additional meals at your expense. You may also want to bring some of your favorite snacks.
Daily Itinerary
(This agenda is subject to adjustments as schedule is finalized. Selected volunteers will receive an updated agenda in advance of departure.)
Day 1 (Sunday - 2/21/27)
Depart LAX (or other U.S. West Coast International Airport) – overnight flight to Philippines. The Philippines is +15 hours ahead of Pacific Time.
Day 2 (Monday - 2/22/27)
Air travel.
Day 3 (Tuesday - 2/23/27)
Arrive Bacolod-Silay Airport. Airport transfer and check-in at hotel, Citadines Bacolod City.
Afternoon: Attend welcome dinner and orientation to week’s events
Day 4 (Wednesday - 2/24/27)
Morning: Volunteer at adult medical clinic performing administrative duties or clinical assistant tasks such as medication distribution, minor wound or medical first aid-level care.
Afternoon: Meet with nurses sponsored to work in the U.S. to share your post-acute care workforce experiences.
Day 5 (Thursday - 2/25/27)
Morning: Visit University of St. LaSalle and educate nursing students about the post-acute care workforce. Attend a meet-and-greet session afterwards and interface with nursing students.
Afternoon: Volunteer at food and school supply distribution event.
Day 6 (Friday - 2/26/27)
Morning: Free time
Afternoon: Visit Kalipay Home (home for disadvantaged children) followed by cultural activities.
Evening: Dinner at May’s Organic Garden
Day 7 (Saturday - 2/27/27)
Morning: Volunteer at pediatric medical clinic.
Evening: Attend Kalipay Home Fundraising Dinner at private beach resort.
Day 8 (Sunday - 2/28/27)
Morning: Farewell Breakfast and transfers to airport.
Common Questions
If I am not selected to attend the trip, do I lose my donation money? No. When you send us your email of interest you will tell us how much you are willing to donate. That donation pledge is your “bid”. You will not pay any money at that time. You are not obligated to pay the donation pledge unless you are selected to attend the trip.
Can other people help pay my donation? Yes! You may raise funds from others to help send you on this trip. Simply keep track of the pledges (who and how much), and if you are selected for the trip, Insignia Pathway will email you a link to send to your sponsors so they may donate on your behalf. Your sponsors will receive a tax-deductible charitable contribution receipt. Alternatively, you can collect the money and donate the entire amount yourself to Insignia Pathway via the link that we send to you. In this case, a tax-deductible charitable contribution receipt will only be issued to you.
Can I extend my stay and visit other areas of the Philippines/Asia? Absolutely. Once we transfer you to the airport for your departure you are free to engage in additional travel which you will need to arrange on your own.
Can I bring a +1? Yes, as long as your +1 is also selected as a volunteer for the trip and meets the minimum donation requirement. If you are interested in attending with a +1 please make that clear in your email of interest.
What type of clothing should I bring? Due to the heat and humidity, you should bring breathable fabrics. You should plan to wear business casual clothing for your meetings with students and for some dinner events. Casual clothing is appropriate for the humanitarian work and cultural/sightseeing activities. Have a light layer item that you can use when in air-conditioned environments.
What type of food will be served? There will mostly be familiar food options (sandwiches, burgers, soups, etc.) but there also will be some meals that will be more traditional Filipino food with rice and various meat options. If you have strict dietary restrictions, please contact us to discuss further.