Sea and Sun is a private foundation committed to mission work and social work on the island of Camiguin. The foundation is registered in the Norwegian Security and Exchange as well as in the Philippines.
Since the beginning in 2001, Sea and Sun has strived to improve the living conditions of the poorest part of the island’s population through various livelihood programs and social projects. Hundreds of children and youth have been helped with their schooling from elementary school to college through our school aid program. We want to make an impact through active involvement in the local community and to contribute financially and with experience and leadership. Sea and Sun has an active and vibrant church with many young people.
Our vision is to be financially self-managed by operating a non-profit restaurant and renting out vacation apartments for invited guests.
We would love to welcome you here in our beautiful part of the world!
Greetings from Edith & Wenche
The School Aid Program
Sea and Sun wants all children in Camiguin to be able to go to school. We know that if children complete their schooling, there will be a better future not only for themselves, but also their families. Public schools are free in the Philippines, but many children and teenagers quit school because they cannot afford to buy school supplies and school uniforms. Lack of encouragement from their parents may also be a problem. Many of the parents have not completed their own schooling and fail to see the importance of education.
Through the Sea and Sun school aid program we contribute financially and actively encourage and motivate children and teenagers from poor families to complete their schooling. We want to give them a real opportunity to graduate.
The school aid program was initiated in 2002 and is funded by private sponsors from Norway. It has grown to become one of the largest private school projects in Camiguin. It includes students at all levels, from elementary school through high school to college and vocational school. Throughout the years we have developed a good relationship with the schools, and we are considered to be an important partner for several of the schools in our area. In December 2019 Sea and Sun was given an award by the Department of Education in Camiguin.
"Dream big, start small, start today."
That is the motto of our “Sea and Sun school aid program”
Elementary school
At the elementary schools, we support classes with school supplies and teaching materials. We have also been able to help refurbish some of the school buildings and to donate money to individual school projects. In 2019/20 the Sea and Sun school aid program supports 14 elementary schools with a total of 1,493 students.
High school
Junior and Senior high schoolIn Junior and Senior high school, the school expenses increase, and it is difficult for children from poor families to afford the expenses. Students in our high school program receive individual financial support for school uniforms, books, school supplies, transport and various school projects. 44 students were part of our high school program in 2019/2020.
College
Camiguin has two public colleges and one vocational school. Students admitted to our college school aid program are supported with tuition fee and money for transport, uniforms, shoes, school supplies and various projects throughout the year. 14 students were part of our college school program in 2019/20. Over the years, as many as 55 of our students have completed a bachelor's degree or obtained a certificate from vocational school. These are all students who would not be able to complete their education without the financial support from the school aid program. With their degrees, their chances of landing a good job are much more likely.
Social responsibility
Visit Camiguin
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Visit us
If you visit Sea and Sun, you will experience Filipino hospitality, enjoy Filipino food, meet people in the local community, visit local attractions and experience the beauties of the island. And as our guest, you enable us to fulfill our vision. We want to bless the local community and actively work to improve the living conditions in the local community. Any profits from our guest activities will be used to finance projects in local communities.
When you visit Sea and Sun, you will be surrounded by beautiful nature and a beautifully landscaped garden. You may enjoy the silence and the sea view with beautiful sunsets. In our restaurant we will serve you healthy and tasty meals prepared from fresh, local produce.
Not only will you experience everything this beautiful island has to offer, you will also have a unique opportunity to experience everyday local life, as well as getting a firsthand experience of Sea and Sun's work on the island.
We want to give our guests the experience of a lifetime – and a meaningful holiday.
Would you like to visit us? For enquiries about prices and availability, please contact w.thorkildsen@gmail.com
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Rental apartments
Sea and Sun has five rental apartments. The apartments have two air-conditioned bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. The standard is good, and all apartments have balconies with sea views. Daily cleaning of apartments and laundry services are provided.
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Facilities
Restaurant:
Our restaurant serves healthy and tasty meals prepared from fresh, local produce. We offer full board at a reasonable price. Whenever we can, we serve local, organically grown and healthy food, thus supporting local farmers, fishermen and businesses. The food is prepared in our own kitchen and is always fresh and of good quality. Smoothies of fresh fruit are served all day, and in the evening, you may order homemade cakes from our own kitchen in our café.Spa:
We offer massages, manicures and pedicures in our Spa room. You may book your treatments when you arrive. Treatments will be scheduled to fit other activities during your stay. -
Travel
Flights to Camiguin:
Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines both have daily flights between Cebu and Camiguin. You can book tickets at: www.cebupacificair.com or www.philippineairlines.com.Skyjet Airlines has flights between Manila and Camiguin:www.flyskyjetair.com.
Practical information:
Visa:
Visitors to the Philippines will receive a month's visa on arrival. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can renew your visa in most large cities in the Philippines. Alternatively, you may apply for a visa at the Philippine embassy before you travel to the Philippines.Money:
The currency in the Philippines is Philippine Peso (PHP). There are ATMs all over the Philippines, including airports and also locally in Camiguin. In the cities you may use credit cards for payment, but in Camiguin cash is the primary method of payment.Vaccines:
When you travel to the Philippines, some vaccines are needed. Check with your local vaccination clinic which vaccines you should take.Hotels in Manila/Cebu:
Most visitors need accommodation before arriving in Camiguin. Both Manila and Cebu have many hotels to choose from, depending on your budget. Please let us know if you would like us to recommend a hotel suited to your needs.
Attractions in Camiguin
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Sea
White Island - a white sandbank approximately 7 minutes by boat from Camiguin. This is a lovely place to unwind. You may sunbathe, swim and snorkel in the clear, azure blue sea. To watch the sunrise, with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in your hand, is an experience you do not easily forget!
Mantigue Island - a small island approximately 20 minutes by boat from Camiguin. This is the perfect place to swim and snorkel. You will see beautiful corals and a great number of fish in every size and color. You may order fresh, grilled fish in the small restaurant. Time is easily forgotten in this idyllic island, whether you swim, snorkel, sunbathe or just enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Kabila Beach - a beautiful beach which houses a giant clams’ sanctuary and research facility. About 3000 giant clams are found in the sea just outside the beach. With a guide you can snorkel among the beautiful giant clams. As you snorkel, you will also see corals and fish of all colors.
Mangrove Park - an area with suspension bridges and small, open cabins built around hundreds of mangrove trees out in the sea. You may swim in the sea or maybe just enjoy the view and eat some snacks in your own private, overwater cabin, admiring the beauty of the place.
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Mountain
Stations of the Cross – a walkway to the top of The Old Volcano. The walkway will take you up the hillside close to Sea and Sun. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the top. Along the way there are 14 stops with statues illustrating the sufferings, the death/crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. During Easter, Catholics pilgrimage to Camiguin and the Stations of the Cross. They walk around the island and follow the walkway past all 14 stops.
Mount Hibok-Hibok – With a guide it is possible to walk to the top of the volcano. The walk takes about 4-6 hours. On a clear day you will be rewarded by stunning views of the whole island and several neighboring islands.
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Fresh water attractions
Soda Spring, Sto. Niño Cold Spring and Ardent Hot Spring - Camiguin is famous for its hot and cold springs with clean, fresh water. These are three of the most well-known. They all have facilities for visitors who wants to swim, have a picnic or just relax in beautiful, tropical surroundings.
Tuasan Falls and Katibawasan Falls - picturesque waterfalls in the rainforest. You may swim in the waterfalls, and if you are lucky, you may also see wild monkeys.
Sea and Sun Ministries is an NGO which is entirely dependent of financial support from private sponsors. Churches, businesses and private individuals help us realize our vision to make an impact on local communities and individual lives in Camiguin. Without our sponsors we would not be able to fulfill our mission. Our long-term commitment has provided us with valuable knowledge of local affairs and the needs of the community. We know that our efforts matter and that we make a difference. We enjoy the respect and support of the local authorities and the communities in which we work. Still much remains to be done. As we have a long-term commitment, we can extend the scope of our work and start new projects whenever we have the financial backing. If you would like to help us fulfill our vision, please do not hesitate to contact us. Some donors are committed to a monthly amount, while others donate money for special projects. Together we can make a difference in people’s lives and in local communities in Camiguin. Donors in the USA may send tax-deductible contributions through https://servantsofchristinternational.org either by check payable to SOCI (on the memo line, write SSMI) or via the website (select: Thorkildsen, Wenche – SSMI). If you have questions or would like more information about how to make your donation, please contact Wenche Thorkildsen, e-mail: w.thorkildsen@gmail.com.Donations