PUT YOUR GOOD WHERE IT WILL DO THE MOST GOOD,

Each year for the past ten or so, I have had the great joy of putting on three events and participating in several others as the year draws to an end. This year was the year of smaller yet uniquely wonderful times.

The first in the trilogy has been the fund-raising auction for the junior sailing program and our beloved Puerto Galera Yacht Club, All Souls Regatta. Through a series of challenges and changing racing priorities, this year’s event was smaller than years before but no less full of exuberant sailors.  I started the auction with the usual list of fantastic donated items, hotel stays, haul outs, and golfing, all brought decent bids. The next item was a new one, a simple bag of coins was donated. I played it up as a mystery, possibly discovered in a one of the Galion shipwrecks found in Puerto Galera. I did let It leak that there might be 10k pesos hidden in the bag. The bidding got intense and it brought things to a frenzy.

As years past the big money maker has been a simply worthless 8-year-old case of rock gut beer.  Year after year the real sailing affectionate have bid big numbers for the honor of writing their name on the tattered, duct taped box. This year the bidding rose to a battle between two great yachtsmen, who agreed to combine their bid, bringing a nice 60,000 pp win for the kids. All and all I raised 100k pp, not bad for a smaller crowd.

Next on my calendar is my favorite. 9 years ago, I started the Subic Bay Motorcycle Toy run. Each year it brought a diversity of Bikers together to take toys to an orphanage for Christmas. The event has pretty much run on its own up to this year. We had tragic news that the wonderful orphanage we had gone to had been closed by the government. Many of the participants have watched those kids grow up over the years, it was a real blow.  I waited to the last minute hoping the powers that be would allow it to reopen but it seems they were caught in a typical Filipino bureaucracy vortex.

Rather than cancel, I found a new venue, another deserving orphanage. I went for a visit and found dedicated and enthusiastic staff. This place was clearly less funded than our usual and possibly more in need of a Christmas miracle.

As I had not done my usual promotions till I found a new home for our run, the turnout was smaller but no less giving. The kids were screaming with joy as the ten plus roaring motorcycles came bursting up their hill and staged into the parking area. These kids had never seen anything like this and they were jubilant. Looking up at those beaming smiles and cheers just made all the angst and worry go away. We distributed a huge table of toys and goods, fed them all pizza’s and roared off again. A special thanks to the Red and White clubs, all associates of the Hells Angels. They have always supported this run.  I gave my yearly thanks to them pointing out the concept of the motorcycle toy run was started by the Angels way back in the 1960s.

Following other traditions, we took our yearly 4×4 truck up into a small village of indigenous families. Our Hash House Harrier friends organize a great food and clothing give away to these folks that time has forgotten. We pass out meals, rice, clothing to the joy of dozens of nappy haired, big round eyed and beaming smiles.  After passing out the food a couple of the elders take us on a nice hike into the jungle.

The other Hash tradition, the Candy Walk, takes place in the outskirts of Barretto. Santa mounted on a pick up truck is followed by dozens of Hashers, passing out mountains of candy. Hordes of screaming kids follow us about, each getting some nice treats. Again, small deeds bring heart stopping joy and good.

I reflected on the joy I get from simply doing good while enjoying my passions, boating and motorcycles. i have said many times, in the Philippines one can do so much good with so little effort or cost, it is an easy place to be a good person.  The great philosopher and hippy icon, Ken Kesey, once said, “put your good where it will do the most good”. Words to live by.

The good deeds done, time for pure big kid fun. I have always been obsessed with Christmas lights. I have OCLD (obsessive Christmas light disorder) haha. Each year I turn Furthur into a floating spectacle of lights and decorations. Few things give me as much juice!

Another tradition I have brought from home is the Lighted Boat Parade. This was the 8^th year for this event in coordination with the Subic Bay Yacht Club and Labanca charters. As with everything else this year it was smaller, many of the usual boats did not attend for various reasons. Ah but the show went on and we enjoyed a special evening parade with friends.

The last event of the year was a new one but one I think will become a tradition. We had a “dock party” out in the bay to see the year end.  We dropped Furthur’s massive anchor and welcomed four other boats from our dock to raft up. Another raft up of two boats from our marina came out as well. The spot was perfect just off the public beach where the party raged and right under the fireworks.  All evening folks popped back and forth, boat to boat. Donna and Priam had a blast, visiting all the boats. The food trays were spread out on each boat and the liquor flowed. As the evening went on others came out by dinghy to join the fun. There were about 30 boats anchored in the area, many were charter boats, ranging from 35-92 feet long.

As midnight hit, a brilliant twelve-minute fireworks display lit up the sky, all right around us! We all cheered and hugged and welcomed 2026.

After the fireworks most of the boats headed back to the marina, and things got quiet. We cleared some of the party wreckage and headed to sleep. We awoke with our raft ups still with us, enjoyed coffee and breakfast, some a bit more bright eyed than others. Priam had a hot date for church so he scooted home in the dinghy. After a nice morning with or friends the boats peeled off the raft one by one and we finally pulled anchor and headed home.

So 2025 goes down in the books, a year that brought us abundant blessing, I am so grateful for I am truly blessed! We are exuberant about the adventures to come in 2026!