By: Noelle Hui
“We didn’t have a generation gap, we had a generation Grand Canyon.” — Mary Brave Bird- a quote familiar across so many cultures and histories. This quote isn’t unique to us, in our own culture, we hear older generations asking if bayanihan (the Filipino term for community aid) is indeed dead. Taking a step back, the Grand Canyon can look like an impossibly wide divide. But look closer, and you see layers of history and hard work in volunteerism, from one generation to the next. TheOneHourProject itself is a witness to all ages, all generations, in our volunteer pool.
With such pronounced layers of differences across generations, how does each generation actually show up for volunteerism? Some quietly, some loudly- but ultimately each contributing to create meaningful and sincere impacts.
The “During our time, we had to walk 8 kilometers to get to school!” generation:
Known as the all-work-no-play generation, Baby Boomers have laid the foundations and pillars of volunteerism. Except during their time, volunteerism was referred to as bayanihan. During the time when the world was slowly rebuilding and reshaping, the Baby Boomers built the groups, the NGOs, the networks. Thank you, Baby Boomers for laying the foundations we still rely on until now.
The “Anyway, I already fixed it” generation:
Gen X, the invisible sandwiched generation. No complaints, no huge announcements, just quietly working with results that speak for themselves. Born from Boomer parents, volunteerism has become second nature and so instinctive that this generation doesn’t realize how far out of their way they go to make an impact. Your generation has made even stronger what the boomers have laid for us.
The “Exhausted but haha still here and fighting” generation:
Always self-deprecating, but a generation that is in search of purpose and meaning. Exhausted? Yes! Having lived through economic crises, a pandemic, and more—but powering through to help create better systems for communities. This generation, the layer, that pushes and binds all generations to keep on going. When the cracks of negativity seep in, we are thankful for this generation’s strong binding power of keeping together older layers and newer layers to keep community empowerment strong and relevant.
The “It’s giving… purpose” generation:
The generation that grew up with social media: Facebook as children, Tiktok as adults. Their lives are constantly streamed. An important layer in keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive, and in educating people in the thousands, sometimes even in the millions, through their live streaming, shorts, and whatever new way social media comes up with. Thank you for helping keep the spirit of volunteerism alive through the help of technology, as your generation prepares a new layer of volunteerism: Gen Alpha.
Four generations, four very different layers, coming together one hour at a time. From the foundation Baby Boomers laid, to Gen X’s quiet strength, to the Millennial layer binding the cracks, to Gen Z’s fresh-eyed energy—each layer necessary, none replaceable. A recent Philippines Charity Insights Report, presented at the World Giving Report launch, confirmed what Filipinos have always known: bayanihan remains a cornerstone of our nonprofit sector. Layer by layer, hour by hour, generation after generation social impact is alive, and here to stay.
*To learn more and find more ways to volunteer, no matter what age you are, visit theonehourproject.com
