I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, but, as you are aware, there is a huge crisis in the Philippines now. I get a lot of questions about how I got started in conservation and development, but it's mostly by jumping in on aid projects and being in the right time and right place. There is a huge
volunteer opportunity right now for people willing to explore developmental aid, and practicing
permaculture within that field. There are a large number of NGOs, very organized, you can volunteer with, in the region. For a small insight about how challenging life can be for forest farmers on the edge, faced with an unmoderated climate, you can read my account - from work based on time in the Peace Corps - and more recently - here:
http://forestvoices.org/farmblog/2013/11/11/reflecting-on-the-philippines
Forest Voices, Director
Farmer, Storyteller, Writer, Film-maker, Permaculture Designer and Sustainable Agricultural Consultant
http://forestvoices.org/farmblog/