Meet Vaclav Rabas - September 2025
Vaclav Rabas, Abundant Water’s Program Supervisor in the Philippines, has an infectious smile. Originally from the Czech Republic, he holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies and International Relations, and his round eyeglasses and his short beard give him the air of a university academic. At first, his height can intimidate, especially in communities unaccustomed to someone above 1,90m (6’3”), but his warm smile, calm energy, and respectful manner quickly put people at ease. Vaclav is highly experienced, has spent years working closely with communities, and, most importantly, he listens. In the more remote parts of the Philippines, that’s a vital skill.
At the Banlasan Elementary School, Vaclav Rabas is smiling with a group of teachers, who he is towering over.
“The Philippines is still developing, and the economy is growing fast, but critical water infrastructure development is patchy,” says Vaclav. “Some places have reliable water supplies, many do not.”
Working on the island of Bohol, around 900 km from Manila, Vaclav and his team have already delivered 300 water filters to local schools in and around the province of Loon. These filters ensure a supply of safe, clean water to school communities—but there is still much to be done.
Abundant Water installing water filters at a school on the island of Bohol.
Bohol has a population of about 1.4 million, with approximately 33% under the age of 15. Tap water is not trusted; it contains a range of contaminants - including traces of E. coli, nitrates, arsenic, lead, and disinfection by-products like trihalomethanes. It’s enough to upset even the toughest stomachs.
“Contaminated drinking water is a major cause of illness like dysentery, diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid and cholera. The Government says over 700,000 Filipinos are affected annually by water borne diseases,” said Vaclav.
Abundant Water’s filters, which remove 99% of contaminants, appear to offer a solution. But the people of Bohol are protective of their communities and cautious around outsiders offering “magic” fixes.
“Filipinos are afraid of scams so if you approach them out of the blue or just text, they will be deeply suspicious. Usually, the best way to introduce them to Abundant Water’s project is to do it face to face” says Vaclav “So I’ve attended district meetings of local teachers and principals to get more schools onboard. It’s the best approach.”
Vaclav Rabas attending district meetings of local teachers and principals to encourage schools to install a water filter.
Vaclav continues to develop and expand his team of local vendors, but finding resellers and trainers is tough. Many Boholanos have moved to bigger cities, where wages are higher and career options broader, creating a local labour shortage.
“Salaries are quite low in Bohol and there aren’tt that many opportunities, so skilled Boholanos are abroad, in places like Cebu or Manila” says Vaclav.
“In fact, the labour shortage is so bad that recently I exchanged compliments with a waitress, and the restaurant owner was infuriated. He told me that if I date her, I have to pay him a fine of 100,000 pesos!” (AUD $2600)
“According to the restaurant owner” says Vaclav “it took 2 years to find her”
As Vaclav will tell you, the road to a better life is not always a straight one.
View of a Boholano village surrounded by rice plantations.
Abundant Water, an Australian volunteer-led organisation, is taking action, now. Our work is already making a tangible difference in Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Laos. But we need your help to go further, faster. Even the smallest contribution can mean clean water, better health, and renewed hope for families in need.
Act now - Because clean water can’t wait