Help get Matty’s home, and adventure wheels back

Håfa adai, my name is Matthew Pangelinan and I am raising funds to help pay for some repair work on the, “sakman Mariana,” my home, work, and vessel for exploration. I’ve been without Mariana, my mode of transport and home,  for the last 5 months.  And without it, navigating through life in the city and beyond has been an untimely challenge.    

About year ago on April fools day, I was rear ended while trying   to pull into a parking spot.     Hit by an uninsured motorist, it was left to my insurance policy to have to pony up the dough.      Worst April fools joke ever!    Despite my insurance company covering most of the damage; it left me with a higher premium, and my van was severely undervalued.   Leaving me with a few more items left to replace or repair.      To boot, storage fees were not included in the payout.   

 Now just under 5 months in the shop, I find out the cylinder heads need to be replaced, along side some crucial hoses, and the cooling system.  

Which then means I am still without MY OWN, place of solace, and sense of security.         Allow me to stress that, this is not just about a van, “down by the river;” this GoFundMe would be indeed be saving my home, and little sanctuary on four wheels.    

The sakman (canoe/vessel), called,  “Mariana,” also serves as my work and utility vehicle, and exploration pod.  Without It I do not have the freedom to move about as I need or want to. Often times it has been difficult getting to my work sites.    Having to reschedule or cancel clients; even worse rent a vehicle.  

What I find to be the worst, by not having my sakman, is not having a way of escaping, the everyday stresses of city dwelling.  And for anyone who is ever felt trapped or held down, it could be stressful and quite debilitating! Making it extremely difficult to cope, and deal with the ins and outs of life.

With all the money raised, it  will go toward the engine work or replacement of cylinder heads, other much smaller maintenance and upkeep,  ticket items, dmv fees and registration, purchase of a new cargo basket, and storage fees that my insurance did not cover. 

To have my van back, and in good shape, it would enable me to feel free and secure again.  It would  save me the inconvenience of having to ask  friends to put me up for the night; and not having to reschedule clients because i can’t get to them.

By donating you would not only be saving my life and sanity; even more; the ability to work and be self reliant once again…. A sense of security; so I can better map out my next adventure…. 

And I know some are wondering why not just get a sublet, an apartment or just go home?   I’ll say this much…. If you’ve ever seen a bird fly freely;   watching it go where it wants to, needs to, or is drawn to.  Something inside you stirs, maybe even yearns to move as that bird does.  The same goes for me and living that van life.    I move and travel as I need and/or desire to.   It is in my blood as an islander to voyage and discover new lands and have new experiences.   This, “van,” is my way of doing so.    It’s a different way of living and existing in the world.    Allowing me to evolve and change the way we’re all meant to.    Please consider helping me keep my sense of freedom and security, as I explore and create a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the world around all of us.                              Thank you very much, for your time and generosity.