Last week went on field trip to Augusan de Sur one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, back on the island of Mindanao. Met with the newly elected Governor and different departments within the provincial government. The new Governor is the sister of the previous Governor and daughter of the one before him. Political dynasties seem to be very common here, where terms of office are passed on within families.
Visiting the government was a real eye opener - many of the offices would be classed as uninhabitable in the UK. There were very few if any computers. It was so strange to see rows of desks with no PC , typewriter or phone- just piles of papers. They were very hospitable and looked after us very well, even if that did mean fried fish and rice for breakfast every day. The countryside in Agusan was very beautiful but there is very little there in terms of infrastructure. They have problems with illegal logging and mining and enforcing local regulations seems fraught with problems in a country where bribes are a way of life. We stayed in San franz a town with aspirations to be a city but with only partially paved roads that seems unlikely. Met up with some of my colleagues at the only real restaurant in town which was cheap but cheerful. They have a relatively simple life and have to travel 3 hours for any sort of civilisation. The meal was good although had to dodge the clouds of black beetles that seemed to be everywhere.
Visited 3 livelihood projects making corn coffee, palm fruits and rattan furniture. The rattan furniture was the most interesting as they both harvested the Rattan from the mountain and created the furniture.
I was quite happy to get on the plane to go back to hot noisy Manila. Being in Agusan made me appreciate everything we have in manila. We just would not survive out in the provinces where there's no milk, cheese, wine, olive oil etc etc..........The novelty of the rural way of life would not last very long.
Work is going well in that I have a sense of what I hope to achieve in my 2 years and the beginnings of an implementation plan. On one hand its frustrating, as no-one else seems to be doing anything in my field, but at the same time, rather exciting. All good news for the CV long term. Lots of travel coming up over the next 3 months as I am working strategically across the Philippines and now possibly the whole region. Having to turn some invitations to travel down so I'm not away from Marc and the kids too much.
Marc just had 5 days with his college pal on Boracay so shouldn't feel too left out. They both loved it so we will all have to get back there sometime soon. Spent Saturday morning working on our bamboo master plan to export furniture to the Bahamas and UK. I have created the beginnings of our business plan and now up to Marc to do the research and really find out whether the figures add up. Watch this space!!!!
Out on the town in Manila last weekend.....sort of finding our pace now. Happy hour (or 4) in one of the posh hotels then off down to outdoor cafes with live music and then onto the ex-pat bars to play pool. No dancing this week but some good club nights coming up. Had to turn down another cheese and wine frenzy as clashed with our weekly Tagalog lessons which we started again. If I try long enough surely some of it will sink in!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Imeldific or what?
Bizarre things keep happening to us here in the Philippines - the Crucifixions in Pampanga being an excellent example of course. Last night I was given a small orange dolphin (plastic) massager by Imelda Marcos, with a picture of the good lady herself on its head! Yes- she married to former dictator deposed by the peoples revolution. (see picture)
She was guest speaker at a dinner held by the Business Leaders Forum here in the Philippines - A posh dinner do at a fancy hotel. Imelda arrived with minders and her whole photo collection in tow - the photos, all of her with country leaders, where installed in a side room where we could view her former friends in high places. She was supposed to speak for 20 minutes but we were treated to a whole hour of the world according to Imelda , the great things she and her hubby had achieved and her best friends - Mao, Castro, Qaddafi, Brezhnev,Saddam Hussein, Norriego the list was endless with many characters one wouldn't ususally be keen to associate oneself with . There were stories of giving advice to leaders with her philosophy that "everything is beautiful if u think beautiful thoughts". Her dear departed husband was misunderstood - he loved his people and country and was cruelly maligned by the press!! She then went on to answer questions for another half hour - most people's concentration was straying by this time but the ample provisions of wine and a great 4 course meal kept everyone in good spirits - despite much whispering and nudging amongst the guests no one asked her about THE SHOES! This interview published in the Philippine Business post earlier this year covered much the same ground http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04172007/perspective01.html Read it to get her very individual take on events of the last 73 years!
Her final gesture was to give each and everyone of us our own massager which she hoped would calm us and remind us of her! If this was not incredulous enough, to open the box and see her photo on the creature's head was just surreal!
Suggested caption for the picture of me and her? "What" she says "You mean people aren't grateful for the way we ran our beloved country????????
Durng dinner a stready stream of texts where coming in from the gang at Glastonbury who were in the Theatre field - The performance I was being treated to was similar to a Glasto theatre field experience!! Something you watch but not quite sure you are actually seeing. I think they should book Imelda for the Sunday night headline next year! Move over Shirley Bassey. Just imagine 1000's of orange dolphins being waved in the air...............................
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Schools
The girls have finally started school after much ado. Even though we had passports and immigration papers both schools required birth certificates which had to be sent from UK and Gianna needed 5 years of school records - what a nightmare! There was a mountain of paperwork and IDs required by both schools. I hadn't kept the school records and relied on the mums at Stillness to help me in getting duplicates - Thanks Girls!(Will treat u to a bucket of wine when I am back!) After tr eking the length and breadth of Manila and Cainta we settled on Colegio San Augustine http://www.colegiosanagustin.edu.ph/ for Gianna. Our friend Mel went there (some years ago) and mentioned they have a class in each year for non Tagalog speaking children. Its in Dasmarinas Village which is very safe and clean and has good facilities including PC suite, large playing fields, theatre and swimming pool. During our search we visited a number of international schools including Reedley ,Brent, Faith, and the British School. The latter 3 cost between 5k and 7k per year and Reedley although cheaper had no gym or play area and was just grim! CSA however is under 1K, much more affordable and easy to get to, on the train. If she went to the British School it would be half of all the money we brought with us and would involve a very long drive each day. We explained to Gianna we could have a nice house and lots of holidays if she went to CSA or we could be really poor and she could go to British School. ( no pressure there then!)
CSA is VERY catholic and VERY strict and VERY big (5000 pupils). All of which is a culture shock for Gianna. Her class however has 14 different nationalities with quite a few of kids coming from overseas - one of the Indian girls was even in UK for a while. Her current clique includes girls from India, Korea, Philippines and Malaysia - I'm hoping we might get invited over to meet the parents and have dinner! All the kids are wealthy and a lot associated with embassies etc. The parking scrum in the morning is a sight to behold - literally 100s of SUVs fighting their way into the school grounds. Rather ironic as the school is quite big on the environment. Gianna leaves the house at 6 and gets the train to the Village gate where she is picked up by a school bus for the short trip to the school. In theory it only takes 30 mins from our house to village gate but the stations can be so busy in the mornings it can take a while to get in. She starts at 7.25 except when theres Flag ceremony which is 7am. Getting up at 5.15 has its challenges but is quite the norm around here. I am in work between 7 and 7.30 and finish by 4/4.30 so theres time for play and homework before bed. Angelica on the other hand lazes around in bed until around 8am as she doesn't start nursery until 10.30. She goes to a local private nursery which costs around 40 quid a month ttp://goodstart.edu.ph/about/11/Facilities for a couple of hours each day. She seems to love it. They teach them writing and numbers from the start and she has to be able to write her name before going to the next class at 3.5! Even she will have a uniform!
I think the academic programme at CSA will challenge Gianna, they really focus on results and test them every month- we fought to get her into year 4 (year 5 uk) even though she was not 9 when school started. Some of the girls are already 10 as the school year starts 3 months early here. I was worried about her slotting back into the UK system if she repeated a year here although parents that have kids in both CSA and the British school say that CSA kids do very well academically and are frequently placed higher in schools overseas. I think u would have a real problem at CSA if u fall behind or need extra help - its old school approach to teaching - I also wonder about play and social interaction ????? as focus is so much on the academic - we'll just have to wait and see how Gianna gets on.
Theres a lot of praying and religious instruction each day - she has even started humming hymns at home! She told the teachers she was 25% catholic (I think she got mixed up with her Italian blood) the school must have been relieved when she added she was 100% christian!!!!??One of the teachers commented on her long name - "oh that's because mum and dad arn't married" she told them causing much confusion amongst the kids, One asked - "how did your mum and dad have u if they aren't married" Ah bless - not quite sure what other gems she is sharing with her class today! The good thing about the school location, is that lots of ex-pats live in that village, including her best friend Amy who lives 5 min walk away from school. Gianna is able to go and play after school and we can pick Amy up to come back here - a useful way to promote the school to Gianna when she complains about how strict it is. Today she goes to her school club - shes told them shes good at singing/dancing and swimming so waiting to see what she if offered. Theres a whole raft of religious clubs - lets hope she's not catapulted into one of those or we'll be forced into first holy communion next - once she realises u get to dress up and have a party there'll be no stopping her!
Tonight she announced they have a slot each week where the boys get to learn how to cook and the girls how to clean etc. apparently theres a "classroom" with kitchen, toilet bed etc for them to practice on......as all the kids will have maids one can only assume they are being given instruction how to tell someone else to clean the house! I have to say theres a lot I still remember from my girl guides days - how to cut cabbage, how to sew button on....i'm all for practical skills learning. In the virtual world our kids live in they probably think u cut and paste a button on when it falls off!
Shes got in the theatre club - hopefully she'll get spotted by some of the TV people that send their kids to the school and earn us some money! The picture is taken at 6am outside our house.That bag contains her pencil case! - she now has an industrial size pull along for all her books - somewhat ironic that in such a poor country they make kids have all the books and in the UK schools all u get in class is photocopied worksheets downloaded from the internet! Did bring back memories though of backing books - bet you remember that!
The strangest new assessory she has to have is a "grooming kit". They have to take powder, cologne, handwash and cream and a hankercheif and groom thensleves whenever they leave the classroom. Philipinos are very particular about their personal appearance and body odour of any kind is a real no no. Sometimes the gardeners are better dressed than the ex-pats wandering around in ripped jeans/t-shirts etc :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
CAMIGUIN (Mindanao) - Volcanos, hot springs, waterfalls and beaches
Wow - Camiguin was lovely. Perfect holiday place - small enough so u can get around whole island in an afternoon. Dramatic landscapes with huge volcanos in the middle, waterfalls and hots springs - looks rather like Tracey Island I thought. One half of the island has black beaches and the other has white. The interior mountains/volcanoes are stunning with lush green vegetation. We would have liked to have done more walking /trekking but the kids too small at the moment. There was lots we didn't do - we didn't go to the hot spring in the sea, we didn't climb the volcano, we didn't go pony trekking or go to the fresh water pools - BUT, we did go to White Island, twice, (which is really a large sandbar) we did go and see the giant clams at the marine sanctuary and saw the most fabulous corals - Marc was impressed and that's hard as he has the Bahamas to compare to. We went to see the 70 ft waterfall, which action man, Marc, swam under (of course). Marc and the kids also went to see the sunken cemetery - which slid into the sea when the volcano erupted. Well not the graves rather a big White cross in the sea which marks where the graves now lie.
Very easy to get to! or at least comapred to some trips in the Philippnes - Flight from Manila to Caggyan D'Oro is about an hour, then taxi to bus station - 20 mins (P120): Bus to port - 1hr 40 mins (P110) , ferry to island - 1 hr( P100 ) and then taxi to resort 30 mins (p300). We were delayed in manila so we broke our journey at a fab fab resort - Matangale http://www.divecamiguin.com/ . its located just after port turnoff on Road from CDO to Butan. Bus stops right outside resort so couldn't be more convenient. Their double bedroom cottages have lovely views across to Camiguin and would be perfect for 2 families sharing. The grounds are fabulous and they have an orchid farm - I have never seen so many orchids growing in one place. The food was great and facilities top notch - highly recommended! We had the standard 2 bed cottage with air con for P1700 per night with extra bed for kids P250.
On Camiguin we stayed at Seabreeze which was basic wooden huts with a veranda overlooking beach. That's were the sunrise photo was taken from. We had a large family room (4 beds) for P800. The food was great and the staff lovely - shame about the miserable bugger who ran it -! He had taken over the lease from a lovely bloke called Vic. We would definitely go back there too. We moved to Paras Beach resort http://parasbeachresort.com/ which was not has nice as Matangale but had good views. Like so many resorts in the Philippines it lacked that extra TLC in terms of maintenance. The food was nothing special - we ate at Secret cove next door which is in a beautifully secluded spot (no pool) or at Paradiso a rather good Italian about 15 mins walk away.
We went to Paras Beach resort for the annual volunteer conference - the yearly get together for all VSO vols in Philippines. There seems to be a lot of work done at beach resorts and I'm not complaining! It was great that Marc and the girls were allowed to come along too and we got the benefit of the cheap room rates so only ended up paying P1000 per night whilst we were there for a large room with 6 beds. I was tied up for 4 days with the conference but Marc and the girls kept themselves busy in the pool etc. It was good getting to meet all the other volunteers as I hope to get out to see them all sometime over next 18 months.
Camiguin felt incredibly safe - such a shame that it suffers from the "Mindanao" problem due to the issues in soutern part of region and therefore gets relatively few tourists - Good for those of us who do make the effort though! There is officially no crime on the island and it certainly felt like it! So for anybody considering coming to visit definitely try and get Camiguin into your schedule!!!
Little tit bits.....................................
During the conference the Deputy Ambassador joined us for one evening. My boss took me over to be introduced but before either of us could open our mouths he made a beeline for Gianna, and started chatting. Apparently she already knew him, and had been over to his house playing with his kids - Now that's networking!
On the way back from Camiguin Marc and the girls ( who left a day earlier than me) saw 2 schools ( or is it Pods) of dolphins - MY boat got diverted to rescue another ferry that had broken down. It was lashed to the side of our boat and taken all the way to Mindanao with us. Ferries do seem to sink/catch fire alarmingly regularly. (I've bought the girls their own life jackets as a precaution although we've only been doing short island hops as oppose to overnight trips)
The Philippines is full of old, fat, ugly Men (lets just say there're no Brad Pitts) with young Filipino girls on their arms. In Camiguin we came across Roger. He was 77 really with his 19 year old bride and her 3 year old child (not his) We ran into them quite a few times and I was intrigued by their relationship! They started off as pen pals ( she must have only been about 12!), he came out 3 years ago and they got married last year. He said he wasn't sure what her rush was in getting married (Really????) He was sweet, slightly deaf, a bit wobbly and clearly cared for her and child. She got pregnant whilst still at school and didn't tell her parents until she collapsed and was taken to hospital. Her family are poor and she said Roger is the way she can ensure her daughter will get a future - In Philippines culture u are expected to take on responsibility for the whole family. It seems Rogers pension from the states is keeping them all. Meanwhile he reckons he's waiting for an inheritance from his father. Apparently its taking a while to sort out probate and his sisters told him not able to send him any money yet. Funny that, although he is a widow he has 3 kids and grand kids in the states who presumably don't want the family inheritance to be spent in the Philippines. Marc and the kids met the 2 of them on the ferry going to CDO. Poor old Roger was being taken on a shopping trip. Presumably the hope being the trip would do him in and if not encourage him to spend all his money! It is however a symbiotic relationship - he just wanted to stay with her till his time was up she was happy to oblige as she would still have a life ahead of her and his money when he did pop it.m Moral of the story - ANYONE cab get a wife here, but it's costly!!- the extended family come as part of the package!!
Very easy to get to! or at least comapred to some trips in the Philippnes - Flight from Manila to Caggyan D'Oro is about an hour, then taxi to bus station - 20 mins (P120): Bus to port - 1hr 40 mins (P110) , ferry to island - 1 hr( P100 ) and then taxi to resort 30 mins (p300). We were delayed in manila so we broke our journey at a fab fab resort - Matangale http://www.divecamiguin.com/ . its located just after port turnoff on Road from CDO to Butan. Bus stops right outside resort so couldn't be more convenient. Their double bedroom cottages have lovely views across to Camiguin and would be perfect for 2 families sharing. The grounds are fabulous and they have an orchid farm - I have never seen so many orchids growing in one place. The food was great and facilities top notch - highly recommended! We had the standard 2 bed cottage with air con for P1700 per night with extra bed for kids P250.
On Camiguin we stayed at Seabreeze which was basic wooden huts with a veranda overlooking beach. That's were the sunrise photo was taken from. We had a large family room (4 beds) for P800. The food was great and the staff lovely - shame about the miserable bugger who ran it -! He had taken over the lease from a lovely bloke called Vic. We would definitely go back there too. We moved to Paras Beach resort http://parasbeachresort.com/ which was not has nice as Matangale but had good views. Like so many resorts in the Philippines it lacked that extra TLC in terms of maintenance. The food was nothing special - we ate at Secret cove next door which is in a beautifully secluded spot (no pool) or at Paradiso a rather good Italian about 15 mins walk away.
We went to Paras Beach resort for the annual volunteer conference - the yearly get together for all VSO vols in Philippines. There seems to be a lot of work done at beach resorts and I'm not complaining! It was great that Marc and the girls were allowed to come along too and we got the benefit of the cheap room rates so only ended up paying P1000 per night whilst we were there for a large room with 6 beds. I was tied up for 4 days with the conference but Marc and the girls kept themselves busy in the pool etc. It was good getting to meet all the other volunteers as I hope to get out to see them all sometime over next 18 months.
Camiguin felt incredibly safe - such a shame that it suffers from the "Mindanao" problem due to the issues in soutern part of region and therefore gets relatively few tourists - Good for those of us who do make the effort though! There is officially no crime on the island and it certainly felt like it! So for anybody considering coming to visit definitely try and get Camiguin into your schedule!!!
Little tit bits.....................................
During the conference the Deputy Ambassador joined us for one evening. My boss took me over to be introduced but before either of us could open our mouths he made a beeline for Gianna, and started chatting. Apparently she already knew him, and had been over to his house playing with his kids - Now that's networking!
On the way back from Camiguin Marc and the girls ( who left a day earlier than me) saw 2 schools ( or is it Pods) of dolphins - MY boat got diverted to rescue another ferry that had broken down. It was lashed to the side of our boat and taken all the way to Mindanao with us. Ferries do seem to sink/catch fire alarmingly regularly. (I've bought the girls their own life jackets as a precaution although we've only been doing short island hops as oppose to overnight trips)
The Philippines is full of old, fat, ugly Men (lets just say there're no Brad Pitts) with young Filipino girls on their arms. In Camiguin we came across Roger. He was 77 really with his 19 year old bride and her 3 year old child (not his) We ran into them quite a few times and I was intrigued by their relationship! They started off as pen pals ( she must have only been about 12!), he came out 3 years ago and they got married last year. He said he wasn't sure what her rush was in getting married (Really????) He was sweet, slightly deaf, a bit wobbly and clearly cared for her and child. She got pregnant whilst still at school and didn't tell her parents until she collapsed and was taken to hospital. Her family are poor and she said Roger is the way she can ensure her daughter will get a future - In Philippines culture u are expected to take on responsibility for the whole family. It seems Rogers pension from the states is keeping them all. Meanwhile he reckons he's waiting for an inheritance from his father. Apparently its taking a while to sort out probate and his sisters told him not able to send him any money yet. Funny that, although he is a widow he has 3 kids and grand kids in the states who presumably don't want the family inheritance to be spent in the Philippines. Marc and the kids met the 2 of them on the ferry going to CDO. Poor old Roger was being taken on a shopping trip. Presumably the hope being the trip would do him in and if not encourage him to spend all his money! It is however a symbiotic relationship - he just wanted to stay with her till his time was up she was happy to oblige as she would still have a life ahead of her and his money when he did pop it.m Moral of the story - ANYONE cab get a wife here, but it's costly!!- the extended family come as part of the package!!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Hairdressing
Took girls to great hairdressers. They got to sit in cars or miniature barbers chairs and watch their own TV or play station whilst getting their hair cut. Price of £2.50 includes the wash and blow dry. They got to lie flat whilst having their hair washed – Angelica thought it very exciting. I needed my colour done and was bit worried about who to go to, in the end settled on top technician and stylist at Tony and Guy Manila! OK slightly OTT I know! BUT Had the best cut I’ve had for a long time and whilst pricey for Manila it was still half what I would have paid on Lewsiham High Street and I had a pedicure and back massage thrown in. If anyone is considering coming out, get all your beauty treatments done here (and come with an empty suitcase). Its worth the airfare just to come and shop and get pampered for 14 days. While your at it u can get teeth whitened, cosmetic dentistry and all manner of plastic surgery at the Mall!!!
Next to the Hairdressers is a photo studio where can get a 20 minute professional photo shoot with 4 photos for £5. Great way to record an extreme makeover Manila Stylie…….Actually its a kids studio and they get to dress up - will take the girls one rainy day as it looks like fun!
There’s a new Mall that’s opened about 10 minutes walk from our house – all the usual brands including M&S, Debenhams Top Shop, Clarkes, Mango. Its not fully open yet but will have lots of nice eating places and bars on the roof. In the past we had to travel to get to somewhere nice to sit outside and eat but now we’ll be able to walk or stagger there without neogiating any traffic………….. We are becoming very Philippino spending our spare time in the Mall where it’s cool and basically provides eating, drinking, playing spaces for the kids, shopping, pampering and a gym all under a large air conditioned roof! Its just too hot to bother with travelling too far although hopefully will begin to cool a little soon. Marc and kids been to see quite a few films the latest being shrek 3, at Mall. All the films come out same time as US presumably coz of the prirating. They show the same film at all the cinemas for a week or so then it changes - even so shrek DVDs were on the streets for 50p the day after its launch!
Took girls to great hairdressers. They got to sit in cars or miniature barbers chairs and watch their own TV or play station whilst getting their hair cut. Price of £2.50 includes the wash and blow dry. They got to lie flat whilst having their hair washed – Angelica thought it very exciting. I needed my colour done and was bit worried about who to go to, in the end settled on top technician and stylist at Tony and Guy Manila! OK slightly OTT I know! BUT Had the best cut I’ve had for a long time and whilst pricey for Manila it was still half what I would have paid on Lewsiham High Street and I had a pedicure and back massage thrown in. If anyone is considering coming out, get all your beauty treatments done here (and come with an empty suitcase). Its worth the airfare just to come and shop and get pampered for 14 days. While your at it u can get teeth whitened, cosmetic dentistry and all manner of plastic surgery at the Mall!!!
Next to the Hairdressers is a photo studio where can get a 20 minute professional photo shoot with 4 photos for £5. Great way to record an extreme makeover Manila Stylie…….Actually its a kids studio and they get to dress up - will take the girls one rainy day as it looks like fun!
There’s a new Mall that’s opened about 10 minutes walk from our house – all the usual brands including M&S, Debenhams Top Shop, Clarkes, Mango. Its not fully open yet but will have lots of nice eating places and bars on the roof. In the past we had to travel to get to somewhere nice to sit outside and eat but now we’ll be able to walk or stagger there without neogiating any traffic………….. We are becoming very Philippino spending our spare time in the Mall where it’s cool and basically provides eating, drinking, playing spaces for the kids, shopping, pampering and a gym all under a large air conditioned roof! Its just too hot to bother with travelling too far although hopefully will begin to cool a little soon. Marc and kids been to see quite a few films the latest being shrek 3, at Mall. All the films come out same time as US presumably coz of the prirating. They show the same film at all the cinemas for a week or so then it changes - even so shrek DVDs were on the streets for 50p the day after its launch!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
TACLOBAN - (Leyte) Workshop
Work & Play
Getting into work properly now – Quite enlightening being on the other side of the fence being a volunteer/new worker. At workshop this weekend in Tacloban on the island of Leyte in the Visayas. Very interesting learning about a charity which sends kids to school and supports woman’s income generating projects. It only costs £172 per year per year to send a kid to school for a year. They provide for child labourers and those orphaned in a mud slide disaster last year. Here u have to be able to pay for the books, uniforms and shoes to go to school as well as towards the basics like electricity, water and maintenance.
It feels good to get back into the swing of work and try and solve familiar problems without having the personal stress of keeping my own staff in their jobs. The scale of the problems here seems so much more urgent, but it is possible to make an impact just by sharing knowledge and experience which is more gratifying that the recent stresses of my job in the UK.
It’s difficult at times seeing the kids on the streets in Manila especially when they are same age as Angelica and Gianna. It’s particularly hard seeing the little girls at night trying to sell strings of flowers to people in cars at traffic lights. They are obviously extremely vulnerable especially near the red light district.
I visited the equivalent of Childline here last week – Bantay Bata. They rescue children who are victims of abuse. Although it is a children’s helpline, most calls are from adults concerned about children. Children don’t have access to phones or the confidence to report their own abuse. I’ve volunteered to deliver some training and management advice. They are located very close to where we live and it will be great to use my helpline experience.
Staying in a nice(ish) resort Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban where the workshop is taking place. Very dramatic skyline with thunderstorms over the mountains yet sunshine on the coast. Spectacular at night. Have got up each morning and had a swim before breakfast. Good spa for daily massages. In the evening have sea food with a view so it’s a very nice way to do “work”. See photos . Marc at home with the girls. Gianna keeps sending me “chat” on my laptop whilst in workshop. Sort of nice though she can stay in touch – been raining in Manila so think they have spent all their time at Mall.
Had call from my Bro after his 40th party. I was just in from swim and he and the gang kicking off the all night party. Sooooo wanted to be there but also really settling in here so it’s a hard one – if I could have “jaunted” back for a night that would be just perfect. Better still to have them all over here to party in the sunshine. Have our holidays to look forward to on Wednesday – What!!! I hear u all say “isn’t it all a holiday” hmmmmmmm pretty much since we got into the house and more settled. :)
It’s difficult at times seeing the kids on the streets in Manila especially when they are same age as Angelica and Gianna. It’s particularly hard seeing the little girls at night trying to sell strings of flowers to people in cars at traffic lights. They are obviously extremely vulnerable especially near the red light district.
I visited the equivalent of Childline here last week – Bantay Bata. They rescue children who are victims of abuse. Although it is a children’s helpline, most calls are from adults concerned about children. Children don’t have access to phones or the confidence to report their own abuse. I’ve volunteered to deliver some training and management advice. They are located very close to where we live and it will be great to use my helpline experience.
Staying in a nice(ish) resort Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban where the workshop is taking place. Very dramatic skyline with thunderstorms over the mountains yet sunshine on the coast. Spectacular at night. Have got up each morning and had a swim before breakfast. Good spa for daily massages. In the evening have sea food with a view so it’s a very nice way to do “work”. See photos . Marc at home with the girls. Gianna keeps sending me “chat” on my laptop whilst in workshop. Sort of nice though she can stay in touch – been raining in Manila so think they have spent all their time at Mall.
Had call from my Bro after his 40th party. I was just in from swim and he and the gang kicking off the all night party. Sooooo wanted to be there but also really settling in here so it’s a hard one – if I could have “jaunted” back for a night that would be just perfect. Better still to have them all over here to party in the sunshine. Have our holidays to look forward to on Wednesday – What!!! I hear u all say “isn’t it all a holiday” hmmmmmmm pretty much since we got into the house and more settled. :)
Friday, May 11, 2007
new pics
BTW - The bed is in the house!!!! See home sweet home pics. Apparently was a 20 min job!! They took bedroom window out and pulled it in with ropes. These pics are from Puerta galera which is on Mindoro. A place we are highly likely to take our visitors ..........................................
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