The Philippines life

I recently was asked by JFCI to go to the Philippines (March 16-24, 2007) to help with their 9 month student project (training on child sexual exploitation), by evaluating 8 student's research thesis work! I read at least 800 pages of research, but it was a great experience (and nice to be on the other side of that kind of work!). It was interesting to see what is happening in the Philippines and Cambodia in regards to intervention strategies and aftercare facilities for victims of trafficking...so that was good. I also met some good people and got to experience a new culture (and 4th country in SE Asia!). And I got to see some pretty beaches and meet up with a friend of mine.
It was a little bit o' work and a little bit o' play - so good times were had by all! :) Here's some fun observations and pics below for your voyeristic enjoyment!


*“Bahala Na” – greeting that means “leave it to God”- (“mai pen rai” Thai equivalent
*‘Eyebrow raising’ = Hello!
*Friendly at churches – meet in malls (movie theaters), kiss on cheek hellos
*Not as friendly in community – Hello? It’s a Christian country?! Stares and frowns – hellos after you pass by (men!)
*“Ma’am” – feminine particle. (sounds like MOM! I was confused at why people were calling me mom - i'm not that old!)
*Jollibee Restaurant (like a McDonalds chain) – Burgers, fries, drinks, etc. With Pancake breakfast sandwiches! And spaghetti as a side!?
*They call them Hot dog/Hamburger ‘sandwiches’! It actually makes sense when you think about it!
*Not many Americans in the area - but everyone speaks English!
*Jeepneys – jeep/pick up truck transportation of sorts with benches in the back and a hood. People squeeze inside and hang off the back and sit on the top….Wildly decorative, complete with religious paraphernalia: “In God We Trust”, “Smile Jesus Loves You”. My favorites: “Queen Jennifer” and “Going steady” and “USok”! Bang on roof and yell “Pua” to get off a stop
*Traffic is INSANE!? So glad I wasn’t driving in it. I think it’s worse than Thailand…definitely Chiang Mai – maybe not Bangkok?! CONSTANT honking and riding the breaks…I could have killed our van driver!
*Drive on the right side of the road
*Tricycles – motorcycs with a side car and third wheel!?

*I stayed at La Vista Resort for the week and experienced: the Animal Refuge Zoo – complete with delinquent monkeys and 3 legged deers! Talking parrot (speaking in Filipino) – “Are you scared of me? I’m gonna bite you”! The weirdest and ugliest animal there - the Bear Cat, it's a cross between a bear and a sloth with cat whiskers - weird!
*There was a Typhoon in November – flooded the entire resort, killed 48 animals in the zoo…and LOST one crocodile...?! *The pool has a Water slide at the resort – it's known as the “cement death trap”…entire slide made of thick gray cement – apparently someone died coming down it a few years back. (great) *Karaoke ALL NIGHT LONG – into the wee morning hours…and who said Filipinos were great singers?!? It was horrific to listen to people wreck perfectly good 80's tunes!
*48 pisos to the US $
*Only I would be approached by 2 hot guys…(Mormons, of course) in a Starbucks – in the Philippines!? They asked me and my friend where we were from – naturally, I said Thailand (hahaha - people are so confused by that one!) They proceed to tell us that they “..just stopped into Starbucks for some ‘steamed milk’, ya know, cuz it’s cold out there”! hahaha they were BUSTED for being in a coffee shop (aren’t allowed to have caffeine!) Too funny. They eventually backed off when we said we were Christian Missionaries!
*Manila – no lie, there are male urinals outside on the city sidewalk…gross!
*Kabayan Beach Resort – Batangas. Beautiful pearl and coral jewelry - and cheap! Filipinos dress modestly for the beach - don’t swim - or sit in the sun!? Why go to the BEACH?!

*Taal Volcano – a volcano within a lake within a volcano within a lake…awesome

*Tamaraw Beach Resort - Mindoro - Absolutely beautiful beach and quiet with cottages on the beach front, so you hear the waves crash at night - sweet!
*You can: shop, get massages, order food and drinks, get mani and pedi's - all ON THE BEACH! whoohoo! :)