To see all the photos I posted in July, just click on "July" on the right of the screen, and you can slowly scroll down and see all the photos.

Cecil's home in San Isidro district, just outside of Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The house is just behind the colorful trees, and the neighborhood chapel is just down the street.

Cecil showing me Her Parents' Bedroom. Mahogeny floors, big open windows letting in the breeze.

Family Photo of Cecil's deceased Grandparents

Cecil (far left) with her brother Loloy's (center, dark shirt) family, and Cecil's sister Josephina (purple shirt)

Traditional Filipino Nipa Hut overlooking Guindulman Bay. I could live in something like this! :) The family is sitting to the left in the picture. In the purple shirt is Cecil's sister Josephina.

Lighting candles at the graves of Cecil's deceased parents. May they rest in peace!

Just outside Cecil's childhood hometown of Guindulman, Bohol. Rice fields.

Cecil's brother LoLoy's one room school house on his property. One of his small business is this little school for preschool, kindgerdan, and first grade. Very cool! I have dreamed of having something like this one day!

Cecil's "Ancestral home" where she grew up, in Guindulman. Still owned by all 12 siblings. Lived in and maintained by Cecil's nephew and his family.

Cecil and Chris--at the beach in Guindulman. Family picnic.

Family Picnic at the Beach--fish, noodles, rice, crabs, rum and coke, etc. This was with Cecil's brother Loloy's family and others, my last weekend in the Philippines, when we visited Cecil's childhood hometown of Guindulman. Thats Cecil's nephew Jess--12, who is a special boy because despite his physical handicap of not being able to hear or talk, he is incredibly intelligent, good with his hands, a very good communicator with his hands and facial expressions, and a very kind and loving boy. I told him to call me "Uncle Chris!"

Homemade compost toilets for the pilgrimage. This was my idea! I suggested making these instead of renting portapoddies every year. I helped Nannoy, a carpenter--blue shirt--make these. They are portable and use fresh pine sawdust instead of water! Google "Loveable Loo"

Outdoor Latin Mass in the Tagbilaran City Plaza

Mamma Lomod's house. I stayed in a back room on the second floor for two months. Mrs. L lives in Manila right now.

Baby in makeshift hammock. This is the granddaughter of the caretaker of the house where I stayed.

Pizza Hut waiter named Chris. We ate several times at Pizza Hut in BQ mall. Filipinos dont eat pizza by itself, but more as an appetizor followed by a regular meal. We became friends with Chris over the weeks, and I told him he was the best waiter I had ever had! I meant it!!

Tree houses like these are common in the Philippines. Photo taken during SSPX pilgrimage.

SSPX Annual National Pilgrimage in Bohol--3 days, 400 plus people, and many priests and nuns

As a gardener, I thought this was one of the most beautiful gardens Ive ever seen--its all rice!

SSPX Pilgrimage. 400 plus people. A fellow Westerner joined the group--see front row. He was meeting his own Filipina--second row over his right shoulder, black skirt with blue shirt.

Choir of Our Lady Guardian of the Faith Chapel, Fr. Ghela, SSPX in the middle, meeting several evenings in a row for choir practice, practicing for sung Masses for the upcoming pilgrimage, at Mamma Rose's house--green shirt. Mamma Rose had leftovers from the St. Joseph Festival which she graciously fed to us each evening after choir practice.

Felmar's mom, Cecil, and Felmar

Calape's 500 year old Spanish Church

Cecil and Me in a tower by Calape's church

Dirt road which leads from the town of Calape to the beach.

Me swimming at the ocean near Calape. You cross a bamboo bridge which goes out into the ocean, connecting several of these bamboo huts, one of which we rented. A family invited us to stop by their hut to share their rum and coke, anchovie salad, and potatoes with salt, while I told them about America! Several kids (to my left in the picture) learned my name and before we left called out "Bye Chris!"

Cecil's friend Felmar (lower right) invited us to he mother's home which sits on stilts right on the ocean! Fresh sea breezes through the open windows made for a very comfie home! The house is all wood, with rich wood floors, and traditional Filipino wicker furniture. Looking out the window to the right you see mountains, to the left you see the ocean!

Cecil and Chris, and two Friends!

Chapel in the jungle just outide of Calape, Bohol.

Miraculous Image of the Blessed Mother. A shell gradually developed naturally an image of Mary which becomes more detailed every year.

Cecil and Chris

Chocolate Hills--natural wonder on Cecil's island of Bohol. 1000 plus cone shaped hills.

Cecil and Chris--last weekend in Philippines

Thats my Honey Bunny! We often ate in this cafeteria in the hospital just next to Cecil's clinic. This is a typical Filipino lunch. mmm

Chapel inside Mamma Lomod's house on the second floor where I rented a room for 2 months. Fr. Ghela, a missionary priest, stays here and says Saturday evening Mass here when he comes into town

Cogan Elementary school--the Latin Mass community meets in the back of this school in a chapel.

Outside Cecil's clinic where she works--Braking Barriers for Children. If you turn around you the ocean is just a few feet away!

Physical Therapy Clinic where Cecil works as a Physical Therapist

Cecil at our Engagement Dinner

Enagement Dinner--Bohol Tropics Resort

May 22, 2009 She said "Of course!"

Guindulman Bay. We went to the beach here in Guindulman my last weekend in the Philippines!

Highway wich goes through Guindulman, Cecil's childhood hometown. It follows the coastline.

Land like this can be bought for a low price along the coast of Guindulman Bay in Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines. I would love to have a house here!

Last 2 Weeks!!!

Hello All,

Well I am back here in the Good'Ol USofA! Starting RN school. Sorry for my delay in finishing my blog, but I had a road bump in the Philippines when I got an email from the nursing program suddenly changing the first day of school from June 15 to June 1st. For over a week I scrambled to try and change my ticket (no luck), email administrators, and prepare to be two days late for school.

Other than that, the last couple of weeks were highlighted me proposing marriage to Cecil (she said Yes!) and us taking a weekend trip to her childhood hometown to meet other siblings and go to the beach. She is from a small town called Guindilman in the southeast corner of Bohol, lying nestled below coastal mountains in the crevice of Guindilman Bay. I argue this is the best place on earth! Why? Because the Philippines is the best country on Earth--the most Christian/Catholic/peaceful/loving country. The island of Bohol is the best since it is the most traditional, peaceful, and beautiful. And Guildilman is the best town in Bohol because it is surrounded by pure beauty, is remote and the most peaceful place, and is well kept and clean. If you are looking for the best romantic corner of the world, look no farther than Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines!

Soon I will develop some film I have here in the US to put pics on the blog, but I had to send one bag which has the rest of the film by air mail, which may take a month. It has the remainder of the film, so I'll post those pics asap.


Thursday, May 21

Despite the sudden email from the nursing school announcing June 1 as the new date for the first day of school, Cecil and I enjoyed her afternoon off, going back to the beloved town of Calape. We packed rum and coke, cheese, cooked shrimp, rice, etc for a picnic on the ocean. We took a 45 minute bus ride to Calape and then a tricycle across a small island to the floating huts we had visited a couple weeks before (with Cecil's friend Felmar).

Jumped off the deep end of the bamboo bridge into deep ocean water surrounded by coral, algae, and fish. Cecil held onto my neck as we swam around and enjoyed the cool water. I tried the snorkel and mask I bought but the mask broke (cheap one).

Later we stopped by to say Hi to Felmar's mother who was glad to see us. Cecil told her that our previous visit to her home and town was my favorite experience thus far in the Philippines, so we came back. She responded by inviting us to come back (hopefully in a year after 1 year RN school) and stay a night at her house, for a get-away.


Friday, May 22

I bought a dress Cecil had noticed in the mall and brought it to Cecil at work. I asked her to wear it for our special dinner that night. In the afternoon I finally settled in an engagement ring at the jewlers and went home to shave, shower, and get dressed up. At 7pm, I drove up at Cecil's house in a nice, air-conditioned taxi, and took her picture inside in her new dress. Jeana, a helper at the house, was very excited. We went to Bohol Tropics Resort restaurant, where we had been twice before. I took pictures. Wow, Cecil looked gorgeous!

We sat and ordered, I cant remember what because I was a little nervous. When we finished eating, I looked into Cecil's eyes and told her I had some thoughts prepared I wanted to share with her. I told her all I felt about her. Then I pushed back my chair, got down on one knee, took out the ring in its box, opened the box, looked back in Cecil's eyes and said "Cecil, will you marry me?" She said "Of course!" We embraced and I felt like the most lucky man on Earth (which I am!).

While eating dessert, an American man named Joseph, who I know, stopped by our table and ended up joining us for a while, congratulating us.


Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31

Cecil, two of her coworkers, and I took an air-conditioned van to Guindulman, Cecil's home town, 2 hours away, for the weekend. We left at 630pm and arrived around 830pm, at Cecil's "ancestral home," ie the home of her deceased parents left to her and her 11 siblings. Her nephew and his family, who live in the home and take care of it for the extended family, were away for the weekend, but Cecil's eldest sister Josephina joined us at the home, supplying us with dinner that night, and breakfast the next morning.

I gave Cecil some money and she and her sister took off to the market to buy food for a big feast to share with relatives at the beach, and for dinner that night. Only one brother--LoLoy and his family were able to join us to the beach, taking his car. We rented a beach-side hut, and feasted on pork dishes and crab. This beach is cheap but very nice, with big rocks the waves crashed against, and from which boys jumped off. I myself tried to climb up the rock face to jump but didnt make it. :)

That evening we visited Cecil's parents graves, lighting candles, drove to the top of a mountain for a breathtaking view of the town/bay, and then went to LoLoys house to eat left overs and see his home. LoLoy has a very nice home, gated, nice front yard with plants, big tree, and their very own school house--a small business he runs--preschool, kindergarden, and first grade.
I enjoyed singing Karaoke with the family, a common Filipino family past time.

Coming back by van on Sunday morning, Cecil and I (her friends had left on Saturday evening) ate at a road side restaurant, in an outdoor room, and then went down to the ocean to a waterfall which feeds a cold mountain spring into two large swimming pools. I stood under the waterfall. The water was very cool and refreshing. We could see and hear huge waves splash nearby.

This weekend was such a relaxing and memorable way to end my trip to the Philippines


Monday, June 1 - Tuesday, June 2

Cecil took the day off to see me off at the airport. She met me in the morning to help me finish packing and then we enjoyed a nice lunch on the veranda of the house where I rented a room, with food she brought from home.

Off to the airport and checked in for my 130pm flight from Tagbilaran to Manila. Cecil helped me sort out my baggage, then we embraced a last time before I walked to my plane!

Arrived in Manila around 3pm. Went through customs, got my baggage, and took a shuttle bus to the international airport but found out I couldnt stay there over night, so I shuttled back to Ninoy airport where I stayed overnight, napping, and eating at the 24 hour convenience store.

Flew from Manila to Hong Kong, 8am-10am. Hong Kong to Chicago, leaving at 1230pm, for a 14 hour flight. Then a 6 hour layover in Chicago. Finally, Chicago to Tulsa, 8pm to 10pm!!

Halo-Halo

Halo-Halo. One of the most popular Filipino desserts. Its kind of like a banana split. A scoop of ice cream, nuts, berries, bananas, jello, bits of toffey, served over shaved ice! Delicious and nutritious! A large bowl like this will easily feed 2 people for $1.75.

Week 6

This last week was really a down-time from all our adventures. Cecil and I met for lunch and later at the mall for dinner, shopping, and a movie. Enjoyed a very nice seafood restaurant in the Island Center Mall (ICM) twice. One meal I had milkfish which is excellent. I think it is called "the poor man's lobster," but I could be wrong. The second time I had grilled squid. Each meal is served first with a cabbage soup, the fish served with grilled veggies, and a creamy, lime jello dessert afterwards. The atmosphere is Japanese, modern, minimalistic.

In the mall we stopped for a snack called Halo-Halo (see pic). This would really go over well in the US. It is delicious and healthy. They serve a scoop of icecream with a mixture of nuts, berries, bananas, other fruits, and bits of toffey over shaved ice.

I am still really enjoying my time here in the Philippines with Cecil, though I also look forward to seeing the US again and eating American food. :) Plus starting RN school June 15th. I return June 3rd.

Will post more pics when I get my film developed!

SSPX Pilgrimage in Bohol, Philippines

Thursday, May 7 -- Sunday, May 10, 2009

300-400 pilgrims, including many priests, brothers, and sisters, walked from Tagbilaran City to Carmen, Bohol, across 60 km (36 miles).

We Made Compost Toilets for the Pilgrimage

I helped a carpenter from the parish make 4 homemade, portable

compost toilets. These use pine saw dust instead of water. Each one

cost less than $5. This pic is off the web from "Loveable Loo" website

where I got the free directions. We painted them green. I'll post pics later.

A Must See Movie!!!

"Seventeen Again." I thought it was just another teen flick, not so.

It takes a philosophical look at sex, love, marriage, and family. A must see!

PG-13

Another Week in the Philippines!

Hello Everybody,

Still alive and well here in the Tropics! Last week I kept busy helping Cecil, her chapel, and the Society of St. Pius X prepare for their annual national pilgrimage which they host every year in Bohol. Each year hundred of pilgrims gather from all over the country to walk from Tagbilaran City to Carmen, which takes three days. Each day they have the traditional Mass, a conference from a priest, a very simple community breakfast, followed by a 20 km (12 mile) walk that lasts until the evening. At midday, pilgrims stop in a town to pray in the main church, chanting the Credo (Creed), and then have lunch and a siesta in the shade of the town plaza. In the evening after supper, the youth compete by singing folk songs, hymns, and competing in sports.

Monday, May 4th - Wednesday, May 6th

After enjoying lunch and conversation with Cecil each day, I spent the afternoon helping get ready for the pilgrimage. Earlier I had suggested to the group to build portable toilets instead of having the pilgrims use the woods for their latrine, or spending an exorbant amount of money renting porta-poddies from Cebu (another island). After emailing a website describing how to make what is called a Loveable Loo (google it!), the idea caught on with the leaders to make this very cheap, nice, and hygenic portable toilet which uses fresh, nice smelling pine saw dust instead of water. For under $5 each, we constructed 4 homemade compost toilets (see pics). I assisted one man who is a parishioner and a carpenter at his house. Also, I volunteered to track down the tents that would be used by campers during the pilgrimage, and to set them up to air out.

During the evening, Cecil and I met to go to Momma Rose's house again for a two hour choir practice, getting ready for the High Masses to be sung during the pilgrimages, and to prepare for the group choir competitions. Six choirs from different regions compete that Friday and Saturday evening for a trophy.

Thursday, May 7th -- Friday May 8th

Cecil had to work Thursday and Friday so we were not able to join the pilgrimage until Saturday. But, we were able to attend Thursday morning High Mass at 6:30 am in Tagbilaran City Plaza, assisting the choir. A missionary priest from South Africa offered the Mass which was attended by 300-400 pilgrims, including many priests, brothers, and sisters. Father preached about how the theme of the pilgrimage "To Restore All Things to Christ." He said our pilgrimage would be a demonstration of our Faith and a prayer to restore Sacred Tradition to the Church and moral order to society.

Friday evening Cecil and I enjoyed a date to Pizza Hut (for $2 you can get a personal pan pizza, soup or salad, and a drink! :) ) and some shopping

Saturday, May 9th

Today we joined the annual Filipino SSPX pilgrimage, which I have heard a lot about. I was excited to share in the event with so many like-minded Catholics, whose faith and devotions were really inspiring.

Cecil and I met at the bus terminal at 5:30 am, sharing breakfast snacks while waiting to board the bus. An hour later we arrived to meet up with the pilgrimage group which had been sleeping the night at an elementary school. We were just in time to catch the tail end of the breakfast line. Cecil made sure I got my fill of rice, fish (fish heads, not bad!), and energy drinks before our 12 mile trek which began around 9am.

At 10:30 am the group stopped for a rest and Cecil and I bought some water. All around us we passed exotic scenery of mountains and valleys with layered levels of rice fields (see pics). Locals watched us from their farms and food stands, while some of the volunteers of the Apostles of Mary national youth group passed out rosaries. At Noon, we stopped at a beautiful basilica, filling the church. The priests led us in chanting the Credo (Creed) which was awesome to hear so many traditional Catholics chant this Gregorian hymn with such harmony and unison. Afterwards, we had a long siesta in the shade of this humongous tree after anothe simple lunch. Cecil and I hung out with her friend Sahara and her fiance June, with whom we have a lot in common. I took off my shoes and took a nice nap.

During the afternoon I had to ride in the van a couple of times to rest and Cecil joined me. But we finished with the group as we entered the town of Carmen, to ascend an extremely steep and high staircase to the top of a mountain, to a shrine devoted to Our Lady of Fatima (title honoring when she appeared to three children in Portugal, in 1917). We were lucky enough to find shelter from a sudden thunder storm and heavy downfall. While viewing a tall statue of the Blessed Mother, and looking out over mountains in all directions, we prayed the concluding rosary. It was inspiring to be with all those people praying while the rain poured down. Father Ghela, SSPX preached about what the end of a pilgrimage represents--ie our final reward at the end of time on the day of Resurrection. Just then the rain stopped and the clouds began to part! WOW what a day!!!

That evening we had to wait a few hours for a van ride back to the elementary school. When I returned, I was so exausted, dehydrated, and suffering from allergies I just found a corner to make a bed in and go right to sleep.

Sunday, May 10

Got up at 8am to shower and get ready for Mass in the school gymnasium. I was still too sick with allergies (sore throat) to sing. We packed our things and left after breakfast, returning to the city. It turns out our Bohol choir group had won both competitions the evening before, which I could not attend! We even beat the seminarian group!

Getting back to town, I took Cecil to an American restaurant as we both were starving, and I was beginning to crave Western food. I ordered Mexican food which Cecil had never tried! Later Cecil went home to sleep as she had a very bad allergy cold. I too went home to my room-for-rent to nap a few hours.

Getting up later, I decided to spend the evening on my own at the mall, eating and going to the movies. I saw an excellent movie called "Seventeen again." There was not much to choose from, and this just looked like a teen flick. But it was really one of the best movies I have ever seen! A middle -aged man who is unhappy with his marriage/family life encounters a spirit guide who enables him to literally become 17 again and make different choices. Its kind of a twist on the old movie "Big" with Tom Hanks. The theme is how people often, when they become adults, loose an innocent and pure view of sex, love, marriage, and family life, making wrong choices that often end in heart break, disappointment and divorce. But this man, who is 17 again learns life's lessons all over again, and is once again challenged to make the right choices. A must see!!!

Chocolate Hills

We visited this natural wonder on Saturday, called the Chocolate Hills, once listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Perfect cones made by the Hand of God.

Gothic Basilica in Calipe, Bohol

500 year old Spanish Church built on the Sea, seen for miles by boat when approaching the island.