Most every day I take one of these around town. Its a bit of a squeeze to get it, but then it is comfortable and a fun rideMonday, April 27, 2009
Tricycles--the Way to Get Around
Most every day I take one of these around town. Its a bit of a squeeze to get it, but then it is comfortable and a fun ride
Filipino Street Food
A common site on many street corners. Food is usually grilled over hot, red coals and sold for penniesLatin Mass Chapel in Bohol
Notice the left side is open to a courtyard. Many churches here ar built like that since they don't use air conditioning.
Bohol Tropics
Bohol Tropics Beach Resort--overlook from the outdoor cafe where I took Cecil, her friend Sahara, and Father Ghela for Saturday dinner
Third Week in the Philippines!
Wow! I have been here in the South Pacific for 3 weeks now! I am glad to report after the first week or so I became "acclimatized" to the weather and cultural differences. At first it was very hot and humid. Wherever I went I had to carry cold water, a hand-held fan, and a hand towel to wipe my face. I must have sweated and afterwards drunk a gallon of water daily! Now the most humid weeks of the year are over, and the weather feels more mild but warm and really good.
There really are some contrasts here. For example the people are very friendly, hospitable, and giving, but there is a trend here of some assuming an American visitor is rich and ready to give money to all! However, the people are really poor and many in need of help. When I attended Visitation with Cecil (see Week 1, Tuesday), visiting her patients in the home, I was struck by the stark poverty of the people in contrast to the smiles on their faces! There is a little girl named Misi who has cerebral palsy and moderate mental retardation. She cannot walk, but needs weekly physical therapy and one day hopefully surgery. Yet she is very sweet and meek in her condition. Perhaps I will be a sponsor to help her out with a little money.
On a more romantic note, Cecil and I are really enjoying eachother's company and getting to know one another now in person, after 6 months of correspondence and phone calls! Please keep our discernment in your prayers. I will keep you posted! :)
Here are a few notes on this last week here in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where I am staying. Sometime soon I will post more photos. For now I will post a few pics from the web.
Monday, 4/20
After going to the beach on Saturday, I came home with a very bad sunburn despite using very strong sunscreen. That makes sense since I am near the equator and am Irish! So for a few days I slept in to get better, feeling a bit sick. So far no intestinal sickness from the street food (mmm, they BBQ chicken feet, intestines, etc on the road side) except a small reaction the first few days to the oil they almost always use in stir-fry cooking.
In the PM, after Cecil's sister Elva's Helpers (often families have live-in "helpers") made me fish and rice, I started to work staining a kitchen cabinet. In between coats I read and played with Cecil's neices, especially Caryl who is 5 and calls me "Uncle Chris." In the evening we watched "Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Arc" with the kids yelling out "Oy!" during each action scene.
Tuesday, 4/21
I slept in, checked my email, and jumped in a tricycle (see photos) to meet Cecil for lunch at JJ's Seafood restaurant. We had calamari and sweet salami for appetizors, followed by shrimp curey and grilled squid. Later I worked on the cabinet, played with the family puppies, and read. That evening we watched "Castaway" with Tom Hanks, another movie I had bought during our trip to the island of Cebu.
Wednesday, 4/22
Today I finally finished the sanding and staining of the cabinet which looks really good! Finished one book and started another. Cecil and I took an evening walk and stayed up late chatting. For dinner, they made a dish of internal pig organs. Not bad. I especially liked the fried and crispy intestines. I really appreciate how they do not waste anything!
Thursday, 4/23
Back to my rented room to check-in with the caretaker of the house and replenish my supply of clothes while a guest this week at the family home. The caretaker's wife served me a coconut drink from a street vendor stand just near their home. For 20 cents, they serve you a huge cup of sweetened coconut milk which is outstanding and refreshing. When you finally reach the bottom, there are coconut shavings. After, you hand the cup back. Its like that here, often you order a Coke and have to drink it on the spot before handing the glass bottle or container back for recycling. Later, ran a couple errands to the mall and then another quite evening, walk with Cecil, and late night chat.
Friday, 4/24
Today I really ventured into town on my own. In the afternoon, I alternated times praying in the 500 year old Spanish Cathedral of St. Joseph, taking a siesta in the town plaza enjoying 10 cent Sprites and cheese popcorn which I shared with the pigeons, and reading an old intro book to nursing in the town library (situated in the colonial style municipal complex, ie town hall). In the cathedral I watched craftsman refurbrish the high altar with gold paint. In the plaza, two boys helped me feed the pigeons and then asked for a few pesos. They were really dirty and barefoot. I really enjoyed the library for the AC, art depicting Spanish colonial times and art depicting the life of Christ. There is no "separation of Church and State" here!! Later, I sped back to the rent room to get US dollars, then back to the "black market" to get a good exchange rate in pesos. Later offered to order Pizza Hut delivery (which people rarely treat themselves to), but found out they don't deliver after 9pm, even on weekends like in the US. We started "Forrest Gump."
Saturday, 4/25
Today was a Black Out. The entire island of several million had no electricity for the whole day! So we cooled down with a lot of water from the fridge, napped, and waited for modern convenience to return. Attended Latin Mass at 6pm, with several parishioners, since Father Ghela, a travelling missionary priest had arrived in town to say weekend Mass. After, I invited Cecil's friend Sahara and Father to the Bohol Tropics Resort (see photos) for an outdoor dinner and live music--mostly oldies though you can write a song request on a napkin which we did several times! I requested any American country song and Cecil requested "Dont cry for me Argentina." A gentle wind from the ocean was very relaxing. We shared Filet Minon and squid, both dishes served over some kind of brown bean with sauce and bacon, plus of course rice. mmm. I had diet coke, and the rest had some kind of tropical drink called "Four Seasons." While the girls took a walk on the grounds to better view the ocean, Father and I discussed politics and he gave me some very valuable advise on courtship and matrimony!
Sunday, 4/26
Up early for some of the best eggs I have ever had--wolk-fried with flour and fish, served with a sweet ketchup. I have really been enjoying rice with each meal, for the fiber which I don't get enough of back home, even for breakfast. I always add a bit of soy sauce.
Off to Mass at the traditional chapel at 830am. Helped Cecil sing in the choir. Father preached on Jesus the Good Shephard and on the grave responsibilities of priests, fathers, and all who lead. He said all lay people must help the priest practice "Catholic Action" in order to bring people to Christ and the Church. Very inspiring. I noticed that Cecil's brother-in-law Peepo, who is home on vacation from his engineer job in the Middle East, really sat on the edge of his seat taken by the sermon, one of the best I have ever heard. Fr. Ghela is a Filipino and a priest for just 3 years. Though young, he is really doing a good job!
After Mass Father discussed the upcoming SSPX pilgrimage (intention = to restore Sacred Tradition to the Church) here in Bohol and I discussed with one pilgrimage planner an idea for making portable toilets for the pilgrims to use instead of going behind a tree or renting expensive porta-poddies. He was very interested to make them, so perhaps next week you will get to see a photo of our handiwork! Joined Cecil for choir practice which lasted into the afternoon. We enjoyed a heavy downpoor of rain which cooled us off, as one side of the chapel is open to the outside and a colonial-style courtyard (nice design). See photo. Later, we drank Sprite and Coke from little plastic baggies, from a street vendor, and headed home to rest on Sunday. I enjoyed a long nap in the afternoon, and in the evening we watched more Forrest Gump.
More to come....
There really are some contrasts here. For example the people are very friendly, hospitable, and giving, but there is a trend here of some assuming an American visitor is rich and ready to give money to all! However, the people are really poor and many in need of help. When I attended Visitation with Cecil (see Week 1, Tuesday), visiting her patients in the home, I was struck by the stark poverty of the people in contrast to the smiles on their faces! There is a little girl named Misi who has cerebral palsy and moderate mental retardation. She cannot walk, but needs weekly physical therapy and one day hopefully surgery. Yet she is very sweet and meek in her condition. Perhaps I will be a sponsor to help her out with a little money.
On a more romantic note, Cecil and I are really enjoying eachother's company and getting to know one another now in person, after 6 months of correspondence and phone calls! Please keep our discernment in your prayers. I will keep you posted! :)
Here are a few notes on this last week here in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where I am staying. Sometime soon I will post more photos. For now I will post a few pics from the web.
Monday, 4/20
After going to the beach on Saturday, I came home with a very bad sunburn despite using very strong sunscreen. That makes sense since I am near the equator and am Irish! So for a few days I slept in to get better, feeling a bit sick. So far no intestinal sickness from the street food (mmm, they BBQ chicken feet, intestines, etc on the road side) except a small reaction the first few days to the oil they almost always use in stir-fry cooking.
In the PM, after Cecil's sister Elva's Helpers (often families have live-in "helpers") made me fish and rice, I started to work staining a kitchen cabinet. In between coats I read and played with Cecil's neices, especially Caryl who is 5 and calls me "Uncle Chris." In the evening we watched "Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Arc" with the kids yelling out "Oy!" during each action scene.
Tuesday, 4/21
I slept in, checked my email, and jumped in a tricycle (see photos) to meet Cecil for lunch at JJ's Seafood restaurant. We had calamari and sweet salami for appetizors, followed by shrimp curey and grilled squid. Later I worked on the cabinet, played with the family puppies, and read. That evening we watched "Castaway" with Tom Hanks, another movie I had bought during our trip to the island of Cebu.
Wednesday, 4/22
Today I finally finished the sanding and staining of the cabinet which looks really good! Finished one book and started another. Cecil and I took an evening walk and stayed up late chatting. For dinner, they made a dish of internal pig organs. Not bad. I especially liked the fried and crispy intestines. I really appreciate how they do not waste anything!
Thursday, 4/23
Back to my rented room to check-in with the caretaker of the house and replenish my supply of clothes while a guest this week at the family home. The caretaker's wife served me a coconut drink from a street vendor stand just near their home. For 20 cents, they serve you a huge cup of sweetened coconut milk which is outstanding and refreshing. When you finally reach the bottom, there are coconut shavings. After, you hand the cup back. Its like that here, often you order a Coke and have to drink it on the spot before handing the glass bottle or container back for recycling. Later, ran a couple errands to the mall and then another quite evening, walk with Cecil, and late night chat.
Friday, 4/24
Today I really ventured into town on my own. In the afternoon, I alternated times praying in the 500 year old Spanish Cathedral of St. Joseph, taking a siesta in the town plaza enjoying 10 cent Sprites and cheese popcorn which I shared with the pigeons, and reading an old intro book to nursing in the town library (situated in the colonial style municipal complex, ie town hall). In the cathedral I watched craftsman refurbrish the high altar with gold paint. In the plaza, two boys helped me feed the pigeons and then asked for a few pesos. They were really dirty and barefoot. I really enjoyed the library for the AC, art depicting Spanish colonial times and art depicting the life of Christ. There is no "separation of Church and State" here!! Later, I sped back to the rent room to get US dollars, then back to the "black market" to get a good exchange rate in pesos. Later offered to order Pizza Hut delivery (which people rarely treat themselves to), but found out they don't deliver after 9pm, even on weekends like in the US. We started "Forrest Gump."
Saturday, 4/25
Today was a Black Out. The entire island of several million had no electricity for the whole day! So we cooled down with a lot of water from the fridge, napped, and waited for modern convenience to return. Attended Latin Mass at 6pm, with several parishioners, since Father Ghela, a travelling missionary priest had arrived in town to say weekend Mass. After, I invited Cecil's friend Sahara and Father to the Bohol Tropics Resort (see photos) for an outdoor dinner and live music--mostly oldies though you can write a song request on a napkin which we did several times! I requested any American country song and Cecil requested "Dont cry for me Argentina." A gentle wind from the ocean was very relaxing. We shared Filet Minon and squid, both dishes served over some kind of brown bean with sauce and bacon, plus of course rice. mmm. I had diet coke, and the rest had some kind of tropical drink called "Four Seasons." While the girls took a walk on the grounds to better view the ocean, Father and I discussed politics and he gave me some very valuable advise on courtship and matrimony!
Sunday, 4/26
Up early for some of the best eggs I have ever had--wolk-fried with flour and fish, served with a sweet ketchup. I have really been enjoying rice with each meal, for the fiber which I don't get enough of back home, even for breakfast. I always add a bit of soy sauce.
Off to Mass at the traditional chapel at 830am. Helped Cecil sing in the choir. Father preached on Jesus the Good Shephard and on the grave responsibilities of priests, fathers, and all who lead. He said all lay people must help the priest practice "Catholic Action" in order to bring people to Christ and the Church. Very inspiring. I noticed that Cecil's brother-in-law Peepo, who is home on vacation from his engineer job in the Middle East, really sat on the edge of his seat taken by the sermon, one of the best I have ever heard. Fr. Ghela is a Filipino and a priest for just 3 years. Though young, he is really doing a good job!
After Mass Father discussed the upcoming SSPX pilgrimage (intention = to restore Sacred Tradition to the Church) here in Bohol and I discussed with one pilgrimage planner an idea for making portable toilets for the pilgrims to use instead of going behind a tree or renting expensive porta-poddies. He was very interested to make them, so perhaps next week you will get to see a photo of our handiwork! Joined Cecil for choir practice which lasted into the afternoon. We enjoyed a heavy downpoor of rain which cooled us off, as one side of the chapel is open to the outside and a colonial-style courtyard (nice design). See photo. Later, we drank Sprite and Coke from little plastic baggies, from a street vendor, and headed home to rest on Sunday. I enjoyed a long nap in the afternoon, and in the evening we watched more Forrest Gump.
More to come....
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dauis Church
We visited this church just after crossing a bridge from Bohol to Panglao resort island where we spent Saturday.
Centuries ago, Muslim raiders drove the islanders into this church for protection. When their water ran out, a miraculous fresh water spring well appeared at the foot of the altar, which still exists today, with miraculous waters still healing many of the faithful.
We met the pastor, Fr. Skelton, an American priest of the Bohol diocese, who offers the traditional Latin Mass.
Supercat
Coming back to the home island of Bohol, we took a boat called the Supercat, while enjoying a movie and sandwiches. Along the way we passed small islands and primitive fishing boats.
Church in Cebu
We visited this church on Good Friday, plus 6 others for what is called the Seven Churches devotion.
Holy Week Liturgies
Fr. Ghela, SSPX gives the Holy Thursday Sermon explaining that on Holky Thursday Christ instituted the Priesthood, Eucharist, and Mass. Later, he elevates the Precious Blood after the Consecration.
Traditional Filipino Living Room
This is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ghani, like an aunt and uncle to Cecil, who we visited while in Cebu.
Tiled floors, wicker furniture, high ceilings with ventilated portion, pictures of nature scenes
Monday, April 13th --- Saturday, April 18th
My travel adventure went from 5th gear to 2nd gear this week as I settled into my room-for-rent and adjusting to Cecil going back to work as a Physical Therapist. During the day, I unpacked, made lists, and read, joining Cecil at her clinic at Noon to go to lunch. During the evenings we visited with her family, prayed the Rosary, and watched movies (the ones I bought).
On Monday, we visited for the first time Cecil's sister Elva's restaurant, a simple diver feeding mostly college students. Before enjoying orange pop, rice and a chicken dish (for $1), I had the misfortune of sitting on a tiny plastic chair that would not support my weight. I came crashing down! On Tuesday, we ventured to a sea-side kitcken serving us snails, oysters, squid, a baked tropical fish (blue), and of course rice and pop, for a grand total of $3. We sat just feet from balmy blue-green water and children enjoying the cool-down of a hot-noon day swim!
On Wednesday, we tried an American cafe serving burgers with cole-slaw. I just now forget what we had on Tursday, but on Friday we each brought our share of a picnic lunch in to eat at her job. Friday afternoon I observed Cecil and the other Physical Therapists at work at the clinic, while taking short walks by the sea just a few steps from the clinic!
Friday morning I practiced driving a scooter, which I would rent on Saturday. The son-in-law of the caretaker of the house where I rent a room, took me to a cemetery to practice on a loop for an hour, and later I took the two wheel sports bike around Tagbilaran City.
Saturday was the highlight of the week. I swung by Cecil's at 7am for our outing to Panglao resort island and beach on our rented scooter. Cecil packed a picnic of cold chicken, rice, fruit, and red wine! We visited a famous church with a miraculous well, and the priest (who says the Latin Mass), toured a cave with an underground lake, and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon at a public beach under a rented Nipa Hut. After lunch and a nap, we swam for 1-2 hours in crystal clear water! very romantic! It was fun to drive around on the scooter.
On Monday, we visited for the first time Cecil's sister Elva's restaurant, a simple diver feeding mostly college students. Before enjoying orange pop, rice and a chicken dish (for $1), I had the misfortune of sitting on a tiny plastic chair that would not support my weight. I came crashing down! On Tuesday, we ventured to a sea-side kitcken serving us snails, oysters, squid, a baked tropical fish (blue), and of course rice and pop, for a grand total of $3. We sat just feet from balmy blue-green water and children enjoying the cool-down of a hot-noon day swim!
On Wednesday, we tried an American cafe serving burgers with cole-slaw. I just now forget what we had on Tursday, but on Friday we each brought our share of a picnic lunch in to eat at her job. Friday afternoon I observed Cecil and the other Physical Therapists at work at the clinic, while taking short walks by the sea just a few steps from the clinic!
Friday morning I practiced driving a scooter, which I would rent on Saturday. The son-in-law of the caretaker of the house where I rent a room, took me to a cemetery to practice on a loop for an hour, and later I took the two wheel sports bike around Tagbilaran City.
Saturday was the highlight of the week. I swung by Cecil's at 7am for our outing to Panglao resort island and beach on our rented scooter. Cecil packed a picnic of cold chicken, rice, fruit, and red wine! We visited a famous church with a miraculous well, and the priest (who says the Latin Mass), toured a cave with an underground lake, and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon at a public beach under a rented Nipa Hut. After lunch and a nap, we swam for 1-2 hours in crystal clear water! very romantic! It was fun to drive around on the scooter.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Pilgrims Light Votive Candles
Pilgrims light votive candles in the front of Mother Mary shrine church. People come from all directions to pray during Holy Week.
Pilgrimage
We stood in line for 2 hours in the blistering heat, climbing up to the Mother Mary shrine to venerate her holy image. Pilgrims hold up umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat of the sun.
First Pics!!
Mother Mary Shrine--near Cebu City. We did a pilgrimage to this site, driving a couple hours from the city, to climb a hill to this shrine/church/monastery, standing in line for 2 hours, to kiss the miraculous statue of Mother Mary. This statue was donated to a small, poor monastery in the 1960s. Since then, it became miraculous, crying tears, and being instrumental in healing. In the church, pilgrims take off their shoes as a sign of respect. The ceiling is a mural of paintings depicting Mary with Christ Child.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
I Made it Here!!
Hello All,
Well I finally made it here to the Philippines! I have been here for over a week now, and have been enjoying this country and people. Cecil and I are getting to know each other in person now!
I will post pictures soon, but at least found a few off the internet to show you for now. Here is my last week:
Thursday, April 2 -- I did not sleep, but waited up for my 330am taxi ride to Tulsa airport. Flew from Tulsa to Chicago. Ohare airport in very large and exciting. After reading in a restaurant for a 4 hour layover, I flew 13 hours to Tokyo, Japan! I did not realize we would actually fly over Canada and Alaska to get there! Tokyo airport is very nice and organized. You get Japanese feel with the language, food, and pampering stewardesses. Japan Airlines put me on Business Class!!
I arrived in Manila, Philippines Friday evening for an 8 hour layover. The airport was very hot and jam packed. I dared to jump on the free shuttle which took people across town to Manila's other airport (very nice) where I attempted some shut-eye, and for breakfast I had what is called a Soapo (show-paw)--large Chinese cake full of gravy and pork (mmm).
Saturday, April 4th -- flew to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Stepping off the plane, I really felt a blast of heat and humidity. Finally met Cecil in person and rode to her house for a Filipino breakfast, and to meet her relatives.
A typical breakfast is fish, pork, rice, fruit, and juice, all very fresh, local, and organic, and very tasty!
I ate my first Chicken's Feet! Different but good. Their family butchered a pig for a dinner at a local resort in the evening--to celebrate Cecil's neice Abigail's high school graduation. Roasted pig skin really tastes like candy!
Sunday, April 5th Off to the beach, located on some family land near Cecil's childhood town of Guildaman, 2 hours east. We saw her "ancestral home," very old and in the family for generations and made of bamboo. Later, we attended the Latin Mass chapel in Daragay. Roosters kept crowing all around the chapel during Mass, I joked later it sounded like they were the choir.
Monday, April 6th We went to Abigail's high school graduation ceremony after doing some necessary shopping for sandals, sunscreen, etc. Abigail graduated # 11 in her class, which is high!
Later, we were invited to another celebratory dinner at a nicer resort/restaurant. Mr and Mrs Ghani (very traditional, well-mannered Filipinos, and well off) attended as well. They are close friends, like an uncle and aunt. I ate prawns and drank coconut juice from a coconut for the first time! Another first!
Tuesday, April 7th I went with Cecil to work, for what is called Visitation. Physical therapists travel into the country side and inner city to go to the home's of patients who have not been attending the clinic. Another first--seeing up close the poverty of people living in huts without utilities. When I gave them a dollar, they really smiled! It was very moving to see Cecil with the crippled children.
Wednesday, April 8th A rest day! I slept in, napped, and read, trying to recharge from my plane trip and 3 nights without sleep! More great filipino food at the family table--fish soup, noodles, egg white cakes, jelly rolls, pineapple and mango juice, grilled pork and squid...
At 630pm Cecil and I departed for Cebu, a city on a nearby island, to attend Holy Week services and a mini-vacation. While boarding the "fast craft," like a mini-cruise ship, tourists threw coins out into the ocean, and boys on primitive boats dove with mask and snorkel to retrieve them from the ocean floor. We enjoyed Business class, a cheap dinner and movie for our two hour boat ride.
Thursday, April 9th Today we attended a pilgrimage to a local shrine called Mama Mary, where a miraculous statue of Mary cries tears and is instrumental in many healings and conversions of pilgrim devotees. We stood in line for two hours, climbing to the top of a hill where the shrine/church/monastery was located. After taking off our sandals for respect, we entered the sanctuary of the holy statue and venerated the Blessed Virgin's image. Later we bought some souvenires to bring home to America!
Also, I was able to give a booklet on the traditional Latin Mass to the brother superior there at the monastery, though he was on retreat.
For lunch, the Ghani's, now back at their very refined, traditional filipino home in Cebu, treated us for a seafood lunch at an outdoor, covered diner just feet from the beach.
In the evening, we attended early choir practice and Holy Thursday Mass at Cecil's old parish, with prayers going into the early morning. Filipinos really pray long hours!
Each night I stayed in a "pension house" a cheap hotel. For just $50, I had a single bed room, well decorated, AC, cable TV, with contental breakfast, for 3 nights! Cecil stayed with her friend.
Friday, April 10th We did the traditional filipino holy week devotion called the Seven Churches, visiting seven consecutive churches as a kind of pilgrimage and penance. We saw some very beautiful churches, spanish style mostly. We saw a short show put on by two Augustinian brothers explaining the miracle of the Shroud of Turin (Jesus' burial clothe with his image and face on it).
Shared a fish sandwich at McDonalds between churches, and arrived back at church for Stations of the Cross, Veneration of the Cross ceremony, followed by Liturgy of Good Friday. Later we at in a tiny, hol-in the wall diner on the side of the road. For $3 we had a meal of fish, rice, veggetables, squid, water, and pop.
Saturday, April 11th Went shopping in the morning. Got 7 very good dvds and 1 Cd for under $20! For lunch we ate at Pizza Hut which is really fancy here with wine on the table! In the afternoon, we visited the famous Taoist temple. You climb several levels up a hill, 81 steps total, to different shrines to Chinese gods. The art, architecture, and colores were really beaultiful, but I could really feel the paganness of the place.
We arrived at 830 pm back at the Church of St. Pius V, for choir practice, Blessing of the Easter candle, Midnight Easter Mass, and a solemn procession lasting until 3am! Later, I slept like a baby.
Sunday, April 12th Cecil and I, Cecil's friend Felmar, and her brother and sister-in-law went to a very nice Chinese-style Filipino restaurant to eat scallops on the half shell, blood soup (made with pieces of solidified blood--tastey!), fish, fried pork but, and plenty of tropical fruit drinks.
In the afternoon we window shopped in the mall, and left on the fast craft at 430 pm to go back to Cecil's home island of Bohol.
That evening we ate at her house for a quiet evening, as some had gone out of town for a birthday party.
Finally, I settled into the house where I will stay for 7 more weeks!! Mrs. Lobod, a well off woman, owns this home even though she lives in Manila. Father Ghela, missionary priest, stays here when he comes to say Mass. There is a very nice private chapel I can use to pray, nice room, AC, refrigerator, and my own key!
I will post pics soon!
God bless,
Chris
Well I finally made it here to the Philippines! I have been here for over a week now, and have been enjoying this country and people. Cecil and I are getting to know each other in person now!
I will post pictures soon, but at least found a few off the internet to show you for now. Here is my last week:
Thursday, April 2 -- I did not sleep, but waited up for my 330am taxi ride to Tulsa airport. Flew from Tulsa to Chicago. Ohare airport in very large and exciting. After reading in a restaurant for a 4 hour layover, I flew 13 hours to Tokyo, Japan! I did not realize we would actually fly over Canada and Alaska to get there! Tokyo airport is very nice and organized. You get Japanese feel with the language, food, and pampering stewardesses. Japan Airlines put me on Business Class!!
I arrived in Manila, Philippines Friday evening for an 8 hour layover. The airport was very hot and jam packed. I dared to jump on the free shuttle which took people across town to Manila's other airport (very nice) where I attempted some shut-eye, and for breakfast I had what is called a Soapo (show-paw)--large Chinese cake full of gravy and pork (mmm).
Saturday, April 4th -- flew to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Stepping off the plane, I really felt a blast of heat and humidity. Finally met Cecil in person and rode to her house for a Filipino breakfast, and to meet her relatives.
A typical breakfast is fish, pork, rice, fruit, and juice, all very fresh, local, and organic, and very tasty!
I ate my first Chicken's Feet! Different but good. Their family butchered a pig for a dinner at a local resort in the evening--to celebrate Cecil's neice Abigail's high school graduation. Roasted pig skin really tastes like candy!
Sunday, April 5th Off to the beach, located on some family land near Cecil's childhood town of Guildaman, 2 hours east. We saw her "ancestral home," very old and in the family for generations and made of bamboo. Later, we attended the Latin Mass chapel in Daragay. Roosters kept crowing all around the chapel during Mass, I joked later it sounded like they were the choir.
Monday, April 6th We went to Abigail's high school graduation ceremony after doing some necessary shopping for sandals, sunscreen, etc. Abigail graduated # 11 in her class, which is high!
Later, we were invited to another celebratory dinner at a nicer resort/restaurant. Mr and Mrs Ghani (very traditional, well-mannered Filipinos, and well off) attended as well. They are close friends, like an uncle and aunt. I ate prawns and drank coconut juice from a coconut for the first time! Another first!
Tuesday, April 7th I went with Cecil to work, for what is called Visitation. Physical therapists travel into the country side and inner city to go to the home's of patients who have not been attending the clinic. Another first--seeing up close the poverty of people living in huts without utilities. When I gave them a dollar, they really smiled! It was very moving to see Cecil with the crippled children.
Wednesday, April 8th A rest day! I slept in, napped, and read, trying to recharge from my plane trip and 3 nights without sleep! More great filipino food at the family table--fish soup, noodles, egg white cakes, jelly rolls, pineapple and mango juice, grilled pork and squid...
At 630pm Cecil and I departed for Cebu, a city on a nearby island, to attend Holy Week services and a mini-vacation. While boarding the "fast craft," like a mini-cruise ship, tourists threw coins out into the ocean, and boys on primitive boats dove with mask and snorkel to retrieve them from the ocean floor. We enjoyed Business class, a cheap dinner and movie for our two hour boat ride.
Thursday, April 9th Today we attended a pilgrimage to a local shrine called Mama Mary, where a miraculous statue of Mary cries tears and is instrumental in many healings and conversions of pilgrim devotees. We stood in line for two hours, climbing to the top of a hill where the shrine/church/monastery was located. After taking off our sandals for respect, we entered the sanctuary of the holy statue and venerated the Blessed Virgin's image. Later we bought some souvenires to bring home to America!
Also, I was able to give a booklet on the traditional Latin Mass to the brother superior there at the monastery, though he was on retreat.
For lunch, the Ghani's, now back at their very refined, traditional filipino home in Cebu, treated us for a seafood lunch at an outdoor, covered diner just feet from the beach.
In the evening, we attended early choir practice and Holy Thursday Mass at Cecil's old parish, with prayers going into the early morning. Filipinos really pray long hours!
Each night I stayed in a "pension house" a cheap hotel. For just $50, I had a single bed room, well decorated, AC, cable TV, with contental breakfast, for 3 nights! Cecil stayed with her friend.
Friday, April 10th We did the traditional filipino holy week devotion called the Seven Churches, visiting seven consecutive churches as a kind of pilgrimage and penance. We saw some very beautiful churches, spanish style mostly. We saw a short show put on by two Augustinian brothers explaining the miracle of the Shroud of Turin (Jesus' burial clothe with his image and face on it).
Shared a fish sandwich at McDonalds between churches, and arrived back at church for Stations of the Cross, Veneration of the Cross ceremony, followed by Liturgy of Good Friday. Later we at in a tiny, hol-in the wall diner on the side of the road. For $3 we had a meal of fish, rice, veggetables, squid, water, and pop.
Saturday, April 11th Went shopping in the morning. Got 7 very good dvds and 1 Cd for under $20! For lunch we ate at Pizza Hut which is really fancy here with wine on the table! In the afternoon, we visited the famous Taoist temple. You climb several levels up a hill, 81 steps total, to different shrines to Chinese gods. The art, architecture, and colores were really beaultiful, but I could really feel the paganness of the place.
We arrived at 830 pm back at the Church of St. Pius V, for choir practice, Blessing of the Easter candle, Midnight Easter Mass, and a solemn procession lasting until 3am! Later, I slept like a baby.
Sunday, April 12th Cecil and I, Cecil's friend Felmar, and her brother and sister-in-law went to a very nice Chinese-style Filipino restaurant to eat scallops on the half shell, blood soup (made with pieces of solidified blood--tastey!), fish, fried pork but, and plenty of tropical fruit drinks.
In the afternoon we window shopped in the mall, and left on the fast craft at 430 pm to go back to Cecil's home island of Bohol.
That evening we ate at her house for a quiet evening, as some had gone out of town for a birthday party.
Finally, I settled into the house where I will stay for 7 more weeks!! Mrs. Lobod, a well off woman, owns this home even though she lives in Manila. Father Ghela, missionary priest, stays here when he comes to say Mass. There is a very nice private chapel I can use to pray, nice room, AC, refrigerator, and my own key!
I will post pics soon!
God bless,
Chris
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