Taking you back to 28th March 2007

Day 12

Current mood:cheerful

It's Wednesday morning, a week since my last blog.  I know I've been slacking but I really haven't had much time or energy to write in my diary, let alone make the effort to get to an internet cafe.

What have I been up to?  Thursday we had the day off and Grace went with Lorena downtown to go and give blood.  Why didn't I go?  Because I'm a wimp, I don't like pain or needles and I've never given blood before - it's probably not a great idea for the first time to be in a completely different country where I would probably faint from the heat!  Excuses, excuses I know...  Anyway, the doctor wasn't there and Grace had to go back yesterday when they told her they couldn't accept her blood anyway because she's had a tattoo in the last year.  She was a bit disappointed as she had planned to donate the blood to the orphanage as the staff said they are getting a bit low.

Then we went downtown and had lunch, then I bought a couple of tops from the department store - it's SO cheap here, I bought a T-Mac (basketball) t-shirt for 295 pesos (about 2 pound 95pence) and a Lakers vest top for 59pesos (about 59 pence). 

In the evening, we had dinner at the store and hung out there for a bit.  Nana Marlin's brother-in-law came and spoke to us for a little while and seemed fine at first, he was fairly good at English.  His family is a homestay but they have no volunteers staying with them at the moment.  Then he invited Grace and I back to his house to look at his photos from when volunteers were here.  Shy-shy came with us, and brought her friend as well.  But he was showing off his home like it was much better than Nana Marlin's, which was pretty insulting I thought but let it go.  Then, because he studies history of different cultures, he kept lecturing Grace and I on history of Britain, such as how Oxford university was first set up by people from a different country and stuff about the royal family - and then laughing hysterically when he saw our blank faces, and then he'd shout "but you don't know that".  I can be pretty tolerant and was smiling politely at first - but he must have done that about 50 times, no joke and our patience was wearing pretty thin.  Grace even snapped back "Oxford's not actually in London - so YOU didn't know THAT!" and eventually made our excuses and escaped, dragging Shy-shy and her friend away as well.  Lol.

On Saturday after working at the orphanage in the morning, we came back to the house where Nana Marlin and her husband John were holding a party as it was their 32nd wedding anniversary.  Filipinos love karaoke and we had an 8 hour karaoke fest until we went to bed that night.  Yes, I sung several songs including "Heaven" by DJ Sammy/Bryan Adams, "Build Me Up Buttercup", and "Let me love you" by Mario; even Grace reluctantly sung a few!  And we weren't even drunk - although we had drunk a few glasses of tuba (which is coconut wine I think). 

On Sunday we got up early and did some touristy things with some of our family and Ethel and the a couple of other volunteers Evan and Al - we went to a shrine (just a nice mansion), climbed a massively steep hill (and nearly died of dehydration) and then we went to the beach where I got a bit burned because I was in the sea for so long, teaching Twinkle and Shy-shy how to swim.  Filipinos swim in their clothes but I really wanted to just wear my bikini so I would get brown but i felt so uncomfortable I had to put my top back on.  At this rate, I will be coming home paler than when I left - so much for coming home black!  Dammit...

So far this week, we've been going to work in the morning and chilling out in the afternoon.  Yesterday we went downtown and ate lunch at Guiseppes, an Italian restaurant.  I think my stomach has shrunk as I could barely eat dinner last night as I was still full from lunch!  When we came back, Grace went to the house to chill out and I sat by the basketball court to watch the guys play.  Then the local girls that we have made friends with, wanted me to watch them practise for the dance competition - they're really good dancers.  My sponsor kid, Hazel is dancing with another girl her age Mia, and two guys, one of which is the teacher.  They're dancing to a remix of a Backstreet Boys song that goes into Twista's Sunshine (with a sample of the old song "Lovely day").  The rest of the girls (about 6 of them) are doing a different dance to Beep by the Pussycat Dolls.  But this morning, we heard it's been cancelled.  I'm really disappointed, I was looking forward to that!  So now we have a few hours free as we told the orphanage that we'd be going in this afternoon.

Bit more detail about the kids at the orphanage as I can't take pictures there:  I'm definitely getting attached to them and, yes, I do have my favourites even though I know I'm not meant to.  I like some of the older boys who are about 8, 9, 10 and 11.  I was reffing a 3 on 3 basketball game in the playground on Saturday morning, and Eric is really good!  He's 11 and can read, write and speak English well and is really bright.  But yesterday I noticed he wasn't there and asked his friends where he was - I was told that he's gone home to his family.  But I'm not sure whether they meant to his own family or whether he was adopted - as they can be adopted after they've been there longer than 6 months.  I think.  That's what I can gather from what one of the orphanage staff have told Grace. 

There's Jobert, whose eyelashes are sooooo long I actually did a double take when I first saw him.  They're about 3cm long, no joke!  He's older, about 10 I think.  Very intelligent.
There's Ronnel and Ronneil - twin boys who are about 9 or 10.  I can't really pronounce the difference in their names as they're so similar so I kinda just call them both the same name!  They're very smiley boys who love bball and I think it's good that they're in the orphanage together as at least they have each other.
There's Francisco and Rafael, two more older boys who are both quite light skinned and very cute.  They're about 8, I think and Rafael is one of the lucky ones that is allowed to go to school in the mornings.  Yes that right, going to school is a priviledge here...
There's a smaller boy called Jesu (around 3 or 4) who I have given the nickname "cheeky monkey" which he says now, whenever he sees me.  I've also taught him to say "I'm funny" in a sing-song voice!
There's another set of brothers, one is about 4 or 5 and the other one is 2 or 3 and still in the baby group.  The younger one's name is Michael but I haven't figured out the older one's name yet so he's another "cheeky monkey" to me.
Then there's Thomas.  Probably my absolute favourite.  He's soooooo cute, in a naughty kind of way.  He's got a mischevious grin and does bite the other kids (and me in the first few days) but I overlook that because he's so cute!  I think he's about 2 or 3 but most of the kids here are small for their age, compared to the UK.  So he's probably about the size of a 12-18month old.  He's not clingy but does like his cuddles and I've managed to get him to sleep a few times (a very good feeling, I can tell you!).  If I was going to bring a baby back in my suitcase, it would be Thomas!

I've noticed that I tend to prefer the boys as I think they're funnier and more entertaining, and the girls are usually quite clingy and whiney.  Grace on the other hand, usually prefers the girls and has one favourite who she wants to adopt!

It is so tempting to constantly pick up these kids as soon as they demand attention by holding out their arms to you, tugging on you or simply wailing their little hearts out.  But I'm starting to see that that is not going to be a good thing in the long-term, as the kids will get used to all the attention and cuddles that we're giving them, and as soon as we go home, they'll suddenly be without all that attention as the staff there just do their job and don't often play with or properly interact with them.  I'm starting to dread my last day at the orphanage as I will probably cry as I won't want to leave them there.  Well, maybe some of them - the more naughty ones!

Taking you back to 18th March 2007

Day 2

Current mood:nervous

Woke up extremely early this morning after finishing my last entry at 10pm last night.  Everyone goes to bed early here, about 9 or 10 but it gets dark earlier than I thought, about 6ish so it feels much later for some reason!  Roosters owned by our homestay are kept underneath our window – and they are so noisy!!  They don't "crow" at sunrise like they're supposed to, nor do they make a simple "cock-a-doodle-doo" – these roosters start crowing late at night and don't stop until we get up and leave the house, and they sound like their necks are being strangled mid-squawk!

Anyway, following on from my last entry last night, Lorena and Natasha rode in the jeepney with us, asking questions and telling us about themselves.

Lorena: 23 year old Filipina; works for the agency we paid to come here, Volunteers for the Visayans (VFV) and is Ethel's assistant.

Natasha: 23 years old, apparently Australian but she told us she's originally from Dubai and she also talks with an American accent – confusing…  Has been here 2 months already and stays with the same homestay (host family) as us.

We jumped off the jeepney about 10 mins later and were surrounded by people.  2 guys took our suitcases – another volunteer, Alan, took mine and a Filipino guy picked up Grace's large and extremely heavy suitcase and held it above his head like it was empty!  We were led along some dark lanes, passing a basketball court along the way, until we arrived at our homestay.  Stepping past a barking dog on the porch, we were greeted by our "mother" who we are to call Nana Marlin and about 10 children/grandchildren, all different ages.  Including a 4 month old baby boy with the cutest big eyes and is so strong that he can almost crawl already; "Shy-shy", a 9 year old girl who is anything but shy; and "Twinkle", an 11 year old girl who is chatty as well.  Nana Marlin had prepared us a meal which was ready and we were ushered to the table to eat rice, vegetable dishes and some chicken and rice for me.  No pancit, I was disappointed to see…

After finishing our meal and watching tv with the family for a while, Natasha and Shy-shy took us for a walk to show us a nearby internet café that would prove useful to us for the next few weeks. 

Forgot to mention – also staying with us in our homestay is Evan, a tall 27 year old Australian guy who seems pretty friendly so far and has built up good relationships with the family in the 2 weeks that he has been here.  He has a good rapport with the kids and they seem to love him.  I think he looks half-Filipino or has a mixed ethnicity, but Grace disagrees, and I haven't asked him about it yet.

Back to todays events, we were taken for breakfast at the store, which our homestay family own.  They sell Filipino dishes such as pancit that Nana Marlin makes herself.  This store is also where the majority of the family sleeps although I haven't seen any bedrooms – they must be up the ladder that I spotted.  Nana Marlin told us that everyday she gets up and goes to the market for food at 3am, and cooks by the time we even get up (7am)!  Breakfast was rice and vegetables again, with a bread that I think tastes like Madeira cake.

After breakfast, we went to the centre for our induction and Ethel (volunteer co-ordinator) just told us about the history of the agency, about our placement and homestay.  We were also informed that we each have a sponsored local kid for the next few weeks who we have to pay special attention to.  I met mine, Hazel who is eleven, straight away, downstairs at the centre where the kids were eating and watching tv.

Then for the majority of the day, we were taken on a tour downtown in Tacloban city by Lorena.  Busy, confusing and HOT!  Was feeling pretty skeptical about being able to figure it all out without any help – and we were to catch a jeepney the next day to the orphanage.  We dropped by the orphanage to meet Sister Mystika (the orphanage is run by nuns).  Luckily Matt, another volunteer who works at the orphanage, later offered to meet us at the centre, which is just around the corner, at 7.30am and go with us as we're more than a little afraid of catching a jeepney by ourselves!

This evening, after a long nap (not sure if it was jet lag or lack of sleep due to those damn roosters), we had dinner at the store and sat by the bball court so I could watch the local guys play a little.  Lots of little girls befriended us, so many names in such little time – I hope I remember them all in the morning.

Anyway off to bed, early start tomorrow!

Taking you back to 17th March 2007

Day 1

Current mood:hot

We arrived in the Philippines with a bump, jostling us awake from the first good sleep we'd had in hours.  Up at 5.30am on the Friday to straighten my hair for the last time for 3 weeks, I still hadn't managed to get 40 winks, even on the 12 hour 45 min flight from Heathrow to Singapore. 

The journey hadn't exactly got off to a good start; almost as soon as we walked into the departure lounge at Heathrow, Grace heard a café staff member dressed as a clown telling people that everyone needed to evacuate the area.  Not exactly a very funny clown-like thing to say, Grace thought, and we carried on wandering through a crowd of people before realizing that the fire alarm was ringing and we were meant to be walking in the opposite direction to evacuate.  Shops were closing their shutters and I reminded myself that I really must listen to the messages they put over the tannoy.  People didn't seem to be panicking so we simply followed the crowd.  5 mins later of going in one direction, we stopped a woman who worked at the airport and she hadn't a clue that we had all been evacuated – I came to the conclusion that the fire alarm had probably been set off by burnt toast in one of the cafes.  So we went back and straight to our gate to avoid any further confusion!

So from Heathrow to Singapore we had gone and from Singapore to Manila – all without a hitch.  Singapore airport was more than immaculate, with a toilet attendant literally waiting outside my cubicle so she could clean it the moment I stepped out to wash my hands.  Didn't see lots of men with guns, as per a friend's warning but I did see free internet, free ESPN (not showing bball…typical!) and a sign pointing us in the direction of free massage chairs in the "Oasis" – unfortunately we didn't manage to go there as we were short of time but definitely a must for on the way back!!!

Manila is where the trouble started.  Knowing we had only 2 hours to get off the plane, wait for and collect our suitcases, find and get a taxi to a different terminal (in a language we can't speak – not easy!), check in and actually board the next plane, Grace and I were ready for action as if we were about to start a race!  As always, baggage collection seemed to take forever but we were getting into a taxi outside the airport within 45 mins.  Then we realized that the driver didn't have enough money to give us change from a 1000 peso bill for a 150 peso fare.  All of our money was in 1000 peso bills so it was the smallest amount we had!  The driver obviously didn't want to rip us off and take the money and people at the new terminal were no help – so we ended up giving him a 200% tip (350 pesos) but soon got over our feeling generous after realizing how little that is actually worth in sterling (1000 pesos is about the equivalent to a tenner)!

Inside the terminal, it seemed pretty clear – on the screen it stated our flight number and check-in desks 17-25 so we queued for desks 17-18 as they looked like the shortest queues.  At 14.55 we were finally at the front of the queue after waiting for about an hour (and the plane estimated time of departure was 15.10) we were informed we had missed the last call and had to go wait in another queue to speak to a girl in charge.  

Then baggage was overweight and Grace had to go wait in a THIRD queue to pay for it and wait for the check-in girl to write a long hand-written receipt, whilst  I stood my ground at the other check-in desk.  Finally given boarding passes.

Then we had to pay 200 pesos each at another desk, for some official reason that I can't recall. 

Finally dashed into the departure lounge to look at the screens to find out what gate to go to…

And the plane was delayed for another hour and ten mins.  After all that.

We actually had to wait for 1hr 15mins before we were even allowed to board!  In that time we experienced our 1^st black out – it only lasted several seconds but after our panicking earlier, we could only laugh rather than join in with the collective gasp that sounded the lounge.

Being separated on the final flight wasn't worrying as it was only for about an hour.  I was sat next to an old Filipino lady (btw I was one of about 5 white passengers, not something I usually notice or care about but it's quite strange for me to see that many Filipinos all on one plane!).  The old lady did attempt to speak a few words of English to me – and the guilt that I had been dreading for weeks of not learning the language of the country that I'm visiting washed over me, it's pretty shameful that I can only say a couple of words and I hate my own ignorance…

At Tacloban airport we were accosted by several men who wanted us to pay them to dive into the crowd that was fighting to get to the heap of suitcases that had been dumped in the middle of the terminal – no baggage carousel here!  A sign saying WELCOME JOY & GRACE was held up outside in the dark, by Lorena and Natasha.  Introductions were made and then we were taken for our very first ride in a jeepney…

Mally - anyone tried this brand?

I am always glad to see the Philippines or Filipino people in the media.  There are many full or part Filipino celebs that I proudly declare "They're Filipino, you know!": Manny Pacquiao, Vanessa Hudgens, apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas, Cassie, Vanessa Minnillo, Bruno Mars...

Mally Roncal is the first 'famous' Filipino I've seen in the beauty industry. 

Previously when I've looked into her products, they weren't really available in the UK however I've just spotted her range on the QVC website.

Looking through 58 products, the first thing that struck me was that nothing was jumping out at me as being a Must Buy.  If my eye was drawn to something, the price pushed it away again, or the product reviews made me doubt that the product would be worth me spending that amount.  For example:

Mally Volumising Mascara Duo, QVC Introductory Price 19.79 GBP

Mainly good reviews but the last two described it as so clumpy therefore have had to return.

It's such a shame, because I really do want to support my fellow Filipinos!  Maybe if I could see the actual product, I'd have a change of heart?

Has anyone else tried this brand?  What did you think? 

Taking you back to 2nd March 2007

2 weeks to go!


Current mood: Excited


Friday 2nd March 2007


"Two weeks to go!  I'll soon be jetting off to sunny Tacloban City!


Strange to think that in just a matter of days, I'll be on the other side of the world, staying with and working with strangers and trying to communicate in a language I can't speak.  The cultural difference is going to be amazingly, and I don't think anything is going to prepare me for the poverty and conditions I'm going to experience, both at the orphange and in "my new family's" home.


Details of my new family arrived in my inbox a few weeks back.  The agency place all volunteers with nearby families so can fully experience Filipino life.  Whilst I think this is a great idea, I might not have been so keen had I been travelling alone instead of with Grace!


The family we are staying with are called the Llanto family.  It's a large family compared to our standards - 9 people living in one 4 bedroom house!  This includes the Mother, Father, Daughter, Son, Son's wife, Son's baby, 2 granddaughters, sister-in-law, niece and 2 nephews.  Phew!  And if that's not enough, another volunteer will also be staying with the same family!  The more, the merrier eh?!  Anyway, I've been informed by the agency that the house DOES have running water and electicity and all family members can understand and speak English.  However, showers rarely exist out there - I am to expect a tub and a bucket.  Washing my long thick hair is going to be a nightmare!


I've been racking my brains for weeks trying to think of a good present for my hosts.  Novelty teapots in the shape of London double deckers, tea towels with a map of Britain on it, that kind of thing.  The agency suggests in my pre-departure information packet that something from my home town is a good idea - a book from my town, special 'candies' or delicacies, foods from my hometown etc.  Now, as far as I know, I don't think Milton Keynes has any delicacies!  So I was considering typical British food - baked beans, tomato ketchup, Yorkshire puddings, tea, Marmit!  However, I'm not convinced these would go down too well so I may stick to good old chocolate!  So plenty of Cadburys, Galaxy etc will be going into my suitcase, particularly Easter eggs!


Anyway, back to packing (remember Joy, less is more)..."

Taking you back to 12th Feb 2007

Feeling a little tired and lazy this week as work is super busy but I would like to post every few days so I thought I would post a blog that I wrote a few years back when I was going to the Philippines, a sort of get-to-know-me post and a little insight into my travel experience.  I will put up the rest of the posts over the next few weeks and mix them in with regular posts, I hope you enjoy them - this trip meant a lot to me.

"Monday, 12th Feb 2007


Current Mood: Nervous


"If you ever went back to the Philippines, would you take me?" my 12 year-old older olive skinned sister asked my mum.
"Yes, probably.  If you wanted to go."
"Would you take me?" Eight-year-old me asked, expecting the same answer.
"No."
"Why?!"  I was outraged that she thought I was too young.
"Because you're white."


My mum wasn't being harsh, and she didn't mean to be nasty.  But my mum who was born in the Philippines and came over to the UK to be nurse when she was 18, and she knew that white people were treated differently over there - and being white would mean "the bad guys" would automatically think that I was rich.  And that could mean anything from kidnapping to mugging.


But I am going to go, in 4 weeks time - finally, at the age of 23.  Luckily my skin has got darker as I've got older but my sister Grace still looks much more like a Filipina than I do.


This trip all started because of Grace.  She was planning a trip, going to the Philippines first, then around Asia a bit before going to Australia and New Zealand, and finishing up in the States.  She put me down a a character reference when applying to volunteer in a Filipino orphanage, and I was really interested in it.  I looked at the website and testimonials of some people that had volunteered there before and thought it was a really good, interesting thing to do - and all for a good cause.  I said in passing that I'd like to do something like that, quickly got caught up in her excitement and, before I knew it, I was going!


Persuading my mum to help me out with paying for it was another matter.  I'm 23, work full-time and don't live at home so she could easily have told me "no way".  But my sister and I went for the 'safety in numbers' approach and she realised that she would feel much better if Grace and I went to the Philippines together, than letting her go by herself.


The volunteer organisation that we are going with is called Volunteer for the Visayans.  They're a non-profit organisation who, not only place foreign volunteers in community projects, but also raise money for local projects.  They're helping to support a new facility under construction, which will be used to house the street children and they collect donations and basic necessities such as used clothing, to distribute to these children.  VFV also collects educational resources to distribute to rural schools where basic books and school supplies are not available.


There are a number of different volunteer programs to choose from - teaching English, working with the Social Department/City Nutrition Office/Community Health Clinic, working with street children.  I immediately chose the orphanage, as I'd previously worked in a nursery and had childcare qualifications.


I was quite surprised that we had to pay to volunteer [2010: Naive little me!] but they can't keep running on kindness alone, and they do provide the accommodation.  Volunteers are placed with Filipino families, close to the placements.  This is going to be a challenge for me, as I'm fairly shy with new people and can't speak the language!


My only experiences of Filipinos are occasional visits to my mum's cousins who live in London, and house parties of one of my mum's friends - both of which, were years ago when I was much younger.  And the annual Filipino Festival that is held in Campbell Park in Milton Keynes - I've only been 3 times, despite living here for 21 years.  So from what I can remember, Filipino people (I can only really comment on the women) are extremely friendly and are always encouraging you to eat!  I only know one word in their language, which I'm told is Tagalog - "pancit" which is my favourite dish, noodles with vegetables and meat!  My mum always spoke English at home but her relatives/friends mainly spoke Filipino and still had the accents - maybe because they were around each other more, and regularly visited home.  A few years ago, my little cousin came to visit me and, although being 14 and living in London all her life, she knew much more about the country and culture than I did.  I felt quite regretful and ashamed that I never knew the customs or language, and yet I still call myself half-Filipina.


So that's one of my main aims for my trip.  To see my mother's country and learn about the culture."

Fave "Happy Song" at the moment

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

This is such a gorgeous song, with a beautiful tune and amazing lyrics!  Brings a smile to my face as it's the kinda sweet stuff my new hubby would say, even after 10 years of dating... aww...  :-) 

It may be a tad cheesy but love is a little bit cheesy!  It makes you feel and say all the things you vowed you'd be too cool for!

And Bruno is of Filipino of descent (as am I) - which I looove!