Surviving and Enjoying Manila

A snapshot before the plane landed

This is a different Manila trip. We ate cheap but clean meals, stayed in a very cheap hotel, and spend more time sleeping than going around as we would supposed to do. In this trip, we made one hard decision to endure crawling cockroaches for a very cheap room. But we were happy with the savings we made and we think that is the most important -- probably for this trip only. I realize we can travel cheap if we will not prepare too much. We arrived at the airport without a plan on where to stay. The first thing we had to decide is what to have for breakfast. I had a hot cup of coffee at Mc Donald (see next picture). That was perfect because we had nothing since we left Iligan City at around 2am.

(Below) As we had breakfast at Baclaran, you cannot escape passing these shops at Baclaran Terminal Mall. It was a quick check of prices of the things my wife have to buy as pasalubong in the next days.

(Below) After Baclaran, Divisoria was the next stop.

I will miss this.

(Below) Our main purpose in Manila was to meet with my brother-in-law's fiancee to make early preparations for their wedding. As I will be the one to do the prenuptial photo and video shot and that of the actual wedding day, I tried to take test shots of her to prepare me of the coming job. 

(Below) These next pictures are proof of the beautiful but cheap trip.

One of the favorite meal combinations.

The biggest breaded porkshop...I was unlucky not to be able to consume it.

Back at Cagayan de Oro airport

This trip taught me a lot: we can travel cheap; we can travel without getting what we want and still enjoy the experience, and; nothing can beat traveling with the one you love.

One more important thing: taking pictures of your experience is a must. It will enable you to enjoy your travel again and again.

Bringing Sunday to the Children

In some places, not necessarily remote, children have nothing to do on Sundays except to play with friends. That's good, except that there are more things to do and learn on Sundays.

Those who grew up with Sunday school realize how much a child will miss without it.

Children eagerly listen to Bible stories.

In a very accessible sitio in Kiwalan, Iligan City, children have never heard or experienced a Sunday school. That's why volunteers from Rivers of Life Fellowship commit to bring the Sunday and the joy of the Lord's day to them. They hear stories about Jesus, sing songs about Him, then enjoy a hot bowl of rice porridge with chicken slices.

While the children have their Sunday school, other volunteers prepare the porridge pot.

Prayer before the porridge meal

Patiently waiting for the porridge to cool.

Children have to bring their own bowls and spoons.

Coach Nelo, one of the volunteers, hopes to conduct a sports activity with the children this summer.

Pray that God will sustain the volunteers and  the ministry as a whole.

Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte - Seaweed Farmers

March 26, 2011. As I went home one afternoon from Kolambugan after a video interview, I noticed seaweeds being dried on the highway's edge. Since I have time to spare, I stopped on one of the drying areas. As I drew near the place with a camera hanging on my neck, people stared at me. Good that I found one of the persons I interviewed earlier in the day. He too was drying his seaweeds. When people saw me talked with him, the air began to lighten. I started to take pictures of the houses and the bancas and some people positioned themselves behind me and helped me inspect my shots on the lcd screen. Then children asked me to take pictures of them. When I pointed my camera on some people who were busy packing their seaweeds, as it was getting late, others would shout at them to keep still so I could get the best picture.

This is my first PHOTO STOP. It's basically stopping by to talk with the locals and take some pictures.  I wish to learn more about this experience. There are stories to tell and I wish to capture them in pictures as well.

This boy and his friends salvaged thrown-away pieces of seaweeds. They were hoping to gather at least a kilo which cost now more or less 50 pesos.

Life is beautiful in this part of the country.

These children can't stop posing infront of the camera.

Houses of seaweed farmers.

This farmer washes the seaweeds in this basket before throwing them on the drying platform to his right.

Hope to add more to this post.