So anyway day 11 started out fairly soggy, and despite some enthusiastic attempts at the sun dance by Du (it’s all in the hips), it continued to pour quite heavily in the early afternoon. After a quick pasta lunch with the mentees, we were off to Alaska for the adult education component of our program. Janet R had prepared us for the possibility that the turnout for the event may be poorer than expected, but I think it’s safe to say that the reality had everyone pleasantly surprised.

We’d arrived at Alaska Elementary at about 1.15 pm to find a handful of parents already waiting there under one of the three tents. The clock marched on and anxiety turned to relief as the steady stream of parents (or more accurately moms) continued as we approached the scheduled 2 pm start time (phew looks like we’d meet our 60 people target after all). This fear however would subsequently prove to be completely unfounded – the tents filled up with people but more and more parents kept walking in! Pretty soon desks were being brought out of the nearby classrooms by the elementary school students (think ants carrying a caterpillar) to be used as makeshift chairs. A cunning signatory count by Ms Belle would later reveal an attendance of over 200 people!

The workshop itself went about as well as we could have hoped. The team had been waxing lyrical over our high school mentees from the day we arrived, and still they managed to blow us away with their performances today. The general emotion among the team was that of proud parents, as we watched Fidel and Mia impressively take the stage as the emcees of the day. This was followed by equally outstanding performances by Mark and Naressa, Rieland and Inah, Joni and Patrice, and ended emphatically by Dan Dan and Annrey. If they’d shown any sort of hesitation before, none of it was evident today as they took to the stage and worked the crowd as confidently as if they’d been doing it all their lives. The contributions of Jea and Kayla should also not be forgotten, as they stood amongst the enthusiastic crowd facilitating their participation – by no means an easy task with such large numbers. Throw in a few renditions of our hit song “No GI” (this one’s going to plague us for a while) and you’ve got a recipe for a successful event.

Needless to say, despite the rain all of us left the school and day 11 in high spirits.

-Alex Teo

We started off the day as we have been for the past couple days- wake up call is at 8am and breakfast (honey smacks and a generic coco puffs… mmm) at 8:30am. We then headed out to UC Banilad, (a nearby college that is allowing us to use some of their classrooms for work space) to start our work day. Today was a little different than our days thus far. We weren’t meeting with the high school students or visiting the Alaska Mumbaling community, so a lot of today’s activities were dedicated to worm education for ourselves and time to work on our individual focus group tasks.

Noelle and Liz did a powerpoint presentation for us on worms- basically what kinds there are, how they are transmitted to people, how to treat them, and how to prevent them. And let’s just say there were some pretty graphic images from that presentation that have been imprinted in our minds FOR-EV-ER.  But I think it gave a lot of the group a better sense of the information we need to know, and what we need to pass on to the folks we want to affect. Work time after that in our focus groups was good- or well, I can only speak for my own group. But as for the adult team, we’ve been putting in a lot of great ideas into what we want our adult workshop on worms to encompass. I’m excited to see the high school students to get their input on and ideas too. They always seem to have the most insightful and thought provoking things to say.

We all had lunch at Chow King and unfortunately had to say our goodbyes to Kevin, one of our adult/professional mentors. It was a sad moment because I’m pretty sure we all grew to really appreciate Kevin’s presence in our group. He was always making us think critically and pushing us to continually question ourselves and strive for something bigger, something higher. After lunch we went back to the classroom at UC Banilad. Dr. Belizario came and did a presentation for our group about worms. He gave us a lot of information that was really helpful in trying to wrap our minds around what the Alaska Mumbaling community really needs, and what the struggles in providing health education are going to be. Something that really stuck out to me is that he said, in order to run a successful deworming campaign or program, you really must be able to change the ATTITUDES of the people you are trying to educate. It’s a difficult thing to do, and complacency about this issue is going to be a big obstacle.  Complacency, as well as working around the limited resources that the community has, has been something I’ve personally been struggling with.  I’m hoping we’ll all be able to address these things and come up with creative ways to combat them in the coming weeks. I’m sure we will!

After this we basically updated each other on what each specific focus group was doing, had about 20 minutes of free time in the hotel, and then went to dinner. As usual, our group took up about 50 tables at  the restaurant- this time, a Filipino food place called Maxim’s.  I witnessed several thumb and arm wrestling competitions and two rounds of telephone. “What song is this?” turned into something about a twig. And I shared my personal strategy when it comes to getting boys to not want to dance with you at clubs. Needless to say, you’re all going to see more girls doing the robot when you go out from now on. Just a heads up.

We had a debrief on our thoughts on the day and more work time after dinner. Kayla was our spotlight on person.  She is such a big ball of energy, and it was cool to learn more about her. Andrew ended our night with a medley of his own song called 16, plus no scrubs by TLC. Now that’s talent.  

I’m excited for what’s to come in this project! Everything has been amazing so far, and I’m having the best time learning from everyone around me. Good times, Cebu. Good times.

-Justine Katindoy

Sylvie and Racquel had been planning this day for a while, keeping it on the down low and whatnot. Island-hopping. I’ve never been island-hopping before so I was really excited for today.

After everyone got ready, we sat in the lobby, taking pictures with the Prince who happened to be wearing a crown. A jeepney was rented out as our transportation to the pier and this would be the first time for some people to ride a jeepney. For me, jeepneys were my daily transportation while I was in Manila so I wasn’t that excited. Everyone piled into the back and there came a point where not everyone was going to fit. I quickly volunteered to sit in the front. I’m not one who likes sitting in the back — I get carsick easily. I sprinted to the front and sat in the middle, in between the driver and the conductor (the guy that usually collects the bayad/fare from passengers).

I think I have the nickname of “social butterfly” in our PP09 group, which isn’t surprising. As soon as I sat in that front seat, I introduced myself and spoke in Tagalog to the guys. The driver was Kuya Billy and the conductor was Kuya Shu. The reason I talk to so many people is 1) I want to learn more about them and where they came from and 2) I love talking to people which is surprising because I was never a “social butterfly” before coming to the Philippines. I think it’s because I feel more connected to all the Filipinos here that I can be comfortable talking to random strangers. So Kuya Shu (23) and Kuya Billy (33) are cousins and their work is just driving this jeepney around. It looks like an easy job, but it really isn’t. Staying in a jeepney for so long isn’t exactly the most appealing job and it doesn’t pay as much as it should. But that’s life in the Philippines, as I’m always told by relatives… As everyone jammed out to the slightly old school R&B mix of Kuya Billy, I continued to talk to Kuya Shu. I think I’ve told my parents’ life story to more than 30 people, I swear. I’m just so proud of them, you know?

We finally arrived at the pier and I bid farewell to my new Kuyas. We would see them around 4:30p… but off we go onto the boat. I sat with Susie and we pretty much got soaked. It’s like when you go to an amusement park and people like riding in the front to get wet on the water ride — except it wasn’t as salty as our experience. When we started seeing the different islands, it was an amazing sight to be seen. Again, I’ve never been to any other part of the Philippines, besides Manila and Batangas. I never knew such a beautiful sight could be hidden in all the pollution and overpopulated areas of the Philippines. I could understand why many tourists come to Cebu City — the Queen City due to all the tourists that visit.

A few girls and I went off to change and met up with everyone in the water afterward. We saw so many different starfish. The water was really shallow as well. Despite the shallow-ness, poor JChu stepped on something pointy that got stuck on her foot. Luckily, Dr. Alex got to work and took the pointy stuff out. We pretty much chilled in the water… taking pictures, messing with starfish, and finding sand dollars. The Prince got hungry and went off to see when lunch was. He called us over and we returned to the island.

The food was amazing. Like I have my standards when it comes to Filipino food and what was prepared was so delicious. Masarap! While we were eating, I looked around to see if there was a traditional Filipino serenade-like band because usually there is one in places like this. I was disappointed when I didn’t see anyone. It was okay though because I got to learn more about the people at my table. I felt bad for Noelle though because she was a bug-bite magnet.

After everyone finished eating, here comes the guys I’ve been waiting for — the band. Of course, I’d be the one to request songs. They sang Bayan Ko (Freddie Aguilar), May Bukas Pa, Dahil Sa ‘Yo, Ikaw Pa Rin, and Anak (Freddie Aguilar). I was a bit sad they didn’t know any Cinderella songs (old school, much?) but overall I was really happy they came to our table. I took a picture with them so I would remember them because despite their old guitars, they did justice to the songs they sung.

The band left, and Jonathan, Noelle, and I decided to rent out a boat. However, by the time we got there, we found out everyone who left during the “band concert” was on a boat. Awesome. We went around to walk onto the pier and we passed the pasalubong (souvenir) ladies again. I forgot to mention that you can see these pasalubong ladies when you first arrive on the island. I told them I would come back again to buy pasalubong, and I would never lie to them. I also joked about getting a discount, which of course I would feel bad about. “May bawas ba ‘yan, ate?”

Out in the water, Noelle and I were basically attacked by coral (we scraped our feet/ankle on them). That definitely wasn’t fun. We caught up with the boats and I jumped aboard the boat of JRo, Planes, and Alex. I was the shouter (I forgot the technical term…), yelling ROW! every now and then. We had a competition with the other boat which consisted of people I forgot, but we won! Yay Team! It was all because of my yelling skills, obviously. Joke~

I decided it was about time for me to go back because I promised those ladies I would come back. I walked down the pier and saw the pasalubong ladies smile at me. As I passed by them, I said, “Kukunin ko ang pera, ate.” — “I will go get my money.” I came back within a few minutes and looked at what they had. Even though I ended up buying only $10 worth of stuff they were so happy. I found out that they actually live on another island and they ride a boat in the morning to come to Nalosoan Island (the island we were on). They are all actually related in some way — all cousins, one said. I wasn’t able to learn all their names, so I continued calling them Ate/Kuya. I also noticed that the singer of the serenade band was also at the table. I praised his voice and told him that the songs he sung were my parents’ favorites.

And of course, whenever I meet anyone in the Philippines, I told them my parents’ life story. It’s something I like to share with everyone because I think it sort of gives hope to some people here. Because if you haven’t heard, my parents were from lower middle class families in the Philippines. But that’s a story for when I meet people. I also always mention that I really want to come back to the Philippines, if I can. It’s my life’s dream to be able to be useful in some way to my kababayan (fellow countrymen) here. This is one of the main reasons I joined SEALNet.

I love the Philippines so much, despite my not growing up here. I feel so connected to everyone here and I feel happiest when I am around my kababayan. Everyone here has a story and I want to hear it all. This is why whenever I get a chance to talk in Tagalog, I will step up and practice. Before I talk I always apologize for my bad grammar, but everyone always says, “Mabuti marunong ka, kahit ano.” (It’s great you learned, despite anything.)

After Nalosoan Island, we drifted off into the sea and stopped in a place so that we could swim in the ocean. It was super maalat/salty! It was a great experience though. We left that spot and returned to the place where my Kuyas dropped us off. I was so tired by I knew once I got onto that jeepney, I’d have to be Miss Talkative again. On the ride back, I was once again sitting in front with my Kuyas. We chatted very little because I pretty much used up all my material on the way coming to the pier. But on the way back, I tried to talk as much as I could. I could tell they were really entertained by what I would say.

I met so many people today and of course, I always love to share what I learned with everyone. Sorry if it’s a bit much, but I really did enjoy today. I hope I can meet more and more people and learn more and more as well.

-Kayla Bicol

Sylvie and I were going to do day 2 together, but I can’t really add
much to Sylvie’s great entry!

Anyway, just went online to read the little bios that you all wrote
ages ago and realized that there was actually a point to writing those
things… If you read them now, they will really spring to life! The
short project description found on the Sealnet website also makes
infinitely more sense now… All in a good day’s work.

To sum up, today we learnt that “Du” is actually “Zu” (sorry…), that
Ryan is actually the Prince of Cebu, and that service projects can
actually change lives.

p.s. I think the perfect song to sum up today’s events is Bill Evan’s
rendition of “Stella by Starlight” from his “Conversations with
Myself” album. Check it out. GNite, Jonathan.

Ridiculously amazing! I did not know I was in for such an awesome experience, and I am glad I listened to the feedback of my friends and acted on it, because this is potentially life-changing.

Oh, SEAL Net…

TODAY IN A NUTSHELL: orientation and goal setting with the PP09 team; Jollibee lunch; meeting and 1st leadership training with UP Cebu High School students; dinner at Lemongrass Thai in Ayala center; brief shopping; debriefing in hotel; work time in focus groups; “Spotlight On…”; sleep

Breakfast

is in room 211 – I remember all these cereals! Milo ChocoFlakes, those stars, and boxed milk! I wrote my name on a plastic bowl and we met Jenssy and Stephen who arrived last night/early this morning. Took taxis to UC Banilad, where Orientation activities will occur. It’s a little weird to be the outsiders in a pretty homogenous society, but it’s not something new for me. I’m wondering how the others are thinking about being an object of curiosity. It seems everyone is taking it in stride.

Orientation

We are currently writing our STAKE, IMPACT, and OUTCOME for Project Philippines 2009. We split into our three focus teams to discuss, and Kevin gave us some great feedback in the Adult Outreach Team about goal-setting. It’s already proven great to have his experienced perspective feeding back into our thought processes.

We came up with our statements, but when we reached “OUTCOME,” Kevin counseled us to be more quantifiable with our goals, so we went back to the drawing board! Here are our final brain/heart products:

STAKE: Empower the Alaska community and high school students to be catalysts for change by instilling in them a sense of social responsibility, service leadership, and sustainable ownership.

IMPACT: (1) Health as a priority among Alaska families; (2) Share knowledge and lifelong passion for service; (3) Inspire students to take action and instill optimism; (4) Raise awareness and challenge preconceptions.

OUTCOME: (1) Equip high school students with leadership skills and confidence; strengthen sense of community among SEAL Net Club members; (2) Speak to each of 25 families expected to attend our Adult Outreach event one-on-one; each parent receives health education materials and three key points; tell other families! (3) Research number of schools and establish a target distribution number; (4) Create a coloring book

Next, we moved on to Ground Rules:

1. Be on time!

2. Be clean and neat with materials.

3. Have positive attitudes.

4. Respect other’s opinions and attitudes (SAFE SPACE!)

5. Respect everyone we are working with in the community.

6. Leave things/spaces better than we found them.

7. BE SAFE!

8. Get to know entire SEAL Net team.

9. Learn about and respect the local culture (be curious!).

10. Deal with conflicts on an individual basis unless it involves the whole group.

11. Set a good example for the high school students with your actions.

Then, we finally found out the names of our mentees!

Mine: Joni and Niña Ann Margaret!!!

My small group: (#6) Susie and Diana

Debriefing

Susie thinks kids are amazing and hopes they’ll stop being shy

Stephen is excited about eventually breaking into their comfort zones, and circles of trust

Justine enjoyed human knot game and the awkwardness it dissolved and closeness it allowed

-also, she suggests that it would be nice to come prepared to talk to students with a list of questions and conversation prompts

Kayla: “potential” is the word of the day

-In the Define a Leader activity, asked students if anyone has all the listed qualitites? No, but among them, they have them, so showed that leadership is about teamwork

Kevin: Laundry lists of ideas are good, but make sure that you are prepared to summarize and let people leave with one or two solid ideas

Diana: a lot of students brought notebooks; they’re ready to learn!

Kevin: good that we brought students up to write, speak

-Liz: these tactics don’t make it too obvious that we are intentionally putting them through public speaking exercises

Kevin: we can raise the level of the workshops and stretch the kids a bit more than just discussion — Change the style of delivery — He has specific ideas!

A.Plan: learning how to be a mentor (Kayla’s a bit crazy) — It was interesting to see how others of us achieve familiarity with the high school students and to see the mentoring styles

janet C: one student said favorite part of high school is crushes! = they’re still kids and it’s good to have fun!

Alex: need to encourage them to take themselves out of their comfort zones

Janet R: older kids might intimidate the younger students; or alternatively the younger students might defer to the older as a mark of cultural respect for elders

Liz: kids have changed from introverts to extroverts, maybe because of SEAL Net workshops, but probably because of age

-Make sure to wear DEET tomorrow and cover up; wear “disposable” shoes and don’t bring them into the hotel; don’t bring a purse/bag

Some of my thoughts from today

My high school mentees! They had forewarned us somewhat about the caliber of these students, but I was still pretty blown away by their ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication — and I am not one for lavish hyperbole. We discussed in small groups the characteristics of leadership and I was pretty moved by the output of those talks and how much they already understand and perceive about the role of leaders, perhaps because of their status in the privileged charter high school of a premier University , and the great experiences they’ve already had with leadership. Also, the things they’re proud of having accomplished are great@ From being able to stay through four years of a tough school to projects they’ve accomplished already. This project will be much more enjoyable with the company of these students, and so much more power and sustainability!

-Sylvie