School Spirit

So much energy and so much excitement.  In the past fwo days we have visited four schools in the metropolitan Manila area ending at Jose Rizal University.  This school is where my partner, Julia, and I will be stationed at for the next ten days.  The pep rally we witnessed was enough to rock our socks off!  The president opened with a short speech focusing on the role of honor associated with the success of school's sports team.  This energizing speech was followed by each sports team doing a choreographed dance in the court yard while the entire school watched and cheered.  Julia and I were treated with equal enthusiasm as we toured the school, met students in passing, and attended a welcome assembly in our honor.  Many, many, many selfies later we bounced home in a jeepney and relaxed in the rooftop pool 30 stories above the city- feeling drained yet our spirits inspired by all that we had experienced.

paalama na and salamat po Philippines!

Goodbye and thank you to the Philippines!  We visited 10 schools and were "adopted" for a week by Jose Rizal University.  We met energetic, creative teachers who fed us well and invited us into their classrooms, homes, and hearts.  Students greeted us with smiles, songs, and questions. Our host planned a phenomenal week and helped us to navigate the busy streets of Mandaluyoung, the Tiger City.  I couldn't have asked for a better partner and roommate who encouraged me to be open to new experiences and kept me laughing, regardless of the heat and humidity.  And of course, a BIG thank you goes out to Teachers for Global Classrooms and IREX for making it all possible.  You brought a group of dynamic teachers together and opened our eyes to a new culture.  YES, this was a life changing experience and YES, I am ready to return to the Philippines.  Salamat Po (thank you)

Shout out to Harper, Georgia, Sophia, Julia, Amanda:  There are many, many, many festivals in the Philippines.  I did not see any festivals but I learned of one called the Higantes (giant puppets) Feast or Festival of San Clemente in Angono.  The giant puppets are made from Paper Mache and bamboo sticks.  The festival is in November.  Sounds like a good time to return for a visit :)

Shout out to Megan, Marshall, Cassidy W., Marina:  Unfortunately, I did not see many wild animals during my travels because I was mostly in big cities.  The local zoo did not even have a tarsier, the famous large eyed mammal that lives in the rain forests.  They are quickly disappearing because people are turning the rain forests into farmland

Shout out to Toby: Yes, the toilets are a little different and toilet paper is not always available. I always carried my own toilet paper.   I will tell you more stories when I see you next.

Shout out to Kyhoei:  Good news-- Filipinos do not hate the Japanese.  Currently, Filipinos are very concerned about China......

The Life of a Celebrity

I can't begin to explain the generosity, the hospitality and the warm feelings we experienced everywhere we went.  At each school, art gallery, and event we were greeted with smiles, banners, balloons, and even the key to the city (thank you, Mandaluyoung City!).  Students politely greeted us with, "Good morning, visitors," and each day I entered Jose Rizal University I saw our faces posted on a HUGE banner.  Often visits ended with pictures and selfies. For more than a week we enjoyed a beautiful bouquet of flowers presented to us by our host teacher, Mr. Rufo de Leon.  This special treatment was a constant reminder of how teachers are valued in the Philippines and my role as "ambassador" from Rhode Island.  Thank you for making me feel special!

Shout out to Tristan, Aimee,  and Jackie E.:  The Philippines "boasts" that they are the only Christian Nation in Asia with 86% of the population claiming to be Roman Catholics.  Often, classes in both private and public schools begin each day with a prayer.

Shout out to Julia, Mason, Eve and Wenda:  The students in the schools that I visited listen to pretty much the same music you do.  Can you imagine what they said when I did "The Whip"?  In all schools, public and private, students are required to wear a uniform, they may not wear any make up (even in high school) nor may they color their hair.  Outside of school, kids dress much like you do but they do not wear short skirts or shorts.

Food in the Philippines

I don't know where to begin!  Food is a HUGE part of the Filipino culture along with hospitality.  Filipinos are very generous so at just about every gathering, whether it be with a principal, a family, or group of teachers, we were offered food.  Many of the foods were familiar from pork to chicken to delicious fruit.  In other cases the foods were exotic:  fertilized duck eggs, chicken feet, frogs, and parts of cow I would never have thought to cook.  Surprisingly, many of the fruits and vegetables are ones we have never tasted before.  My absolute favorite...MANGO and ofcourse pancit, a noodle dish that varies in toppings. 

Shoutout to Jacie O., Jacob M., Brady, Brandon, Hannah, Rachel T., Andral, Rachel L., Cassie, Ryan, Lucas:   Filipinos eat a wide variety of foods.  Pork and chicken are two of the most common meats.  Plantains are also very popular.  

Balut-A delicacy of the Philippines

So.......the big question, did I or did I not try Balut??

The answer is YES!  I was more than a little nervous to try this new food but I am proud to say that I did eat balut and I liked the flavor.  For those of you who don't know, balut is a fertilized duck egg.  This means that there are pin feathers and other body parts.  The egg itself tasted like a hard boiled egg but it was a little crunchy.  Often you see roadside stands selling these eggs.  I opted for eating one in a restaurant.  Would I do it again?  Probably. What's next?  Chickens feet? Chicken intestines? So many choices......

Keep checking the blog to see what happens next.

Shoutout to Russell:  I did it!