Today I presented another research project for my Philippine History class. My topic was Martial Law and Human Rights Violations of the Marcos Era. It was a disturbing and enlightening experience. The presentation stirred up much discussion on the events that happened here during the 70's and 80's and it was great to talk to the local women who lived through it and have personal memories of the difficulties of that time. It is about 6 pages long so if anyone is interested in reading it, just email me and I will send it to you.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

We were invited to join a table for the ANZA (Australian New Zealand association) Grand Charity Ball at the Philippine Plaza Hotel. The theme was "Chicago" and it was a blast! We had more fun at this event than any other we have attended this year. The first entertainment was a singing and dancing show put on by Manila's premier drag performers, the Drag Ons. Unbelievable that these were men!

Celia, Betsy, Christy

Celia, Betsy, Kelly, Kim

The band was great and we danced all night to jazzy bluesy music. Lots of Fun!

Celia, Betsy, Kim, Laurie

Thursday, March 9, 2006

Thursdays for others visited Brighthouse Learning Center, a school for older street children who have never been to school. These children were 10 or 11 years old when they started in first grade. They are now doing 5th grade work and are so happy to be in school. This is another example of a church based mission to help the street children. They operate solely on donations and sponsorship.
Another outreach of this organization is called "Threads of Hope." Many of the women of the squatter's village, some mothers of these children, have been trained to make friendship bracelets. These are available for fundraisers and are being shipped all over the world. This is providing a livelihood for families who have never before been able to support themselves.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Happy Birthday Celia, B, and Pam. Together they are celebrating 156 years of life! What great role models in growing gracefully!

Kim, Michelle, Celia, B, Kathy, Diane, Lisa, Pam, Holly, Cindy, Betsy, Michelle

Saturday, March 4, 2006

Terry and I drove north of Manila about 2 hours to Subic Bay. This is where an important US Navy base was located. The base is still there, but no longer in active use. We went to White Rock resort where we found a nice beach and plenty of clean air to breathe for two days. We had massages and foot spas, sat on the beach, and floated in the water. What a great getaway!

Subic Bay
Caribou (ou pronounced like ow in cow) -Philippine National Animal-
Not like a North American Caribou (boo)

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Ed Com History of the Philippines Class took a field trip to the Coconut Palace. This beautiful "hotel" was built by Imelda Marcos in 1981 so that the Pope could stay here on his Papal visit. The Pope, however, stayed with the local clergy as is always the custom of the Pope when he is visiting as a church official. The Coconut Palace was then used by the Marcos' to entertain celebrities like George Hamilton and Brooke Shields. The Palace is built using mostly materials from the coconut plant. It is a beautiful building with many bedroom suites, each decorated to reflect the different local cultural aspects of many provinces of the Philippines.

Carlos Celdran, our tour leader, holding a picture of young Imelda.

After our tour we had lunch at the Jumbo Palace, a huge Chinese restaurant which is floating on Manila Bay.


Tuesday, February 28, 2006 AWCP Volunteer Luncheon at the home of Elizabeth McLaughlin.

Saturday evening was the George Washington Ball at the U.S. Embassy on Manila Bay. It was a beautiful evening with a nice breeze blowing in from the bay. The grounds and building were quite impressive and this was a unique evening because attendees were allowed to take pictures. On regular tour days no cameras are allowed inside or out. There was a silent auction, raffle, dinner, and dancing all to benefit the charities of the American Association of the Philippines. It was a very nice evening and we enjoyed the party and the company.

Mery, Betsy, Holly

Oh dear, what a day! Today, February 24, 2006 was a very strange day! Today is the 20th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution by the People's Power which overthrew Ferdinand Marcos and drove him out of power into seclusion in Hawaii. On this anniversary, tensions were high in Manila as 3 of the current president's generals were arrested and stripped of power because they were part of a coup trying to get her out of office. The coup was foiled and the president announced a state of emergency. Some political rallies were held, but all were peaceful and at worse caused traffic jams.

I chose to ignore the state of emergency and went to Freaky Friday Lunch with my friends before heading downtown to meet Terry and a few Info Techies for supper. No problems driving anywhere I wanted to go today!

Freaky Friday lunch at Y Tu Mama Tambien, B, Michelle, Kim, Cindy, Diane, Betsy, Celia


All of this is sort of surreal and going on around us, but not really affecting us much. We have bigger worries. The biggest being the health of our beloved driver Fred's daughter, Grace, who is suffering from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. She is 18 and has been in the hospital for 3 weeks. She was released today, so we were telling Fred as he dropped us off this evening that she was welcome to use our spare room and bath until all of her wounds were healed. What we didn't know was that as we were talking to him, Imelda Marcos who lives in our building, and two of her attendants were right behind us. They passed us and then we caught up and got into the same elevator with her. I had been quite preoccupied, but then noticed Imelda walking in front of me and the next thing I know I am standing right next to her in an elevator! Her attendant was carrying an armful of beautiful flowers, so Terry commented on how great they smelled and I said something inane about it being a special occasion-UNBELIEVABLE-I can't believe I said that! Anyway as we got out of the elevator, she handed me a dozen red roses and said "God Bless You!" All I could say was "Oh my, thank you so much!" and the elevator door closed. Man am I ever conflicted! She really is a lovely woman and is still quite an icon here, but the fact remains that she and her husband stole millions from the Philippine government in the 20 years they were in power. She was wearing really pretty red shoes!

Roses from Imelda

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Today Michelle and I went to the University of Manila hospital to visit Grace Omec, our driver Fred's daughter. She is recovering from Stephens-Johnson Syndrome. The hospital was quite stark and simple with very old furniture and equipment, but it seems very clean.


Afterwards we were invited to visit the homes and Chinese Antique store of Marlene Aguilar, a designer and publisher of Art Books. She has built two homes using all Filipino materials and craftsmen. The outside and many of the inside walls of the two homes are hand laid stone. The homes are filled with her Chinese and Tibetan antiques. Everything is very Feng Shui with water elements, wood floors, stone walls and colors depicting earth, fire, air, and water.

Tonight was the Athletic Awards Ceremony at ISM. All of the sports from second season were featured. Here are some pictures from this nice event.




Sunday, February 19, 2006

Allison had a wonderful experience on her week long school trip to the northern mountains of Luzon. It was a thirteen hour bus ride through Banaue to Segada. The students worked doing community service building a sidewalk between the church and school. They also spent time with the local students in the classroom and in athletic competition. Here are a few of her pictures.
The cerimonial fire was started by sending balls of fire down strings from closeby buildings, when they hit the wood it ignited. I am guessing there must have been some fuel soaked wood.

Famous Hanging Coffins of Segada- Ancient tribal burial practice.

Anna, one of Allison's Basketball team mates, with local children

I gave her the speech about making good decisions.............

Community service building a sidewalk

Rice Terraces

Village and rice terraces