This just means that we, the Philippines, are far from perfect.
Donations for Typhoon Victims
I’ve been thinking of donating my old clothes since last week and I think now’s the perfect time for it. I’ll bring some of my old clothes on Monday to school because UA&P will be collecting them to give to the typhoon victims. Finally, I can clear my cabinet and help the victims at the same time :) UNITAS!
Fashion vs Falcon!
I really am behind in all of my blogging since being away from my computer for the week due to being with my homestay family and wanting to truly get into the lifestyle they live, no technology. In saying this I have a million stories to tell with ten million more photos to show but circumstance creates many questions and many thoughts on why life is this way.
We arrived back into Manila today right in the middle of some back to back typhoons; Mother nature wanted to let us know that ‘yes, it is rainy season’. In saying this anytime you are seen with a group, preferably in a van, you are targeted as tourists and tourists have money. You become the easy target for those on the streets begging, normally children. We have seen this many times throughout our trip but it seems today was a bit more rough and continuous.
Leaving Bethel House, our hotel in Dumaguete, we all were being packed into two vans headed for the airport. Our hotel is right off the boulevard off the water and a place where many homeless congregate. Two girls and a boy all under the age of nine or ten came up to our vans begging for money. The children wore expressions seen throughout the Philippines on a day to day basis, they said the same lines we had heard continously, it was morning and it was a little early for me to take it in. When we get in the vans they are at the windows, they don’t go away. I had received some sugar rice snacks from Lanie, a social worker I had worked with when in my community last week, and decided last minute to give them to the kids. It was a reaction, I saw them and the snacks and I walked over and handed it to the girl and I will never forget the expression of shock, pleasure and an overwhelming that came over the girl’s face. As we left I looked over on the boulevard and they waved, the girl having the brightest smile I have ever seen. It was strong and early in the morning and it hit me hard.
Fastforward two or three hours and we are on our way to the Shalom Center in Manila where we will be staying for the remainder of our trip. We have come into a storm, it’s raining and the streets are soaked. We learn that people don’t stop for rain, the vendors were still in the rain selling bananas and whatever else drenched to the bone.
Three or so hours after that and we are heading back from the Mall of Asia and we are stopped at a light. The rain has gotten harder and it has gotten later, it’s pitch black out and looking through the cab window I see the two boys going between the cars, soaking wet and begging. We had just seen a movie, we had just had some pizza, we had just bought candy, we had just ran into the car laughing trying not to get wet, and we are headed to a hotel where we can change clothes to get dry. They are not that lucky.
On this trip I have noticed many things and this is one that seems to continue on. We continue to see the beggars, all kids or mothers with babies. We know we can’t encourage it by helping with money or what not and I turn my head so as to get them to move on quicker but after so much things start to break you down bit by bit. The difference in our circumstances is disturbing but we need to continue living on. It isn’t about dropping our entire lives and giving everything over to those in those situations. It is in finding what can be helped and working towards sustainable solutions, to work on key issues creating these problems.
please pray for my country just take a minute of your time and PRAY they need your help. I’m all the way from Canada keep them in your prayer ?
Nyctinasty
Much love, pride, and respect for such a great Filipino Pop-punk band. They rock out AND they’re cute as fuck :))
It was raining last night.
It was raining this morning.
It was raining this afternoon.
And tonight? It’s still raining.
O.O
There really is just two kinds of weather in the Philippines, Extremely Sunny and Extremely Rainy. :(
Philippines, be safe.
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Ayaw kong maging bastos pero pwede lumayas-layas ka na sa Pilipinas! Nakakainis ka na eh! At kung maaari, maglaho ka na lang na parang bula at ‘wag nang manalasa sa iba pang lugar! KUNG PWEDE lang naman!
