Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Manila and back. . .another adventure

Yes, indeed, the trip to Luzon was amazing last week and very much worth the effort. Marilyn and I travelled to Manila, then north to Baguio and Sagada and back in 4 days. (Did you notice, regular blog checkers, that it is I, Luvinder, at the helm on this blog posting?) Normally Marilyn is our go-to person on blogging but today she is working with Jen at the Glory Reborn clinic and it was left up to me to bring you all up to date. So here I sit with Jen's computer, watching Australian Open Tennis and NBA Basketball as I write. It could take some time.

In this situation, perhaps even more importantly than on other posts, pictures would definitely have been an asset to the writer. How can a person describe one of the "wonders" of the world, as designated by some? The terraces of northern Luzon can apparently be seen from outer space due to their sheer size and coverage of thousands of hectares on mountain sides mostly. It is estimated that the earliest terraced areas were developed more than 500 years ago. No matter how you discuss what we saw, we came away being impressed with the incredible work it must have taken to build these by hand, then plant fruits, vegetables and rice in terraces that lent themselves to particular crops and then nurture them through the growing season and then, of course, harvesting each terrace and then. . . .getting the produce up or down the mountain side to a road that could be used to transport the goods to market. Mind boggling!

Two final thoughts about the terraces in the Banaue-Baguio-Sagada area. The engineering marvel that these are cannot be overstated. One downside is that the entire area where the terraces were built was completely clearcut. FYI, most of the terraces were literally cut out of the mountain side. Some terraces were as narrow as 2-3 ft with the largest being acres in size. Terrace sides were built with rocks and somehow withstood extremes of weather and moisture.

To review the travels just a bit. Just so you know, we were able to secure access to a driver, escort and air conditioned van for the trip north of Manila. We arrived in Manila on Monday, Jan 19th, in the morning and were on the road by 8:30am on our way to Baguio, a city of 500,000. Though it is not a great distance, travel takes lots of time despite a beautiful divided highway for about half the journey. In Asia, we have found that when travel is slow, it is really slow. Including stops we arrived in Baguio by mid afternoon and were ready for some walking. We found this mountain city to be very beautiful and the walking was better than in many cities. There were parks, markets, shopping centres and numerous local historical sites, which we were able to explore a couple of days later after visiting Sagada still further to the north.

Early Tuesday morning we departed in our van to Sagada and that is where we were able to see the terraces described above. We could not get enough of the amazing vistas though the trip was extremely slow and bumpy for about on third of the trip. We were able to stop and really get some excellent pictures from the highest driving pass in the Philippines, which was about 7,000 ft. Road construction here is nothing like we are accustomed to and it would take far too much time to describe our observations.

Sagada is a community of 13,000 scattered over nearby mountain sides. Appropriately, Sagada is in the Mountain Province of Luzon. It was beautiful and what we saw will stick to the velcro for a long time. We were taken on a couple of guided hikes, just the guide, Pete a local bee grower, Marilyn and me. This was Pete's home and he was not only knowledgeable but also very honest about his own life as a farmer, father, and guide. We saw the hanging coffins, lots of them. These are coffins containing the remains of people, animists, who buried their dead in rather small coffins and somehow attached them to the sides of cliff indentations. Some were a hundred or more feet above the ground or down from the top of the cliff. They were small for two reasons. The people were relatively small but more importantly they were placed in the coffin in a fetal position. Their placement was for superstitious reasons and in some cases those who were from "christian" persuasion placed a cross on top of the coffin but still hung as usual.

On our hikes we discovered some underground rivers and the entire area is marked by thousands of caves, which can be explored with lots of help from the guides. We only looked in from the large cave openings. We could have stayed in Sagada for several more days.

We returned to Manila on Thursday afternoon and were caught in the usual traffic jam and that was also an experience to remember. The last 2 blocks to our hotel took 35 minutes. It was nice to hop into the pool.

Before we returned to Cebu on Sunday afternoon, we were privileged to meet with some Haggai Institute people, who blessed us with a wonderful lunch on Friday, a trip through the south of Luzon to a marvelous resort at Tagaytay on Saturday, where we saw some excellent scenery and another sumptuous luncheon celebration in a 5 star facility. Quite amazing.

Okay, that must be enough of the highlights from last week. Some of you might find it a bit troublesome that we are being so extravagantly treated but hey, someone has to do it. Really, it is only by God's grace and the kindness of people toward us that makes this so memorable.

We're into our last couple of weeks in the Philippines for this trip. It is such a gift to be able to spend time and experiences with Jen and Andrey and their friends in the area here. Priceless.

A word about this week. Yesterday we were fortunate to be able to visit the Children's Shelter of Cebu. The field director, Paul Healy, (I remembered Paul and his Dad Gerry, who was a prof at Bethel College) was a basketball star at Bethel College during the years when we were at Bethel Seminary in 1973-75. This 6'8" guy took us on a tour of the facilities of the Shelter and explained how this organization has seen God's hand over the years in finding adoptive parents for hundreds of kids and in His provision of facilities. He and his wife have been leading this ministry for 30 years. We were  completely blown away with the quality of care given to orphaned or abandoned children, many of whom have various handicaps. The facilities and ongoing sustaining funds have come from a committed group of donors from various church and relational backgrounds. In particular, Harry Schmidt, of Abbotsford has been a significant benefactor through the Schmidt Family Foundation. They have built a school and several other buildings on the property. All high quality, durable, flexible and well-maintained by Paul and his staff. In final construction phase is a Medical Centre and another housing facility. You can find them at www.cscshelter.org or just google the name.

There are no words that can express our thanks to God for bringing us once again to the Philippine islands for an extended period of time. Can you believe it, there is still more to come!

 

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sinulog Week in Cebu

Sinulog is a specific to Cebu fiesta held each year one week prior to and including the third Sunday of January. It is a celebration of the Christ child. It seems to mean different things to different people. For some it becomes a kind of idol worship, centering activity on dancing and bowing down to this Christ child icon. For others it it seems to be a recognition of Christ's vulnerability as a human. In any case, the city is bustling with activities, parties, fireworks, parades.

This week we had an opportunity to visit Andrey and Jen's sponsored child, Ivy and her mother. She lives in a small city, Sibonga, 1 and 1/2 hours from Cebu City. It was such a good time of meeting, eating lunch together at the local Jollibee. We also were privileged to go to her home and meet her extended family. Ivy is 6 years old. In three weeks from now we are planning another visit to a Compassion sponsored child--this will be Dhivon who is our sponsored child. We will tell you more about that visit in a future posting.

We have done some sight seeing in Cebu. The Doulos(mercy ship) is in the harbour. On Wednesday we had the privilege of checking that out. We have met several people in our comings and goings and we seemed to all converge on that ship. That same day we checked out Fort San Pedro. This is within a short walk from Andrey's office in downtown. It was founded in 1521.

Just this morning I had the privilege of running in a 5k/half marathon race with Andrey and two other colleagues from his office. Actually we ran 5k. After the three of them had completed the race before me, they waited for me just before the finish line. It made me so happy to run the last several meters with them. What fun!

On Monday morning Lou and I are planning to leave for Manila and points north. We have arrangements to tour in Baguio, Sagada. On Friday a few alumni from Haggai have offered to meet us for lunch in Manila. Saturday the plan is to visit a resort south of Manila with them.

The lack of photos is due to our computer having developed some technical difficulties. Sorry. Pictures may have to wait until we arrive back home.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Composting in the Philippines


One of our projects while we are here is to establish a composting system for Andrey and Jen. This was a request of theirs when we arrived. Lou and I have been doing research on that subject, searching simultaneously for convenient compost bins that might be available in hardware/gardening stores. After several phone calls and a "finding mission" to another part of the city we found a society that is trying to promote this practise(composting) in Cebu.
Wayne, who said he is one of the experts in the Philippines on the subject, was able to give us a "kit". This kit includes a laundry hamper that has been lined with cardboard and enzymes and compost to fill the laundry basket about half way. Apparently it is very effective in breaking down vegetable peelings and other materials, making compost in a short period of time--as short as a few days. All of this magical stuff cost us only one hundred and twenty-five peso. (Just over three Canadian dollars)
Needless to say, we were very excited. The pictures you see are of the ceremonial beginning to composting at Jen and Andrey's house.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Sugar Beach, Part Three

Early evening just after sunset.
Beautiful, delicate flowers lined the pathways.
Relaxing on our verandah.



Sugar Beach was only accessible by water. The Sport Runner (Andrey and Jen' s vehicle) was parked in a small village across from the river that is shown. We, along with our luggage and snacks, were then transported in a small boat along the river to where it opened to the sea. From there we walked close to a kilometre to our accomodation.

We truly enjoyed this wonderful adventure.




Sugar Beach, Part Two

Coconut trees!










Our loft bedroom in this cute dwelling at the beach.



Sugar Beach

The floor of our cottage on the shores of the Sulu Sea. We stayed at Driftwood Village. The "sugar shack" was built of bamboo.
A sort of bird of paradise that was placed on the coffee table of our verandah.

Lou and I enjoyed walking on the beach.



Jenifer, enjoying a swing. The cottage we stayed in is behind her, slightly to her right.







Negros Field Trip--Part Two

Rice fields along the way.
Beautiful viewpoints as we turn another corner.





Within a few miles of our destination to Sugar Beach.



Field Trip in Negros--from Dumaguete to Sipilay Part One











We left Dumaguete after we had a chance to watch the Rose Bowl game. The trip was very interesting once again. Always more than my eyes and senses can absorb.
The tall grasses you see in the picture are sugar cane.




Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Happy New Year

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were celebrated by the four of us in Dumaguete. A port city on the island of Negros. It is about a four hour drive from Cebu plus a half hour on the ferry. We had great travelling mercies from safety in each of the "overtakings" or passing of vehicles to making the ferry in time inspite of some rainy weather and poorer visibility. This was the hotel in which we stayed. Our balcony was the one above the main door. The fireworks and celebrations on New Year's Eve lasted long and were enjoyed by us all. So here we are into 2009.
On New Year's Day we walked around the city. Most of the markets' were open. Everyone we met was happy to exchange happy new year greetings. This is a picture of a very common mode of transportation in the Philippines. This one is attached to a small motorbike. Some of them are attached to bicycles. Each one is decorated in its own style and messages. It is quite entertaining to read those messages.


A beautiful hibiscus plant blooming in the city center market area.



Vulcanizing happens alot. Many businesses sport this sign. It seems to mean "retreading of tires".


We enjoyed walking on the stone walk in front of our hotel and on the waterfront. It is most unusual from many parts of Cebu City in that it is actually possible to run and walk on. Walking is possible in Cebu City. However, one needs to watch one's step rather closely as there could be sudden changes in elevation, or holes, or the sidewalk could stop. In any case, the Christmas lights were strung on the trees and it was festive.