Livin' it up
Trip Start
Sep 19, 2010
1
12
Trip End
Nov 19, 2010
Mandaluyong, Luzon, Philippines
Monday, November 8, 2010
Being in Mandaluyong (Metro Manila province) is like being in a zoo of cars, people and high rises. It’s sad when you have to go into a mall to find "fresh air"; the smog is so thick that the sun hardly ever actually shines. Don’t worry, there is a mall every 5 blocks here, so there is plenty of “fresh air”.
The first day here (last Saturday) was like a mirage in the desert when Tootie, Tom and Larry arrived. After two months out here it’s weird for something so familiar from home to be here in the Philippines, even though we were expecting them. Now that we have been at Legend Villas Hotel for a week, it’s as though we live here. Every staff knows us as room 323/325/326 and greets us with a huge smile (not unusual in the Philippines). Legend Villas is this beautiful Spanish style architecture group of two story buildings that is a little paradise in the middle of a huge, polluted city. Later I found out the architecture is actually “Vigan” architecture (Spanish/Filipino), a replica of a Vigan city that some of my Vega ancestors are from and related to.
Each day we have spent learning about OEWF’s investments and projects for Filipino entrepreneurs at different site locations around Metro Manila. We have been named official consultants/representatives of the foundation now, and it’s a great feeling to help investigate with Tootie, Tom and Grandpa Larry (TTGL) by asking many questions of each program. These adventures have been accompanied by our driver Eddie who I have to give props to for his driving style, this guy can cut across 4 lanes while making a U-Turn in order to get us anywhere. I guess that’s the way you have to be to drive around here, I bet I would love driving here. Chris even said to Eddie, “I guess these red lights don’t mean much to you.” Eddie knows a shortcut to everywhere.
It has been so much fun cruising around with TTGL, they are the life of the party. Not to mention to new vocabulary and sayings that G. Larry has taught us, we call them Larryisms. I.e. “This gaposis needs to be filled”, “Not want my wanter wants”, or “The cake is cooked” when referring to when a project is completed. Tootie is the ultimate friend maker, you turn your back for a second and she’s chatting away with another Filipino. It’s neat to see her in her element speaking Tagalog and eating little dried fish and salted eggs (soaked in salt water for weeks in the fridge). Uncle Tom thank God, is a refreshing dose of home and organization, with a calendar in hand it’s nice to be around organization again even if we still are running on Filipino time.
Saturday was spent touring Intramuros (“inside walls”) Historic city, the old Spanish district where a wall was built to keep people out. It also was the headquarters of the U.S. Army in WWII. Currently there is a golf course in what used to be a moat filled with crocodiles for defense. I was amazed at how well Tootie took the experience, she was pointing to the buildings saying, “this is where our relatives were tortured by the Japanese” and “this is the building we brought food to for them”. She also told us a story about when the American soldier’s rescue/relief planes were shot down the men parachuting down were then shot and one landed in her back yard. Her cousin even held her back from looking at the dog tags because then she would then be killed by the Japanese. Horrifying stories like that was really humbling about our lives today. Acsa and J.R. (distant cousins) took us around Manila and helped us bargain with the carriage tour ride to make this a complete day.
Other things we saw around Manila included the longest line you will ever see for lotto ticket purchasing. Apparently the biggest lotto jackpot is happening right now and everyone wants to try their luck. Call centers are an impressive business in this area building sky scrapers employing thousands. We now know what the other end of your phone call looks like when calling your credit card company for help.
The worst part about meeting the kids at IFL is having to say goodbye. Talk about a heart wrenching experience, even if you say “see you later” it still feels horrible. We played Santa and brought the kids new “slippers” (flip flops), bags, toothbrushes, toothpaste, stickers and candy. It was priceless to see the smiles on their faces, what American kid would be so thankful for toothpaste and a new toothbrush? I really am going to miss them.
I know some of life will return to normal and the e-mails to the kids may slow down, but I know nothing will be the same. Arnel (one of my algebra kids) gave me a fake flower and as it sits on my keyboard as I type, I’ll always think of him. I’ll never forget the fresh baby hair smell of little Aubrey, and her birthday October 19th. I’ve already thought of birthday ideas to send for her 1st birthday. Every time I attempt playing chess with Chris I’ll think of Jay-ar, Jose and little RayAngelo. Maybe someday I’ll be good enough to be comparable competition for those little chess geniuses.
Tonight we fly out. Hawaii bound with many thoughts on leaving this adventure…
Comments
We, Uncle Tom ad Grandpa Larry . Tootie nominate Janie as Very accomplished journalist, reporter. etc. extemporaire. And also photograhy master graduaated. With gratitude.
One of our maitre "d at the Legend Vlla said that he had never met such a "beauty" like Janie that was NOT stuck up. Another one said she is a carbon copy of Brooke Shields. We shall enter her in the Miss Universe as finalist. (That comment is from Grandpa L. Uncle T. and Tootie)