18th of August 2011

Today’s the day most of us managed to sleep in and catch up on all the lack of sleep and jetlag whilst Natasha, Janet, Jenssy and Andrew went to the immigration office in Cebu to obtain visas. Unfortunately, I (Jan) woke up right in time to catch breakfast of chorizo with Amy, who ate the continental breakfast offered by the hotel. Unfortunate cause I had the least amount of sleep, not because I had to eat with Amy =P

Today was our first and (supposedly) last rest day we would have, so all we did during the day was wait for the others to come back from the immigration office, then headed to Ayala Mall for a deliciously appetizing Thai cuisine, and after returned to the hotel with the intention of getting massages nearby. Unfortunately it started to rain with spurts of downpours so we gave the massage idea a rain check and instead began to get ready for an event in the evening at 5.30pm at Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS). The event was an induction for the officers of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the Student Government (SG), thus we had to wear slightly more formal clothing and everyone was dressed pretty nice I must say. =)

Off we went to CCNSHS in 4 cabs (the rain was drizzling out by then) and when we arrived and entered the gym, where there were a LOT of students, we were given a warm welcome by Ms Yting plus front row seats =D

And so the event began! They started with a choral group singing whilst 2 ballet dancers danced in front of them, a traditional Filipino dance by the faculty, then the national anthem and next the induction of the student officers, teacher officers, parent officers and PTA officers. After that the audience was bedazzled by an array of amazing performances by the students, plus a last surprising number by the teachers (hint: the teachers danced to J-Lo and Pit Bull’s “on da floor”). I wish my teachers in Malaysia were so open to performing in front of the whole school.

Last but not least we were invited to share the buffet for the officers and the chance to meet some SEALNet members from the high school. When I talked to one of them, Elizah her name was I think, I was amazed by how busy they are. Their school schedule is from 7am to 5pm and by the time they get back home would be approximately 7pm, then they have a pile of homework to handle. With the addition of SEALNet, which I learn they are excused from class to be a part of, their workload doubles. I wonder how she manages it all… Oh did I mention she was one of the top 4 students last year? And she had the chance to attend a conference at Penang, Malaysia? Sadly, we weren’t able to meet all of the CCNSHS SEALNet members (20 in total) before we left.

Back at the hotel, the team had a good open discussion that helped enhance our unity greatly. I’m really glad that the team was able to be transparent with each other and grateful that I am able to take part in PP11 together with them. Although we’ve only known each other for 4 days, I sense the unity has grown hundred-fold tonight, and it could be seen whence we were figuring out the SIO of the project (Stake, Impact, Outcome)

Well then, good night peeps! =) I would love to tell y’all our Stake, Impact and Outcome, however we haven’t come to a solid conclusion, and we ended our team ‘meeting’ (the word ‘meeting’ sounds awfully formal to me, and we’re hardly formal at all!) at 1+am. Time for a good night’s sleep to keep the positive attitude going!

Cheerio!