We wanted to share with everybody a little bit of what we've accomplished on ground so far. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes...
Day 1
Janet and I (and our friend Racquel Enad) hit the ground running by meeting with Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) to define its partnership with SEALNet. We were fortunate to meet with Dr. Henry Yu, Dr. Montoya (head of student affairs), and Dr. Fernandez (dean of the medical school).
Janet and Jenssy at CIM
The rest of the day was dedicated to A LOT of walking to different hotels to ask for special group rates.
Janet and I also made a new friend over dinner. At dinner, there was a couple sitting next to us and sitting next to the couple was a little kid. The kid kept switching tables between our table and the couple's table. I thought this was odd behavior so I finally asked the couple if the kid was there's. When they said no, we realized the little kid had followed us from outside and was hungry. We bought him a meal and he sat with us to eat dinner.
New friend
Day 2
We began our day hotel hunting. The weather was bipolar, alternating between rain and sunshine. This made hotel hunting a little slippery, but no problem.
Anton, Jenssy, and Janet at lunch
We began our day hotel hunting. The weather was bipolar, alternating between rain and sunshine. This made hotel hunting a little slippery, but no problem.
Anton, Jenssy, and Janet at lunch
Later we met with the Gawad Kalinga representatives, another one of our partners, to learn more about their work in Cebu, to discuss how SEALNet can help Gawad Kalinga (GK), and in general to define our partnerships and to set expectations. I was really happy with the enthusiasm our GK partner shared despite the many challenges that they face every day. They are a really inspiring group of people to be working with.
After our initial meeting with GK, we walked to CIM to meet with Dr. Montoya, and two members of the student council. We had a phenomenal meeting with Dr. Montoya and the students; they had already mapped out which days CIM students would be able to help with the SEALNet project in the next three weeks, as well as shared their concerns and ideas for our collaboration. The thing I liked best was that our conversation felt equal. We could tell Dr. Montoya and the students felt comfortable sharing with us their thoughts and ideas. Our partnership is a true collaboration and all decisions are made together. Yay teamwork! :D
Dr. Montoya, Janet, and Anton
Dr. Montoya, and CIM student council and PP11 leaders
After our meeting at CIM, Tito Jerdie, a GK volunteer that is quickly becoming one of our greatest GK resources picked us up and we headed to Budlaan, a GK village located in the mountains. Along the way, we learned about Filipino history, how GK started in Cebu, and we shared ideas for what we will be doing in the village in the coming weeks. Tito Jerdie is a selfless individual who is very knowledgeable about the organization and does his best to answer all of our questions and think with us through challenges we might encounter. Thank you Tito Jerdie, for all you do for us!
"This way to Budla-an"
Getting closer to the GK Budlaan village
Jenssy, Tito Jerdie, Janet at GK Budlaan
After our initial meeting with GK, we walked to CIM to meet with Dr. Montoya, and two members of the student council. We had a phenomenal meeting with Dr. Montoya and the students; they had already mapped out which days CIM students would be able to help with the SEALNet project in the next three weeks, as well as shared their concerns and ideas for our collaboration. The thing I liked best was that our conversation felt equal. We could tell Dr. Montoya and the students felt comfortable sharing with us their thoughts and ideas. Our partnership is a true collaboration and all decisions are made together. Yay teamwork! :D
Dr. Montoya, Janet, and Anton
Dr. Montoya, and CIM student council and PP11 leaders
After our meeting at CIM, Tito Jerdie, a GK volunteer that is quickly becoming one of our greatest GK resources picked us up and we headed to Budlaan, a GK village located in the mountains. Along the way, we learned about Filipino history, how GK started in Cebu, and we shared ideas for what we will be doing in the village in the coming weeks. Tito Jerdie is a selfless individual who is very knowledgeable about the organization and does his best to answer all of our questions and think with us through challenges we might encounter. Thank you Tito Jerdie, for all you do for us!
"This way to Budla-an"
Getting closer to the GK Budlaan village
Jenssy, Tito Jerdie, Janet at GK Budlaan
Some sites in the village:
Village store
There is one village store in Budlaan. Actually, Tito Jerdie explained that only one store is allowed to be in the village and it serves to provide some livelihood for the village. The "Smart" banner advertises one of the major cell phone companies in the Philippines. The other most popular company seems to be "Globe".
Venue where major events in the village are held. We will have some of our education workshops here.
Preschool
Homes (there are about 164 in the village)
Woman getting water out of a well
Woman picking something up
Cute children playing
Village tutor and students
Venue where major events in the village are held. We will have some of our education workshops here.
Preschool
Homes (there are about 164 in the village)
Woman picking something up
Cute children playing
Village tutor and students
After our village tour on day 2, we did some more hotel hunting...hunt hunt hunt...
Day 3
Today began with a meeting with the UP Cebu High School guidance counselor to talk about our continuing partnership and to map out how the students will be involved with SEALNet in the next month. SEALNet has partnered with UP Cebu since 2007, and luckily we have a strong relationship with the school. Its students is what personally inspired me to continue working with SEALNet. Despite limited resources for a lot of them, they surpass great challenges and thrive academically on many levels. I am very proud of our SEALNet alumni. This year we will continue working with UP Cebu to strengthen leadership skills and to teach them about high blood pressure and the roles they can play in their community to raise awareness about how to prevent it.
Day 3
Today began with a meeting with the UP Cebu High School guidance counselor to talk about our continuing partnership and to map out how the students will be involved with SEALNet in the next month. SEALNet has partnered with UP Cebu since 2007, and luckily we have a strong relationship with the school. Its students is what personally inspired me to continue working with SEALNet. Despite limited resources for a lot of them, they surpass great challenges and thrive academically on many levels. I am very proud of our SEALNet alumni. This year we will continue working with UP Cebu to strengthen leadership skills and to teach them about high blood pressure and the roles they can play in their community to raise awareness about how to prevent it.
Shiprah (SEALNet UP Cebu HS president), Jenssy, Anton, Janet, Ms. Belle (guidance counselor), and SEALNet UP Cebu HS vice president
This picture was taken in front of a bench that says "SEALNet" painted by the students at the school. It was a pleasant surprise. :)
After our meeting with UP Cebu HS, we headed to the GK Budlaan village again with Tito Jerdie where we met with the Barangay captain to ask permission to carry out our project in the community. I was not surprised by the hospitality and willingness to help us carry out the vision held by SEALNet and its partners in the community.
I would love to tell you funny stories and reflect some more on our experience so far in Cebu but it's 1 am already and I fear I won't be able to wake up in the morning for another meeting with our last partner, Cebu City Science National HS.
The last thing I would like to say is that I am very blessed to be working with my sister, Janet, and Anton on this project. They are amazing co-leaders. Every day we give 100% of ourselves. We want PP11 to be the best possible experience not only for the international team that will be joining us in Cebu shortly, but also for all of our partners. Thank you Janet and Anton for being great leaders and friends. Finally, thank you to all of our Project Philippines 2011 supporters and donors. We could not do what we do without you. We are eternally grateful for your support.
A small gift we found (wifi password) that reflects the degree to which Catholicism has penetrated the social fabric in the Philippines.
Good nighty world!!!
Sleeping beauty :D mwahahaha hiiii Janet!
After our meeting with UP Cebu HS, we headed to the GK Budlaan village again with Tito Jerdie where we met with the Barangay captain to ask permission to carry out our project in the community. I was not surprised by the hospitality and willingness to help us carry out the vision held by SEALNet and its partners in the community.
I would love to tell you funny stories and reflect some more on our experience so far in Cebu but it's 1 am already and I fear I won't be able to wake up in the morning for another meeting with our last partner, Cebu City Science National HS.
The last thing I would like to say is that I am very blessed to be working with my sister, Janet, and Anton on this project. They are amazing co-leaders. Every day we give 100% of ourselves. We want PP11 to be the best possible experience not only for the international team that will be joining us in Cebu shortly, but also for all of our partners. Thank you Janet and Anton for being great leaders and friends. Finally, thank you to all of our Project Philippines 2011 supporters and donors. We could not do what we do without you. We are eternally grateful for your support.
A small gift we found (wifi password) that reflects the degree to which Catholicism has penetrated the social fabric in the Philippines.
Good nighty world!!!
Sleeping beauty :D mwahahaha hiiii Janet!
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