The Alumni Association of Rotary District 1210
Team Leader PP Bob Cliff Rotary Club of Burslem
Team members:
Julie Carty Audiologist Walsall Saddlers
Leela Cottey Project Manager Shrewsbury
Beverley Ricketts Low Vision Optician Cannock
On leaving the UK we had a 10 hour wait in Germany after leaving Manchester Airport which meant we had a great day enjoying exploring Frankfurt. Had a great meal, including Frankfurter sausages and snitzel. Climbed to the to of 2nd tallest building in Frankfurt
Team members:
Julie Carty Audiologist Walsall Saddlers
Leela Cottey Project Manager Shrewsbury
Beverley Ricketts Low Vision Optician Cannock
On leaving the UK we had a 10 hour wait in Germany after leaving Manchester Airport which meant we had a great day enjoying exploring Frankfurt. Had a great meal, including Frankfurter sausages and snitzel. Climbed to the to of 2nd tallest building in Frankfurt
Our first formal event was the orientation in central Lucena. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming and we were treated with some traditional dancing. We were then however subjected to the FEAR FACTOR. It basically involved trying some of the more adventurous Philippine cuisine - pig’s blood, chicken’s intestines, and ‘baluts’ - fertilized duck eggs. Different!
In Candelaria our first port of call was a trip to a coconut processing plant, courtesy of Bambi. We were amazed at the number of raw products that come from just one plant – known here in the Philippines as the ‘tree of life’. Every part of the coconut is used; in fact the processing plant was run solely on energy derived from waste materials generated through the processing of the fruit. Of particular note is the coconut oil, which is delicious on ice cream, as well as being good for skin, hair, general cooking…
In Candelaria our first port of call was a trip to a coconut processing plant, courtesy of Bambi. We were amazed at the number of raw products that come from just one plant – known here in the Philippines as the ‘tree of life’. Every part of the coconut is used; in fact the processing plant was run solely on energy derived from waste materials generated through the processing of the fruit. Of particular note is the coconut oil, which is delicious on ice cream, as well as being good for skin, hair, general cooking…
With the Rotary club of Bauan we were off to thd local high school (Bauan) to see their 60th year celebrations. We were greeted by the school cadets and the beauty pageant contestants. To our surprise (good job we had all brushed our hair) the local cable TV cameras were present and filming! We viewed the celebratory displays in the school hall and were amazed by the huge lanterns the pupils had created using a diverse range of materials including pencil sharpening, garlic flowers and fish scales.
We cought the ferry to the island of Mindoro. Once on Mindoro we attended a foundation day at the San Lorenzo school in Calapan City to see a performance by the Mangyans. The Mangyans are an indigenous community, one of 7 tribes living on the island. We were honoured to see them, especially as it was reported that this was the first time in over 20 years they had visited. We helped the Rotary club distribute dental care products to the group, and learnt of their education programme to help the Mangyans. It is estimated there are around 50,000 Mangyans living on Mindoro; their habits and customs have changed little since they fought the invading Spanish in the 16th century
Back in Batangas City and were met by the Lipa RC. After lunch by Lake Taal we took a small boat across the lake, followed by a horse ride up the side of the volcano cone, to see Volcano Island – an island within a lake within an island within a lake (!). The views were amazing and we were lucky enough to see for miles as the weather cleared from the rather unusual morning rain storm. We could see some movement in the crater down below – smoke and the unmistakable smell of sulphur rose towards us. After a rather uncomfortable journey down – the good people of Walsall would not be impressed with the saddles – we eased our aching behinds with a few San Miguel Lights and the inevitable videoke. This time it was in a small soundproof booth that you rent for the hour, where you can sing without shattering the eardrums of your neighbors.
We cought the ferry to the island of Mindoro. Once on Mindoro we attended a foundation day at the San Lorenzo school in Calapan City to see a performance by the Mangyans. The Mangyans are an indigenous community, one of 7 tribes living on the island. We were honoured to see them, especially as it was reported that this was the first time in over 20 years they had visited. We helped the Rotary club distribute dental care products to the group, and learnt of their education programme to help the Mangyans. It is estimated there are around 50,000 Mangyans living on Mindoro; their habits and customs have changed little since they fought the invading Spanish in the 16th century
Back in Batangas City and were met by the Lipa RC. After lunch by Lake Taal we took a small boat across the lake, followed by a horse ride up the side of the volcano cone, to see Volcano Island – an island within a lake within an island within a lake (!). The views were amazing and we were lucky enough to see for miles as the weather cleared from the rather unusual morning rain storm. We could see some movement in the crater down below – smoke and the unmistakable smell of sulphur rose towards us. After a rather uncomfortable journey down – the good people of Walsall would not be impressed with the saddles – we eased our aching behinds with a few San Miguel Lights and the inevitable videoke. This time it was in a small soundproof booth that you rent for the hour, where you can sing without shattering the eardrums of your neighbors.
We took a two hour trip into Laguna to meet the South Korean GSE team and go rafting ‘Philippine style’. The trip started with a boat ride in small canoes about 2km upstream. The boats men were skilful and amazing to watch, navigating the boats through small channels and heaving it up through steeper falls in the water. Once at our destination we transferred to a very basic bamboo raft about 5 x 3m in size. About twenty people sat on cross-legged, whilst 5 rafts men dragged the (already half submerged!) platform towards a huge waterfall. As we went under all you could do was hold on for dear life whilst the high-pressure water pummeled us (probably our best wash in days). Once in the cavern behind the falls there was a brief respite before we were pulled back through for another soaking. Looking like drowned rats we climbed back in our canoes and dried off in the sunshine as we gently paddled back downstream through the gorge. A much-needed San Miguel followed, and we got to talk with the South Korean team, which was very interesting
Back to Manila, on our way home, The Manila Hotel, venue for the District Conference and our home for the next two nights. As we walked in the through the lobby it was obvious that the establishment oozed sophistication (we fitted right in of course.) We changed into our traditional Philippine dress for the proceedings and as we walked into the ceremony hall realized what a big event it was. Cameras, stage lights, impressive sets - a huge technical set up made it feel very grand. We took to the stage to introduce ourselves and were warmly received by everyone. We then had the chance to meet up with some of the people we had met over the course of the month – it felt like meeting up with long-lost friends.
Back to Manila, on our way home, The Manila Hotel, venue for the District Conference and our home for the next two nights. As we walked in the through the lobby it was obvious that the establishment oozed sophistication (we fitted right in of course.) We changed into our traditional Philippine dress for the proceedings and as we walked into the ceremony hall realized what a big event it was. Cameras, stage lights, impressive sets - a huge technical set up made it feel very grand. We took to the stage to introduce ourselves and were warmly received by everyone. We then had the chance to meet up with some of the people we had met over the course of the month – it felt like meeting up with long-lost friends.
We were not required to attend the morning’s events and the conference so the Lipa Rotary Club kindly offered to give us a tour of Manila. As we piled into the minibus a motorcycle policeman pulled up – to personally escort us around the city! With his sirens and lights blaring all traffic stopped for us, and when necessary we travelled the wrong way down dual carriageways and traffic islands to get through Our first stop was the Rizal Park, a centre to celebrate the life of one of the Philippine heroes Jose Rizal.
Next stop, via a drive round some of the sights was the Mall of Asia – named as such because it is the biggest mall in Asia. It was vast - luckily we didn’t have too much time to spend there or we would all have to take out loans to cover our spending! I’m not sure what the doormen and customers thought when the escort sped in to the main entrance only for us to emerge from the minibus!
The end of our project was a two day break in Borocay! Thank you to Edmer for arranging our trip – you did a fantastic job and we are very grateful. After a taxi, plane, coach, boat and truck ride we made it. We were greeted by the most amazing beach – white, flour-like sand, blue green sea, a fabulous pool. Wow. We spent the day relaxing, reading, swimming…
Next stop, via a drive round some of the sights was the Mall of Asia – named as such because it is the biggest mall in Asia. It was vast - luckily we didn’t have too much time to spend there or we would all have to take out loans to cover our spending! I’m not sure what the doormen and customers thought when the escort sped in to the main entrance only for us to emerge from the minibus!
The end of our project was a two day break in Borocay! Thank you to Edmer for arranging our trip – you did a fantastic job and we are very grateful. After a taxi, plane, coach, boat and truck ride we made it. We were greeted by the most amazing beach – white, flour-like sand, blue green sea, a fabulous pool. Wow. We spent the day relaxing, reading, swimming…
