Finally Here

We are on our 3rd day here in Pangasinan. It seems like we have been here for a much longer time, yet at the same time the days have flown by.

When we arrived at the airport in Manila, the SIM card in my cellphone was not registering, so I had to ask an airport official to borrow his cell to call Valeria. Showing how challenged we were to talk to her, Pedro got as far as "Hi - saan mo [where are you]?" and ended up having the official have a conversation with her. He graciously told us where to go, and we were on our way. The airport's arrival system is interesting in Manila. I hadn't experienced it before in when I flew in before, because I never was met by anyone until I flew to Mindanao - so it was definitely going to be an adventure. After exiting the airport, there is a ramp that directs travelers in different directions, depending on the passenger's last name. The official told us that Jose told him that he and Valeria were at "T" - however it didn't make sense to us because none of our names ended with that letter. We waded through a sea of people back and forth between "M" and "C" (Magni and Calagno), but finally decided the official may have been right and there under "T" was Valeria and Jose. We stood behind them, trying to shout over everyone else who was calling out names until the both finally turned around. (I was able to capture it on video - I will try loading it next time). Instead of sleeping in Manila that night (though it was already 11:00pm) we jumped onto a bus and traveled 6 hours north to the house of Valeria.

It was still dark when we arrived, but immediately when we got out of the "tricycle" (a small vehicle that the 5 of us rode from the bus stop, made of a motorcycle and a covered carriage on the side) Junardo ran out of the house to hug Pedro. Valeria kept apologizing that her house is "so small" and worried that we wouldn't want to sleep there, but when we saw it, both Pedro and I were surprised that it was as big as it is. There is a front porch with a ramp to the road. The house is built of bamboo and grass, suspended about 4 feet off the ground. There are two rooms, one about 8'x8' and the other 6'x8' where they sleep, eat, and spend their time. In the back, a spare room 8'x8' where they keep their belongings and clothes, and outside is their kitchen and small porch where they cook and wash. In the rooms, there are only a couple posters, certificates and medals of the kids, and a small television in the corner.

When we entered that morning, there were mats, pillows and blankets laying all over the floor in both rooms, and two mosquito nets hanging overhead, as the kids were sleeping. They woke up as we entered - one by one, they approached Pedro and blessed him by bringing his hand to their forehed (a cultural sign of respect to elders). We spent the next hour getting acquainted, showing them pictures from the photo album Pedro's mother made for Valeria, and letting the kids wake up. By 5:00 am, we tried getting a little shut-eye before the day, but because of the adrenaline we laid there for only a minute before getting back up again and greeting the day!

Since then, we've spend the days hanging around the house, going to Ordineta where there is a mall and bank, shopping for groceries, walking up and down the street where Valeria lives, playing basketball, and meeting other kids who live in the area. Yesterday, we went with the family (all except Jose) to the Catholic church in Manaoag for Easter service. Eight of us (plus the driver) fit ourselves in, on and behind the tricycle to ride a few miles to Ordineta. It always amazes me at how efficient they are with the space they use - for in the States, if someone were to try riding a tricycle, I'm sure that only one (maybe two) people would ride it at a time' but because of the small size of the Filipinos and them not minding sitting closely together, we were able to fit us all in (I will post pictures later for you to get a better idea of how impressive it is). It it like in Bukdinon, when I visited my family, we would fit upto 5 people (plus a couple bags) on one motorcycle to ride to town from my lola's (grandmother) house.

So now it is Monday, the kids are at school and Marcello is working. Valeria, Pedro, Jevelyn (the youngest) and I are on our way to Laoac and Ordineta to continue our errands. This Internet cafe is not very close to the house, but we hope to update again in a couple days. I feel badly to continue typing, as Pedro and Valeria are waiting. Pedro went online to print out several songs for Marcello and Jose to sing and play on the guitar. It's great that he brought his junior guitar, because he and the kids spend the day entertaining themselves with it. Last night, we went up to the bridge close to house and sat with some other boys who also had a guitar, and played and sang with them. It's great that music is one thing (along with smiles :) ) that can surpass the language barrier. And interestingly enough, many of the songs that they learn to play here are in English, so it's was great to be able to sing along with them.


Well, that is all for now, as I must go, but until next time.