We are back in Urdineta - a family outing for the afternoon. Jendy, the middle child, just finished her 5th grade year and had the closing ceremony this morning. She received 1st Honor in her class this year (aka Valedictorian), and has done so since 1st grade. She also received an award for a collage she did, and Pedro was able to pin her with the ribbon on stage (he and I also awards a couple other children for honors they received this year - it was fun because we had no idea what we were doing and were just flying off the seat of our pants!). Afterward, Pedro and I met a gentleman, Patrick, who is working on getting scholarships for students to participate in a music/arts/academics summer program in Manaoag, a city close to Laoac. It is a program associated by a specific school (I can't remember the name right now) that provides students the opportunity to accelerate and expand their talents, specifically targeted towards "the poor." They also provide programs for children with special needs/disabilities (something that Pedro and I are keeping in mind, as Jeevelyn gets old enough to go to school).



Speaking of Jeevelyn, we went to Dagupan on Wednesday to the Regional Medical Center. It was the first time she had ever seen a doctor, because Valeria has not had the money to go before. Valeria had told me that when she was pregnant with Jeevelyn, she had fallen in the back of the house, which is why Jeevelyn's hands and feet are now twisted. The medical center is similar to a hospital, but expanded, where you can find everything medically related, from regular doctor check ups and pediatrics to OB/GYN, OR, dental and eye doctors. Being a public service, there was a lot of waiting - it isn't necessary for one to make an appointment, so people would just go up and register at a window, depending on the service needed, and then wait until the respected physician was ready to see you. So we saw there in the waiting are a variety of people there for regular doctor visits to people in hospital beds looking like they need an operation. Tita, who went with us, said that the private practice is much better, but we needed to see this physician at the RMC first. By the end of a couple hours of waiting, and several times going in and out of the doctor's office, they finally told Valeria that they couldn't do anything for Jeevelyn there - that the specialist she needs to see is in Manila. So, we are talking about going on Monday or Tuesday to see the specialist.

So tomorrow is Kuya Jose's graduation. Valeria is now buying food and supplies for the celebration. I just got a text that they are done, so I will now go meet them at Jollibee, a filipino fastfood favorite. It seems that it is not often that the family goes out together, or to a restaurant, so Pedro and I are happy that we are able to do so while we are here.

So much for a short update, but hopefully we will be able to again soon.

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.