Bogo Lodge

While in Bogo City, our team stayed at Bogo Lodge. 

 

 

 

We soon realized that it was on the corner of a main road that buses (like to Cebu City) take.       There was a bank on the first floor next to the Lodge office and under rooms.   I reckon we felt safe with the armed guard there round the clock.   I do like the armored cars--one was parked there often as well.   

One day I walked past the Lodge and bank on down the street and took the following pictures.;

 

 

I was surprised to find the water front within a 3 block walk!!

 

first year college youth (16 years) doing street cleanup

happy to pose for picture!

these eating places only open in the evening

Mopping of stairs and hallways was done daily--mostly to keep down dust.   I must admit that, since it was rainy our first few days, we tracked in mud!     The men, especially, had muddy shoes from the construction sites.

We expected cold/cool water and we had that.   We expected power outages, but I believe there was only one outage during the night one night.   We were frustrated because the last 2 days there we had no  Wi-fi connection.

There were other Americans staying there.   The first group we met was 3--apparently through Church of Christ.   One of the men had a business card stating he is a fulltime volunteer--though how does one make a living by volunteering?      He was nice to visit with.   Katie is a professional poker player.  She came in November shortly after the typhoon and was given a special visa.   She plans to stay through February in the Philippines.     She told me about Lily's Place near SM in Cebu City.  An American couple from Texas adopted a little girl from Guatamala named Lily.  They ended up in  Cebu City and now run an orphanage for homeless children.     Brent says he knows about it.  Anyway, she has spent time there helping teach the alphabet and such at the orphanage.      They were busy working on construction.  I wasn't clear on exactly how many or which groups were sponsoring their work.         Another group of Americans arrived--they tended to keep to themselves more--I believe the one in charge was from Texas??    They were busy doing construction every day, also.   (near Bogo--but don't know exact areas)

While at the beach Sunday for the baptism, I met a gentleman from Ireland who was in the area--again, I didn't get the church/organization he was with--but the focus was rebuilding a school.   
Have I mentioned that I saw UNICEF tents; various Red Cross (Philippines, Japan, Korea, France,and others) and also Red Crescent represented.     One evening we spoke with a Filipino with the Red Cross, Philippines.  He and his team were working hard to document and imput material into computers.  His estimate was 10,000 dead from the typhoon ; though many buried and no accounting of them.   He mentioned the  French Red Cross was focusing on health. 

these groups will come and then go.    Pastor Revie, Pastor Henry, the Grace Driven Church, Brent--well, they are they for the long haul--and not just the physical relief and rebuilding, but rebuilding of lives (jobs!!)   and presentation of the new life available through the reception of the Gospel.

In Mandaue City (Cebu City) our team stayed at Lylie Hotel.   We had warmer water there!   Still had intermittent Wi-fi.     It was also on a main avenue which within a block intersected with another main avenue--so both locations were rather 'noisy' with traffic, primarily.       It is also difficult to get away from roosters crowing and the noise of horns.  

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

As mentioned in a previous post, Brent went back to Cebu and Chris came up Monday morning.  She, Liz, I, Jemalyn went with Pastor Revie back up to Maya community.   Donna was feeling a little under the weather and so remained in the hotel.

I was a little confused at first because we visited the homes out of order.   There were good sized groups again in each home.   Chris shared on assurance.  I shared on obedience, while Liz shared on prayer and reading the Word.      At the 5th stop we handed out Cebuano Bibles!!

3rd from left with BIG smile, is Beth, Pastor Revie's wife.  

Back in  Bogo, Liz and I were dropped off at Dela Rosa catering and met by Pastor Revie's wife, Beth.   Pastor Henry, Sarah and Marj joined us shortly.   Sarah shared her story.  Pastor Henry spoke briefly and prayed.   MANY pictures were taken by the young workers there with Sarah and Marj!    
 In the picture I am "guarding" a box of brownies the bakery/catering gave us.  

this is a "whacky-whacky" picture...


We also walked a bit further to the apartment of a couple that Thom and Liz had shared in  earlier in the week.   The husband works in Saudi in oil drilling and was home for a month before returning overseas for 2 years of work.   More pictures!!

The Dela Rosa Bakery & Catering owners sent us off with a box of brownies which was enough for each team member to have 2!  We all met late at Pizza Pointe--a restaurant close to the lodge we were staying at and enough menu options which accommodated Sarah's gluten free diet.    A late night, but good time laughing and catching up with each others' days.

The men had gone to begin work on the 2nd house. 

 

kids and dirt!!

 

he pedaled out and was selling something

 

when not working....

 

concrete for bottom part of walls

 

 A very happy family by their new home: 







 Sarah and Marj went with Pastor Henry to follow up where they had visited on Saturday.

Transportation....

Well, walking is always good.   We walked a good amount and many Filipino walked--and all times of day or night.

there are those who ride bicycles, but not as numerous as I thought there might be.  Or perhaps it depends upon where?

Of course, as an American, I think safety,  and safety is an issue when walking, riding, driving here!!

Motorcycles are numerous.  Sometimes I see drivers/riders with helmets, but not as often as I would think wise!   Often an entire family is perched on a motorcycle.

Pedicabs are numerous.  I haven't as of yet, ridden in a pedicab.  This is a person bicycling with an attached 'side car'.   I reckon I should be a driver of one and develop good leg muscles and lungs!

Tricycles are 'everywhere'--another inexpensive form of getting about.  This is a motorcycle with a 'side car'.  The side car almost always has a top overhead--wise in the sun and/or rain.   These zip along quickly on the road or 'sidewalks'--not that there are a lot of sidewalks.   Where there are sidewalks, they seem filled with 'squatters' running small shops--kind of like a food cart idea, but not always featuring food.         We rode in tricycles--including one team member on back of the cycle behind the motorcycle driver.  I didn't get a picture of the tricycle I saw with my name "Irene" on it.     Tricycles generally have a person's name or family of or other names/slogans.

tricycle and motorcycle

several tricycles

I noted in my travels on Luzon Island, especially, that each town had their own colored tricycles.  They also run more specific "routes" in larger towns.

Jeepneys are fun.  They must have originated from the GI jeeps from WW 2--with elongated back.  How to describe:  rather like two benches facing each other with narrow aisle down middle and roof on top, but open sides.  The roof is low.  The jeepneys generally have routes they go along.  You tap the roof to let them know when you have reached the place you wish to get off.   

            

  Jeepneys are manufactured here with the jeep look in front and long back.   They are always highly decorated with colors (flamboyant is a word that comes to my mind)   and slogans and whatever--sometimes an advertising placard on top.   Often there are curtains and/or flags.     It is not unusual to see slogans   referring to God.  Each can carry 16 passengers, but often carries more.   There are three entrances:  2 front doors for the driver and 2 passengers, and one at the back leading to the main passenger area.  There may be a tiny altar hanging at the top of the windshield or on the rear view mirror.   Often the names of the driver's family are etched on the dashboard.      2nd and 3rd generation jeepneys have air-conditioning units and resemble a minibus.  Some electric jeepneys are being test-run in Makati City, Manila Municipality.     I believe they also run specific "routes". 

I mentioned in a previous post about riding in the back (and cab) of a multi-cab--a small pickup.
                                                                                                                      

There are a lot of Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Toyota.   Most vehicles seem small, both shorter and narrow, than what I remember a vehicle in US.   Well, yes, see other vehicles that are large here--Hyundi, BMW, SUVs, etc.    Seeing big equipment like cranes, concrete mixers, etc. are more obvious in Manila.  Manila has a lot of building going on. 

Traffic--well it is there.  The horn is used a lot.  If you are 'in front' you can get the right of way.   I'm thinking the larger vehicles get their way cuz they are big and intimidating.   I was told that they are not to do swerving or lane changes or 'bullying'.    I've been thankful for someone else driving--especially in Manila!

Air pollution is a problem.  My eyes have bothered a fair amount and I have resorted to a kerchief over my nose/mouth when traveling in a vehicle with window open or as in a tricycle or jeepney--no window just open air.  The exhaust bothers!

the 'necessary'.....

The 'necessary', toilet, bathroom, rest room, WC (water closet) and here--the CR (comfort room).

I think our team saw/used it all.   From 'hunting the bushes'--saw men relieving themselves against a wall or whatever--to a CR with 4 thin walls and door on concrete pad about 4' by 4' square, with simply a bowl.   Not a toilet bowl like  you might think of in the West, but a round bowl, quite low to the ground--so one builds strong thigh muscles squatting.  No toilet seat.   Sometimes a bucket to put tissue in, but rarely any tissue available.   We learned quickly to always carry some tissue with us to any CR.    There is a bucket with water in it and a dipper to use to 'flush' the toilet.        This CR I have in mind seemed to be used by a cluster of homes (meaning the 10' x  12' foot small homes).

Then CR's in fast food places--sometimes a more typical American toilet, but still low, but with a seat.  Still tissue goes in separate bucket.   Sometimes a regular flush or else bucket with dipper.   Outside CR room is a sink with water, sometimes soap, and rarely any tissue to dry with.  sometimes a very brief air dry for hands.

Even in the large malls--where one found stalls in the CR and even sinks in the  CR--one still carried one's own tissue and  put the used in a separate bucket. 

Most recently in brother-in-law's  current home in Bangued (Abra 'province') a good 8 hours north of Manila, the shower is a dip water from bucket to get wet, rinse after suddsing in same room as the round toilet bowl....and cold water only unless one heats water to add to the bucket.            

So again, it all varies to one's financial position in life, as well as probably the area one lives in--whether there is plumbing to each home or not.   I totally have not figured out the 'city' plumbing!!

by these men cutting a downed coconut tree into pieces of wood, there is an above ground pipe for???
and a deep ditch for????

and note the fellow with the basketball--it is the big sport here!

Cleanliness...

With the heat and humidity, even though we have been here during the 'cool' time, I am amazed at how clean the people seem to be.

I've seen laundry done all by hand with cold water out of a pipe sticking up out of the ground--one bowl for sudsy water and one for rinsing.   Everything is hung where ever they can hang clothing to dry--which can take time in the humidity and what about during the 'rainy' season??

There seems to be plumbing in most areas.    We avoided drinking any water from faucets.  In fact, most Filipinos have bottled water.     Well, they drink a lot of soda pop.

As a team, we did get to drop off our dirty (and muddy) laundry the 21st at a "laundry mat" and it was picked up late the next day.  We had fun opening the plastic bags and sorting through to find our own pile of now clean clothes!

I've seen very small washing machines/dryers  in the mall--wouldn't know the percentage of people who can afford or have one in their home.

In many areas the 'shower' is simply using buckets of water to get wet, suds up, then buckets or rather dippers of water to rinse off.       The hotels our team stayed in did have showers, but water pressure low and in  Bogo we only had cold water!       Some homes may have an electric pot to heat water to mix in bucket with cold so the dipperfuls to rinse with are warm water.

But I do wonder about those who drink the water from the pipe coming out of the ground; and swish the plates under that water to air dry or use still wet to eat off of.        I am sure as an American, my body is much more susceptible to getting a bacterial 'bug' than a Filipino growing up here and perhaps their body building a resistance to 'bugs'.

I don't know how often generally people 'shower', but in the real heat I would think once or twice a day.   Perhaps those near the ocean swim--but then would need to wash off the salty water.  

I must mention the tiny ants..they are everywhere and can manage to get inside just about everything.  Chris kept a lot of things (even wrapped or in containers) in the refrigerator because the ants couldn't live in there.     But what about all the many families with no refrigeration??

And flies.    Like in Iran ( a long time ago I was there), things come in early and fresh to the market.  A person must shop early while things are fresh and shop daily and use up

what one buys that day--unless you do have refrigeration to keep something a couple of days.     And our team was here during the 'cool' season; I can't begin to imagine the flies and mosquitoes and bugs in general during the rainy and very warm season!!

Diseases, etc.

As briefly mentioned in my previous blog, rabies is a real issue here.  From what I observed in smaller communities, I would believe many parasites and skin diseases.   I saw a couple of people with what I think might be goiters--swelling on necks--but then could be other.      Filippinos enjoy sweets--so diabetes is an issue.    Oh, and tooth decay.    I've seen many instances of mothers picking/combing lice out of a child's hair.

With goats and chickens roaming around and everyone in flipflops and many areas of simply dirt--when it rains and all that gets mixed together in mud?      One place we shared had a raised open platform, they kindly swept off the goat poo before we were invited to sit down.     We carried hand sanitizer with us everywhere.

I have not enjoyed all the exhaust fumes and such--so often have a kerchief to hold to my nose--like on the one bus ride back from Bogo to Cebu City with bus windows all open.     The fumes and such in the air also tend to bother my eyes--at least felt the discomfort and so eye drops help.

So...no 'stats' on alcoholism, drugs, STD's, mental illness.....life expectancy.    I'm sure it all depends upon the person's financial status in life, among other things.

Met a woman at New Life  Community  church who had entered with walking braces due to having had polio.

Understand that medical visits are inexpensive compared to US costs, but prescriptions are spendy.   Pastor Brian went in to have some bites? on his ankles checked that had gotten infected.  His doctor's visit was $6, if I remember correctly.  

Reflections on crops, etc.

Being a farmer's daughter, I would naturally be observing and thinking about crops.

taken out the window while moving

I observed a lot of sugar cane.   What I understand is that someone (who doesn't live on the land) owns the land.  There is usually an overseer who does live on the land.   Then there are the harvesters who make their year's wages by harvesting the sugarcane--which I must confirm how many times a year it is harvested.   I do know that the typhoon messed up a lot of fields and interrupted the harvest.     Cutting seems to be done by hand.



  Tilling the ground seems to be done by plow drawn by water buffalo, although one day we counted 5  'real' tractors (unfortunately, not John Deere) in one field!! 

stubble.....

        A few times I saw the "stubble" after the sugar cane harvested, being burned.  This is a way to facilitate nutrients returning to the soil and not as difficult to plow into the soil, as cut off stalks is.   This burning adds to air pollution.






  
 Oh---speaking of burning.    Perhaps it is daily a woman will sweep up the back yard--or the outside area of the small home.  Then the leaves, animal poo, and other trash can be added, and it  is set fire.   This is a smoldering, smokey, smelling addition to the air one breathes. 

Some areas of Cebu Island are conducive to raising rice.    There are fish farms as well--tilapia.   Coconuts are harvested, of course, and it broke my heart to see so many coconut trees simply snapped off by the typhoon.  It can take 5 to 10 years for a coconut tree to grow/mature.  Sigh.

sorry, can't seem to rotate the picture

  The downed wood is being cut up into lumber--but don't think our precise 2 x 4's--they hand cut the tree trunks into lumber, so thickness and width vary.

free range hen and chicks

Water buffalo, goats, pigs and chickens are the animals I saw.   In the more rural and smaller communities, the goats and chickens roam about free and so one much watch where one walks and sits!!


  Oh!    The  Filipinos seem to love puppies--the adult dogs they could care less about and it shows.     We saw a lot of mangy dogs, scavenging for food.  Sometimes yes, there was a dog by a home and somewhat more fed--but most families can't feed themselves, let alone a pet.  

            

                                                                                                   

Yes, I saw cats--all pretty thin and wild.

I would hope they are effective at mousing, because I am sure mice and rats are a problem.   For some homes the dogs function as guard dogs or at least deterrents to robbers.  There is a fear of rabies here.

I did get some pictures of fighting cock 'farms'--there are 'amusement parks' which are solely for cock fighting--which I imagine with the gambling and such can be good income if you have a good cock.

when doing destruction on the 23rd--we disturbed a gekko--or at least a relation of a gekko!

Somewhere vegetables are raised.   I was told that for the most part the soil is not real fertile--again varying from place to place. (and island to island)    Where the men raised the houses they dealt with limestone.  I did observe a lot of rocks when winding on paths to homes back in various communities.     To see a grassy(or at least green with some type of covering plant) lawn is a truly rare sight--at least the  places we were in did NOT have grass, or in some places even weeds!    Lots of differing kinds of palms and ferns.    I got pictures of flowers:  hibiscus, orchid, palmetto…..
 

 

orchid growing out of another tree

 

Oh!  Corn is also a crop--different kinds.   Pineapple is a crop, too, of course.    I didn't see any corn crops.  Bananas they have--several kinds.      Eggplant, okra, turnups, cabbage, lettuce, a large radish, tomatoes--but not sure where they are grown.  Noone really has a garden or even container vegetables.  Oh and saw several kinds of watermelon, too.   Peanuts are often sold--they steam (?) them---and so they are soft when opened to eat.    Some even grind their peanuts to make peanut butter, but I haven't seen that. 

I would have enjoyed more time in a market with Chris or someone to really show and explain the different types of mangoes, melons, bananas, and well, the fruits and vegetables in general.        

well, this is long and I need to crash.

I believe this is a shot of part of a fish farm

 PS:   Coastal and inland waters and many species of fish, make good fishing grounds.  Apparently the Philippines is 8th in the world  among fishing countries.   Fish consumption is high, especially in the country where sardines and rice make up the staple diet for many people.  

Besides water buffalo I saw some brahman type cattle.  Generally they seemed to be tethered along roadsides and backyards or in the occasional field, and fed with whatever available feed there is.            Of course rice is the staple food and main agricultural crop.  Coconut and sugar are abundant and are a major part of the Philippine diet.  Coconut milk is used to cook fish, meat, or vegetables; the flesh can be candied or mixed in fruit salads.     So the main agricultural crops include:  sugarcane, rice, coconuts, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, and fish.      

  Something I didn't see, but read,  is that the Philippines has metallic reserves of gold, copper, nickel, silver and cobalt; non-metalic reserves of limestone and marble.     While mining is a sizable source of income it has also been a threat to the environment.