"Dog Show"

I didn't get a chance to describe the event that was happening at Cebu Park yesterday. Although I didn't take any pictures of the event, the park was crowded with people and their dogs, old and a few barely a week old. According to one of the hotel staff, the town mayor loves dogs and have a couple of her own. She decided to dedicate one day to offering free dog services to the residents. Student veterinarians from the neighboring university were hired to work at the event. A few tents were set up with signs that read in English, "Deworming," "Dog Care," and even "Castration." Although we could get a clear view of the inside of the tent, I didn't dare look in especially when I heard some yelping!


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Location:Cebu Park

Cebu Tour

Here are a few photos from our tour of Cebu on Sunday, February 26.



Cebu Park - Memorial of the Blood Pact between Ferdinand Magellan's crew and Filipino King Humabon.




For history buffs - Did you know that Ferdinand Magellan was killed in Cebu by a famous Filipino warrior named Lapu Lapu? Our tour guide, Roland, was quite proud in pointing out that the blood pact between the Spaniards and Filipino tribes failed after the Spaniards repeatedly misused and abused Filipino hospitallity. In spite of the colonial heritage, the Filipinos have survived and transformed their rich heritage into one that combines Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese traditions.



A statue of Lapu Lapu




A sculpture of different scenes depicting the history of Cebu entitled "Discovery of Cebu"




Monica in front of a museum that used to be a residence of a famous Bishop Gogoron. The architecture of the house has much Spanish influence.













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Location:Cebu

City of Cebu

The city of Cebu was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippine islands in the 16th century, and was founded by Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who also happened to die at the hands of then King of Cebu, Rajah Humaphon. The city has a population of about 825,000 people, but it is also the center of a metropolitan area that includes three other cities with a total population of about 2 million. It is located on the eastern part of Cebu, right on the water called Cebu Strait. The city is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port. We go on a tour Sunday morning, so there will be more to come.




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Location:Cebu

Airport Vignette

When we disembarked from the airport we were immediately hit with the warm, humid air. We walked to the baggage terminal and I noticed a group of young men who were assisting travelers with their luggages. It wasn't clear whether they worked for the airport because they didn't wear a uniform. My mother immediately engaged a young man to help us with our luggage. My biggest observation was my mother's interaction with the young men and the others that we met who helped us carry the luggage outside and identify the hotel van, or the driver who drove us. She was talkative and and engaging, and she asked questions about the city or various things along the way. The young men were respectful and polite, referring to my mother as "mom," which I believe is the same thing as "ma'am." There was a deference and respect in the way they addressed her. More amazing was how much I understood when she spoke to them in Tagalog. I would not have been able to utter a single word, but for some reason everything they said was clear to me.

As we left the airport and drove to the resort, along the way we noticed shacks, almost like shanty villages lined up along the two lane road. On each side were small stores, places to eat or to cut your hair but the buildings were rough and many roofs were made of corrugated tin. People were outside selling every kind of item or food. Wooden crates of exotic fruits were displayed outside, and we noticed one young woman who seemed to be grilling something that looked like coconuts that were cut open on a huge grill. There were many people walking or on bikes or small Filipino jeeps (http://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+a+filipino+jeepney&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&q=filipino+tricycle&revid=1596169248&sa=X&ei=uVdJT9uAGcmQiAeWy_CQDg&ved=0CC0Q1QIoAQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&fp=c62546f6641911c7&biw=1024&bih=672). The kids immediately noted the poverty and the stark contrast of the people and shanties that we left behind and the gated resort where we were staying. Once inside the gate, we drove about a mile up a road that was lined with the local trees, a few that I identified as bamboo. The road opened up to a huge, modern hotel that was situated on what seemed an endless beach.


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Location:Cebu International Airport

Finally Arrived!

Finally arrived to Cebu, Philippines after 24 hours with a layover in Newark, LA, and Hong Kong. Although we were incredibly exhausted - economy seats, oh dear, we were greeted with friendly faces at the Shangri La in Cebu, a lot of sun, and 84 degree weather and humidity.

Location:Cebu, Philippines

Correction on February 25 Post "mom"

Within days of our arrival, I began to realize that people were referring to my mom as "mum," not "mom." Worse, they are all addressing me in the same way with the same deference. I say worse, because now I feel really old! :-)

Location:Cebu