So many activities, such little time! Although I’m looking
forward to some downtime, I’m thankful that I’m keeping busy with school
activities and community events.
The recap:
After returning to Cadiz from Bacolod on Sunday night, I
awoke Monday morning to the sound of the roosters crowing every which way. The
sleep wasn’t as restful as I hoped it would be, it never quite is unless I
really jam those earplugs in or I’m dead beat from the day. Normally my
breakfast consists of a very fried egg, white bread, a mango, and some coffee.
This morning’s breakfast was a little healthier after I had mentioned to my
host sisters my preference for boiled eggs over the fried ones. I’ll have to
ease my way into the wheat bread idea but for now it seems that the sugar
infused white bread will have to suffice. Anyway, proceeding breakfast I took
my normal 20 minute stroll to school and met up with the rest of the faculty
from West I. Monday and Tuesday marked the annual Division wide Athletic and
Cultural Meet so all of the participating students and coaches were clustered
on Cabahug Street, the main road of the town. It’s normally jammed packed with
tricycles and snack vendors. Crossing he street requires looking many times
each way. As we all assembled in our respective school clusters we continued on
with a “parade” around the town. Parade in the Philippines usually refers to a
leisurely stroll around a few blocks and back to the starting point, but
disappointingly, there aren’t any big floats or school marching band to
serenade the audience.
The meet was held at Doctor Vincente F. Gustillo Memorial
High School which is a hop, skip and a jump away from our campus. It
accommodates nearly 4,000 students so they’ve got the room and facilities to
host such an event. The morning consisted of the dance and cheer competitions.
They were exciting to watch and well-choreographed. However, getting video
footage of the event came at a cost. My skin was burnt to a crisp. My native
skin tone is returning quickly and I’m beginning to look more mestiza by the
minute, but hey I’ll just get used to it. After perspiring about 2 buckets of
liquid we broke for lunch and made it back to my house for a rest.
I returned in the afternoon to witness boy boys and girls
volleyball tournaments and interestingly, taekwondo. I’ve seen taekwondo on TV
and would hear the grunts from the studio below me when I was living in South
Korea but I finally go to witness it live! The smallest competitors were from grade
1 and were really intense!
Cadiz West 1 was close to qualifying for the area meet but
both boys and girls volleyball lost in the final sets. They all looked pretty
discouraged but I assured them that they put up a good fight and that they
showed their best.
Hot, sticky, and positively exhausted I dragged myself home
and enjoyed some downtime with my host family.
Tuesday was the cultural portion of the meet and one that I
enjoyed thoroughly. First, the meet was held at a smaller school with a lot of
shady area to sit under. Charles, my dance companion from World Teacher’s Day
was also present because his host brother was competing in the morning’s
English Declamation contest. (He received 2nd place). Secondly, the amount of talent that the
students possess in the area of song and dance is incredible. They really know
how to entertain an audience and it shows that they are proud to be Filipino.
The folkloric dance was the most pleasant to watch and all
dances were nearly perfect. The students with disabilities from the SPED school
also participated. Some had hearing and vision impairments but they all did a
phenomenal job and looked beautiful.
Some of the costumes were bright orange, while others were bright white
with decorative plumage. I especially admired the story each dance told and the
fluidity of the dancers. The kids have a knack for it and the instructors are
meticulous in their choreography which proves to be key ingredients for a
successful performance.
The awards came later in the afternoon and some of West I’s
participants placed in the Folk Song completion. The day was again tremendously
hot but I wasn’t as fatigued when I returned home.
In my previous posts I had mentioned that my host sister was
getting married this month and that I would fulfill many roles on her special
day. Well, all the loose ends had to be tied this week and all of the family
members and I have been busy with handing out invitations, final dress
fittings, and assembling wedding favors.
Tonight is the dress rehearsal at the church and tomorrow at
10am is when the couple actually ties the knot. I’m so excited because this is
the first wedding I actually get to be in as an adult! I will be saying the
first reading during the mass and I will also be placing the cord around the
bride and groom before the communion. In the Catholic Church, the cord
symbolizes a holy unity between the man and woman.
After the event, we will all head over to the reception and
eat a plethora of delicious food, I’m sure. Additionally, my host sister’s best
friend from college and I will be MC’ing the party. I’ve prepared a speech and
although I don’t know a thing about being married, I know a thing or two about
being in love. I won’t say anything too mushy, just the truth about how
incredible it is to care for someone with all of your heart.
After the ceremony, I’ll be taking the bus back to Bacolod
to celebrate the Masskara Festival with other PCVs and international
volunteers. My first big Filipino Festival! The city was all dressed up last
week with colorful banners and lights. Masskara proves to be one of the biggest
and most anticipated in the country and many natives come from all regions to
be a part of the event. The festival is comparable to Mardi Gras except without
the explicit drinking and foolishness. There should be plenty of fun and
delicious food to go around!
I’ll be sure to give you all the juice on the wedding and
the festival. Until next week!
Best of the best,
KP
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