Our Despedida (Going Away Party)

Today we had a going away party (or despedida in the local language Tagalog) for all of the household help we have and their families. This included both children and parents of the staff. We had over 50 people in attendance, including about 20 kids under the age of 10. We wanted to say goodbye to everyone and thank them for all the support and help they have given us during our time here. They have all been wonderful and given us much insight into the Philippines.

We ordered food from a person in the village that does catering of Filipino fare.
Our menu consisted of:
Pancit Mix—Noodles with shrimp, pork cubes & vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, pea pods, & others sautéed and mixed.
Calderetta —Tomato-based beef dish with potato, bell pepper & green peas. Grilled &/or
Lumpiang Shanghai—Spring rolls made of minced pork, shrimp and several spices cooked deep fried.
Chicken/Pork Adobo with Chicken Liver Sauce—Adobo is the Philippines national dish. This particular version is composed of chicken and pork cubes cooked in vinegar, garlic and other spices with crushed chicken liver for a thick sauce.
Pork BBQ—Pork cubes on wooden skewers cooked over a charcoal grill
Eggplant Salad—Roasted eggplant, mashed and then seasoned with garlic, vinegar, pepper and onion,topped with very thin slices of onion and tomatoes.
Steamed rice
Leche Flan—A custard like dessert.
Spaghetti and tomato sauce

We were a little concerned about having enough food, but in the end we had plenty. It was enough to send left-overs home with the guests.

The young kids were initially drawn to the pool. We had purchased water wings for the kids to wear in the pool as a lot of them have not had swimming lessons. The kids were a little fearful at first about letting go of the wall, but our kids were in the pool and playing with the kids and helping them feel comfortable in the water. We had trouble getting them out for lunch, and they went right back in after lunch. They all took their water wings home with them, so hopefully they will have other opportunities to use them.

The kids also enjoyed the trampoline. They bounced and rolled and kicked balls around inside the net around the trampoline. Some of the older kids played volleyball and badminton (although without a net). Towards the end, we had the dance mats out to play the dancing game DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution). Two people go head to head trying to hit 4 spots (forward, left, backward, right) on a sensor mat that correspond to directions on the TV screen that match the beat of a chosen song.. Not only is it fun, but it can also give you a good workout.

We will miss the people who have become a part of our life while we have been here. We wish them and their families the best of luck

Good luck Ray, Tining, Elena, Dante, Jun-Jun, Vicki and Lillian.

2006 Philippine Golf Open

Today, Ray & LeAnn attended the 3rd round of the 90th Philippine Open golf tournament. It was held at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club on the east side of Metro Manila. The course itself is very picturesque with the water, trees and then the skyline full of tall buildings in the background.

The name Wack Wack comes from Tagalog words for the sounds the native crows make that inhabit the area. They had a couple of crows in a large caged area between the 16th and 17th holes. They were not very loud. We did see some other large birds going across some of the fairways that looked somewhat like very large quails but with the heads of small turkeys.

The course at Wack Wack is made up of the large bladed and course carabao grass. It is cut very short in the fairways, but does not grow real deep in the rough. However, it is difficult to hit out of because the grass catches your club head and slows it down significantly. The sand was somewhat course, but the pros we saw had no problems getting out of it. There is a lot of water going through the course and a lot of approach shots over water to the greens. Most of the greens are elevated and have lots of undulations. The par 3, 17th hole (aptly named Camelback) has a small hump backed green that rose at least 10 feet from the level ground and sand traps surrounding it.

There were no tickets sold or admission charged to watch the tournament. The crowds were very sparse (I would guess only a few hundred all told), so we could watch anyone we wanted from anywhere. We walked the course backwards so that the players would all come through us in time and we could see most of the course also. We didn’t make it all the way around, but saw everyone who was playing.

The Asian Tour is going to take over the tournament for the next 5 years to bring it up in stature and try to elevate the prize money. They want a tour stop here because of how long golf has been played in the Philippines. This is by far the oldest tournament in Asia. We are hoping it can hang on. It would be wonderful to see it played at Sta. Elena with their Bermuda fairways, but tradition has it that Wack Wack will host more often than not. It has been awarded the tournament for the next 2 years.
The father of one of Mariah’s schoolmates plays on the Asian Tour, so he was playing today. He is originally from Canada, but has lived here in Manila the last 16 years. He was tied for fourth going into the 3rd round, but was 3 over for the day and was tied for 11th going into the final round. He was 3 over again on Sunday and ended up tied for 18th for the tournament.

Sorry for the quality of these photos. We had brought our regular camera only to get on the course and turn it on to find we had left the memory card back in the PC at the house, so these are taken with a camera phone.

School's Out!!!

Today was the last day of school at Brent Intenational School-Manila. It was a day of mixed emotions for our kids as we will return to the US this summer and resume school next fall in Eagan. It was very sad to see so many friends for the last time, but with the world getting smaller every day and world wide communication easier all the time, they plan to keep in touch with a lot of their international friends.

While they attended Brent, they met many great people—kids, teachers, and parents. They will miss the people and the school. It will be change as they go back to a much larger school back home. It was a good opportunity to be a big part of a smaller student body.

Last week was finals week, so the kids were busy taking tests and studying. This week was totally different as it was time for classroom parties, saying goodbye and awards. School got out early every day.

We are so proud of our kids and what they accomplished. Mariah won the outstanding freshman female athlete of the year award and received a nice plaque at a ceremony on Tuesday. She played JV volleyball and varsity basketball and soccer. She was also the class valedictorian earning a 4.0 for both semesters and getting a special Bishop Brent Award for academics.

Kara earned a Brown Belt in a math problem solving and was also on the Headmaster’s honor roll both semesters. She was also in the middle school play King Midas and the Palace of Gold.

Hailey made the Headmaster’s honor roll both semesters also, and was named the best all around PE student in 4th grade. She received her yellow belt in TaeKwonDo after starting in the second semester.

Hailey's Yellow Belt

Hailey started to take TaeKwonDo here in March after school 2 days a week. She has enjoyed the class and learning the various series of moves, kicks and punches. Last Sunday, April 30th, she was invited to test for her yellow belt, the first rank above the initial white belt that everyone starts with. She was very nervous even though only those that were ready to advance were invited to the testing.

The tests were held at a gym in Manila and had kids from many schools throughout Manila participating. Members of the Philippine national team were also present to lend a hand and help with the testing.

The tests consisted of both mental and physical tests. The tests included doing a sequence of moves and positions, measured stances with a partner, and questions about TaeKwonDo. The master was very stern and was somewhat intimidating for the kids.

Hailey passed all the tests and was awarded her yellow belt. She now will be able to spar with other kids in her class as they master new skills to advance to the next level--green belt.