they turned into spiderboys
and spidergirls.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Philippines: Children III
After the children had known me,
they turned into spiderboys
and spidergirls.
they turned into spiderboys
and spidergirls.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Philippines: Children I
While our Malaysian children go for tuition, piano lessons and drawing classes on Saturdays, these Filipino children play balls in the street,
on the tricycle,
in the house,
from morning to evening...
on the tricycle,
in the house,
from morning to evening...
Friday, September 19, 2008
Philippines: First Tricycle Ride
The Philippines is well known for exporting her citizens overseas. In Alex's family, several members were working abroad. So a family van was necessary to transport them between the house and the airport. Another purpose the vehicle could serve was when the whole family travelled to a long distance. These occasions were rare. As soon as we reached his house, the vehicle was abandoned in the garage again for another long period.
The more popular vehicle was the tricycle. Alex's family owned one. Alex was bringing Jason and me to the riverside nearby.
I had ridden on a trishaw before: with Mum when I was small, and with the Toitot couple when we were visiting Penang in 1997. This was the first time on a tricycle. All my excitement was expressed on my face!
There was little fuel in the tank. The tricycle sometimes stopped half way. Alex had to restart the engine. I think if I had got down and started running or even walking, I would have reached the destination faster.
The more popular vehicle was the tricycle. Alex's family owned one. Alex was bringing Jason and me to the riverside nearby.
I had ridden on a trishaw before: with Mum when I was small, and with the Toitot couple when we were visiting Penang in 1997. This was the first time on a tricycle. All my excitement was expressed on my face!
There was little fuel in the tank. The tricycle sometimes stopped half way. Alex had to restart the engine. I think if I had got down and started running or even walking, I would have reached the destination faster.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Philippines: Beginning Of My Adventure
Before my departure, I happened to read the detail on my electronic ticket and realized that the airport where I was going to land was not Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.
My Filipino friend had no idea where it was at first. When I mentioned the location in Pampanga, he was relieved that it was only about two hours' driving from his house.
When I walked out from the arrival hall, Alex was already there. Nothing emotional. I just smilingly said hi to him. He still looked as shy as when I had met him five months earlier. He had come with his neighbour Charles, his nephew Jason and a driver to fetch me.
I remembered when I told my Malaysian friends about this trip, some of them were worried about my safety. If they knew that I was in a van with four guys, three out of whom were totally strangers to me, they would definitely assume that I was being kidnapped!
Everybody was quiet in the vehicle. I was no doubt the most talkative one who asked questions on their country that I was exploring. Besides Alex, Charles was also quite well versed in English. But sometimes I had difficulty in understanding his accent.
We stopped for lunch at an eaterie.
There I had my first Filipino meal. Same dishes were served in different small plates to be shared by we four. If I did not look at my companions' exotic faces, I would almost think that I was eating somewhere in East Malaysia.
Anyway, the Malays and Filipinos came from the same ancestors. So I was representing my country to visit some extended cousins in fact.
My Filipino friend had no idea where it was at first. When I mentioned the location in Pampanga, he was relieved that it was only about two hours' driving from his house.
When I walked out from the arrival hall, Alex was already there. Nothing emotional. I just smilingly said hi to him. He still looked as shy as when I had met him five months earlier. He had come with his neighbour Charles, his nephew Jason and a driver to fetch me.
I remembered when I told my Malaysian friends about this trip, some of them were worried about my safety. If they knew that I was in a van with four guys, three out of whom were totally strangers to me, they would definitely assume that I was being kidnapped!
Everybody was quiet in the vehicle. I was no doubt the most talkative one who asked questions on their country that I was exploring. Besides Alex, Charles was also quite well versed in English. But sometimes I had difficulty in understanding his accent.
We stopped for lunch at an eaterie.
There I had my first Filipino meal. Same dishes were served in different small plates to be shared by we four. If I did not look at my companions' exotic faces, I would almost think that I was eating somewhere in East Malaysia.
Anyway, the Malays and Filipinos came from the same ancestors. So I was representing my country to visit some extended cousins in fact.
Philippines: Fly Again
During my stay in France, my new Filipino friend Alex tried to call me to my handphone, but never got to me. Of course he failed, for I had kept it off during one month there. After I had come back to Malaysia in mid-June, we managed to contact each other again via yahoo messenger.
He had postponed his holiday to his home country to September, the Muslims' fasting month where the hotel business dropped generally, instead of last May as he had mentioned to me in Bahrain.
He was going to celebrate his birthday on 14 September with his family in the Philippines. He asked me if I could share this joy. I checked the calendar. It was also the Mid-Autumn festival. The idea of blowing candles on a friend's birthday cake in a foreign country sounded more interesting than lighting paper lanterns in my own house.
Before his invitation, I had the intention of going for a mission trip in Thailand organized by my church in August. Due to the lack of positive response, it was cancelled. Now I was thinking of going to the Philippines alone as a solitary missionary. If that was God's will.
Before taking any decisions, I had two things to look into: my availability and budget.
I began to surf the internet for the air ticket. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia were both having promotions. After comparing the departure and arrival times, I decided to fly with the low-cost air company.
When I told Alex that I had purchased my online ticket, I saw in the webcam that his eyes were filled with tears.
On 12 Septembre, I was flying again to fellowship with my brother in Christ.
He had postponed his holiday to his home country to September, the Muslims' fasting month where the hotel business dropped generally, instead of last May as he had mentioned to me in Bahrain.
He was going to celebrate his birthday on 14 September with his family in the Philippines. He asked me if I could share this joy. I checked the calendar. It was also the Mid-Autumn festival. The idea of blowing candles on a friend's birthday cake in a foreign country sounded more interesting than lighting paper lanterns in my own house.
Before his invitation, I had the intention of going for a mission trip in Thailand organized by my church in August. Due to the lack of positive response, it was cancelled. Now I was thinking of going to the Philippines alone as a solitary missionary. If that was God's will.
Before taking any decisions, I had two things to look into: my availability and budget.
I began to surf the internet for the air ticket. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia were both having promotions. After comparing the departure and arrival times, I decided to fly with the low-cost air company.
When I told Alex that I had purchased my online ticket, I saw in the webcam that his eyes were filled with tears.
On 12 Septembre, I was flying again to fellowship with my brother in Christ.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Langkawi: Second Trip
When my colleague Shera asked me if I was interested to join her trip with students to Langkawi, I realized how time had flown! When I first went there, I had just graduated from the secondary school. This time would be only the second time, and I would be bringing college students!
"Lang" comes from the Malay word helang which means eagle.
"Kawi" is Sanskrit for marble, which is found in excess in these islands.
From the Kuala Perlis jetty, we took the high-speed ferry to reach the Kuah jetty.
I had not stepped on Langkawi for more than ten years. During the last trip, I only focused on the fun I had with my friends. This time, I paid more attention to the beautiful beaches,
and other elements
which contributed to the charm of the island.
"Lang" comes from the Malay word helang which means eagle.
"Kawi" is Sanskrit for marble, which is found in excess in these islands.
From the Kuala Perlis jetty, we took the high-speed ferry to reach the Kuah jetty.
I had not stepped on Langkawi for more than ten years. During the last trip, I only focused on the fun I had with my friends. This time, I paid more attention to the beautiful beaches,
and other elements
which contributed to the charm of the island.
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