From the Land of Fish and Rice

Now What?

2008-04-06T21:30:00.000-04:00

The longer I live over here the longer I realize it can be a waste of time to ask why? Especially when it comes to the driving around this place! One of the main roads we travel on daily is called Commonwealth, or as the locals like to call it "the highway of death". It is a large 20+ lane road (10 heading each direction) that has cars, motorcycles, jeepneys, large buses swerving in and out of traffic like they were bicycles, and of course pedistrians. You have to be very aware of what is going on around you all the time. It's not just called the highway of death for no reason, people actually do die on that road! (Tragically, a pastor and his wife were just killed in an accident on this road.)

As we drive along, sometimes the flow of traffic comes to a hault because of some "improvement" the are doing to the road. Like digging a hole in the middle of 10 lanes so that they can repair pipes that run underneath the road. Buses and cars are roaring by and swerving around the digging. It is maddening! Most recently, for some reason un-beknownist to us, the local gov't decided to make more "improvements" to Commonwealth by taking 8 of the 20 lanes (4 on each side) to build large concrete U-turn lanes. They are only providing 2 u-turn lanes but are using 4 physical "lanes" (not that we have lanes anyway, there are no lines on the road) to do it in! They need the new u-turn lanes wide enough for the turning radius of the jeepneys. So what do you get when you take 10 lanes of traffic and force them down to 6? Alot of people asking why! What in the world are they thinking? Traffic used to flow nicely but now is a log jam!! But you know what? No matter how much I ask why or rant and rave about it, they are moving forward with their "improvments". Not a thing I can do about it so I ask myself why ask why? Might as well embrace it, praise the Lord and just keep driving!

Hey Joe

2008-02-25T06:07:00.002-05:00

Well it has been a long time hasn't it? Sorry to keep you all anxiously awaiting the rivoting posts from Manila. So without further delay, here ya go.

Remember G.I. Joe? According to Wikpedia, it stands for "General Issue Joe". It signified "the universal makeup of the US forces at the time." Well as I am told, the term has stuck around since the World Wars. With the heavy US Armed Forces present here in the Philippines, the term began to be associated with "white-faces" (or westerners which were mostly American at the time). Still to this day foriegn guys in the Philippines get called Joe!

Just the other day, I was walking along and I got many "hey joe"s thrown at me. "Hey Joe, do you want some DVD's?" "Hey Joe, how are you?" "Hey Joe, what are you doing?" "Hey Joe, what's your name?" The term is not meant to be mean or derragatory, it is just something the locals use to talk to foriegners. (or at least that is what I am told). It does get old sometimes because my name is not JOE!!

One day while I was walking along in a more playful mood, I shot back, "Hey Juan, what's up? How you been?" It drew a lot of laughter from the onlookers! I guess being called Joe is just one of those things to accept about this place. At least it is one of the nicer terms that could be used to describe foriegners!!

Religion at it's Best (and Worst)

2008-01-10T03:37:00.000-05:00

The Philippines is an amazingly religious place. There are many superstitions that fuel huge festivals. Just yesterday in fact, Jan 9th, there was a large festival called "The Feast of the Black Nazerene". Tragically, so much religious fervor cost 2 people their lives yesterday. Below is the story from a local newspaper. This serves as a reminder to me as to why people need to know and experience the freedom found in the Gospel of Jesus.

2 dead in Nazarene procession
By Evelyn Macairan and Nestor Etolle
Thursday, January 10, 2008

Two people died and 50 others were hurt in the mad scramble of tens of thousands of devotees jostling to touch the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila yesterday.

A devotee identified as Cecilia Fajardo, 54, a resident of Bacood, Sta. Mesa, suffered a fatal heart attack while Alex Radovan, 44, of Sampaloc district, also died from cardiac arrest as they jostled with the huge throng of devotees trying to get near the religious image during the procession.

A number of children were among those hurt, crushed by the crowd inching towards the carriage as the image of the Nazarene was paraded in the streets of Quiapo district.

Authorities estimated at least 2 million devotees turned up for the eight-hour procession that began at 1:30 p.m.

Some 50,000 initially gathered around Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda. Some devotees even spent the night at the Quiapo underpass while others lined up along Carriedo Street and Quezon Boulevard.

Though a hundred policemen were deployed to pull the carriage from the church, they failed to control the sea of devotees pushing against each other, arms outstretched, to get closer to the statue.

Devotees believe their prayers and wishes will be granted by simply touching the life-size wooden figure.

Brought by Spanish missionaries from Mexico in 1606, the figure of the Black Nazarene is believed to hold mystical powers that can wash away sins or cure illnesses.

The missionaries’ ship caught fire and the image was burned but survived as a testament to a unique brand of Catholicism that combines folk superstitions in Asia’s most populous Christian nation.

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who led a dawn Mass at the Quiapo Church, said this year’s Black Nazarene celebration personifies “taking up one’s crosses and trials in life in imitation of Christ.”

As the statue of the Nazarene crawled through crammed streets with predominantly menfolk pulling on a rope, many hurled towels or handkerchiefs to be wiped on the image.

Police said Fajardo and Radovan were already unconscious when they were retrieved by rescuers, suggesting that they might have been trampled during the mad rush to get near the statue during the procession.

Radovan’s wife Marivic, however, told paramedics that her husband had a heart ailment and could have collapsed due to suffocation.

Most of the injured suffered high blood pressure, chest pains and wounded feet, according to Sta. Cruz-Quiapo police station commander Superintendent Romulo Sapitula.

“The crowd is uncontrollable. Everyone wants to touch the image and the carriage. Some even brought along small children,” Sapitula said.

Leticia Jiandani of the Manila government’s Fire Emergency Paramedic Assistance Group-Emergency Medical Technician (FEPAG-EMT) said most of those injured complained of difficulty in breathing, foot injuries, hypertension, dizziness due to hunger, fatigue and cramps.

Most of the devotees who walked barefoot suffered puncture wounds caused by broken glass, barbecue sticks and sharp stones, she said.

Sapitula, on the other hand, claimed there were no reports of petty crimes during the procession.

“Though we received reports of losses of belongings, it could not be attributed to theft or robbery. Some people simply dropped their cellphones unwittingly,” Sapitula said.

Sapitula noted a sharp increase of devotees this year, compared to last year’s 400th anniversary procession.

“This year, as early as 4 a.m. there were already people at the Quiapo Church. It’s like we were not running out of people here, unlike before when the Black Nazarene leaves the church and starts the procession, most of the people will leave but yesterday, a lot of people were still left behind,” he said.

Church officials earlier warned devotees to observe order and discipline to avoid accidents.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the MPD to deploy policemen to escort the image.

Although a number of policemen and volunteers acted as buffers, they proved no match for the surging devotees.

Sapitula said they were unable to implement the plan since the policemen were overwhelmed by the sheer number of devotees grabbing the rope to pull the carriage.

Rogello Estacio, 43, said he used to faint as a young boy and doctors could not help him.

“So what my mother did was to come here to Quiapo and eventually she became a devotee. My ailment disappeared. When I grew up I eventually became a devotee, too,” he said.

One of the few women in the crowd, 62-year-old Mercedita David, said she used to climb atop the carriage carrying the statue when she was younger and stronger.

Now, she said, “just to get a glimpse is good enough for me.”

David said the “grace of the holy Nazarene” has kept tragedies away from her family.

The crowd eagerly awaited Vice President Noli de Castro, one of its famous devotees.

A look-alike emerged and he was cheered by the throng of devotees waiting for the Black Nazarene statue to emerge from the church.

The real de Castro came unannounced and fulfilled his religious vow by joining the procession.

De Castro said he did not ask for religious blessing for his political plans but only for divine signs if he should push through for 2010.

“No. There was nothing political in my prayer when I grabbed the rope in pulling the carriage of the Black Nazarene,” De Castro said.

“Even when I ran for senator and Vice President, I did not ask for the blessing,” he said.

De Castro said he only wished for good legacy, good health and peace of mind for the rest of the year.

De Castro’s devotion to the Black Nazarene started during his college years when he would attend Mass at Quiapo Church after classes at the University of the East on nearby C.M. Recto Avenue. - With Pia Lee-Brago, Edu Punay, AP

More MSG please!

2008-01-09T07:11:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Hope your was as special as ours! I just thought I would start the year with a little comment on food here in da Philippines. There are actually a ton of fresh things you can get to eat here. Hundreds of kinds of fresh fish, fresh fruits you have never heard of and more kinds of rice than you knew exisited. There are tons of neat little snack items that you can get that are packaged locally too. HOWEVER, eater beware!! For some reason, Philippinos think you have to put MSG in everything. I mean I can not even find just plain old nuts of any kind without it being soaked in MSG. "Contents: peanuts, palm oil, MSG" Why?? I just want the nuts!! You can even buy bags of MSG! Not just small bags either. They are at least 1 kilo each (that is 2.2 lbs for you non-international folks) It is sold next to the sugar! It is almost impossible to avoid it. Maybe they should just make it into a drink too? If you are allergic to the stuff I hope you like fish and rice!

Fireworks

2007-12-26T07:55:00.001-05:00

From the Philstar.com newspaper.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712243

Starting the New Year with a bang
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
No big event is truly celebrated in the Philippines without fireworks. And given the Chinese heritage of Filipinos, the start of the New Year is met with fireworks display to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.

Lighting the match

Filipinos know their paputok: ranging from the small watusi, rebentador, piccolo and kwitis to the medium-sized five-star, lusis, triangulo, whistle bombs, fountains and bulalakaw to the big guns like Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla, Sinturon ni Judas (which has a thousand rounds of firecrackers), and the Jumbo Fountain.

The use of fireworks dates back to 12th century China, where they used to frighten away evil spirits with loud sound (bian pao) as well as call for happiness and prosperity.

In the Philippines, people start hearing firecracker explosions at the start of the “ber” months and leading to Christmas Day. However, it’s only the week after Christmas and leading to the New Year proper that the explosions start to come fast and furious. And in the last 30 minutes of the old year, the streets begin to clear—not only as people go to celebrate the year but also to keep safe—and the smoke begins to build up.

When the clock hits 12 midnight, the Philippines is almost like a war zone with firecrackers furiously raising the stakes in bigger, brighter, and louder explosions.

Beginning of the Big Bang

The Philippines has always had a long love affair with fireworks. And when one says fireworks, one always thinks of Bulacan, the birthplace of Filipino fireworks.

Fireworks in the country were first brought to the country by Chinese merchants in their trade with their Filipino counterparts. However, the Spanish used it in the Philippines when a parish priest in Sta Maria in Bulacan in 1897 used kwitis to call parishioners to Misa de Gallo.

The aforementioned priest taught a Filipino, Valentin Sta. Ana, the manufacture, use and handling of the fireworks, and he passed this knowledge on to his children, Valerio and Fernando. In 1938, the Sta. Ana brothers opened the first fireworks factory in the country called the Santa Ana Fireworks Factory, based in Balasing, Santa Maria, Bulacan.

After the Second World War, the two brothers went their separate ways; Fernando set up Victory Fireworks, which continues to manufacture fireworks up to the present. In fact, Fernando Sta. Ana is now considered the Philippines’ Father of Modern Fireworks and Pyrotechnics.

The diffusion of the knowledge in creating fireworks spread, such that fireworks factories spread throughout Bulacan, specifically Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Baliuag, Norzagaray and Angat. Later on, the manufacture also spread to Cavite and Laguna.

In 1966, a firecracker explosion hit Meycauayan City in Bulacan that killed 26 people and forced the legalization of the growing fireworks industry. The legalization helped in the improvement of safe processing and handling of fireworks.

But in 1972, in the shadow of Martial Law, the Marcos government once more made the fireworks industry illegal for fear that these would be used in rebellious activities. This forced the manufacture and sale of fireworks underground.

Legalizing the business

It was only after Congress passed Republic Act 7183 (the Firecrackers Law) in 1992, which regulated the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that the industry finally came to the fore.

According to the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc., there are currently 500 manufacturers of pyrotechnic products in Bulacan with most of them in the areas of Bocaue (its center of trade because of its location), Sta. Maria, Baliuag and other neighboring municipalities of the province.

It is the hope of the PPMDA that with the setting of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board and rules and guidelines, firecracker accidents (like in Meycauyan City) would be avoided as well as the protection of the industry from smuggled imported finished fireworks, illegal manufacturers and illegal firecrackers.

Start the year right

In the end, this means safety first for Filipinos celebrating the New Year. Though accidents are still expected given fireworks are involved, questions over quality will at least be assured and hopefully, no firecracker will explode in hands unexpectedly.

Philippine New Year's Beliefs

2007-12-26T07:45:00.000-05:00

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712244

Filipino Beliefs During the New Year
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
It is easy to take for granted that most of the Filipino New Year traditions stem from the Filipinos’ hope to have a year better than the previous one.

Whether based on Chinese beliefs, Filipino pamahiin, or plain superstition, Filipinos practice these traditions to bring them good luck and prosperity for the New Year. These include laying out coins on windowsills, wearing red or polka dots, and most especially, lighting of fireworks to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.

Whatever their source, it would seem that Filipinos will take whatever they can get to make sure the coming New Year grants them good fortune.

But what are these beliefs?

1. Ring out the old

Foremost is the use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the New Year, which stems from the Chinese influence in our country. The noise from the exploding firecrackers supposedly drives away the evil spirits of the previous year to make the coming year bountiful, ranging from the small watusi to the thunderous Super Lolo and Sinturon ni Judas.

However, this is not limited to the use of firecrackers. Filipino families use whatever noisemaker they have on hand—whether ringing bells, blowing on torotot, clanging on pots and pans, and even using car horns—to create the loudest clangor they can make.

2. Show me the money

Likewise, another belief that is prevalent during the countdown to the New Year is the symbolism of money: whether on you or inside your residence. People are advised to have coins and paper money in their pockets so that the next year will be prosperous. Moreover, coins should be laid out on windowsills of open windows so the luck that comes in is considered fortunate.

(Related to this, it is also advised that all windows and doors of the residences are kept open and lights are switched on so that the good graces will be able to come to your home as you welcome the New Year and freely come and go throughout the rooms).

There is also the Chinese belief that wearing polka-dotted shirts or dresses when the clock strikes midnight is considered very lucky for the whole year as the circles symbolize lots of money. Another is the idea that having 12 kinds of round fruit for the Media Noche feast is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. Having as much food as possible on the table also helps.

3. The straight and true path

However, welcoming the New Year is not always about the money. A number of beliefs are also about keeping or maintaining actions or deeds throughout the year.

For children, they’re advised to jump up and down at exactly when the New Year starts so they supposedly get taller for the next year. According to the belief, the higher you jump, the taller you grow.

Likewise, most people usually set resolutions for themselves for the New Year. However, there is the belief that if you’re doing a particular action when the New Year rolls around, you’ll be able to maintain it. In fact, this particular belief states that whatever you’re doing at exactly 12 o’clock midnight signifies the whole year for you.

Lastly, in reverse, most people pay off their debts before the New Year starts in the hope that they won’t be saddled with debt through the year.

4. Starting it anew

All in all, these beliefs that supposedly ensure good luck and prosperity also help Filipinos prepare for a new year by starting afresh. This means in a physical sense: getting a haircut, new shoes or clothes, and a full-larded refrigerator. But this also means in a mental sense and that whatever happens with the coming year, hopefully it will be all in a good way.

So whether you believe these beliefs and practices or not, it’s always good to start the New Year with hope.

Merrry Christmas and a Smokey New Year!

2007-12-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

Hey Merry Christmas! We finally made it to our first Christmas in the Philippines. The "Ber" months (September, October, November, December) were up and down. If I never hear "I'll Be Home for Christmas" again, it will be too soon. We actually had a relaxing day while the kids played with their toys. The Metro Manila area is settling down as thousands of Manilenos leave to visit relatives in the province or to take a vacation from this crazy place. Driving around actually seems more "normal".

We are now into the weeks of fireworks leading up to New Year's. Each day for the past few weeks, more and more fireworks are set off until on New Year's Eve the firework battle begins. We've been told that the area begins to look like a battlefield with smoke so thick from the fireworks and guns that are fired into the air, that visibility drops to a few hundred yards and the air quality goes from bad to unbearable. The Filippinos really no how to celebrate. We hope you have enjoyed the 2007 Edition of our Blog. 2008 should bring additional stories and adventures from the Land of Fish and Rice! (a few videos of the kids singing at their Christmas plays are available at www.youtube.com/balutcritic (info on Balut is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut)

I Love Star Trek!

2007-12-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

If you ever watched Star Trek then you know about Spock, the emotionless Vulcan man who was Captin Kirk's trusted crew member. Well, these Filippinos, have vulcan shops all over the place. I had never heard of such a thing. What in the world is that all about?

The handy dandy Wikipedia says "Vulcanization refers to a specific curing process of rubber involving high heat and the addition of sulfur. It is a chemical process in which polymer molecules are linked to other polymer molecules by atomic bridges composed of sulfur atoms. The end result is that the springy rubber molecules become cross-linked to a greater or lesser extent. This makes the bulk material harder, much more durable and also more resistant to chemical attack. It also makes the surface of the material smoother and prevents it from sticking to metal or plastic chemical catalysts. The process is named after Vulcan, Roman god of fire."

So in other words, "We repair flat tires." I have only heard the term used in relation to Star Trek so it was funny to me to see these shops all over the place. It makes we wonder what the creators of Star Trek were thinking! Is Spock rubber man or something? The world is an amazing place.

For more interesting information on this, including the history of this process and who invented it, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcanization

Some of Favorite Views in our Everyday life

2007-12-07T23:31:00.000-05:00

Nice lanes!

Yeah right!

We don't have time to move poles around here, we have a road to widen!

One of my favorite signs. This one is found at the entrance to St. Luke's Hospital.

It's a Wild Wild World

2007-12-07T23:01:00.000-05:00

So we have been here for just over 4 months and it has been an unbelievable journey. Apart from our own personal adjustements, we have had about 14 Thyphoons pass by our island, 2 bomb blasts in Metro Manila (1 close enough that Christine heard it and the yelling during the aftermath), 1 earthquake and 1 coup attempt. Whatever life is in the Philippines, it is not dull! These situations only make the traffic worse too (if that is possible)! Flooding and hightened security really can slow some things down around here.

Yet the world still turns and the struggle to survive it continues. And in the midst of it all, God is still in control and orchestrates events for His purposes. What a mystery to me. How does He do it? All of these events are taking place and I consider that this is only one city in one country. Amazing to think about.

Our First Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T07:53:00.000-05:00

We just got home from our first Thanksgiving outside of the US. It was GREAT (relatively speaking)! We ate with American missionary couples who have lived in the Philippines for 18 and 33 years and a Scottish couple that we invited. It was their first ever Thanksgiving meal!! The meal was just like (almost) we used to have in Orlando. We had a delicious turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberrys, brocoli casserole, white sweet potatoes (they don't have orange sweet potatoes here) and mango cobbler (don't have too many peaches). The biggest difference for us is that because it is not a holiday here in the Philippines (I guess no pilgrims made it this far)we worked all day, met for dinner at 5:00, had to come home by 8:30 so that we could put the kids to bed because it is a school day. Bummer!

I missed my couch, football and friends. It was not quite like our holiday traditions at home but it was nice to have a familar meal and spend times talking with some of our new friends. Hope you have (had) a great Thanksgiving. God bless!

BREAKING NEWS . . .

2007-11-20T03:28:00.000-05:00

Manila, Philippines. Hairs have been spotted!! At approximately 3:15 pm, November 17, hairs were spotted on Wade Mantlo. Previously known as hairless, this miracle has caused Wade much amazement. A great celebration in the Mantlo household spontaneously broke out. Some were quoted as saying, "We never thought this would happen", "First water into wine, and now this!" The hairs can now be seen by gazing down. That's right, the hairs are located on his little pinkie toe, the one found at the far right!

In other news, after a steady diet of rice and an abudance of fresh fish, this blog was more adequately named "From the Land of Fish and Rice: Mantlo Adventures in Southeast Asia."

Don't Look at Me!

2007-11-16T07:17:00.001-05:00

So what happens when you are driving down the road and you can tell someone wants to cross the street? Do you look at them? If so, what happens when you make eye-contact? Does it mean, "it's ok to start crossing, I am slowing down?" I think that is how I used to use it in the states. BUT, of course here in Bizzaro world, everything is opposite! If you don't look at someone, that means they can try to cross the street!! What???? I still don't get it and now I am completely confused as to what the rules are and when I should look, when I shouldn't look, etc. To make matters worse, most people around here seem to step out into the street FIRST and then LOOK! Hello?? Are people wanting to step into eternity prematurely or what? Maybe they just want a good look at the car that is going to hit them or something.

How about beeping your horn? What does that communicate to you? Someone's angry? In a hurry? Get out of my way? Well over here it just means "I am coming" or "I am here beside you, don't hit me."

So here is the moral of the story, just drive down the road flashing your lights (which means you better watch out) and beeping your horn. That way you will be able to make through the traffic ok without killing anybody (or yourself). But whatever you do just be careful what you look at!!

You Know it's Christmas when . . .

2007-11-16T07:03:00.000-05:00

Hey there! Just got back from a 9-trip to Thailand so sorry once again for the long delay in posts!

These Filipinos love Christmas! They are quite religious you might say about it. Christmas it seems is not just for December mind you. As soon as the month of September rolls around the carols start playing! That's right, we have been listening to christmas songs since September!! Even with the Christmas lights have been up since October 1st! We can hardly wait to see what the month of December will be like.

Manila Hospital 101

2007-10-27T09:31:00.000-04:00

Ok, so we get our first overnight trip to the hospital this week. I could certainly write alot here but I am a bit tired from running all over town for my daughter's birthday. The first thing that we noted was that there is some pretty old medical equipment still being used out there. Christine's first EKG reading was adminstered by a machine that had about 8 lines attached to it with suction cups on the ends. It reminded me of something you would see in Frankenstein's lab or something. Wild.

Like what type of room do you want? "What do you mean?" "Well, you can have an open room, a semi-private, or private." We choose private because we had no idea what the other's would be like with large Filipino families coming and going. We are glad we did. It was a basic room but adequate, it just looked like it hadn't been updated in a long time! The room had no windows, pale green walls, an old large refrigerator, a leaky shower and an old 12" TV. Meals came with no forks or untinsels. But luckily there was a set in the "Welcome Pack" you got. We had to wash them after every meal in the sink with a bar of soap. Everyday you got a roll of toliet paper and a bar of soap handed to you (even if you didn't use all of what you had the day before!) We realized later that we had to bring our towels, blankets and wash cloth. (Luckily we were in one of the nicer hospitals, a friend told us that she had to provide her own bandages and things at another hospital up-country). Crazy.

We actually got good medical care, they did run all of their tests on updated equipment. I think the older equipment is used in the ER. We had a lot of surprises because we assumed they did things like in the US. Don't all hospitals operate the same all over the world? I could write a whole nother post on the billing/check-in/check-out procedure. Good grief!!

You Turn

2007-10-27T09:23:00.000-04:00

Well apparently I am not a very good blogger since it seems like weeks in between posts. There actually are a long list of things to write about but life is so crazy that we can't write them fast enough!!

Anyway, back to driving pleasures here in Manila. As a general rule, there are NO left turns! In order to keep traffic moving they decided to make everyone go past the turn you need to make and make a u-turn instead. It actually does keep traffic moving but people don't make u-turns in an orderly fashion like you would expect back home in the good ol' USofA. People form not just 1 line, not 2 lines but usually 3 or more lines to try to force their way through the single lane u-turn that is set up. Fun stuff!

But wait there is more! The government like to keep people guessing so they often move the places you can make u-turns! There are little crews of guys who drive around with a mini crane-type vehichle, picking up the conrete barriars that are used and moving them to either fill in the u-turn spot or creating another one! Let's just say it keep like interesting!!!

The Good Samaritan?

2007-10-04T02:28:00.000-04:00

The other day we were driving back from a conference in southern Luzon (the name of the island we live on). It was rainy and traffic was bad. As we approached the on-ramp to the highway back to Manila, we saw a lady laying face down in a large mud puddle. She would pick her head up, look around and then put her face back in the water. At first, I thought "would you look at that? what in the world will these people do next?" I mean I had seen kids and others playing in puddles during downpours so I thought maybe this lady was just "playing" or swimming or something (yes the puddle was that big). The odd thing was that the puddle was right on the exit ramp!

Hundreds of cars were passing her. No one stopped, they all just drove around her. As we passed her by we could tell something wasn't right (actually Christine and a friend could tell, I was in a bit of a grumpy mood and at first didn't think it was a serious situation that warranted interrupting my long drive back to the city). So we went a few more yards and realized that we needed to find out what was happening. I parked the car, grabbed my umbrella and began walking back down the exit ramp. Our friend decided to come with us because she new a little Tagalog (the local language).

As we approached her, I began to cry out, "Mam, mam, are you ok?" "You should get out of the road." When she saw us she immediately began crying out in anguish. We couldn't understand her language but she was obviously in alot of distress. We looked around for someone to help us communicate with her and realized that there was a bus stop right across the street with people just starring at us. They would not help! The people in their cars saw us standing there trying to help this woman and they just drove on by. It didn't take me long to realize that I needed to go in and get her out of this puddle. So I took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants and walked in. She didn't understand my language but she understood my actions! I reached under her arms and helped her up out of the puddle and onto the grass. She tried just to roll over on her face but I wouldn't let her. I rolled her over on her back.

We tried to wave down a motorcycle to help us but they just put their hands to their head and made the "she's crazy" circular hand motion. Unbelievable! As soon as we moved her out of the puddle, people began driving through it to get on the exit ramp. I waded back into the puddle to collect her sandles.

My friend tried to communicate with her. We also noticed that her pants were ripped. The best we could tell was that she had some type of fight or something with a family member. We think she may have been trying to kill herself. As she lay there sobbing, my friend just started praying. I thought I better start praying too. I reached out and put my hand on her knee and just began praying out loud in the name of Jesus for anything I could think of. I thought she might even be possessed because of how she was acting. Amazingly, she sat up and stopped crying. We thought her countenance seemed to change. I was able to wave over a tricycle driver. He began to talk to her. Then out of no where she jumped up, grabbed her shoes and ran down the road! It was bizarre. You just never know what you will see or experience living in a third world country.

I walked back to the car just shaking my head. "Lord please forgive me for my initial uncompassionate response. Thank you that Christine and Judy were compelled to stop." We don't know this lady's story but we were thankful that we at least were able to get her out of harm's way. I couldn't help but think of the parable of the Good Samaritan. How long had she been laying there without anyone trying to help her? What if we hadn't of stopped? What if someone didn't see her there in the heavy rains and ran over her? I was also quickly reminded of the message we had heard that same morning about reaching out the "least of these" (Mt 25:31-46). We don't know anything about that women but she certainly seemed like an outcast. The Lord obviously wanted to reinforce that lesson!

Ants with Cellphones?

2007-09-27T05:01:00.000-04:00

So the other day I was watching one of the numerous streams of ants we have around our house. It is actually amazing that they can run up and down the ant super highway without running into each other. They all know where to go and do it effeciently. But what if they each had cell phones??? That would certainly disrupt things now wouldn't it? We know this because we can look at real life examples all around us. We see it everyday here in Manila. Thousands and thousands of people walking down hallways, in malls and yes even across traffic texting people on their cell phones. Normally people could walk without running you over but it is amazing how hard it is to walk in a straight line while trying to type in a text message! As if walking in a large crowd weren't bad enough! Let's give them all cell phones and see how much progress they make! All I can say is good grief.

Now that is 20/20

2007-09-17T19:44:00.000-04:00

I was just thinking about what it was like in obtaining my driver's liscence. Christine actually leaves in a few moments to go get hers, brave girl that she is.

The first thing that happens when you show up is that you are offered "help" by a bunch of guys who hope to get a tip for helping you navigate the process. Thankfully I had a local friend with me and I got to bypass that part of the experience. So you go to a big building, stand in line to get your application and your drug test form. Then you get to walk out of the compound, across the street to what looks like a "shanty town" to get your drug test. Again, there are many people offering their assistance. I was told that you have to be careful to only go to "approved" drug testers. Apparently there are those who set up shop and try to take peoples money with fake results.

After navigating down these little alleys filled with vendors trying to make a Peso on selling drinks and snacks, you get to set in a little room (about 10x10) for your urine sample. Then it's out the back door down some more alleys and into another small room for your vision test.

This is where I got my laugh. The vision test consisted of me sitting down on a stool with my back to the chart. I was asked to look into a mirror and read the letter that the doctor pointed to. "C", I said. He pointed to a letter on the line below. "C", I said. "Perfect! You have 20/20." It was over in about 2 seconds! Not only did I only read two letters, but it was the exact same letter! (and one of the more easier ones to distinguish I might add!) I couldn't beleive it. Do all people get "20/20" vision approval so easy? That would explain some of the crazy driving I have been seeing lately!

I was just thinking how nice it would be if spiritual sight could so easily pronounced "20/20" as this!!! Lord open people's eyes so they can see and that they may truly be 20/20 with their view of who You are!

Your Decision Changed My Day

2007-09-16T20:28:00.001-04:00

I used to be able to plan my days and accomplish just about all of what I set out to do. And why not, I had a computer, high-speed internet, my own car, freedom to go where I needed to when I needed to, traffic rules that make sense and even a cell phone that could download my email. But the days of efficiency and accomplishment are gone. For example, just the other day we were driving down a side road preparing ourselves to jump into the "salmon-in-a-stream-like traffic" and all the sudden there was one lane of traffice where normally there was two. Why do you ask? Because some guy driving a dumptruck full of gravel decides to take a short cut across a muddy spot and his tire sinks up to the axel, tilting the entire dump truck at an angle. So of course to solve this delima, another dumptruck has to be brought over and parked in the middle of the road alongside of the first dumptruck and all of the gravel has to be hand sholved out of the first dumptruck into the new one.

What effect did this have on traffic? Well the entire main road was backed up for several hours as people who wanted to use this side-road began stacking themselves up, not in single file lines mind you, but in a crowd of "me first" vehichles all trying to force their way into a small opening. Of course, this is also taking place from the other direction as well. So as you can imagine, it was not pretty. Did you have plans to be at the store before it closed to get the item you needed for tonights dinner? Sorry, fix something else. Did you need to go pay your bill or make a meeting to discuss a timely issue? Sorry, you have to do it tomorrow.

And this happens all the time!! Very few days end like we think they will. It is hard to do much planning at all. So the thing we have come to realize is that we have to pray and trust God for EVERYTHING!! I realized that I never had to rely on God so much in the States. Life is easy, convienient and effecient. Why trust God with ordering your day and accomplishing your to-do list if you can do it all yourself? We can rely on effeciency and orderlyness. Things will operate the way they are suppossed to operate. When stores say they will be open then they will be open. When you turn on your computer to access the internet then it will be on! This has been a good leason, one that is changing our perspective and actually drawing us closer to Jesus. It has brought new meaning to the saying, "Without Me you can do nothing." Let us be thankful for all that we can get done in a days time and let's not forget Him who makes all these things possible!

You Better Go before you Leave

2007-09-11T05:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a wild one for ya! Let's say you are at the mall for several hours (not hard to do around here) and you have to stop for a potty break. Well if it is your first time to the mall, you are in for a surprise especially if you have to sit down. Not only will you not have toliet paper but you will not have a toliet seat either!!! Yikes!

I will never forget my first visit to the restroom. After standing in line for several minutes, I was "disappointed" to finally get my chance and find out that there was NO paper. I didn't even notice there was on seat until I went through line again. Can't something be "normal" around here?! It was later on that a friend told me "oh yeah by the way you need to bring your own paper when coming here." Thanks for letting me know!!!

So now you know why it's better to GO before you leave for the mall!

Are you Qualified?

2007-09-09T21:31:00.000-04:00

Hey sorry I haven't written in awhile. I was out of town last week on a trip to Malaysia. But that is a different story all together.

Guess where we were the other day? You guessed it! The mall! Did I mention we even go to church at the mall? Anyway, we saw this ad looking for new employees for the department store. It amused me that they were so particular in giving height requirements. It seems awful discriminating by American standards. You could be the best salesman in the land but if you were too short then forget it, go join the circus! Can you imagine if you owned a restaurant, like let's say Chick-fil-a, and you tried to post an ad like this in the US? You would be sued so fast your chicken wouldn't have time to cook! I guess that those outside the US have the "freedom" to promote any look or standard they want. Maybe the local store owners would feel limited by having to hire any "qualified" person that applied regardless of height!! It's just a normal way of life here, another small difference in cultural practice! Blessings.

Can I Get A Little (less) Help Please?!

2007-08-26T20:46:00.000-04:00

Ok, so life here pretty much revolves around malls. The mall has everything, grocery stores, department stores, hardware stores, appliance stores, movie theaters, bowling alleys, etc. Just visiting one of these malls is a cultural experience in itself. On the surface it may seem western in appearance but it is far from it!

The best example of this is the department store. For starters we are not used to having so many people in a store. It is like 2 million Asians and us! And the other thing is the number of helpers/employees that are present. In keeping with Asian values, there are literally 2 or 3 employees on each aisle. And it doesn't matter if the aisle is 10 ft long or 40 ft long. As soon as you enter the aisle, they converge on you asking if you need help. It can feel like they are in your face all the time. And they will follow you around at all times unless you turn to them and tell them that you would like to look by yourself. Are we being rude? I don't know. But it is neccessary!!!

The positive is that you never have to go too far to get help. The negative is that you always have an audience while you browse for things. We have had as many as 5 people stand behind us as we look at a possible table to buy!!! We are certainly not used to it and I admit that it appears wasteful compared to our streamlined, efficient way of doing things. Of course, I've been on the other end of the scale in the US, where you can't get anyone to help you at all! I've walked completely to the other end of Home Depot before to try to find someone who didn't knwo the answer to my question in the first place!!! I guess the moral is, "when in Rome . . ."

The Adventure Begins

2007-08-03T07:11:00.000-04:00

After 3 months of an absolutely crazy schedule, we arrived in Manila Aug 1, 2007 at 11:48 am. We have only been here a few days and already we have a book of things to write about. It didn't take us long to appreciate more of the differences of living here will bring. One of the biggest differences is the sheer number of people! We left 600,000 people around Orlando to 12 million people around Manila.

And they all go to the mall at once!!! Our first weekend here we went to a mall (one of the hundreds they have here) and we almost freaked out! It felt like there were 2 million Asians and us at the mall. We were bumping into each other as we tried to navigate around and get items we all needed. I had people in my personal space and I didn't like it! Not even Christine liked shopping! It was amazing.

When we got home one evening after running around town, we found ants in our suitcase. They were in all of our clothes, yes I even had ants in my pants! No joke. We take things like insect control for granted I guess. This is only a taste of what is going on; there is more to come. Welcome to Asia!