Some pictures of the streets that I took along the way, while seated (: in the jeepney.

This was during Day 3 of the camp, Saturday, the VIP team wanted to go to the city to shop, so we followed along. After the short shopping trip, the team had to go to the plaza where they were going to perform their concert to practice, and it was a good thing they did not take the jeepney 'cos they would have been running out of time if so. As it is, we already extended the shopping trip and they were a lil' late.

Our jeepney broke down along the way to the campsite, but we - the few of us Singaporeans: Unc Bala, Pearl, Unc Teck Tham and Unc Mike together with some of the Filipinos - Tita Lourdes, Tita Esther, Tita An, Ps Elmer, or as Pearl spells his name, Ps ELMA(:, Manong Jong, Manong Je ("Manong" meaning "big brother") and the driver who has a knack for driving extremely fast, enjoyed ourselves in a way during that 35 mins wait.

We came out from the jeepney, I took a couple of pictures, actually Unc Teck Tham was the one who told me to take pictures, he went "Okay, go down la. Take pictures of us being stranded with your phone!" haha, 'cos they knew i was already taking pictures along the way, and since Manong Jong and Je were sitting on the grass, i went to sat there too. I suppose that was where i got the horrid insect bite.

Help, of course came, Unc Bala called Dad and Dad got another jeepney to come fetch us. It was interesting to see how they used normal strings or whatever they could find to tie both jeepneys together. The strings snapped about 2 times i think.. It was a good thing we left the broken down jeepney at a workshop, which thank God, was along the way. I can't imagine seeing the jeepney being dragged along the bumpy road turning into the campsite. It would be horrible.I'd probably be squealing each time the jeepney looked like it was going to fall into the sides of the road.

Anyway, the insect bite i had resulted into this. My feet started swelling a little bit at night. But it got alot worse when i reached Lolo's place on Sunday.

Will upload pictures during the camp and the family pictures another day (:

The trip to Philippines was great! (: Honestly, i enjoyed it more than i did during my Thailand trip. I suppose 'cos I already know most of the people there. And Philippines is home. Just like Singapore is home to me. My roots came from there. Was born and lived there till I was 8. It was nice to be around the cousins, the family, the childhood friends.

Can't wait to go back there, i got to wait till next year maybe, or the year after next.

So, our flight from Spore was at midnight, and since it's budget airlines, the seats are SO not comfortable. I tried sleeping but could never find the perfect comfortable position. Reached Iloilo at about 9am. Did little shopping in the evening before we "retired" to the hotel (bought 2 shades - so cheap! In total i bought 3 shades from there)

The Medical Missions at Maliao was great too. I helped in taking the blood pressures, haha, the kids kept coming to me. The problem was that their arms are too small for the BP cuff, so i could not read their BPs very well.

Maliao is a mountainous area, thus it was nice staying there. It's so hot there in Philippines, since summer is starting, it's nice being up in the mountains 'cos of the breeze. (They don't have winter actually. Pearl asked Mai, a youth, when was the coldest period in Philippines, she'd rather come then, to which Mai replied "the coldest season is when it's raining. Right.)

After we were done with our "duties", we slacked awhile. Till' Gie asked if i wanna join her and Johnny out for a walk. Yea, a walk indeed.

WE CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN! in slippers! haha.

a steep steep steep one at that. (those who went to Maliao in 2002 and climbed that mountain - it's nothing compared to the mountain i climb this time round!! i was struggling and panting, had to stop to rest for awhile in between! This Mai and Noel climbed until so high up la!)

We were walking up a hill when we heard people shouting at us, turned and saw Mai and Noel sitting quite high up a mountain, and since Johnny stays there, he quickly motioned to the 2 of us to climb up since he knows the route.

I stood at the foot for quite some time, telling the two of them "Okay, going up, i don't mind, still can. But how about ccoming back down?! I'm sooo gonna roll down later"

Johnny had to literally carry me up at some parts.. other parts i was crawling, grabbing whatever i can grab to pull myself up. But the view and the wind was great. The five of us sat there for quite some time soaking in the view from where we sat (tho' most of the time i was worrying about going back down)..them talking and crapping in Ilonggo and me trying hard to piece the words together. I forgot to take my hp with me, so couldn't snap any pictures.

Thank God Johnny knew another route to get down. (: haha, and his a real gentleman, always offering his hand during the difficult parts.

The camp was equally great too.No words can describe the fun I had there. I love the kids. I love dancing with them. I love being around the youth, catching up with some. I love waking up, walking out of my room and being greeted with friendly smiles and a "Goodmorning She!"

I love being with the cousins during the camp. I love the food the cooks made for us. I love playing with all the babies.

I loved the time when the jeepney broke down to and we were stranded on the coastal road back to the campsite. (tho' i think that was the place where i got that nasty insect bite).

I love going back to my Lolo's house. I love the way the younger cousins hug me and stay around me. I love the care and the love the family gave me, especially since my foot was hurting from the sickening insect bite.

I love staying at the slum area Dad usually stays at, 'cos it brings me closer to my friends.

I loved every single minute and moment of the trip.

And i miss everyone there, terribly.

Maliao (day 1 and 2):

(you see the man above in the tree, Winston.. or is it Willson...climbed it to pluck soursops for us =p)

Medical Missions:

the cute lil' baby who's mum was doing her checkup

Dad said he was calling us for a long time to join the team in this picture. But Auntie Pegs and Pearlyn were resting talking to the youth, and i was up in the mountain soaking in the view.

I'll continue uploading the rest of the pictures another day.

Oh, and i grew darker.

And for more of our day to day basis of information/posts on the trip and if you want to know how "we lived our lives very simply in Philippines".. refer to Pearlyn's blog (:

She has all the details - the funny ones too that i can't stop laughing about.

Like the people there calling my dad and spelling his name as "KA-LIP" instead of "CALEB". (: haha.