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Bayanihan from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 8 October 2009
By Eva Wu, KF9, Philippines Two days ago I learned that bayanihan means a community coming together as one, with lots of love and support – this is the way of Filipino culture. I feel like this is a perfect word to describe everything that I’ve experienced since becoming a Kiva Fellow. With all the news [...]
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First-time in Tagaytay
Blog: First-time Traveler - 26 August 2009
This weekend I went to Tagaytay. Because I frequent Tagaytay a lot, I couldn’t remember the first time I visited this city. It’s about two hours from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and its cool weather has made it an attractive place for a weekend getaway. Not only the cool breeze that draws tourists and [...]
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5 bars where to get wasted this Saturday
Blog: 99 + 1 countries - 22 August 2009
1. Rock Bar Mother, Shinjuku, Tokyo, JapanA tiny bar with larger than life character. The bar functions on two principles: darkness and songs on demand.
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A Road Is Paved, A Mall Opens
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 10 August 2009
By Sloane Berrent, KF8, Ahon sa Hirap, Inc, Philippines strong> “How has Ahon sa Hirap, Inc.” (ASHI and my host microfinance institution) “being here in your barangay or in your town helped your community?” I ask the women from ASHI during each Center meeting that I attend. There are a few variations on this question. I ask [...]
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5 do's for Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Blog: 99 + 1 countries - 7 August 2009
1. Learn more about the special bond Filipinos have to prisoners. Unlike in Palawan where you can go see prisoners work on a farm, in Cebu City you can go watch them hip hop. They promise you mass murderers! Now if that's not an enterprising approach to tourism then what is? Serial rapists square dancing? The show goes on every last Saturday of the month and you can watch them dance to Bonnie Tyler's I need a hero here.
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El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, 5 do's
Blog: 99 + 1 countries - 6 August 2009
5 do's for El Nido, Palawan island, The Philippines. A vintage post from February o9.View from the tour C.
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5 do's for Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines
Blog: 99 + 1 countries - 5 August 2009
5 do's for a few lazy days in Port Barton, Palawan. This is a vintage post from February 09.
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10 Do's for Sugar Beach, Sipalay
Blog: 99 + 1 countries - 25 July 2009
10 Do's for for Sugar Beach, Sipalay, Negros, Philippines
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Wanted: Tagalog Speaking Kiva Fellow / Reward If Found!
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 13 July 2009
By Sloane Berrent, KF8, Philippines Special Mission should you choose to accept. The Kiva Fellows Program is looking for a Tagalog-speaking (or Cebuano) person of Filipino descent for a placement at a microfinance institution on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. That means you must be comfortable being placed there and traveling around the [...]
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Determination for Education
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 6 July 2009
By Sloane Berrent, KF8, Philippines “Tell Ma’am Sloane about your recent project.” Sir Rexon asks Sir Ronnie while we sit having lunch on Talim Island in Binangon, Rizal, where I am visiting an ASHI branch for the day. Everyone here goes by Ma’am and Sir as a sign of respect. This island, is the 12th and final [...]
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CCT’s First Kiva Loan
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 29 June 2009
Last Tuesday was the first day of the Kiva Partnership with CCT, and my first day as a Kiva Fellow. The highlight of the day was posting CCT’s first borrower profiles on Kiva.org. Laughter filled the room as CCT workers took turns writing their first profiles. For CCT to move to the “Active” stage as soon as possible, and for entrepreneurs in the Philippines to get much-needed loans quickly, there’s no time to waste.
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First-time in Davao City
Blog: First-time Traveler - 18 June 2009
Davao is a place where fruit and seafood are delightful treats. Geographically, it is one of the largest cities of the Philippines, if not of the entire globe, with its hills stretched over the expanse of the city. However, the main commercial district is just a small area where the malls, offices, shops, and hotels [...]
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What a difference a government makes
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 12 June 2009
Four weeks ago I left my first placement in Cambodia and came to the Philippines where I started my second assignment with Kiva Field Partner ASKI. With each day at ASKI I have been more and more impressed by the dedication of the staff and the amazing programs that they are running. Last week I started [...]
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Welcome to “Kiva Country”!
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 10 June 2009
“Kiva Country” is what ASKI-MFI (Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc.) staff like to call the Isabella Province, the region where their Kiva clients live and work. ASKI MFI is a new Kiva partner in the Philippines. Their headquarters are in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija about 3 hours north of Manila, 10 hours if there is traffic [...]
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First-time in Albay, Philippines
Blog: First-time Traveler - 5 June 2009
Albay is not a usual tourist destination. Located at the Bicol peninsula, about 460 km or 287 miles south of capital Manila, there are so many things that remain undiscovered in Albay. Albay came from the word Albaybay which meant “by the bay”. The first thing people picture when in Albay is the cone-shaped Mayon [...]
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A Handsome Gentleman Came Calling
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 13 May 2009
What do you get when you cross a woman named Matilde Tamon and an organization like Ahon Sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI)? A love song. Matilde, who is a spry 75 years of age, has been a member of ASHI for 13 years. She loves to sing, and also loves what ASHI has done [...]
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Daily Travel Photo - Manila, Philippines
Blog: Everything Everywhere - 5 May 2009
Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Follow me as I travel around the world. [...]
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Manila - Glazed or Filled?
Blog: Ottsworld - 17 April 2009
View snapshots of the softball tournament Manila offered something that was totally unexpected; a western diet. When I left NYC last August to head to Vietnam, I left behind McDonalds, Chipotle, Starbucks, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and Dairy Queen. None of this exists in Ho Chi Minh City which is probably why I have lost weight [...]
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Ups and Downs - Trekking to Batad
Blog: Ottsworld - 15 April 2009
View Philippine Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of my trek to Batad - native chicken, trail shots, guest houses, and more! Nora had been teaching me many things along our hike; what berries to eat, how to catch dragon flies and save them for dinner, and roots to chew on to soothe a sore throat or cough. [...]
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Girl Power - Trekking in the Philippines
Blog: Ottsworld - 10 April 2009
View Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of trekking in Pula, Cambulo, and Batad My lunch was packed, my sunscreen was on, my backpack was prepared, and my chariot tricycle pulled up outside my hotel. When the trike pulled up, it appeared to be already full making me slightly confused. Nora greeted me and introduced Joy, my porter. [...]
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Rice Culture - Travel in the Philippines
Blog: Ottsworld - 6 April 2009
View Philippine Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of Hapao Travel I love rice. Rice pudding, fried rice, red beans and rice, rice krispies, wild rice, sticky rice, and even young rice ice cream (there really is such a flavor in Saigon!). I even applied to be on the show Survivor once; that’s how much I like [...]
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Philippine Travel Destinations: My Itinerary
Blog: Ottsworld - 1 April 2009
I had been hearing about the amazing beaches in the Philippines for years now, so I always had it on my list as a ‘must see’. I had the perfect opportunity to travel to the Philippines for my niece’s softball tournament so I thought this would be my chance to finally experience the Philippine beach [...]
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Getting To Your Destination
Blog: Ottsworld - 30 March 2009
I’m out of practice. I forgot what it was like to have a long travel day; planes, buses, taxis, negotiating the unknown on your own. Getting to your desired travel destination can be like running in a travel obstacle course! Granted, I think I am pretty skilled at this, but it’s been about 6 months [...]
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The City that Always Sleeps
Blog: Travel Adventures of Newman - 10 January 2008
I cried out in pain as I stumbled on the bed. My entire back had turned a crisp red, sunburnt after four hours spent in the water off Alona Beach.
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An Experiment Gone Wrong and Mammary Glands Galore
Blog: Travel Adventures of Newman - 8 January 2008
"Oh, he's so cute!!!", exclaimed the white female tourist behind me, and I turned around to find out the object of her affection (I thought it was me, as usual. LOL).
