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First-time in a Habitat Bloggers Build
Blog: First-time Traveler - 21 February 2011
I missed the first two Bloggers Build with Habitat for Humanity. To think that I work for this non-profit organization. Finally, I was able to be at the site when a group of bloggers once again took a morning off and traveled for almost two hours to the quiet town of Calauan in Laguna, south [...]
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First-time in a Habitat Bloggers Build
Blog: First-time Traveler - 21 February 2011
I missed the first two Bloggers Build with Habitat for Humanity. To think that I work for this non-profit organization. Finally, I was able to be at the site when a group of bloggers once again took a morning off … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Subic
Blog: Just Wandering - 17 February 2011
C’ Italian Dining C’ Italian’s Panizza Before leaving for Subic, we had a sumptuous Italian meal at C’ Italian Dining in Angeles. Chef Chris mans the kitchen, whipping up pasta sauces to match every craving and taste. The best seller … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Pinatubo and Angeles
Blog: Just Wandering - 7 February 2011
Pinatubo Crater Hiking to Pinatubo Though I’m not a fan of hiking and trekking, this is one trek I just couldn’t say no to. Mount Pinatubo has considerably calmed down since its last major hissy fit eruption in 1991. What … Continue reading →
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Clients’ Perspectives
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 5 February 2011
By Kaajal Laungani, KF12 Philippines We developed interview guides/modules based on the CERISE SPI tool - creating questions and group exercises related to the following topics: products and services, policies, over-indebtedness, staff relations, feedback and communication, client benefits, community development and child well-being.
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First-time in Bale Dutung, Pampanga
Blog: First-time Traveler - 30 January 2011
Lechon Menu Ensaladang Pakô (Fiddle head fern salad) Piniritong Lumpiang Ubod sa Claude’9 Oriental Sauce (Fried all vegetable spring roll with lemon coriander Thai basil sauce) Inasal na Manok at Claude’9 Talangka Rice (BBQ chicken wings with lemon grass marinade and crab fat rice) Talangka Sushi Hito at balo-balo Sushi (Sushi of crab fat and [...]
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First-time in Bale Dutung, Pampanga
Blog: First-time Traveler - 30 January 2011
Lechon Menu Ensaladang Pakô (Fiddle head fern salad) Piniritong Lumpiang Ubod sa Claude’9 Oriental Sauce (Fried all vegetable spring roll with lemon coriander Thai basil sauce) Inasal na Manok at Claude’9 Talangka Rice (BBQ chicken wings with lemon grass marinade … Continue reading →
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Lasting Impressions of Microfinance
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 28 January 2011
By Joanne Gan, KF12 (Indonesia) and KF13 (Philippines) If you asked me what I have learned about microfinance during my Kiva Fellowship, I wouldn’t know where to start. I have learned that running a social business comes with its share of challenges. I have learned that technology will pave new ways for the future of microfinance. I have learned that the best microfinance organizations have their clients at the heart of all their activities. I could go on and on about my impressions of microfinance from the last six months…but in my final blog post, I will spare you.
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Party Time for Borrowers
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 25 January 2011
By Joanne Gan, KF13, Philippines Since arriving in the Philippines in early November, just in time for the holiday season, I have been to my fair share of parties. None of them, however, quite compare to the event I attended this past weekend in Cauayan, as the Project Dungganon branch office here celebrated its annual Foundation Day.
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Jeepney, Philippines – Public Transport Mode Of The Week
Blog: The Travel Tart - Offbeat Tales From A Travel Addict - 24 January 2011
Jeepney’s Galore! The Jeepney is a Filipino institution, and I love them!
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination La Union and Pangasinan
Blog: Just Wandering - 24 January 2011
Pugo Adventure Benjamin crossing the hanging bridge Opened just last September 2010, the Pugo Adventure in Pugo, La Union is quickly becoming a favorite among friends and family looking for fun and adventure. While most of the activities offered are … Continue reading →
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Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila
Blog: Snaps and Flip Flops - 16 January 2011
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Wealth Management and Savings for the Poor
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 14 January 2011
By Joanne Gan, KF13, Philippines Dream big. Do you want to pay for your daughter’s university education? Do you want to throw a celebration for your son’s wedding? Do you want to make significant improvements to your house? Even if you are poor, these dreams can be possible through financial planning.
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“Feel Good” Travel
Blog: See Simi Travel Blog - 4 January 2011
With 2010 now behind us, we have five years left to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to end extreme poverty. In 2000, when the goals were set, 50% of the world’s population lived on only $1/day. A decade later, these people are surviving on $1.25. Although $0.25 may not seem like much, it does give hope. This is a huge undertaking, and it is encouraging that our leaders have come together to try to address this problem, together.
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Our World School: An End of Year Report
Blog: Travels with a Nine Year Old - 30 December 2010
For anyone planning longterm travel with kids, anyone who would like to travel and is delaying having kids to do so, or any parents who would love to travel but...
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First-time in the Ligligan Festival
Blog: First-time Traveler - 28 December 2010
Apart from exploring the entire stretch of the Philippine archipelago, one thing I also want to fulfill is to witness the various festivals in our colorful and culture-rich country. This year, I can tick off another Filipino festival, called the Ligligan Parul, or the Giant Lantern Festival of San Fernando, Pampanga. Together with an American [...]
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First-time in the Ligligan Festival
Blog: First-time Traveler - 28 December 2010
Apart from exploring the entire stretch of the Philippine archipelago, one thing I also want to fulfill is to witness the various festivals in our colorful and culture-rich country. This year, I can tick off another Filipino festival, called the … Continue reading →
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Falling in love with the Philippines…One song at a time
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 18 December 2010
By Joanne Gan, KF13, Philippines Singing and videoke are a large part of the Filipino culture, as I have discovered over the past month and a half while working here. In my first week at the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), I was taken out by staff members to a nearby lounge – and being my first time there (as with all new patrons), was invited on to the stage to sing with the live band.
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Christmas in the Philippines
Blog: First-time Traveler - 14 December 2010
If you happen to visit the Philippines during the Christmas season, don’t be surprised to find the country abuzz with so much celebration. Being the only Christian dominated country in Asia, the Philippines start the season as soon as the calendar hit the “-ber” months. So, as early as September, the countdown to Christmas begins, [...]
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Christmas in the Philippines
Blog: First-time Traveler - 14 December 2010
If you happen to visit the Philippines during the Christmas season, don’t be surprised to find the country abuzz with so much celebration. Being the only Christian dominated country in Asia, the Philippines start the season as soon as the … Continue reading →
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RePLY and PLAY
Blog: First-time Traveler - 11 December 2010
Anyone up for an online fun quiz? Here’s one. I regularly post blogs of my recent Thai adventure at the Thailand Medical Tourism page. Starting Dec. 15, at the end of each post, there will be a question for readers to answer. Just reply within 24 hours from the time the blog entry was posted. [...]
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Holiday Shopping
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 26 November 2010
Today, in the wee hours of the morning, American shoppers queued up outside their favorite stores, waiting anxiously to get the holiday season’s best deals. As Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season in the USA, and is one of the most highly-trafficked days of the year for [...]
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Developed or Developing – Which would you rather?
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 25 November 2010
These words were inspired by a recent conversation I had with a Ugandan man who had spent 10 years of his life living and working in the UK. He left shocked over the lack of community, how you couldn't just talk to a stranger on the streets like in Uganda, and how people would refuse to acknowledge someone sitting next to them on the subway. "They all just want their space!" he exclaimed mortified. He looked at his watch and said; "and it's all about time." Here I seek to compile a list of my observations from living in both developed and developing.
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A Microfinance Classroom in the Philippines
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 24 November 2010
In the U.S., there is a great deal of concern about hidden fees from financial service providers. “Read the fine print!” we are warned, because this is where fees and special conditions hide. In a small village in Antique Province in the Philippines, I witnessed an entirely different approach. I accompanied staff from Ahon sa [...]
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Text to Repay
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 23 November 2010
At a busy center[1] meeting, a woman waits, among 50 other women, for her turn to meet with her loan officer and make a weekly loan repayment. In a different village in the Philippines, one woman collects repayments from her 50 other center members, then travels the distance to the nearest commercial center to make [...]
