Category: The Philippines 2023

The Philippines | Day 8

Today was an exhilarating day! We woke up at 3:30 am to beat the crowds and reach the whale shark location on time. The four-hour drive was tiring, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, even with our early start, we found ourselves surrounded by crowds of both locals and tourists. After a couple of hours of waiting, we grew restless and frustrated. However, as soon as our names were called and we got into the water with the whale sharks, all our irritations vanished. The whale sharks were breathtaking, swimming right beside us and even playfully slapping us with their fins. We were lucky enough to have ten or more up-close and personal encounters with these magnificent creatures. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip. 

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist

On our way back to the hotel, we got stuck in traffic, a common occurrence in the Philippines. However, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. We made a few pit stops to check out some local CRs before finally arriving back at the hotel around 7 pm. We had dinner on the beach, and it was a feast! The variety of delicious food and desserts was overwhelming. Moreover, we had the pleasure of watching a performance of traditional Philippine dances. In the end, the performers invited us to join them in singing, dancing, and chatting the night away. It was a fantastic way to bring our trip to a close.

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist

The Philippines | Day 6

We woke up at 4:30 in the morning and left the Blue Water Hotel at 5:00. We had an assortment of breads for breakfast which we ate during our three hour long bus ride before we arrived at our first activity: canyoneering. Upon arrival, we were given life vests and helmets and then took a truck to the top of the mountain.

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty

The Philippines | Day 5

Today, we left Sophie’s Farm in Northern Samar and journeyed to Cebu. Our morning began at the crack of dawn, 5:30 a.m., and we packed before having breakfast, which was the usual at Sophie’s Farm: rice, pancakes, sausages, and more. After breakfast, we gathered our things and participated in a prayer session with the staff at Sophie’s Farm. Sister Lydia of the RSCJ prayed for the safety of our journey and the journey of the immersion farming students who were also preparing to leave. 

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty

After saying goodbye to the nuns and students, we drove from Northern Samar to a small airport, where we flew to Cebu. Upon landing, we had lunch at TGI Fridays. They served food that we missed from back home, such as mac and cheese, fries, and steak. After finishing our meal, we took a tour of the largest mango factory in the Philippines, where we saw the process of making a variety of dried fruit treats. We got to try many snacks, including dried mango, guava, coconut, and more. Some students even tried dried durian. Following that, we toured Casa Gorordo, one of the oldest houses in Cebu, a Philippine, Spanish, and Chinese-style home from the 18th century. Many of the homes in Cebu were destroyed during WWII. We also visited Magellan’s Cross, which dates back to the early 16th century and is said to have been planted there by Magellan himself. 

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty

Before dinner, we toured the Church of Santo Nino, or the Church of the Baby Jesus. The church was huge and very detailed, both inside and outside. Being at the church was very relaxing and calming compared to our previous activities. During our visit, we learned about the dancing prayers that some Filipino women perform. Finally, we had dinner on the beach, and after dinner, we hung out near the beach before going to bed.

The Philippines | Day 4

We woke up early today to the sounds of the farm dogs barking and the rooster crowing. For breakfast, we had traditional bangus and rice, as well as pancakes, cereal, and toast. After our hearty meal, we attended a presentation on the connections between Sophie’s Farm and the RSCJ. Then, we went on a tour of the farm grounds and prepared for the work we would be doing later. Upon returning to the center, we enjoyed a delicious meal of ginataang, a coconut milk soup with saba bananas and taros, and deep-fried ube on the side. 

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist

After our snack and break, we walked into the nearby village. There, we connected with local kids and observed the ways of life in Catarman. During our visit, we went to the sea, which we had seen earlier during the property tour. While in the village, some of the boys in our group caught a group of local boys playing basketball and eagerly joined in. This led to a spontaneous basketball game that demonstrated the universality of some experiences. After returning from the village, we observed Ash Wednesday by eating vegetable lumpia and other meatless dishes. Shortly after, we began our service work. We divided into multiple groups and went through each process of horticulture, specifically growing lettuce. It was hard, manual labor, something that most of us had not experienced before. Despite the uncomfortable heat and labor, we pushed ourselves to our limits and helped put food on the table for the community. It was a fulfilling experience to give back to a community that had already given us so much. 

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist

When we were all ready for a rest, we took some time to reflect. Everyone shared their experiences from the day and the transformations we had undergone throughout the trip so far. Finally, the Sisters at Sophie’s Farm hosted Ash Wednesday mass and confessions. There was lots of singing, and it was amazing to see this mass in comparison to the ones we had experienced back home. The night ended with a dinner, and we hit the hay after a long but rewarding day.

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist

The Philippines | Day 3

Today was our last day in Makati. In the morning, we spent time at the Peninsula Hotel. I had planned to wake up at 6:30 AM to go swimming but ended up oversleeping. I learned later that my friends had come to my room to wake me up, but I was already having breakfast. We then boarded a bus to the airport, where we had lunch during the journey.

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty

Our plane had a rough landing in Samar, but we eventually made our way to Sophie’s farm with a military truck escort. The locals were welcoming and friendly upon our arrival. It was nice to interact with them and learn more about their culture. For dinner, we enjoyed lechon, tinola, and pansit, while seated at tables with other students from different high schools in the Philippines.

Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty

I was happy to meet Danzel and Ina, who were excited to talk to me. After dinner, we were entertained by a cultural show put on by the students at the farm. We even got to participate in the dances, including the karasha, a dance that mimics the mating ritual of a rooster and a chicken. We ended the night with a tinikling dance. It was amusing to watch Ms. Franco and Mr. Campos try the dance, and I enjoyed bonding with Clayton.