Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. We've been so busy with class and praxis and community activities. Here is the link to the profiles of current students in the program so you can see my bio and see all of the students that are accompanying me here. They spelled my name wrong... McCarthy... don't worry I'm working on fixing it.

http://www.scu.edu/casa/bayanihan/students/current.cfm

I have a few photos here from my praxis site.  The people there are getting nervous because the government organization who owns the land that they are 'squatting' on is starting to fence off the fields so they can no longer farm them and there are rumors that the government is going to remove them from the land sooner rather than later.  A new gate is being installed in April that will be closed from 8pm to 6am restricting them from leaving or getting into their community. It will be hard for the children to get to school and many people to get to work on time because often they have to leave before 6am.  I will let you know how the situation develops. We are trying to encourage them to talk with the Government group and the neighborhood next to them to present their situation and try to make gate hours more lenient.  It is hard to find a clear solution to the problem because it isn't their land but they have made it their home.  One of the community members took us on a tour the other day of the area next to Sitio Payong that had 600 families living on it which were relocated a couple years ago.  Many left Manila and some moved in with family in Sitio Payong.  The people were compensated as little as 5000P for their homes if at all, about 120 USD.

This is the land that the Philippine Heart Center owns that used to be home to 600 families who were forced to relocate.

Wealth surrounds the area of Sitio Payong (you can see the nice houses at the top of the hill.) Its neighboring Barangay  (neighborhood) Loyola Grand Villas is one of the wealthiest in Manila.

The man who used to live in this area said this was a step that used to lead to one of the homes that was demolished.

He used to live here and was telling us about the process of being relocated. He moved in with family in Sitio Payong.

This house is on edge of the demolished area and Stio Payong. Everyone living to the left of the house was forced to move. 

On a happier note. I am so excited because my family is coming to visit this week in Manila and we will be going to Bohol, an island in the south, for Spring Break! I'm so excited to share this experience with them and introduce them to all of the amazing people I have met here. Please pray for a safe trip for them! I will update you after break hopefully with lots of pictures of the beaches and chocolate hills of Bohol!

Barangay Uno, Calatagan, Batangas

I just got to spend the week on one of the most beautiful places on earth with the most hospitable, generous, and welcoming people I have ever met. I really feel so lucky so have been able to experience this week away from Manila in Calatagan and fish and plant mangroves and spend time with the people of Barangay Uno.  Its impossible to explain all of the things we did and people we met so I'll tell you all more about it when I get home but for now here are some pictures. Hopefully they will give you a glimpse into the beauty of this place and its people. 

"I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam" -Annie Dillard

The island where we spent a large part of our time during our stay in Calatagan. 

Planting mangroves

CASA!

Basketball with the community

Heading out to fish

My wonderful host family

"Launch into the deep and you shall see" - Jacques Ellul

Hello! I've been super busy this past week with classes and praxis but today Teresa and I got to go swimming at Kyla's grandmother's house again! It was so beautiful and relaxing and nice to get away from the noisy city for an afternoon. Also I had the first hot shower I've had in 6 weeks! I've never appreciated a shower so much.... Then I went to Kyla's little cousin's ballet recital! It was really entertaining and well prepared and very similar to recitals in the United States. The only point that reminded me that I was in the Philippines was when we all rose at the beginning of the performance to sing the Philippines' national anthem. After the show Kyla and I met up with our other friends at Eastwood. Its this outdoor mall-ish place with lots of lights and restaurants and bars. Tomorrow I'm running a 5K for the school I'm studying at here and then going to visit the US airbase on Monday. I'll be in immersion next week in a fishing village south of Manila but I hope to take a lot of pictures to share my experience with all of you when I get back!