Child of God

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We are AMO
a fun-loving cheerful group of L9s
from the Church of Holy Spirit
a Catholic parish in Singapore
This blog journals our mission trip
to Bicol in the Philippines

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11:47 PM



Final Recce Report (Sorry for posting this late; Uncle Al is already back from Bicol)

To sum up his report:
a) That the food is safe, and that the health conditions are safe. There are no current advisories affecting this town.
b) That water served in various eating places is actually spring water; but he recommends that everybody stick to mineral water to be doubly sure.
c) That the areas we will be visiting are safe and secure.
d) He noticed the absence of mosquitoes everywhere. But we must bring insect repellant, anyway. There are other insects.
e) Of greater concern is the chance of sun burn and heat stroke, especially when we go to Masarawag, Tagaytay and Dona Mercedes. Everyone must be equipped with sunburn lotion and should be prepared to drink more water.
f) Friendly people will overwhelm us. Get ready to be overwhelmed.
g) If you get lost in Guinobatan town - it shows that you have no sense of direction as you have a map lol sorry that was kinda lame
h) Everythinghas been settled.

Uncle Al's final report:
Hi all,
I am now safe and sound in a Manila internet cafe after having arrived from Bicol about 4 hours ago via a comfortable 10-hour deluxe bus ride from Guinobatan. But we were greeted by a heavy thunderstorm on our arrival. After all, I am in the middle of the rainy season in this rain-soaked country.

I picked up the daily papers (after five days of no papers!!!) only to be dismayed by the bloodbath engulfing the world economy. Let us pray for each other and our parents and the people around us that we may last through this economic storm.

Anyway, Monday was another mad rush for Uncle Al and volunteers. Several tasks needed to be completed: had a short meeting with the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Forestry, the survey of Dona Mercedes and the finalisation of our activities there (we're going to be at Dona Mercedes for 3 days), and the completion of the mapping of Guinobatan town. On top of this, we needed to wrap up things quickly on Monday as we needed to be in Legaspi by 6.00pm to catch the 6.30 bus to Manila (we pre-purchased the tickets).

I met the Dean of the University's College of Agrculture and Forestry-- Dr Luis Amano -- who will readily make the Campus' wifi facility available to us (after its installation in December). He has also given his full support to our Mission through the institution's FITS (Farmers' Improvement Training Centre), where our Mission HQ will also be located. Dr Amano also made a vehicle available for our use, especially for our visits to the far flung mission areas of Tagaytay and Dona Mercedes. Also at our disposal is the university hall which we can use for our meetings, praise and worship sessions and meals.

Then it was off to Dona Mercedes at about 9am. After haggling with tricycle drivers at the Guinobatan market, we agreed on 240 pesos as the group's two-way fare. It was a bumpy 45 minute tricycle ride. On arrival the village officials welcomed us. The village is a small commmunity of simple and humble farmers who are being trained in more advanced farming technologies by the university. They have a small elementary school - about 200 pupils, a day care centre for 56 children below school going age. They also have a chapel where mass is celebrated only once in four weeks. But there is a weekly communion service rendered by some lay ministers from Assumption every week.

The village will be welcoming us with a cultural programme on Dec 15th, which will be followed by our school outreach (the usual stuff, minus the and home outreach), visiting farms (helping out in the chores in selected farms and homes). We will also be doing an outreach at the daycare centre, as well as getting the chapel and training hall painted. We may also be organising a carolling session which may be held during one of the nights. The officials also welcomed the idea of some missionary teens staying back in the village during one of the nights. The village officials treated us to a simple two-dish lunch after that (vegetable curry and stewed pork) and Pepsi. It was 1pm by the time we got back to the hostel. And I left my Milwaukee Brewers cap behind!!!! I must get it back when we return.

Meanwhile the other team managed to complete the mapping of Guinobatan town so that no one would get lost.

Reflecting on the last past few days in Bicol, the following were apparent to me:

a) That the food is safe, and that the health conditions are safe. The municipal health officer has assured me that there are no current advisories affecting this town.
b) That water served in various eating places is actually spring water; but I'd recommend that everybody stick to mineral water to be doubly sure.
c) That the areas we will be visiting are safe and secure.
d) I noticed the absence of mosquitoes everywhere. But we must bring insect repellant, anyway.
e) Of greater concern I think is the chance of sun burn and heat stroke, especially when we go to Masarawag, tagytay and Dona Mercedes. Everyone must be equipped with sunburn lotion and should be prepared to drink more water.
f) Friendly people will overwhelm us. Get ready to be overwhelmed.

And so, this wraps up my reports from the mission area. Regretfully I am not able to download pictures due to lack of time, but I will more than make up for it when I make my presentation on Nov. 2.

From Manila, and out of Bicol, this is Uncle Al signing off. Arriving in Singapore via SQ 919 tonight.

Well uncle al is in Singapore now haha!
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