Jan. 3rd was our 2nd day at the ANCOP build site. After yesterday, we were eager to get rolling.
Like yesterday, we were greeted by a crowd as we entered the build site and the kids performed another dance for us……sooooo cute!!
Our work yesterday allows us to paint the concrete walls today. This is the before shot.
We get our daily instructions from Tito Morrie of ANCOP. (NOTE that NO unit’s exterior is painted at this point)
First job – hand bomb all the sand from one unit to another so we can clear it for painting.
Step 1 – Fill the bucketStep 2 – pass the bucket along the leadership train……..synergy at it’s best!The sand comes to the end of the line and none of us had to move our feet.Step 3 – Dump the sand into the new unit (100+ more buckets and we’re done!)
Our next job was to paint the interior of all the units.
We also had to paint the exterior of all the units.
Britany, our tallest leader was an asset for all the high spots to be paintedWe haven’t even had lunch yet and the front of every unit is almost painted.
Even though we didn’t want to, the community elders urged us to take a lunch break.
Britany leads us in graceMmmmm……our favourite meals are always at the build site
Now that we’re nourished and rested, it’s back to work!!
“You take the high spots and I’ll take the low spots.”On the way to the truck to lift cinder blocks, Krystal gets stopped to give some props!Many hands make light workIn this case, 10 (total) student leaders make light workSo light, the leaders even have time to pose for the cameraKarol meticulously organizing the hollow blocks
BEFORE and AFTER shots of our work on the exterior of each unit.
Now we head back to the go play with the kids – our favourite part of the day.
Everywhere we go the kids escort us….it’s so touchingKevin and his biggest fan!As we wash up, the kids eagerly wait to play!
Today we decided to change it up and play some new games with them.
Games like Red light – Green lightWhat time is it Mr. Wolf…….5 o’clock!……mmmmm…….just a little and then I’m going to yell, “LUNCH TIME!”This game is called Fox and The Rabbit Hole“Huckle Buckle head to head”Huckle buckle – Chair and person sittingNo peaking!
The time has come when we have to say so long…..
“I don’t want you to go!”A good day’s work…..now we head out to the Baclaran Market
To beat the traffic and save time, we took the LRT (public transit).
“Guys, guys, guys……we are here, and we need to go there.”The train was very clean and spacious1.5 hours driving becomes less then 25 min on the train!Looking out the window gave us the opportunity to see many different neighbourhoods in the PhilippinesWe arrived at Baclaran market – the last stop on the lineLike everywhere else in the Philippines, the density of people in the market is unbelievable
In the market, you can get all kinds of food like….
Fresh jumbo cornEgg rolls and deep fried….something or other 🙂Boiled peanuts and hard boiled quail eggsChicharon – deep fried pork rindDeep fried fish ballsFried chicken…..move over Colonel Sanders (KFC)Deep fried chicken intestines……..mmmmm 🙂Steamed dim sum…….finally, something not fried!A variety of roasted and salted nutsSiopao – meat-filled bun
A variety of local fish
After Baclaran market we went for dinner at Singing Waiters and Cooks, a 10 min drive away.
The performers invite teacher Diane Ignoto to dance salsaAll the student leaders join the band who perform a live version of Gangnam StyleMearah also joins the band and sings a popular Tagalog songFamilies that eat and pray together, stay togetherStudent leaders generously give food to street kids sitting outside the restaurantUmmm Hilary…..what are you doing?
After going to Razon’s for some halo-halo, we head back to the hotel and get some shut eye. Tomorrow we’re back at build site helping to be the change we wish to see in the world.
You might want to consider putting a little book together… so many great photos! I’m sure your new friends in the Philippines are going to miss you! Peace and Hope, Steve De Quintal Teacher, Bishop Marrocco / Thomas Merton CSS, 1515 Bloor St. W.. Toronto, Ontario M6P-1A3. 416-393-5545 ext. 84293 “To Think, to pray and to serve.” “Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard taskmaster to yourself, and be lenient with everybody else. ” – Henry Ward Beecher *****You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response*****
Catholic Student Leadership 
You might want to consider putting a little book together… so many great photos! I’m sure your new friends in the Philippines are going to miss you! Peace and Hope, Steve De Quintal Teacher, Bishop Marrocco / Thomas Merton CSS, 1515 Bloor St. W.. Toronto, Ontario M6P-1A3. 416-393-5545 ext. 84293 “To Think, to pray and to serve.” “Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard taskmaster to yourself, and be lenient with everybody else. ” – Henry Ward Beecher *****You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response*****
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