As this year’s group prepares to travel to the Philippines on Dec. 27th 2013, I took a look back at some pictures that were never posted from last year’s service trip.
These pictures are in no specific order, but all have other made me smile, have a chuckle, or touched my heart.
Probably the hardest part of the trip is being away from my daughter Chase for 2 weeks. This is Meredith posing with a little girl who reminded me so much of my Chase.Speaking of Meredith, look at those dirty feet! A sign of hard work!Speaking of working hard, look at this worker at Jolibee carrying not one but SEVEN bags of ice!These chickens were being prepared to be eaten 😦Kids just hanging out at the St. Martin de Porres orphanageThese are homemade weights I took a picture of at the orphanage – so creativeHilary sharing a laugh at the orphangeI need to find out the name of these beautiful flowersWhile at the orphange, we were getting dared to eat some hot fresh peppers straight off the vineThis girl is enjoying sitting on Adrian’s lap“West-side”This picture made me smileOn the way to the orphanage we had to slow down because of the cows on the road – something we definitely don’t experience in TorontoThis is how student leaders prep to serve 300+ kids lunch and toys in El DoradoThe boy in the middle is giving the most popular Filipino poseThese are kids at El Dorado. I’m always amazed how happy they are.This girl was sooooo cute! I think Diane is trying to figure out how to say “sit down” in Tagalog 🙂There are so many different colours in this photo, what a beautiful pictureLook into those eyes. I love this photoIf I were to pick my favourite day, it would be being Jesus’ hand in El DoradoThis picture was also in El Dorado. The boy in yellow is named MikeMerle would often disappear and I’d find her playing with a babyKrystal finds a quiet place to relax 🙂 Better than that tree she was trying to climb!On our city tour, it started to rain and all the locals tried to find shelter beneath the treesThis picture really shows you the contrast between the new houses we were helping to construct and their original living conditionsThese kids learn the famous Filipino pose early!Cute puppy finds a place to sleepIn Philippines even the roosters eat rice!We noticed that everyone takes care of each other in the Philippines and the kids really watched out for their siblings and friendsThis sign was posted in the subway. Quite a list of items you can’t bring on the train.  TTC should take note 🙂We timed our travel perfect and beat rush hour. Everyone was able to get a seat as we traveled to BaclaranLook at these McDonald’s combos. So cheap! The most expensive thing is 95 pesos which is just over $2.  The best part is that McDonald’s serves RICE and Spaghetti!That’s me (right) posing with my dad (middle), and my cousin (left) who I’ve never met beforeThis kid was an amazing dancer! Look at those hips!There’s that famous pose againSo happy!Merle taught all the kids a choreographed dance to Katy Perry’s “Firework”. My favourite part of the dance was the random poses. Here’s pose 1.Pose 2 – with the kids copying in the backgroundPose 3Look at those happy faces!During the dance, I overheard two ladies talking in Tagalog and they said, “We never seen our kids so happy.” It brought a tear to my eye.I found that to be “genius”Read the bottom of the sign. I found it funny (so accommodating!)Some of the cutest kids in the world must live in the Philippines 🙂See what I mean…….sooooo cute!Look at all those slippers on the ground, and this girl is still barefoot 🙂Peek-a-boo…….who goes there?So adorable (you too Adrian) 🙂I’m so appreciative that I get to spend so much quality time with my father on these trips.  He’s shirt says it all!I just love this pictureNow that’s a big cockroach!This is such a perfect photographThe community presented us with these plants with messages from the peopleAnother colourful picture with such a cute dog. This picture should go in a frame.Unlike Canada, the water pipes are plastic and above groundPerfect place to take a bottle break (watch out, Merle’s coming, say bye-bye to your nap)What a perfect place to find some shade
So that’s it. Â The next set of photos you’ll see will be from this year’s trip.
This year, we have 13 students from across the TCDSB and 3 teachers including myself partaking on this journey of a lifetime as we put our faith into action and spread hope to some of the most needy people in the world.
Our service trip is from Dec. 27, 2013 to Jan. Â 8, 2014. Â Check back daily to follow our travels and add comments to show your love and support.
Thank you for sharing, as always, God Bless all of your outstanding work, best of luck on the fast approaching trip.
You are AMAZING!!!!
Hope you get some rest at some point!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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.” ”After spending one week working and living alongside the Dominican people, I realized how little energy Canadians devote to relationships and, conversely, how much energy we expend on ‘things’. The Dominicans don’t have ‘things’ and therefore focus on people. From them, I learned the true meaning of community — where people are happy to share what meagre possessions they have, where they are quick to lend a hand and lift a shovel, and where they are always there for each other, in good times and bad.” – Chloe Jadon, D.R.E.A.M.S. *****You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response***** ________________________________________
OMG MIKE I MISS THIS.
We should have a trip back full of alumni, huh? 😀
Good luck to this year’s students! Tell them not to be afraid to try new things (like eating balot xD). I’ll relive the experience with them through the blog. I’ll visit you all when you come back!
Catholic Student Leadership 
Thank you for sharing, as always, God Bless all of your outstanding work, best of luck on the fast approaching trip.
You are AMAZING!!!!
Hope you get some rest at some point!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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.” ”After spending one week working and living alongside the Dominican people, I realized how little energy Canadians devote to relationships and, conversely, how much energy we expend on ‘things’. The Dominicans don’t have ‘things’ and therefore focus on people. From them, I learned the true meaning of community — where people are happy to share what meagre possessions they have, where they are quick to lend a hand and lift a shovel, and where they are always there for each other, in good times and bad.” – Chloe Jadon, D.R.E.A.M.S. *****You can always email but a call or a visit will get a quicker response***** ________________________________________
Thanks Steve. You’ve always been a huge supporter!
I miss this so much!!! Have a safe trip! 🙂
Brings back so many memories eh! I’ll try to find Angel to give her the stuffed animal 🙂
OMG MIKE I MISS THIS.
We should have a trip back full of alumni, huh? 😀
Good luck to this year’s students! Tell them not to be afraid to try new things (like eating balot xD). I’ll relive the experience with them through the blog. I’ll visit you all when you come back!
Thanks Angelie. Alumni trip sounds like a great idea!