Hong Kong Musings 6

25 April 2009
The Harbourside

There are so many things that already happened in a few weeks since I arrived. Wim and I finally bought the essential things that we need. The furniture rental company took everything we rented in the morning of April 22. In the afternoon, Shambala Furniture Company delivered the furniture we bought. The operation was seamless. I was truly impressed with the efficient services here.

IKEA Hong Kong was my next stop for everything we need in the kitchen, bedroom and living room. I am glad my youngest sister Ana Marie was here to help me for two weeks. I am also getting more confident travelling around with the metro, small light public buses, reading the map, etc. In brief, I am getting less dependent on Wim and I think I can move around here now without getting scared.


I am trying my best to keep a discipline so I can concentrate on my work. No one is telling me what to do, outside it very tempting to explore. It is not easy. Now that my office is installed and my stuff in the right place, I hope I would be able to do my work in a more focused manner.


I am using Skype now more than before. Martijn of Wereldomroep Netherlands just interviewed me about remittances over the phone. My first travel since I arrived here would be Jakarta. I have been invited by IOM Indonesia to give a presentation in a conference to be held on May 6-7. I will be meeting some old friends there like Basco and Ding Bagasao, both were involved in the conduct of the research on Netherlands-Philippines and Netherlands-Indonesia remittance corridor.

Due to time difference, I have difficulties getting in touch with friends in Europe than in the US and in the Philippines. I decided to start working from 1 pm local time when Netherlands about to start working.

Most probably I will be in the Netherlands in June on my way to Senegal. I hope to catch up with some friends there.

I finally started with my Cantonese language course. I chose Cantonese instead of Chinese (Mandarin) because it is the language spoken here by majority of the people. I realized that what we know of Chinese in the Netherlands is quite different than Cantonese. Ni Hao (Mandarin for "Hello) is Nei Ho (pronounced as Lei Ho in Cantonese). My language teacher gave me a Chinese name: LEI SHU HUI. So I wll be addressed as Miss Lei.. Sounds nice to me because of the first three letters of my name Leila. In fact, if I write my name Lei La it becomes a Chinese name.

Lei means flower bud
Shu means good, pure, virtous, fair
Hui means intelligent, wise

How he came up with the name was difficult for me to follow but anyway, I accepted the name.

The Chinese name we were told is helpful for people here to remember our name.

What I am having difficulties here is the weather. It is not cold but since we arrived most of the days are foggy and today it is not only overcast but it rains as well. Visibility is low that you can hardly see the skycrapers. The evenings are better with all the bright neon lights. It is not like the Philippines; it is also not also like Dutch weather.

Next time I will write about Nan Lian Garden, a replica of a Tang style natural landscaped garden characterised by hills, water features, trees and various artistic creations in a 35,000 m2 area. What is amazing of this serene garden is that it is located in the heart of a busy city but once you entered the garden you feel you are in Shangri La.

Hong Kong Musings 5

April 6, Monday
The Harbourside

Last night was the first time since we moved to our new apartment that I slept soundly. I didn’t even notice that Wim has left for his work. When I woke up I panicked a little bit because I did not see him in the house. I forgot that he has to start working at 7 in the morning.

I chatted with my son Richard via Skype the other day and pleased that the technology could bridge the contact between parents and children who are separated thousands miles away. Hearing the voice of Richard and Michael soothes my spirit like a balm. I can empathize more than before with migrant workers who are separated from their own families now that I am in the same situation. It is not easy especially if the kids are still small. I am lucky that my boys are grownups now and I always assure myself that one day any way, they have to be on their own. Only in our case this time, it is the boys who are left behind in Gouda.

Wim and I have an appointment with the immigration office. We need to get our Hong Kong Residence identity card to legalize our stay in this country.

It is 11:20 am here and the view of the harbor is getting clearer. At 6:30 in the morning it was very misty. You cannot see anything not even the skyscrapers and the tall mountains behind. I have this eerie feeling – call it weird imagination – because I was imagining a horror film. I imagine the fog covering an old cemetery, the skyscrapers like tombs and mausoleums rising little by little from the mist. It is a depressing sight and I hope Kowloon morning is not like this every day during my stay.

Now that the view of the harbor is getting more visible, I am feeling better. I could see medium-size boats sailing and the silhouettes of the mountains.

We left the house at 12:15 and went to the Immigration office to apply for our Hong Kong resident ID. I want to get this ID because I have been held up three times at the airport. The first time was last February. For the first time in my life and in my many travels that I was asked to step out from the queue because the immigration officer is checking my passport. One incident is okay. When we flew back from the Philippines, the same thing happened. I was singled out. I asked for explanation but Wim stopped me that I should not complain. Why not? It is my right to know why I was singled out. After 15 minutes, I was allowed to enter. Then last April 1, the same thing happened again. This time I told Wim that he should keep quiet because I wanted to know this time why they have to double check my passport. The officer told me that there is another person named Leila Noel but they did not tell me more information. So this is the problem.

I want my HK ID before I will make another travel and I hope this time I will not be held up at the immigration office anymore. If yes, then I just have to admit that it is my destiny because in my new home country somewhere there is another person named Leila Noel.

After we arranged our immigration papers, we went to the bank to inquire why we cannot use our debit card. The tiny (thank God here in Hong Kong I am not the smallest anymore) Chinese lady welcomed us and told us right away that our funds in Euro and dollars were not transferred yet to our HK$ account. This explains why our payments via our debit card were rejected but her colleague did not tell us about this the last time we were in the bank.

April 8, 2008

For the first time I dared to go alone to the shopping centers. I was a bit nervous that I will not find my way back but it was a silly thought of course! I think I am just fooling myself to justify my lack of interest to go out. I am still in the state of denial that I am here in Hong Kong. I have to go over this childish reaction and get real.

I did some shopping and I found out that the rucola my favorite vegetable to mix with the green salad comes all the way from USA! The cleaning detergent is from Australia. This is an expensive grocery which is located in Elements, an expensive and trendy shopping center. Here you can find shops of top designers such as Valentino, Stella McCartney, Prada, D&G, Chanel, etc. My eyes popped to see a handbag with Euro 3,500 as price tag! It is dizzying and wondering if the shops could sell them and if they do, what kind of people will buy bags priced at Euro 3,500. It is really high time to find out the shops where local people go. The Ladies market at Temple Street is a haven for ordinary mortals like me who cannot afford to buy the original stuff. I have been to the Ladies market which opens from 4 pm up to midnight but I have not bought any item yet. Not yet!!!

Well, to get real, I need to follow up the concierge and impressed on them that they have really to send someone to check our washing machine and the gas range. I received a few phone calls and they promised that someone will come but only after the Easter break! Well, what can I do? I can’t be angry. The only think I have to do is to wait until I can use the washing machine.

We received invitation from the Dutch Embassy to attend the reception in connection with the Queen’s Day celebration. The event will be held at The Peak, is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as Mount Austin, but locally as The Peak. Wim and I decided to attend. I think it is nice to meet the Dutch Consul and some of the Dutch expats. I learned that there are about 3,500 Dutch expats in Hong Kong and the Netherlands is one of the largest investors in this country. There are more than 100 Dutch companies operating in Hong Kong mostly engaged in finance, trading, transportation, wholesaling and retailing. This is significant indeed but understandable considering that the Netherlands had already established presence in Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries by colonizing through effective trading in some parts of Asia for 350 years.

Hong Kong Musings 4

April 4, 2009

The Harbourside

Saturday in Hong Kong but I could not feel the difference, not from the 43^rd floor. Sometimes I think I lost track of days because I don’t report anymore to the office every day. When you work, you will have the so called Blue Monday and then TIFG that is, “Thanks God it’s Friday”. The days in between you feel “just work and it will be Friday again.” I do try to do my work as regular as before but due to different time zones, I receive most email messages in the afternoon that I thought, I should start working around 1 pm here local time. There is 6 hours difference between Netherlands and Hong Kong. When it is 12 noon in NL, it is 6 pm here.

My neighborhood

I haven’t met yet my neighbors next door and I don’t have the illusion that I will meet them soon not even in the elevators or in the corridors. Living in The Harbourside apartment is just like living in a high-rise hotel. When Wim and I arrive from our shopping, the guard readily meets us and carries our luggage up to the door front of our room. It is convenient though. Non-residents could not enter the premises without presenting their passports or any authorized ID. We have to carry resident IDs as well.

Wim and I just toured around the vicinity. The concierge showed us the nice swimming people, the park and the barbecue area. There is a piano room a reading room, in door golf, fitness center, etc. All are for exclusive use for the residents. We did not use any of the facilities yet.

Strange enough I do not have the urge to go out and discover Hong Kong yet. We live in Kowloon area which history can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279). The old Kai Tak airport was located in this part of the peninsula and was considered as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. I still remember Cathay Pacific landing at the old Kai Tak Airport during my first visit in Hong Kong in 1981. I have to close my eyes when the plane needed to take a dangerous right turn to land over many buildings and screeched through unbelievably short runway. Will it make it? I felt that I was pushing my feet to the plane’s floor just like when you push the break of the car. The airport was a perfect haven for the daredevils but not for faint-hearted people like me. Kowloon is one of the most urbanized part of Hong Kong and one of the most densely populated places on earth.

The news Hong Kong International Airport is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, because it was built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation. It is one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is about 20 minutes by airport metro express from Kowloon MTR station which is literally built under our apartment. There is a special check-in counter for people travelling to the airport from Kowloon MTR station. Passengers check-in their luggage at the MTR station and can go straight to the pre-departure area.

Apart from mapping the immediate vicinity where we live, I have not done a lot yet except to buy the things we need in the house. We have barely three weeks time to furnish our house from spoons to bed. The rented furniture will be reclaimed on April 21. So I am trying feverishly to get the things we need, the sooner, the better. We are progressing though.

In between I am trying to learn how my new acquired Blackberry Pearl 8220 mobile phone works. It promises a lot of features but first I need to know how it works. I said goodbye to my old and loyal Ericsson but decided to keep it as my second phone especially when I am traveling. I rarely used my mobile phone in the Netherlands but here Wim impressed on me to carry it with me all the time and not to forget switching it on. In the Netherlands my mobile phone was most of the time on the “off” mode and used it only when I call Wim or one of the boys to pick me up at the station.

Our Philip 32” flat screen TV was delivered today. I can live without a TV set but Wim simply can’t. However, I was so surprised that we have so many channels. I can even see one Filipino Channel.

The only hassle we have so far is that our HCBC debit card does not work. We already went to the bank to complain about it but the bank said there is nothing wrong with our plastic card. What a reassuring word but until today, we can’t pay anything using our debit card. It is time to take another trip to the bank, and complain! Another hassle: our washing machine needs to be inspected by the concierge but he can only come after Easter Sunday! This is not nice but it is not a disaster.

My Cantonese language teacher sent me an email informing me that my lessons are scheduled twice a week, 2 hours per lesson. I will start this week, and see how fast or slow I will learn Cantonese. She should in hurry before I forgot how to count 1 to 10 in Cantonese.

The First Days in Hong Kong

We arrived safely in Hong Kong last April 1. Wim and I had a good flight. Michael and Richard took us to the airport. After checking-in, we had a quick dinner at the airport restaurant. Leaving my two kids was quite hard for me although the boys were taking our relocation easy. They assured us that everything will be fine. I can’t help crying when I realized there is really no turning back for me. Goodbye Holland, Hello Hong Kong! At the same time, I have learned to admit that I will be leaving in another country for at least two years, or perhaps more.

I was glad that the flight was smooth and we could rest well as we were given business class tickets. It was indeed a comfortable trip and I had all the time to think what I have left behind. Upon arrival, we checked-in at Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay where we stayed overnight. From my hotel window I could see The Harbourside, our future apartment.
At 9:30 am sharp the following day, we were picked up by our relocation agent and took us with our 5 large Samsonite luggage to our new apartment at The Harbourside. I was teasing Wim that when I arrived in the Netherlands, I had only one small suitcase. Now I have 5 large ones. Wim as usual in his a matter-of-factly attitude replied: “Not bad at all, Mom!”

We went for dinner and we reached a street which seems to be selling only mobile phones. Endless types of phones and all kinds of trademarks. We went inside in one of the shops. An hour later, we came out with my Blackberry mobile phone. I have now a mobile phone number!

When we arrived, everything was settled for us. Two concierge people took over our luggage and brought them to the 43rd floor. What a relief! The landlady was already there and showed us the apartment complete with all the papers (a thick dossier of information about the regulations for the new tenants). In a Chinese way, she presented us a tin can full of self-made Chinese cookies. A striking difference than the Dutch usual way. In Holland, I should have received a bunch of flowers! The relocating agency which helped us all the way in finding the apartment and arranging all the papers, presented us a bottle of Champagne. I was ready to give Helena Wong, two presents from Holland: two shawls with tulips design.

Not long after, the furniture rental company rung the bell. All the furniture and fixtures, kitchen paraphernalia, linens, etc which we rented for four weeks were ready to be delivered. We let 4 people to come in, and in fast tempo they set up the furniture including the linens! I just have to watch them did their work and at times tempted to set up the bed myself in my own but Wim winked his eyes telling me to leave the people do their job. In about an hour, they were ready and signed the turnover papers.


Then the bell rung again. It was the concierge. They have to connect the water and checked the appliances. I have to listen to all the instructions on how to use the washing machine, how to defrost the refrigerator, and the small gadget on the kitchen which turned out to be a small TV! Not that I have to watch TV while cooking but I listened patiently to the instructions. At the same time I felt that I was feeling drowsy and having headache. Probably due to the jetlag and all the excitements combined. Then the phone rang again. The person in-charge of our language course wanted to know when we will start with our Cantonese language course. I said we will call back. In the meantime, I actually have started my Cantonese lesson privately –self study. I can already count 1 to 10 in Chinese and write 1 to 10 in Chinese characters. I will surprise my Cantonese language tutor.

Just as the concierge left the premises, we heard another door bell. The PCCW men arrived. They have to connect our internet, cable and landline telephone. I opened the door and there they were two Chinese young men with their tools. In less than thirty minutes, the internet, TV cable and the landline telephone is connected! We have a nice landline telephone with a viewer. Here in Hong Kong it is very common to have an Eye Phone, that is you will see on the screen you are talking with. I dread to use the phone early in the morning when I am still with my pajamas! So it was going and out of our people, the first day of our stay at our apartment but I am relieved that we accomplished many things and now I can send you this email.

So then, in less than 12 hours, Wim and I have furnish our house and in the coming weeks, we will start buying our own things since the furniture rental is only good for four weeks. The efficiency of the services here in Hong Kong continues to amaze me. Not bad at all.

At night time, we can see the laser show from our balcony that is if it is not misty. I was informed that every 8 pm, there is a laser show in the harbor mostly compliments by multinational giants such as Canon, Toshiba, Panasonic, the hotels, etc. You can see the lighted boats plying between Hong Kong and Macau.

I woke up early today. At 6 am the Hong Kong skyline is still cloudy. It almost 8 am now and the sky is getting clearer and I can the mountains behind the skyscrapers clearer now. Wim will report to his office today. Me? I will see what I will do today. I just made an appointment at the Immigration office for our immigrant ID. The appointment is done online within 5 minutes!

This is the first day of my stay in Hong Kong. The next weeks will be spent for formalities. We need to go to the Immigration Office to get our Hong Kong identity card. I have received a few invitations from several people in Hong Kong to meet. One is from the Dutch Embassy who is an expert in Microfinance (for personal introduction arranged by a former colleague at ON); another one is an Australian Columban priest introduced to by a former Australian first whom I know way back my social action time in the Netherlands; the other one a Filipina who is married to an Irish Cathay Pacific airline pilot….who knows these people would be my initial nucleus of friends in Hong Kong. I welcome all the opportunities.

There are more than 200,000 domestic workers in Hong Kong mostly from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, etc. I read in the Hong Kong The Standard, an online newspaper that live-in helpers may soon earn HK 12,480 (1 Euro= HK$ 1) – nearly 250 per cent more than their current HK 3,580 (euro 358) a month – if they are not exempted from the minimum wage protection. If the proposed statutory hourly minimum wage across occupations is set at HK$ 30/hour, they maybe paid at HK 12,480 (Euro 1,248) by working 16 hours a day, 26 days a month, according to the newspaper. The proposal has met many objections from the employers’ association stating that they have to spend at least HK$ 6,000 a month on keeping a live-in domestic helper because lodging, meals, transportation, and in some cases even cell phones, and clothes are provided for.

The Filipino community in Hong Kong is about 140,000. Most of my neighbors here in our apartment have a Filipina domestic helper. Wim got one, via the Netherlands!!!

The sky is overcast today in Hong Kong. The temperature is 19 degrees celcius. I guess it is colder in the Netherlands today but the sun is shining over there. It is almost the same weather when I arrived in the Netherlands in October 1979!

Goodbye Holland, Hello Hong Kong!

After almost a year of “go-no-go”, Wim and I finally flew  to Hong Kong via KLM  March 31, 2009 at 9 pm. For Wim, it means working under the same company. On my part, I feel like starting a new life in my new homeland. What it would be like, I don’t know.

We had pleasant times to say farewell to friends unlike the time when I left for the Philippines in 1979 when only my families and closest friend were informed about my trip to the Netherlands. I will cherish all the moments. I realized how precious friends are.

I arrived in the Netherlands thirty years ago to study at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. I did not have inkling that the 8-months study is just the prelude to a long stop over. To make the story short, The Netherlands became my second home and where I lived intensely both on the personal and professional level. I consider my 30 years stay in the Netherlands a long stop-over of my continuing journey through life.

Looking back, my stay in the Netherlands was not bad at all. I was younger then and I embraced all the challenges with courage and enthusiasm. I have a fine family and life has been quite kind to me in the Netherlands. There were challenges to hurdle but they were all bearable so to speak.

I noticed though some changes in the Netherlands.

In 1979, the Dutch Communist Party was still represented in the Parliament. It was my first introduction to liberal and tolerant The Netherlands. I left the Philippines when it was still under Martial Law and it was a welcome breathing spell for me to live in a country where you can mock even the members of the Royal Family without any fear of being persecuted.


When I left our country, our people were experiencing the darkest hours of their democratic life. Opposition to the regime were arrested, detained and some were tortured or murdered. I know some people who were arrested (some were former colleagues) or killed. The Communist Party in the Philippines is still outlawed until today. In my country at that time, singing nationalist songs was banned and already considered as subversive which is enough reason to be reprimanded or to take an unpleasant trip to the detention center. The Dutch Communist Party has long been gone in the Dutch political landscape. It is replaced by conservative politicians mostly one-issue parties such as to banish immigrants and anything related to Islam to the limbo, or protection of animals! The frightening thing is that PVV has a growing public support if we believe the survey of Maurice de Hond!

When I got married in 1980, I automatically received my Dutch nationality on the day of our wedding at the town hall. This immigration law has been changed long time ago. Aside from five years of continuous residence (3 years in the case of marriage or registered partnership and cohabitation), one must also be able to able to read, write, speak and understand Dutch, and sufficiently integrated in the Dutch society are among the requirements to be a naturalized Dutch citizen.

Not speaking the Dutch language was not an issue then, not a political issue, I should say. The local grocer, baker or the milkman did not have problem speaking  Dutch-English when I talked to them in English. They said it was nice for them to practice their English. At present, you feel embarrassed and become apologetic when you cannot speak Dutch. Time has changed but I don’t complain. Instead, I tried to make the best of my stay in this country which offered me opportunities and I grabbed every opportunity that crossed my path.

During the first years of my stay, my usual conversation with a stranger usually started with “how’s the weather and followed by where I come from; how I came to the Netherlands.” The weather is cold, warm, or suffocating. I learned to drink cups and cups of coffee. I even learned how to bike, crochet, knit, and sew to please Wim’s grandma. I think I learned them all with flying colors except that I never learned how to cook (Dutch or Filipino food) but it was a a matter of personal choice and I can't blame Wim's Ma and grandma.

Aside from this, I find it still daunting to communicate effectively with the Dutch people. You have to state your case right away opposite to Asian way where we need a long spiels before stating what the core of the message is. “Leila, speak straight to the point!” This is the comment I often heard in the office. I am still grappling with this Dutch way of communicating.

Compare the letters written by a Dutch and a Filipino and you will see right away the difference. Asians find it impolite to immediately open the conversation with what their real intention is. Asians need to place first the context why for instance we need to borrow money or ask a favor. At the end of the intro, that’s the time we state our case. Perhaps, because, we Asians are afraid of rejection so we need to explain first the circumstances before we can tell what we want. But we Asians have no sense of time as well. We can sit down for a long time listening to the person talking to us but the Dutch has very little time for this. Or, perhaps, they just want to spare themselves from the details and so they want to know right away what others want. The Dutch has no problem saying “yes” or “no”. Asians I believe think of the consequences whatever the answer is. But what is an effective communication? To me, when the other person understood what I exactly meant to say is the most effective one; take time or straight to the point, pick your choice, the bottom line is you are being understood exactly what you mean to say.

In my opinion, a heated debate is taboo for Dutch people. This is something perhaps Asians can learn from the Dutch. To be level-headed. Just watch how the parliamentarians conduct their debates. However, because Dutch people are not confrontational, the debates are less animated and perhaps boring for spirited and fiery Asians or Latinos. Meetings can drag on and on. If a topic cannot be resolved in 10 minutes or so, it will be tabled to the next meeting. So decision-making can drag for weeks and weeks and sometimes without reaching a compromised solution to avoid conflict of opinions. Or one just need to keep quiet and pretend that he or she agrees, otherwise taking time to explain and ask questions can be misconstrued of monopolizing discussions. Worst, you don’t understand the issue!

There are good and bad things in life wherever you are. Netherlands has been my home for 30 years, and in retrospect, I had more good times than bad and I am grateful for this. Strange that you only value precious moments, once you realize that you are missing them.

I will live in Hong Kong for a couple of years. Who knows, life for me here is good and kind as well. From the 43rd floor, I have a fantastic view of the Victoria harbor . We live in the second tallest all-residential tower in Hong Kong. I can see clearly the mountains from a distance unlike in Gouda where my view only reached up to the end of my garden. The latter is probably beyond my reach; the former is just a few steps away. Life is just like a dream. Dreams come true when you work for it. It remains an elusive dream when you just let the golden chance slips away from your hands.

December 9, 2007 - January 9, 2008: Bansalan, I'm Coming Home

The beach unfortunately is not located in Bansalan. This shot was taken in Malita, Davao del Sur. Bansalan is a landlocked town.

Welcome to my world! A spectacular view along the road on our way to Malita, Davao del Sur.

There are many reasons why coming home is always special.

Our hut where I spend most of the day and let time pass away.

Our living room com kitchen.


Here is our "dirty kitchen" as Filipinos call it. This tiny hut is the real nerve center of the house. The real cooking is done here.

The side view of our house.

Merry Christmas. Did I forget anyone?

My favorite corner.

The beach.

It was too good to be true. It started as a crazy idea and here we are welcomed by our Mayor of the town, Edwin Reyes. It was great to be home and this time not alone but with a group of funny, motivated, and community-spirited Bansalenos. What a homecoming!

The preparatory meetings started. We discussed what we were planning to do. The list got longer and longer. How will we do it less than two weeks time?

Two heads are better than one. All ideas and suggestions were brought forward. We can make it, so be it.

Tata Noel, Cherfield, Lalay, Henry and Meja.

And we still have time for fun! Let's practice for our surprise number. What a band of versatile people. Work and play, that keep you young.

First Row: Henry Tacio and Cherfield Metilla.

Second Row: Meja and Jean Metilla. Lalay trying hard is partly covered.

Our DI, Joevilt Villotes. Precy Metilla (Germany) was present during the practice but went AWOL during the presentation. Where were you Precy? Behind her is Zeni Acaba (Australia) in her best pose while dancing to the tune of Aquarius.

December 26, 2007 MEDICAL MISSION

On December 26 we conducted our free medical clinic at Metilla Learning Center in Banikanhon.

Chirivic Lapena (second from R). What's up Mayor Reyes?

How do you find this? Extracting tooth under the shade of the mango tree. This young woman is very courageous.
Tata interviewing the patient.

ABW members brought the medicines all the way from Australia and Germany.

Ana Marie Noel, Mr. Mabandos (Imee's father) and me (Leila)

Leila and Jean interviwed by ABS-CBN.

December 27, 2007 - The Grand Reunion

Leila with Charlie Nique

Flowers from all over brightened up the stage.

Leila handing over the certificate of appreciation to Mayor Edwin Reyes.

From L to R: Bobbet Torreon, Mayor Reyes, Lalay and Charlie Nique.

Tata, Lalay and Meja

All accounted for? Zeni Acaba and Henry Tacio engaged in serious talk (?) before the start of the program.

Bobbet Torreon, Joyphares Ocio and Mayor Reyes.

ABW members dancing to the beat of Aquarius!

Singing We Are the World

Joyphares Ocio, Bobbet Torreon and Henry Tacio

The winner of the grand prize with the donor: Ester Rebucan. Ester thanks for your generous donation. You deserve to win!

The ABC Gym was just like the good old days. Look at this number of people who attended the party. It can accommodate a hundred more!

The Bansalan Bagobo Cultural Dance Troup: the real surprise number.

The children of the Age of Aquarius

The Motorcade around the town

On the way to Mayor's office for the courtesy call

December 28, Daygon sa Pasko (Christmas Carol in Cebuano)

Manong Mett Metilla's Ikebana, Bonsai and Flower Arrangement Workshops

Books distribution at Dolo Elementary School

The tree planting activity initiated by the Metilla Family.

Grow tree, grow!