We Can't Get Enough of Banaue

Banue is the home of 4,000 year old rice terraces, considered to a wonder of the world. They are an engineering fete since they are still in use all these years later and are naturally irrigated from the rain forests above. While in Nueva Vizcaya we decided to take a day and show the area to the Shaners, since they hadn't seen it before.

We arrived on late Sunday afternoon and it was raining and cloudy. The next morning we woke to hard rain and so much fog you couldn't see 10 feet ahead of you. What a bummer! But with some prayers and a blessing from on high the clouds parted and the sun shone. This was our third trip to Banue and it was truly the most glorious. We took a jeepney ride up to the lookout posts and saw the most glorious sights. The rain water was glistening off the scenery below, looking almost like sparkling diamonds. The air was refreshing and the sun was warm. It was truly one of the most beautful days we've had here in the Philippines. Since this is considered the "off" season many of the shops were closed but there was still lots of opportunities to do some shopping around our sightseeing! We loved sharing this day with our dear friends and fellow missionaries--Elder and Sister Shaner.

On the drive up the clouds started rolling in.

The rain stopped, the fog lifted during breakfast and we were ready to go and explore!

We hired a jeepney to drive us up the mountain to the shops and lookout posts.

The Shaners first jeepney ride.

President Carlos is not a tall man but compared to this Ifugao native he's a giant!

Elder and Sister Shaner in a little Nipa Hut bench.

Most of the terraces had just been harvested and so that's why you see so much water. A few had just been planted and so those ones are the ones with light green showing.

This is a sign that designates the historical significance fo the area. They are truly a site to behold! I'm so grateful they are in our mission boundaries and so glad that President Carlos believes our missionaries should get a chance to view them while serving here.

Charming Filipino Schools



 All along the fence facing away from the school were the 10 commandments of good citizenship. I thought I'd share a few with you in this post.

The 5th and 6th commandment. I wish all children were taught these values! The world would truly be a better place. Note that the signs are all in English. Many schools emphasize English altough President Aquino (a woman president) mandated that schools place more emphasis on the native languages and so English is not pushed quite as it was in past times. Still most signs around the country are in English.

This sign greeted the children on the front gate.



Sometimes the world looks down on a poor country--thinking if they just educated those people then they could eliminate most of the poverty. Well, the Philippines proves that's not right. The filipino people truly value education--they are one of the most literate countries in the world and most people speak several languages besides their native dialect. The children all wear uniforms to school whether it's a private or public school. They go to school from early morning to late afternoon and many school systems also have school on Saturday. The work and study very hard. Most kids go to college. Education is not the problem--the tragedy is a lack of opportunity. Here you will find college educated people doing the most menial jobs.

Recently we were down in Nueva Vizcaya (the mountain region of our mission) for Solano's District Conference. The night before the conference began we did our first Christmas Devotional in Bambang. The Shaners came to assist us for the weekend and we stayed in Bambang that first night. Early in the morning Sister Shaner and I decided to take a long walk and explore the cute little town of Bambang. There we found a school that had the gate unlocked. We decided to go in and look around and we felt like we were in an enchanted garden of learning. Beautifully painted signs and rocks were all over the place with inspirational messages on them. About the time we were done taking pictures uniformed children started arriving. We were surprised because it was a Saturday morning. But the parents told us that they go to school six days a week there.

These were some of the first students to arrive at school on that Saturday. Notice their darling school uniforms.




There were parks within the school grounds, for history, science, geography and here is the math's park.

Inside the math park were darling stone tables and chairs. Each table had a math game painted on it.

All around the school grounds were these beautiful, inspiring words painted on colorful signs.

Inside the gate was the school's vision and mission.

 

Storm in the Philippines

We have received a number of emails from concerned friends and family members about the large storm that  hit the Philippines. We are far away from that area and didn't even get any of the affects of the storm. So all is well here in the Philippines Cauayan Mission! We are friends with the Mission President in Cagayan de Oro where the storm hit and pray that he and his family and their missionaries are safe.

Thanks so much for your love and concern!
Sister Carlos

The Dichotomy

We were heading to the airport at the end of the Mission President's Seminar and I spotted this interesting sight. Along the banks for the river was a little community of very humble homes although they were painted bright colors. They lacked all modern conveniences. Then behind that area were huge super modern skyscrapers. That's really how Manila is--it's one of the biggest cities in the world. (Someone told me there's over 12 million people there--but I didn't check out those numbers.) There are some of the greatest restaurants, malls, hospitals in the world and intermixed with them all are little humble neighborhoods.

Mission Presidents Seminar--Baguio

We began our journey by flying to Manila. (We could have opted to drive from here but it would mean going over numerous mountain passes and hairpin curves and a road that often has mud slides. Since it has been a very rainy and wet Fall we opted to fly to Manila and ride the bus with most of the others.) In Manila we stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel, which always makes us feel totally spoiled. One night there is like a week somewhere else. It's true luxury at every turn.

The lobby of the Shangri-La was so festive with all the amazing Christmas decorations.

The staff is so professional and friendly.

 About mid-day we headed to the Manila MTC where we met the Area Presidency and their wives and most of the other 16 Mission Presidents from the Philippines. There were 8 new couples who started their assignment in early July. So this year we were no longer the new kids on the block. It's always such a treat to see our batch. We love them all so much and can truly identify with what they have been experiencing here.

What a treat to see Brother Rondilla, who is teaching at the Manila MTC now. He was a dear missionary who served as a trusted assistant for many months. He is now married to one of our former dear sister missionaries and they are expecting their first child next year.

Baguio is famous for it's beautiful climate. It sits approx. 5,000 feet above sea level and is cool (70s) all year round. We had visited Baguio over 25 years ago and I couldn't believe how much it had grown since then. There are now close to 500,000 people living there. The Ifugao people settled the area (same folks that live in Banaue) and they are notorious for their beautiful weavings. We were able to tour the famous Easter Weaving School which has been in operation since the 1920s. They still use the old looms and can make the most intricate designs. The opeartors feet were dancing over the pedals as they worked the looms. I found it to be very fascinating and we were able to purchase a number of things made from the fabric including neck ties and bags.

Our beloved Area President--Elder Teh and his wife in front of the President of the Philippines Summer Mansion.



Our batch. We're all about to hit our halfway mark. We love and revere these wonderful leadrs who are diligently serving the Lord in various parts of the Philippines. The couples second on the left are currently living in New Zealand and he (Elder Rowe) is our Infield Representative. He services the South Pacific Area and the PHilippines. President Carlos loves him dearly. He has helped with a number of sensitive issues and is our go-between the brethren in Salt Lake and our mission.

The famous Easter Weaving School

The weavers run the ancient shuttles with their feet. It looks like they are dancing over the pedals.



We stayed at the Famous Camp John Hay which was built by the US in the early 1900s and served for many years as a resort for US military personnel and their families stationed in this part of the world. A few years ago the US gave it back to the Philippines and it was sold and reonnovated. It is now a very high class resort. The grounds are exquisite. We loved being pampered. President spent his birthday here and Elder Teh surprised him with a delicious birthday cake. That was so thoughtful and unfortunately we didn't have our camera with us that night at dinner.

Camp John Hay reminds me of a ski lodge in Colorado or Utah. It's really beautiful. The grounds are full of pine trees and beautiful flowers.



One of the highlights of our trip was to see one of beloved returned missionaries, Athena Jose, who lives and works in Baguio. She surprised with this beautiful Baguio woven shawl. It was perfect for the cool nights in Baguio. We love this dear sister and it was wonderful to be able to spend a little time with her!

We stopped at the site for the new Urdeneta Temple. There was a very reverent feeling there. It is going to be a wonderful place for another temple. (That will make three in the PHilippines and much closer for the members living in our mission.) Last year when it was announced we were at church and the people started weeping because it would cut their travel time from 12 hours to 6 and save them a lot of money in transporation costs. The ground hasn't been broken  yet and it will take at least 2 to 3  years to build once the construction begins.

These photos are out of order but I can't seem to manipulate them. Sorry!!!!

Cauayan District Visiting Teaching Conference

Sister Russell and I were the invited guests to speak at the Cauayan District VT Conference. I almost cried when I walked in and saw all the ladies sitting there with crochet hooks busy with projects using recycled palenke bags. (At the Farmer's Markets everyone gives out these thin colored plastic bags to hold  your fruit and veggies.) They come in all colors. Sister Russell figured out how to crochet with them and has been teaching women around the district how to make purses and hats. She had to have crochet hooks sent from home because she can't find the size they need here. She is truly the queen of recycling. Now some of these women are selling their goods. I'm dying to buy some of the purses. They are actually very beautiful and soft.



They had a fashion show featuring some of the beautiful purses and hats they made with recycled materials. The large bag in the middle was made out of juice bags. The yellow and blue bag was made out of SaveMore grocery store bags.



We had fun mingling with the ladies and hope they were able to feel a little inspired from our talks.

November Birthdays

Note: I apologize for the late breaking news. I have been swamped and have gotten way behind in my blog posts.
The month started out with a bang with the three elders who celebrated their birthdays at the Mission Home. (See earlier post.)

Our two wonderful Assistants to the President (Elder Hale and Elder Katoa) celebrated their birthdays, which were two days apart. President fixed them ribs and all the trimmings. It was a delicious way to help them celebrate and to let them know how much we love and appreciate them.

The birthday boys invited Elder Cledera and Elder Crowley (their zone leaders) and Sister Webre and Sister Certicio to join them for dinner. We had to rush it around their evening appointments. These are very hardworking missionaries.

A chocolate ganache cake from Sweet Nothings. Who would have know you could find such luxurious desserts in Cauayan!

 President's birthday was on November 16 while we were at the Mission President's Seminar in Baguio. We first flew to Manila and stayed overnight there before catching the bus with the Area Presidency and the other Mission Presidents from around the Philippines. It just so happened that we were able to gather a lot of President Carlos' relatives that live around Manila. So we had a wonderful birthday gathering complete with lechon (roasted piglet). His mother is still doing well and we enjoyed every minute we had with his great family. Many of his nieces and nephews he hasn't seen in close to 30 years.

President Carlos' sisters and aunt were busy preparing luscious food for his birthday bash!

Notice the large table is covered with banana leaves. That way noone needed a plate, you could eat right off the leaves. Also notice the centerpiece. This was the head of the piglet that was roasted. Everyone fights for the skin because that is crispy and tasty.

President's sister Rosie, who lives in Australia has built this home for her son and his family. There's a nice apartment attached to it for his mom to live in. This is a large buhay kubo that is up on the roof. It was a beautiful day and not very hot!

Some of the gang

The side is a wall of windows which made it hard to take a picture, but this is the best group shot we got for the day. Lots of nieces and nephews and their families came. It was really a lot of fun!

President with his mom, Virginia Carlos