MAY 2013

INSIDE

OSLM.R.

50+Pages of OSL experience

experience.

learn.

explore.capture.

REAL LIFE!

a project of mervin roi buhia -_-

contents

What’sOSL? Reasons Why Travel

is AWESOME ! !

PLACES

Y

MANILA/CALAMBATOUR

TimelineWhat’s with the Foreign people?!

OSL 23

snapshots

SOCIAL

PROBLEMS

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12 18

22 28

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Mervin Roi Buhia

Rover A popular line says, “The bigger, the better” so I intentionally made this project with a lot of big photos so you can appreciate the photos more and feel them better. I used every resources I have to make this project more detailed. I could say that if experience is the best teacher, photos are the best notes. I tried my best to pick the best photos I could get for every page and pushed my poor writing skills above its limits all for the sake of the readers of my project.

I entitled this project “Rover” the dictionary defines it as a person who spends their time wandering just like what I did during the trip, wandering around but of course with a purpose and goal to learn and be a better person. For me to be a rover or to rove is to wander and get information for each place visited just like how a satellite camera works so that what we learn maybe useful not only to me but to other people as well. So let me be your rover and let me take you inside OSL 23.

Enjoy viewing and reading.

P.S. Please bear with my writing skill I don’t really write good ;)

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What’sOSL?

On-Site Learning Program also known as OSL has been a program of the history department for more than a decade now. The program was only offered to history majors before and eventually it was offered to non-history majors. The program aims to provide students an alternative that does not offer less than what a normal class could provide but rather a better option for the students. It consists of a two hours a day, four days per week crash course for seven weeks for the subjects it covers and 8-10 day tour in the central part of the Philippines and also in Calamba and Manila .The history department often holds two OSL’s in a collegiate year. One for the first semester and another for the second semester.

Most people think that this program is plain vacation, and so they were disappointed. Being “inside” OSL program and actually being part of it, I think that this program is mainly an academic program but of course with a twist. Yes, with a twist,

in a sense that this academic course provides you learning by travelling and experiencing real life. Perhaps, a “win-win” situation, the teacher achieves the goal of educating the students or giving them a better understanding and making them a better citizen and the students on the other hand, learn, have more spare time for the next collegiate year and have fun!

I could say that the program is really able to reach their goal to give the students a better education that one cannot simply learn inside four walls. Although this program just like any program has cons like it’s something that not anybody could just afford, overload of subjects during the semester because of the crash course, or not so in-depth discussion during the course due to lack of time, or whatever it may be, the learning and experiences of being there still makes joining the program worth the money, time and effort.

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hat’sOSL?

“...an alternative that does not offer less than what a normal class could provide but rather a better option

for the students.”

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Reasons Why Travel is AWESOME ! !

http://www.livemoreawesome.com/10-reasons-why-travel-is-awesome/

1. Perspective. I personally think that our expectations for living in modern society are bordering on ridiculous. Travel gives us a chance to slow-down and have a little holiday from the fast pace and recognize what’s important.

2. New eyes. Every time I travel all the things I’ve made assumptions about in life change.

3. Education. Travel helps us learn more about the world we live in, the people, the places and our history.

4. Healing. Travel gives us space and time to heal and really helps us get a new pep in your step for life.

5. Confidence. There’s something awesome about going somewhere for the first time, the great fear of the unknown and coming out the other side. That to me is living life.

6. Habit Breaking. A lot of the time our current habits are attached to our current lives. Just going somewhere new can break those habits just by a simple location change.

7. Appreciation. Traveling to places less fortunate then where I come from always makes me appreciate what I have more.

8. Self Discovery. Travel re-connects you with you. Feeling lost? Step away from where you are for a while and I guarantee you’ll learn something new about yourself.

9. Connection. The more you travel the more you realize that while lifestyles around the world are vastly different. As human beings we are all the same. Take away our over-thinking minds and at the core of our being, it’s easy to see we all want to feel connected, love and be loved.

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travel.learn.

mingle.capture.

experience real life.

“I would say that OSL is a perfect class because you are learning new things not only by discussion but also by observation. It also develops your ability to interact with others.”

What others say about OSL:

– Ernest Dave Denia, BSECE

For me OSL is not only doing things for fun but it is learning in a fun way as well as understanding the history by being there.

- Jenifer Psalm Juguilon, BSBAMM

“Awesome way to learn.”- Mr. Gamaliel Valencia, History Dept. Instructor

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THE JOURNEY starts here.

March 31, 2013 5:43AM - On our way to NAIA Domestic Airport

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THE JOURNEY starts here.

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PLACES

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“Experience. Real. Life.” This texts were printed on our shirts. I found this phrase true. Although different media gives you knowledge about the place it is really different when you just look on the photos of a place, reading blogs about it or watching videos of it than being right in that place where you don’t only use you eyes but every senses you have. Travel so you can actually feel the place’s weather, taste their food, hear their language, their music, smell the scent and learn from their culture.

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First stop, Bohol, one of the very famous islands in the country credits to its unique natural beauty like the chocolate hills and tarsiers, a primate that could only be found in this place. Bohol has been a normal rural land before until it was dramatically changed when its economy was boosted by tourism. Today, Bohol is one of the financially successful province in the Philippines owing to its famous tourist spots like the Baclayon church, Sikatuna shrine, Tarsier sanctuary, Chocolate hills and other attractions like the floating restaurant and the beautiful beach of Panglaw although the OSL 23 wasn’t able to visit this beach I already did years ago and I can personally say it is very comparable to Boracay except for its night life. Bohol is truly a rural beauty and a place worth visiting. If you want to have a real vacation away from city and relax in a rural ambience, this is the place to go. It’s like an all-in-one island. It has rich culture and history meaning you can increase your knowledge and widen your perspective. It also have great resorts and a town if ever you can’t live without city lights. ;)

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Baclayon ChurchThis magnificent architecture which was built during the Spanish era has a museum located inside its hall that features the culture and tradition of the Catholic church. On its walls and ceiling were creative images in paintings that tells about Christianity. One thing that got my attention is the practice they have inside the church. Both men and women who are wearing revealing clothes are prohibited inside and so they are provided with cloths to cover up their skin. This hints me that the people in this place really show reverence to their God through the way they dress inside the sanctuary.

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Lunch time at Bohol—we had it “like a boss” on a floating and moving vessel. We enjoyed it because of the unlimited food served as we cruised the long, green waters of Loboc river. Not only that we were served with food along the cruise but we were also served with Bohol culture and entertainment through a group of children presenting cultural songs and dances on the riverbanks and an on-board singer that sung all throughout the trip. And yet the best part was that you get to have a great bond with friends both old and new as you have your first lunch in the trip in that wonderful vessel called a balsa.

Floating Restaurant

PLACES: Bohol

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Tarsier SanctuaryThe world famous animal that can only be found in Bohol, Philippines: Carlito syrichta or simply known as the tarsier—is the world’s smallest primate. It is amazing the this creature can only be found in Bohol. If you were doubting, let me tell you that it was proven and tested that if they were moved to other places they die because of the environment. It can only survive in Bohol. Tarsiers as many of us know was threatened by extinction and is considered endangered. So today tarsiers can be found in different sanctuaries in Bohol where they are taken care of by professionals to ensure the survival and continuity of their specie. The good things about these sanctuaries is that they do not only help repopulate and take care of this tarsiers but it also became a means of educating people about tarsiers and the importance of the nature to us humans plus it also generates much income to help the project and the economy of the whole province as well.

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Chocolate HillsOne of the world famous sites: the Chocolate hills which the province of Bohol is famous for. This hills are scattered all over three towns of Bohol. These hills are said to have limestones underneath covered with grass. According to the information I got it has more than 1000 up to almost 1800 hills. These hills can be viewed on a high hill that was developed to be a tourist spot where you can climb up to its top and have a 360 degrees view of the hills scattered. The walk going up the hill was tiring but is worth every step and effort. Althought it is hard to climb, being with your friends makes it easier. At the top, I would always remember OSL23 as we had great moments taking pictures up there. :)

Sikatuna ShrineThe Sikatuna shrine, built to commemorate the the blood compact between the leaders of the natives and the Spanish namely Sikatuna and Legazpi. This blood compact symbolised unity between the two individuals and their parties. The shrine looks like a replica of that event as shown on the photo below. Aside from the facts written in the monument, there isn’t much to do in this place but to take photos and enjoy the hotness of the day.

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Cebu an island at the centre of the country. A highly urbanised area in central Philippines that is dubbed as the “Queen city of the South” for why it is said to be in the south, perhaps because it is located south of Manila, the capital of Philippines. Cebu back then was also made capital during the Spanish era but was later moved to Manila due to threats from the Muslims. Today, I consider Cebu as the heart of Visayas It has sea and air ports both domestic and international that helps in circulating the countries goods to improve trade through transportation. It is the powerhouse especially in business and trade. It is the cradle of Metro Cebu where the capital of the province lies consisting of 7 cities and 6 municipalities. Although modernised, Cebu is still rich and culture. When talking about history, it is no doubt the Cebu is one of the most significant places in the history of the country especially the Island of Mactan where the first battle between the Filipino natives and the Spanish colonisers took place.

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This a place where everything went down between Lapu-lapu and the explorer Ferdinand Magelllan. This shrine was built to commemorate that very battle where the natives won over the Spanish colonisers. The shrine has two monuments in its compound. One for Lapu-lapu and another to the place where historians think was the exact spot where Magellan fell. The place itself wasn’t only informative because of the texts about Lapu-lapu and Magellan but was also photogenic. Indeed, this place although was a very very hot place was something worth visiting for the sake of learning and giving thanks to our very first defenders against the Spaniards.

photo by Jon Earl Orbe

Lapu-lapu Shrine

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This triangular small fort was built during the Spanish era when they have made Cebu the country’s capital. This structure was one of the first buildings constructed during the early Spanish era. Although it was small, and in fact the smallest and oldest fort in the Philippines, it gave shelter and protection during those times when it was still a fort. Since it is a triangular fort it has three sides that were named: San Miguel, Ignacio de Loyola and La Concepcion. Today, the fort was converted into a museum that exhibits a lot of things about the fort. The people who lived there, the livelihood and the history of Christianity and the start of colonisation in the Philippines. The place is not just a museum today. It also served as a park, recreation area, dating site and the place’s beauty, the vintage and elegant ambience and the beautiful flowers in its gardens made it a paradise to photographers. This fort has served and never ceased to function for the Cebuano community since it was built until now.

Fort San Pedro

A monument that has been an icon of Cebu to me when I was in grade school. The shrine exhibits the first cross erected by the Spaniards during the first Filipino mass which was made with Tindalo wood as inscribed on the monument. Inside the chapel-like building that houses the cross were old women that offers prayers by using coloured candles where each colour represents a wish like red for love life and unity, green for success in studies and busies and a lot more. These women were very convincing that we even tried to be prayed for by them. One thing I noticed was they don’t burn the candles they just pray and dance with it then tells us to put it under the cross. That left me thinking, where they recycling those candles? Well we don’t know. One sad thing about the monument as many other monument in the country is that the place is that it’s full of poor people begging for alms especially kids. Not really a good thing to see on a well developed area and a historical place. But that’s reality and all I can do at least for now is pray for them.

Magellan’s Cross

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BacolodBacolod also known as “the City of Smiles” was another national treasure. This city rich in culture was known for having friendly inhabitants and hence was given that nickname. The city is also famous for its MassKara festival held every third week of October where a parade of colourful and creative masks worn by the participants were the main attraction and the highlight. I also believe that this city is also one of the promising cities on the country. Aside from its rich culture, it has also rich in resources especially in crops. It was one of the country’s pioneers in sugar plantation which was the main source of income since the old times when sugar barons introduced the sugar industry. Aside from those mentioned above Bacolod has more to offer to its tourist and guests like its delicacies and a lot more. And according to an internet source Bacolod City recently ranked no. 1 in a survey by MoneySense Magazine as the “Best Place to Live in the Philippines” which I may agree seeing its beauty from its rural area alongside the road from the airport and to the bright lights of its city.

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We visited two heritage houses in Bacolod. These houses were not just ordinary old house. These are enormous, magnificent, big houses where the rich family of sugars barons lived. These houses symbolise the wealth of Bacolod.

First was the Balay Negrense, the house of the Gaston family. It was originally owned by Victor Gaston, one of the pioneer in sugarcane plantation, then the house was inherited by the descendants and now owned by a foundation who takes care of heritage houses. These house was big for a reason, it is because it houses a big family consisting of the parents and 12 children. The

Heritage Houseshouse featured refurbished antiques and large portraits which the OSL participants enjoyed taking photos.

The Ruins, also known as the Taj Mahal of the country. Built by the extremely rich sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his wife Maria Braga. It was built with A-grade cement and egg white mixture. The house aside from being enormous was also luxurious. It has a belvedere, a room facing west that gives the family an amazing view of the sunset and the coastal waters of talisay in a glassed-in sun room with bay windows. The house was then burned during the Japanese occupation.

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Since it was already summer, it’s not a season for the Masskara festival but we visited a private museum with a guided tour. It is owned by the Ramos-Dizon family which is still a wealthy family up to present. It features not only the masks that were used in the festival but also Bacolod culture and artworks of its people and some of the family’s heritage. It was kind of creepy inside because of the doll house but I still appreciate how they preserve their culture.

Dizon-Ramos Museum

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One of the finest pasalubongs from the Philippines can be found here at Bacolod. The Bong-bong’s bakery and pastries shop is one of the maker of the province’s famous piaya. It looks like a bread pressed and toasted with a sweet filling. This shop also offers other delicacies like butterscotch, mango tarts, barquillos, biscocho and a lot more. This bread and pastry shop is really one of Bacolod’s icon.

BongBong’s

You may be wondering why I included a mall among the significant places of the tour. Well, I do believe this mall is significant. Yep! “SM” has affected lives of many Filipinos as a one-stop shop for almost anything legal. And don’t you think there are almost as many SM malls as city halls? Surely it plays an important part in the society especially in helping the economy.

SM Bacolod?!

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The city said to be “malambing”. Its inhabitants, the Ilonggos, are known to have a gentle tone in speaking even if they are mad. Iloilo is a province and also a city. The city is located south of Panay Island. The same island where Antique and Aklan are located. The province has a lot of historical sites to visit like the Plaza Libertad, Jaro Chuch, Villa de Arevalo and a lot more. It is also the home of some famous filipinos like Graciano Lopez-jaena, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and Pedro Calungsod which was recently honoured a saint by the Roman catholic church. Iloilo is another place worth visiting.

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Another huge and majestic architecture of the Roman Catholic church. I could say that this church although we weren’t able to enter because of an on-going wedding ceremony is enormous just like many of the parishes in the Philippines. The church is significant to our history because it is where Graciano Lopez Jaena was baptised in December 20 1856. According to one of our teacher, one interesting fact about this church was that Jaena although baptised in this church was the one who protested against the abusive friars of the church describing them as “Fray Butod” or the priest with fat belly.

Jaro ChurchThis is said to be a historical place in Iloilo. In this place, both the Spanish and American independence were celebrated by the people, hence the name. Aside from taking pictures other activity we had here was to view statues and read inscriptions in them. The place is full of monuments and markers that reminds of the events that happened in this places. It is also said to be a centre of the city’s activity before and even until now.

Plaza LibertadWhile on the way to Plaza libertad we passed by a monument of a prominent man in Iloilo back during the Spanish times. Muelle Loney was the one who stared the sugar industry in Iloilo and in Bacolod together with other sugar barons. they were the pioneer in sugar industry and sugarcane plantation. In fact, one of the ports in Iloilo was named after him. This man has a great influence over the people of Iloilo. He can be credited for developing this city.

Muelle LoneyThis church is another magnificent structure of the Roman Catholic. The shape is pretty much like of the Jaro church. One interesting fact about this church was that most if not all of the saints of this church were female compared to other churches which commonly have male saints. This church was also visited and admired by our national hero dr. jose Rizal. If there was something weird in this place. It is that there is a plaza just across the street where mythological statues are displayed contrary to Christian faith.

Molo Church

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The last stop during our day tour in Iloilo is Villa Arevalo. Formely the capital of Iloilo. According to our teacher, this place was one of the five first capitals of the Spanish government in the Philippines. It was established in 1581 by Governador Ronquillo de Peñalosa. The place was also known for building ship and in fact it was known to be the centre of ship building during the Spanish era. Today, Villa Arevalo is not a place where many tourist visit simply because its just an ordinary town with plaza and a church but it has a lot of history embedded on it.

Villa ArrevalloIt is a resort found in this province. It is also our accommodation during our 2-day stay in this place. The resort is located near the coast and the building were built with grandiose architecture in a greek-like design that looks like it was built as if it was back during the 1800’s. The second day of our stay in Iloilo was spent just inside the resort’s enormous compound as we had our long recap of the places we had visited and team building activities in the afternoon which we really enjoyed. Thanks to our responsible officers. If there is something I cannot forget in this place aside from its soft bed and hot tub, it was the bond, fun and happiness we had in this place.

Punta VilaAnother church we visited is the Miag-ao church. It was built by the Augustinian order. Although it was just a short stop during our trip from Iloilo to Boracay what made it special to me was its native beau-ty. The church is dec-orated and designed depicting the Philippine culture. Another thing that made this church special that it is one out of only two churches in the Philippines that is in-cluded to the UNESCO (United Nations Edu-cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage site.

Miagao Church

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Normally when you hear the place Antique the common thing to feel is to be scared. Although the place is known for supernatural creatures in tagalog we call them “aswangs”, we never encountered such creatures in that place. What I saw in Antique is a province rich in agricultural products that obviously is the main livelihood of the people. Antique as I saw it, even just in a short while, is a nice place. A place where you can live a simple and normal life not like the stressful life in Manila. As we travelled along the highway I was looking out of the window and I saw that although lives are hard in the province the can still afford to live lives that are happy and contented. Perhaps, it’s one of the perks of living in a rural area like Antique.

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As promised by our teachers and instructors in OSL we will drop by a small town in Antique and visit the municipal mayor. During our way to Boracay we passed by this town. The mayor was more than happy to accommodate us to his office. Some of the participants were able to have Q&A with the mayor since the office can’t fit everyone of us. While others were having the Q&A some of the participants made themselves busy by touring the municipal office.

After visiting the mayor we climbed up on a hill, one of the highest points of Bugasong, it used to be a watch tower before. there you can see a panoramic view of the town. Although it was really hot and a high climb you’ll still enjoy the view at the top. We took some pictures, rested and went down to go to our next destination. At the bus we listened to the local radio where some of our fellow OSL participants were given priviledge to go on-air.

Our next destination is a Seventh-day Adventist church in Bugasong. They were the one who served us lunch. It is really nice to have been part of this church(Adventist) because they are just around almost anywhere you go. I enjoyed the ambience of the place that makes me feel fresh because it is a rural area. One thing I enjoyed there was a home made ice cream they served us, indeed a very timely food for a very hot day.

Bugasong

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Boracayisland

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A paradise island at the centre of the Pearl of the Orient Seas. Located adjacent to Panay is an island part of Malay, Aklan called Boracay. It is world famous for its white sand beach and clean blue water. The island although popular because of the beauty of its beach, seems to have its night life and the flour-like sand an advantage over other comparable beaches in the Philippines like Pagudpod in Ilocos Norte or Panglaw in Bohol. Boracay is a resort in the morning and a party place at night. Today Boracay owing to its popularity affords a lot of attractions and activities in the island that you cannot even do everything in a day. Of course as a world-class beach it also have a world-class price which is not really a problem for business people since most of the tourist here are coming from outside the country. Goods in these place are quite more expensive. But anyway, this beach is superb. Whether you are a millionaire or a person who barely affords a vacation like this you still have a place in Boracay. If you want a luxurious vacation on a beach under the hot sun with hot guys and girls this is the place to be.

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Boracay BeachThe beach in Boracay is superb. You can even walk bare footed on its fine sands. The cleanliness of the beach aside from the weeds that floats is well-preserved. But if you really want to enjoy swimming in Boracay, I suggest you go on island hopping so you can do snorkling and swim in waters without floating weeds. OSL 23 had island hopping inclusive of our OSL fee which I really enjoyed. Truly Boracay’s beach is superb although it’s comparable with other nice beaches in the country.

The beach is superb, but the night life? Much better than the beach. Actually I tend to think that the main attraction of Boracay is the night life rather than its beach. During the night there are almost everything you can think of to be amused and entertained. Restaurants and bars are available at both sides of the path, tattoo places are almost everywhere, shopping centres, ATM’s, street shows, clubs, loud music, live bands, parties, wine, women, outdoor activities like wall climbing, and other more attractions are within your reach. As a christian it feels that you’re in the heart of temptation island, but well if you’re faithful you can abide with the principles you stand for I’m a living proof that it’s possible to conquer it. So parties? Yep, it’s very available in Boracay.

Night Life

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Sabbath @ BoracayWe had a very wonderful Sabbath experience in Boracay which is the opposite of what I am expecting. Before I thought that I wouldn’t feel the Sabbath day since it’s a party ground. But I was wrong. In the morning we held our own service in a nearby chapel, talked about God, His love for us, love for others, adultery and those in the Sabbath school lesson. Then, in the afternoon we had a series of Bible games and a group dynamics after. We concluded the Sabbath day with a sundown worship thanking God for His goodness through out our trip.

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TimelineMarch 31

To Bohol8:58 AM Tagbilaran Airport

April 1

9:47 AMSikatuna Shrine

10:17 AMBaclayon Church

11:46 AM Lunch at Loboc River

2:03 PM Tarsier Sanctuary

3:17 PM Chocolate Hills

To Cebu

10:56 AMBohol Port

2:01 PM Fast Craft to Cebu

3:31 PMLapu-Lapu Shrine

4:42 PMFort San Pedro

5:44 PMMagellan’s Cross

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April 2 April 3To Bacolod To Iloilo

6:35 AMInside Cebu Pacific

8:21 AMBalay Negrense

10:06 AMThe Ruins

3:20 PMDizon Museum

6:11 PMSM Bacolod

8:21 AMFast craft to Iloilo

2:47 PMJaro Church

3:33 PMPlaza Libertad

4:13 PMMolo Church

4:40 PMVilla Arevalo

9:25 PM Punta Villa Pool

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April 4 April 5At Iloilo Antique to Boracay

4:14 PM Team building

6:54 PM Worship at hotel

7:34 AMMiag-ao Church

10:59 AM Bugasong Municipal Office

5:06 PMAklan port

5:41 PMBoracay

12:30 PM Bugasong SDA church

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TimelineApril 6 & 7 April 8

Boracay To AUP

4/6 11:53 AMDivine Worship

5:54 PMAY @ Boracay

7:28 PMD*Mall Boracay

4/7 8:29 AMBoracay Shore

9:39 AMIsland hopping

7:27 AMBoracay Port

7:37 AMTo Aklan

6:13 PMTo Batangas

9:45 PM SLEX to AUP

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MANILA/CALAMBATOUR

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CalambaApril 14, 2013—we had our delayed tour in Calamba and Manila. Our first destination, Calamba. Home of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. We visited his tallest monument so far took some pictures then boarded again on the bus going to the replica of his house. The replica of the house was well-made it looks almost the same as the replica of Luna’s house in the north. We were guided inside the house with a tour guide which explains every part of the house. After, we wandered around the compound seeing Rizal’s playground and then we watched a short film about him. In this place we were reviewed of what we had already learned about Rizal from our history subjects in high school but better since we can see it in personally. :)

National MuseumI’m now in college yet it is my first time to visit the national museum of the Philippines. I can say it is really worth my time. The museum consists of the national treasures of the country. Its culture, artworks, history, etc. The national museum seemed to be a school for me. In this place I’ve learned about different cultures of the Philippines, origins of the places, I have seen various old stuffs like jars and even dead animals. There are also portions of the museum solely made for the paintings, animals, language, artifacts and a lot more. What I learned in these museums was that even though it is expensive to maintain such institutions, the government still spend a lot of money for it. Which tells me that we should really keep what we are and what’s important to us. If the government spends a lot of money to preserve our culture, through simple ways we can also help in shaping and keeping the Filipino culture.

Light & Sound MuseumAfter lunch we headed to Luneta Light & Sound museum. An museum that virtually brings life to the past by showing its guests exhibits aided with lights and sounds to make the experience more realistic. I enjoyed passing to each exhibit. It’s like learning your grade school history lessons with much detail, more fun. Because we can hear, feel see it, we can easily imagine and visualise what is taught.

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Mall of AsiaWe ended OSL 23 in SM Mall of Asia. Second largest mall in the Philippines. The mall is a reclamation area and was constructed mid-2002. It was opened May 2006. aside from the mall, SM Prime Holdings recently built two more buildings adjacent to the mall: the SM Arena and SMX a dome and a convention centre. Today, the mall is one of the most sought after places to visit in metro Manila. And indeed a good place to end the tour. A place where we celebrated and bonded together for the last time as OSL participants. We ended a nice tour in a nice place. OSL 23 is a success.

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What’s with the Foreign people?!

We were taught in school not to love racial discrimination. OSL is a great way to apply what is learned. For more than a week I have found myself mingling with the foreigners at the same time I was having fun. Now here’s somethings that I’ve found out why we should mingle with them.

1. God created us equal. No race was made inferior or superior.

2. All of us have flaws. Remember the story of Jesus when He challenged the people that whoever of them is righteous may cast the first stone upon the sinful woman? Well truth is none of us are perfect. At some point there is an irregularity because of our sinful nature. So why should we avoid other people? We are all the same. What we should do is help other to conquer each others’ weakness and irregularities.

3. They’re awesome. If you have a close mind on them you will never see the positive side. You see if you get to know them, these people are actually fun to be with. They are kind, funny, interesting just like any other Filipino. I actually find some of them cool to be with.

4. They’re far away from home. We are their family/community in the Philippines. Just imagine if you were on their shoes and local people doesn’t want to be friends with you.

5. We are educated. Being educated doesn’t mean you just learn something and then you just keep that knowledge. You see knowledge is nonsense when not applied. And we are even studying in a Christian school right? So go mingle and have fun with everyone!

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SOCIAL

PROBLEMS

1. Poverty

I think 70% of the people I saw were below middle class citizens. Although poverty us inevitable there should be less poor people. Maybe the government can solve this by people empowerment through better education system and creating more jobs.

2. Unemployment

Along the way I’ve seen people capable to work and some of them were

even willing to work but cannot find one. I propose that the government

must try to make jobs available in the provinces. Not only will it help in

employment it will also be a good way to spread the population.

3. EDUCATIOn

Most of the youth have no motivation to finish studies or even to learn how to read or write. They even wanted to just work instead of learning.

During our long recap in Iloilo we were asked to write some of the social problems we found along the way and give a probable sloution to the problem. I would like to share some of them to you.

INSIDE OSL 51

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OSL 23snapshots

INSIDE OSL 53

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INSIDE OSL 55

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INSIDE OSL 57

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INSIDE OSL 59

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Own it in PDF!

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”-Saint Augustine

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