Day 10: Back to work (Monday, June 20th)
Today we are in Tabon, Pulilan, Bulacan. I got to follow Mary Ann and observe the interviews. I was also able to ask some of the questions, however, it takes a lot more time this way since I ask the questions in English and it has to be translated into Tagalog. The interviews are already pretty long, so it was better if Mary Ann asked the questions and I help with the anthropometric measurements. I also get to interact with some of the kids and families from the households/neighborhoods we visit.
Interviews occur in all sorts of settings. Whether standing, sitting, inside, or outside, with an electric fan or without, the interview is conducted and can last up to hours depending on how many members are in the household. Sometimes it’s necessary to come back to finish up because there is too much to do in one setting.
Day 11: Leaving Team 3 (Tuesday, June 21st)
We interviewed more households today. One of them had up to 1o members and consisted lots of kids. Some Filipino families are pretty big. I learned that sometimes (or maybe most), the kids stay in the same home with the family even after marriage. Households can consist grandparents, siblings, and all of the grandkids all in one house. The families here are very tight knit, in addition to the surrounding community.
During the 24 hour recall, I learned that some of the kids only had a cup of coffee for dinner, or could only have a little bit of rice with oil and soy sauce–nothing substantial. After learning about the nutritional requirements for the pediatric population last semester, it was difficult to comprehend the lasting impact of the lack of resources available to these kids may cause.
In the Philippines, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin a deficiency, and iodine deficiency are of major concern. So with the surveys, the government is working to determine what kind of changes to implement. The food store and food establishment team are able to discover what kinds of foods are available and what kind of foods are consumed the most, so that they can figure out what kind of changes would make the biggest impact. For now, the incentives for participation in the survey are a small effort to help with the vitamin A rich squash noodles, iron fortified rice, and protein rich rice and mongo curls.
Day 12: Team 4 (Wednesday, June 22nd)
Today we are in Santo Cristo, Pulilan, Bulacan. I figured it’d be like most of the days we have spent here–start work at 8 am, copy some forms, conduct house hold interviews, and collect height, weight, hip, waist, arm circumference, and blood pressure measurements. Our work days have been pretty routine that it became easy to just cruise through and do what we had to do. We are always greeted with the brightest smiles and so much hospitality. But today, I got to see a glimpse behind some of the joyful, fun-loving Filipinos.
If I am being completely candid, I’ll admit that I shed quite a few tears as I journaled tonight. I always do my best to stay objective, and I think it may come off as emotionless in some situations. Today we interviewed a household and asked the same questions we have been throughout our field immersions. However, this time the interviewee began to cry as questions pertaining to not having enough food were being asked, questions such as: in the past 30 days, how often did you not have enough food to eat? Immediately, I was ready to cry with her, but somehow I maintained my composure for the rest of the day. From the very first household, it hasn’t gotten any easier. These people smile so brightly as if they don’t have a care in the world, while in reality, they face so many hardships and have to work so hard just to get through the day. I have always known that there are many people in the world that don’t have it as easy as I do. I’ve been granted everything I need, everything I want in life, and more–but I’ve barely lifted a finger for any of it. My objectivity of knowing that situations knowing that situations such as where people may have to skip meals and go hungry due to lack of resources exist, was brought to life the moment that kind-hearted and spirited woman sitting across from me started to cry. It’s so unfair how some of the world gets to live their lives without any worries, while others deal with so much hardship from day to day. I think I am at that phase where I want to do so much to help these people, and am working towards being in the position to do so, but am unsure of my capability to make the kind of difference I strive for. Some day, I hope that we can all help those who need it most so no one has to suffer.
Day 13: Team 4 (Thursday, June 23rd)
Today is our last day in the barangay Santo Cristo. This was probably one of the more wealthy barangays we have been to, as the capitan owns a few resorts around the Philippines. He invited us to one of them during our break day on Sunday, which was a really nice gesture. He even invited us to a barbeque by the pool at his place after work that day. The pool felt so nice after a long day working in the heat.
Day 14: Team 5 (Friday, June 24th)
Today we are in Lombac, Pulilan, Bulacan with team 5. I actually really enjoy the set up of spending a couple days with each team in the area. That way, we meet so many different teams and experience working with them, as well as experience all of the unique differences in all of the barangays. Longos, Pena Batan, Tabon, Santo Cristo, and Lombac, are respectively all of the neighborhoods we have visited. Here in Lombac, there are lots of fruit trees. We have seen so many different fruit trees here such as duhat (black plum), wild cherry, santol, sugar apple, jackfruit, pomelo, avocado, banana, and more.
Day 15: Team 5 (Saturday, June 25th)
Team 5 taught us a pretty great phrase today: Para sa bayan! It means “for the country.” They say it when they’re working so hard and are all tired–they hold up a fist and say “para sa bayan.” I love the mentality of the people we work with as they have such positive attitudes that create such a positive environment, even in the most difficult situations. They are always cracking jokes and have smiles on their faces. I think I keep reiterating this fact, but it’s so true and it’s the one thing that really stands out to me here in the Philippines.
Day 16: Break day (Sunday, June 26th)
Photos have not been loading for me this week, so I will have to go back to post them later throughout the week and continue to edit some of my posts.
WayinthePhilippines 