The Peninsula - Redux

We really felt privileged (in both senses of the word) to be able to visit Tia's family, and to have had a glimpse into the poverty in which most of the world lives.  We're grateful for the real life perspective our trip gave us.  And we know that the poverty we witnessed in Tia's neighbours was still nothing compared to the way that millions live in other parts of Asia, India, Africa and Latin America.  It was a trip of a lifetime as I kept saying.  And so invaluable and worthwhile.

But it was also exhausting and uncomfortable and hot and stressful.

So we were newly appreciative of the comforts of the Peninsula Hotel when we returned to Manila.  I had stayed there 15 years ago during my TVSN days, when it was a little more rundown, and a poor alternative to the Shangri-La, where I usually stayed.  Now it has been totally redone and is beautiful, even exceeding our expectations.

Mama's dream bathroom is modelled on the one at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo.  I call it my chocolate bathroom because you feel like you are in a chocolate box.  Well, the Peninsula would be the caramel version!

At 5, Katy is quite partial to beautiful hotels too...

We made her a little bed out of the armchair and ottoman and, amazingly, she stayed in there the whole night.  It was like a little cocoon and she loved it.
 
The next morning, Mama and Katy again set off early to explore.  Katy is really an early bird, no matter what late hour she gets to sleep.  The lobby of the Peninsula is a vast palm-filled atrium.

 We loved the artwork - there were beautiful huge tapestries of Filipino life hanging in the lobby.

 We loved the decor - beautiful etched glass mirrors...

 ..gorgeous carriage lights and indoor palm gardens.  Very inspiring!

While I spoke with the Concierge about boring adult stuff, Katy kept herself amused with the little strips of rainbows running over her shoes.

Then it was time for a quick swim before breakfast.  The pool at the Peninsula is beautifully landscaped, but totally devoid of shade.  Katy's favourite pool game was to slide down the rails.

Then we treated ourselves to a huge breakfast.  Katy loves dipping her toast soldiers into her semi cooked eggs. 

 But really, the only way I could drag her out of the pool and go get breakfast was to promise her ice cream for breakfast!













 After breakfast, Katy and Dada jumped into the pool again. 

Dada is trying to get her more comfortable with being a rocket launched into space rather than having to throw her up in the air doing fei fei fei as it's easier on his arms and back!  She really gets quite a bit of air when she's launched and she gets a little scared!

 So her favourite is still fei fei fei.

 But she'll take a ride from Dada any way she can!

Genny's 7th birthday party

Genny looked absolutely gorgeous for her 7th birthday party, and we were surprised and honoured to discover that we were guests of honour.  There was a professional party planner present, and Genny had her dress especially made, and she had hair and make-up done.  It was beautiful.

For her birthday present, we gave Genny a silver angel necklace and Katy got a matching one too (which Mama accidentally left at the hotel in Manila).

The birthday party itself is quite structured, and almost is like a debut.  First, Genny dances with seven partners (mostly cousins and neighbours), who each present her with a rose.

This little fellow was the most enthusiastic of all Genny's escorts!  He was so cute!

 

Then seven girls present Genny with a lit candle and a birthday wish for her.  Genny thanks them and blows out the candle.  Katy was honoured with being the first girl to present a candle to Genny.

Genny had a Princess themed castle cake extravaganza.

This is Tia's family. 

Left to right - Tia's mother, her son Gerry, Julie, Tia, Tia's younger daughter Jonalyn, then in the front row next to Katy is Genny and her mother, Gerry's wife Mary Rose.  Katy changed dresses because the party was in the backyard, so it was quite hot.  May is the hottest month in the Philippines apparently, which we did not know before our trip!

We were very touched to be included in this lovely tradition and to be welcomed so warmly by all of Tia's family.  Tia was very proud that her employers travelled all the way to attend Genny's birthday.

Halo Halo, Jeepney, Tricycle, Tia's Bahay

After a hot afternoon at Villa Escudero, we hunted down some of the famous national ice treat of the Philippines, Halo Halo.  This has been a big hit for many of the contestants on Top Chef, so we were really keen to try different kinds.  This one features a caramel flan.  I like the ube ice cream and sea coconut jelly parts the best.  Katy likes the egg roll part the best!

 It was the first time Rick had seen jeepneys and he was pretty impressed.  These are ubiquitous throughout the Philippines as a kind of private mini bus transport system.  They're called jeepneys because the original ones were made from old US army jeeps.

 The other form of popular transport are the tricycles.  We didn't see any as laden down as the ones we saw in Manila, but they're also pretty colourful and zip around everywhere.

Finally, much to Katy's excitement, we made our way to Tia's little village - Baranguay Santa Elena.  Genny's school is across the road - it's a national model of excellence school.

Katy was really happy to finally get to see Tia's house.  Tia has done a fantastic job through lots of sacrifice leaving her young children and going to work hard in Hong Kong to bring her family out of debt and provide them with a good, solid, comfortable home, and a measure of financial security.

By now, Katy and Genny were had firmly re-established their friendship, and Katy enjoyed exploring Genny's toys.

 Genny's curious cousins peeked in when we visited.  Tia lives in the second last house in a row of five or six houses down a deep narrow lot off the main road.  Her sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles all live in the adjoining houses.  Genny has lots of second cousins to play with, but they are mostly boys!

The lane leading off the road and past all of Tia's family's houses is a dirt track.  Along the way are the chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, pigs, and various fruit trees. 

 Katy loves Filipino mangoes and saw her first one on the tree.

She was also fascinated with playing with bug killer to zap mozzies on Tia's patio.

And she really fell in love with Tia's new puppy.

Katy was thrilled to have dinner at Tia's house finally after waiting many long months.

 Katy and Genny are such great friends.  Genny is a very gentle, intelligent little girl, and they get on well together.  Katy is a bit bossy, but Genny has a pretty independent streak to her and is not afraid to say no to Katy.  Genny is learning English but does not get the chance to practice it a lot I think, so she is very shy with her English.  She speaks to Katy in Tagalog, which is fantastic.

Tia's house does not have air conditioning, so she thought we would be more comfortable staying with her cousin, Lorena.  Lorena and her husband have really done well financially, also with lots of sacrifice.  They worked in the Netherlands cleaning houses and offices for five years 12 hour days 7 days a week, sharing a crowded house with other immigrants.  As a result, they have built a beautiful big house, own a jeepney, van, pig farm and small "sari sari" shop, have put their son through private school, and financially support and provide an adopted home for a nephew and two nieces.  Seeing the living conditions from which they came, and the house they originally started in, this is a really impressive achievement, and one of which they are justifiably proud.

It was fascinating to talk with Lorena and learn about all of her achievements.  It helped Rick and I to get a better idea about how to help Mila's family and in particular Genny, to pull themselves up to the next rung of well-being, so that Genny for example, will not have to leave her children to work overseas in order to earn enough money to support her family.  Rick in particular found the trip really illuminating as the living conditions of the homes around Tia were far poorer than anything he had imagined or seen before.  However, our discussions with Lorena also highlighted the vast cultural differences and the unfortunate but inevitable limitations that there must be in our ability to help Tia's immediate family.  This was sad, but also constructive, as it has focused our efforts on some real, tangible, achievable goals, and helped us let go of goals that are not really what Tia wants in the long run.