Philippines Capstone 2018: January 6th, Orphanage, Fort Santiago, Barbaras 💃🏽

By Claire Stiff

Today we began the day with playing with children who are part of the Tondo, Manila community. There were about 21 kids here with their mothers. We played several games including ring around the rosy, the shark song, and we sang a Tagalog song called Bahay Kubo about vegetables. After the fun, we served the children and their mothers lunch which was fried chicken, pancit (rice noodle), rice and pandesal (sweet buns). Shortly after, we went to the Damas Orphanage which was absolutely amazing. I fell in love with a group of 10 to 11 year olds who were quite sassy! One girl in particular held onto me. She was quite the spitfire and dancer! She called me "ate Claire," meaning "sister Claire." We danced and sang till we were dripping sweat. The girls taught a few of us how to play Chinese Garter which consisted of jumping over a string making both of your feet over to the other side. At the orphanage, we tried Jollibee which is a Filipino multinational chain of fast food. We had a cheeseburger (finally!) and french fries. The burger had a sweet mayonnaise on it which some of us found tasty, while others did not care for it. It was difficult to leave the orphanage because each child was so sweet, loving and faithful. They prayed with us and sang both a welcome and goodbye song. Some of the children taught me tagalog. The first thing they taught me was "Mahal kita," "I love you." What was so special about this orphanage was that each child clung onto a student and each of us felt a connection with the children. No child was left behind. Many of us shared that it broke our heart when we had to leave and felt like we left part of us there.

From the orphanage, we visited Fort Santiago which served as the Spanish military headquarters during the country's turbulent Colonial Era. Dr. Jose Rizal, a Philippine national hero, was also held as a prisoner at Fort Santiago and spent his last days here before being executed in 1896. After getting a tour around Intramuros, it was decided we would tour part of the city at sunset in a horse carriage. Through out the carriage ride, we saw different historical buildings and architecture of the city. The horse carriage ride dropped us off at Barbara's Heritage Restaurant where dinner is buffet style. There were many options which consisted of Filipino dishes. For drinks we ordered both green and yellow mango smoothies which were delicious! First we ate, then it was followed by a traditional Filipino dance. These dancers wore beautiful gowns with traditional patterns and designs. After the show, they invited the crowd to come up and learn the dances. Every one of us students gave it a chance. It was nerve racking going up there but the Filipino man I danced with was handsome and a very good teacher.

Barbara's Dancing