The monster summation post

Since for the first time this month I (a) have nowhere to be until 12:30 and (b) have unrestricted access to a desktop computer, I'm going to do the super-catchup post. Ready?

March 15th, continued - spent the afternoon in the Urban Planning and Development office of Makati. Met members of Rotaract and talked with them about their various projects, as well as the operation of the UPD. First time anyone used the euphemism "informal settlers" to refer to the huge number of squatters who build shacks out of whatever they can find wherever they can because they can't afford housing. Of course I called them on it! But in a nice way. Rotaract hosts a battle of the bands as a fundraiser - I was hoping to go, but it was this past Friday, and we were in Palawan. Afterward, they took me into the main City Hall building to the department of education - a brief but interesting visit. Perhaps most interesting was the elevator ride - a veritable nightmare - I now know how many people you can jam in an elevator before the weight limit buzzer goes off. I also have the unaccustomed feeling of being the tallest person almost everywhere I go - by at least a head. Buddy the Elf, I tell you. After the touring day was over, Elsie brought me to the Makati Golf Club area, where we met up with fellow Rotary Club Makati - EDSA members (Elsie had dance rehearsal that night, so they would be taking me around). I went with Jasmine Rodriguez to pick up Bingbing Singson and together we went to Manila Bay for a sunset cruise - a LOT of fun, especially because of the on-board karaoke. We got the Korean tourists to sing - we serenaded the newlyweds on board - oh, lots of fun! From there, we went to Bingbing's restaurant, met up with other Rotary friends, had more food and sang more karaoke before Elsie showed up wagging her finger at how late we were out- I had to be up early the next morning!

Tuesday, March 16th: We were in the care of Jon and Barnie from RC Paranaque Sucat for the day. It was a southward trek out of the city - first stop, the club's project, supporting a very poor village. They have a small school run by a nun with some hired teachers; the "center" is basically only accessible first by dirt road, then by a hiking trail. When I say this folks have next to nothing, I'm not exaggerating. One man came back into the village with a small lizard he had caught; that was his lunch. Despite this, they had made food for us - rice cakes, watermelon, and fruit juice. It was enough to make you cry. From there we continued to Tagaytay to see the world's smallest volcano - Taal. Yes, small, but no less beautiful. The volcano is an island in the middle of Lake Taal; some of its cones are still active, although no major eruptions have occurred in quite a while. Unfortunately, we did not have time to journey down off the ridge into the lake area; we had to content ourselves with the view from up high as we ate lunch. Returning home, Elsie was again had a full evening, so more EDSA friends took me in hand - this time, we headed out toward the airport to the newly constructed Resorts World casino for an outstanding Japanese dinner, after which the ladies headed for the tables, while the gentlemen headed to Bar 360 (the combination bar and theater-in-the-round) to watch the show (tonight's performance by the all-female singing group Eurasia). Another fun evening!

Thursday, March 17th: I might have to label our trip to Corregidor as one of my favorite days. There's always something solemn about standing on a battlefield; that's even more true when talking about the battlefields of WWII. Corregidor defies description. The fact that they have chosen to leave the ruined buildings as they are - that you can see the bomb craters and bullet holes - that the guns are frozen in position from the moment they were struck by enemy fire over 60 years ago - that the blood of American, Filipino, and Japanese are commingled here, and that the monuments here recognize them all in an extraordinary act of forgiveness. Hopefully you've seen the photos I posted on Facebook - I took about 200. It is a place in this world worth visiting. Returning to Elsie's I thought the day was pretty much done. After all, I was pretty filthy from hiking around that island all day. NOT SO - no sooner did I walk through the door than Elsie grabbed me by the arm and said "We have to go!" Back in the car to her combined Rotary EDSA / Inner Wheels Club meeting - they were hosting an RVote that night! This will be the first election that will use optical scanners nationwide in every polling location to read the ballots, and everyone is very nervous (about people's ability to do it right, about the machinery's ability to read it right, and about the guarantees offered that this method will be tamper-proof, to ensure a fair election). These RVote sessions invite representatives from the various cities and provinces around Manila to talk with COMELEC officials (the head of COMELEC was actually in attendance that night!) see the ballots, see how the machines work, and get all of their questions answered -- in order for them to take that info back to their respective home areas to educate their local populations. This was an exciting meeting to attend - to see a nation struggling to regain control of their electoral process, to stamp out corruption, to give everyone a voice and a choice - it is a clear reminder of the value of something we obviously take for granted (I should also note how many times the US came up as an example during the discussion - let it be known - people do pay attention to the things we do, both good and bad). All told, this was an outstanding day.

Friday, March 18th - Elsie's friends managed to do me a huge favor - they got me on the list to attend a presidential luncheon at Malacanan Palace! The occasion was the recognition of significant contributions by Asian women in public service, entrepeneurship, etc. Although the President was late (she was flying in from the provinces) she did get there. We had lunch, gave out awards, and had photo ops - and yes, I was thrust into a picture with her and a group of women I don't even know, and was introduced to her - actually shook her head. My first head of state!!! From the palace, my companions whisked me to the Manila Bay shore and the Sofitel Hotel, site of the Rotary District 3830 "DisCon" (short for District Convention) where I was able to meet up with the rest of the team. The opening festvities were in progress as I arrived (introductions of visiting dignitaries and the Club Presidents, followed by the Governor's opening address--of course, we were introduced in there as well!) From there it was a general segue outside to a welcoming cocktail hour before returning to the convention hall for dinner.

Ride's here...out of time! Off to visit the military cemeteries...

Lew