Orphans & Anthems - Baguio, Philippines

Spain acquired the Philippines hundreds of years ago to enhance their motherland's spice trade. This rule lasted until circa 1940's when the US military decided to take over and establish orderly democracy in an otherwise volatile area. Though autonomous from the US today, the Philippines still houses a culture completely unique to the rest of Asia. Traveling through the Philippines is a funny thing: They have the same (albeit corrupt) structured government system as the US, Filipinos drive on the right side of the road (opposite from nearly all of Asia), 85% of the population is Christian, English is widespread, and they even stand before each movie in the theater to say the Filipino Pledge of Allegiance... which I'll get back to in a minute.

Watching the landscape rattle and bounce out the window of a bus for 7 hours I found myself far north of Manila in a breezy mountainous town called Baguio. Soon I would realize my luck as I just so happened to land there during the biggest celebration weekend of the year, "Panagbenga," meaning flower festival. Panagbenga compares to Mardi Gras, riddled with fully decorated floats, marching bands, and hoards of revelers.

Can you imagine strolling into New Orleans the Friday of Mardi Gras weekend and trying to find a hotel room? No you can't.

Not understanding what I'd gotten myself into I spent Friday evening researching flights until 9pm, not even looking for a place, hah. Taking a Mongolian BBQ dinner break I sat, attempted to correct my internet-riddled vision, and looked up to find a smiling and somewhat curious looking westerner asking my name, where I was from, the usual, etc. I met Melissa and then Michelle who have each been working with missionaries in the Philippines for over a year. Their attitudes and motivations impress me. Living with local families and often giving even their spare time to love those in need, Melissa and Michelle (not to be confused) decided to help a homeless traveler. After taking me on grand tour of the fully-booked hotel scene Michelle introduced me to her local friend Giovanii around 1am who offered me a room, clean bed, and would later cook me breakfast free of charge.

Lifted by the generosity of the weekend I joined Michelle for her weekend visit to nearby RSCC Orphanage. Timid at first, I entered the nursery (children 2 and under) and immediately looked down to see Fred sticking his arms up at me. He just wanted to be held and I obliged. While playing with the kids for those few hours I learned some of their stories. One child was found wandering around in a graveyard, another was left for dead in a garbage bin. Some kids' parents live locally and can only afford to care for them part-time, having to leave them at the orphanage most of the time; I simply can't imagine. As Michelle put it, "The kids just want to be loved by somebody, anybody." They don't know what it means to be picky, to have options.

Saturday night I joined Melissa and Michelle to the cinema. In the Philippines you can take anything into the theater except a camera. We entered with an extra large pizza and some nachos. Upon sitting, I spread open the pizza box, divided up the pie, and dumped the nachos smack in the middle; It was like a coffee table across our laps. Being girls, the girls went to use the restroom before the movie leaving me sitting alone, propping the large buffet in front of me. The lights dimmed, people started to rise... OH NO! the National Anthem! Not knowing what to do I slowly stood up, carefully balancing our wide dinner. I couldn't possibly put my hand over my chest, so I just awkwardly stood there, embarrassed and sheepishly accepting strange looks from the locals. Yeah, I'm the tourist.