Helping students from Quezon to go visit the "Gold of our Ancestors" exhibit at the Ayala Museum

To those who are willing or able to contribute to the realization of the project to send underprivileged students of a Quezon school in Metro Manila (see earlier posts) to a field trip to the Ayala Museum to discover the richness of their own heritage and have the chance of an empowering and inspiring experience... see the post on the Ayala Museum - Gold of our ancestors.

If you are interested in contributing financially to this initiative, please write a comment on the blog with your e-mail and I will contact you. I will delete your message right after. Your contributions will be sent to the Ayala Foundation to make this project happen.
Salamat po! to all.

Visite de l'exposition "L'or de nos ancêtres" au Musée Ayala pour des étudiants de Quezon

Pour ceux qui seraient intéressés de contribuer à la réalisation du projet qui consiste à envoyer des étudiants défavorisés d'une école de Quezon de la région métropolitaine de Manille au musée Ayala pour visiter l'exposition "L'or de nos ancêtres", dans le but de découvrir la richesse de leur patrimoine, j'aimerais vous offrir la possibilité de contribuer financièrement à cette initiative. Si ça vous intéresse, écrivez-moi un commentaire sur le blog avec votre adresse courriel et je vous contacterai. J'y supprimerai ensuite votre message pour garder votre courriel confidentiel. Vos contributions seront transmises entièrement à la Fondation Ayala.

Salamat po! à tous.

Returned home - Retour au bercail

I came back to Montreal last week end after a few days spent in Tokyo, Japan. It took me about 6 hours from Manila to Tokyo, and around 30 hours to come home (with a small stop at Chicago where I almost missed my plane as I was too sleepy...).

I still have so much to say about the Philippines ! I have so much still to learn about this country ! I am glad I had the opportunity to see Bato again, the Trani family, Biliran's people and the place.
Bato and it's people will always be in my heart!

I am fortunate I had the chance to see my old friends again and to build new dreams that I hope I will be able to accomplish. I miss them already even if I have a roaming cellular phone that enables cheap texto (for my Philipino friends it's 3pesos per texto as of for me it is 60 pesos or 1.50 cdn $).

I will probably write a few other posts on this blog (concerning Quezon school, Bohol, figuring out how to help find a husband for some Philipina friends - please help me out on this one as I have no clue what soever how to do this!) and then I will transfer everything on a website as there will no need in the near future for me to have such a blog.

I will devote some time to help materialise, with the Ayala Fondation, free museum activities for Zaida's 5 000 students in Quezon - an empowerment activity of letting the children know and be pround of their philipino heritage that I hope will transform them as the visit of the Gold of our ancestor's exhibition did on me (Ayala Museum, Makati, Manila).

I hope I can go back soon to the Philippines!

Retour au bercail
Je suis de retour à Montréal depuis le week end dernier après avoir passé quelques jours à Tokyo, Japon. Le trajet Manila-Tokyo a duré 6 heures et pour me rendre à Montréal, ça a pris 30 heures (avec une escale à Chicago... oèu j'ai presque raté mon avion... je dormais presque!).

J'aurais tellement de choses à dire au sujet des Philippines, tellement de choses à y apprendre. Je suis vraiment contente d'avoir eu la chance de revoir Bato, la famille Trani, les gens de Biliran et l'endroit. Bato et ses habitants sernt pour toujours dans mon coeur!

Je suis très reconnaissante d'avoir revu mes vieux copains and d'avoir pu pouvoir construire de nouveaux rêves avec eux. J'espère être capable de les matérialiser!

Mes chums me manquent malgré que je me sois dotée d'un cellulaire avec fonction de roaming international... qui permet de faire des échanges de texto à prix raisonnable pour eux (3 pesos per texto pour eux et 60 pesos pour moi ou 1.50 cdn$).

Je vais encore écrire quelques posts sur ce blog (sur l'école de Quezon, l'ïle de Bohol, trouver une façon d'aider mes copines Philipina a trouver un mari - SoS sur ce point - je n,ai vraiment pas idée comment m,y prendre !) et après, je transfèrai le tout sur un site internet puisqu'il n'y aura pas de raison pour moi de maintenir un blogue de voyage pour quelque temps.

Je vais donner de mon temps avec la Fondation Ayala pour faire en sorte que le projet d'organiser des visites gratuites de musée pour les 5 000 enfants de l'école de Zaida à Quezon portant sur l'héritage et le patrimoine philippin se matérialise . J'espère qu'ils en sortiront transformés comme je le fus lors de ma visitie de l'exposition - Gold of our ancestors du Musée Ayala a Makati-Manila.

J'espère juste pouvoir retourner bientôt aux Philippines.

Golden South Sea Pearls - Perles dorées des mers du sud

Une journée mémorable, comme si on se rend à l'évidence - j'aime cet endroit, j'aime les gens d'ici, je m'y sens bien. I surrender ! Mahal po kita Phillipines.

Je suis à Manila, j'ai rendez-vous pour aller chercher une autre folie, comme un pacte éternel entre ce pays et moi. Un lien indéfectible. Je m'en vais chercher un collier de perle dorées des mers du sud, dont j'ai sélectionné les perles individuellement. Non pas un collier de perles parfaites et rondes, ce genre de collier n'est pas pour moi... Mais un collier des Phillipines, de ces perles dorées comme il n'en existe nulle part ailleurs. Surtout des perles Keishi, le résultat d'une lutte entre l'intervention de l'homme (la tentative d'implanter artificiellement une base de perle dans une huître) et les forces de la nature (l'huître qui se révolte, rejette ce qu'on exige d'elle - la production d'une perle ronde et parfaite de bonne taille - et qui en définitive produit sa propre perle de nacre pur à sa façon - une véritable destruction créatrice). Une perle différente, avec ses propres formes et sa beauté unique - une perle keishi. Habituellement on rejette ce type de perle puisqu'imparfaites. A mes yeux elles sont magnifiques.

Ce sont ces perles qui troneront autour de mon cou - à jamais. Un collier préparé juste pour moi par des gens aimables avec qui j'ai eu énormément de plaisir à matérialiser un tel objet, des gens qui m'ont permis d'inventer une telle parure; les gens de JewelMer.

Golden South Sea Pearls
This is a memorable day for me ! I had to admit it - I love this country, I love these people and I feel great in these grounds. I surrender ! Mahal po kita Philippines !

Now in Manila, I am going to pick up another of my absolutely crazy buy ! it will be an unalterable bound between me and this country - a neckless - not any neckless... a neckless made of south sea golden pearls, selected by me individually. Not these perfect pearl neckless of big round pearls, these are not for me... This is my Filipino neckless ! as these golden pearls cannot be found nowhere else and these are keishi pearls !!! - the result of a battle between human intervention (artificial implantation of a pearl nucleus indide the oyster) and the force of nature (the oyster revolts and reject what it is asked to do - the production of a perfect round shaped pearl of a important size - and in doing so end's up producing a pure nacre beauty - a keishi pearl, different, unperfect, with it's own shape, a real creative destruction. Usually we reject these pearls, because unperfect - to me they are real beautiful. These are the one I requested. These will be the ones on my neck, forever!

This is a neckless prepared just for me, by the Jewelmer team made out of Philipina (speaking perfect French). A very nice team, so nice of them to let me "invent" such a neckless.

Veste en abaca - Designer abaca vest

Ce matin, je suis allée pour mon dernier essayage à la Boutique Pierre Angeli de Cebu. J'y ai rencontré la femme du maire Cebu (dame Margot V. Osmeña, épouse de l'honorable maire Tomas R. Osmeña). J'imagine qu'elle était là pour qu'on lui confectionne des robes de soirées. Philip me l'a présentée. Elle m'a dit avoir entendue parler de moi (et de ce blogue) et tenait à me remercier personnellement d'apprécier les Philippines et ses spécificités. Que l'on oublie trop souvent d'apprécier les choses près de nous.

Elle a examiné la veste en abaca et approuvé le résultat final!!!
Ce fut une expérience extraordinaire de voir à l'oeuvre un artisan de la Haute couture des Philippines!!!

Un grand merci!!

Designer abaca vest
This morning I went for my last fitting at Boutique Pierre Angeli in Cebu. I met the wife of the mayor of Cebu (first lady Margot V. Osmeña, wife of Hon. Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña). I guess she was there to have some evening dresses made. Philip presented me to her. She said she had heard about me (and this blog) and wanted to thank me personally for my appreciation of the Philippines and its specificities. That too often we forget to appreciate things around us.

She examined my abaca jacket and approved the end result!

It was an amazing experience to see the work of a haute couture craftsman from the Philippines!
A big thank you! Salamat po !

Eternal friendship - Une amitié éternelle

Je réalise la profondeur de l'amitié forgée lors de mon séjour ici en 1981. La force d'une forme d'amour et de respect de l'autre et de ses différences. La possibilité de l'amitié homme-femme entre une canadienne-québecoise et un philippin. Le lien presque frère-soeur qui nous unit... même après tout ce temps.

Manuel Novio, mon partenaire aux Philippines dans le cadre du projet "Jeunesse Canada Monde" de 1981, est un frère pour moi. J'ai eu la chance cette fois-ci de connaître et de rentrer dans sa famille. De devenir amie et confidente de son épouse (ce qu'on a ri ensemble) et de connaître ses deux garçons (en fait, je devrais dire "ses 2 hommes"). Une famille extraordinaire! Bien des gens doutent que l'amitié homme-femme puisse exister, et bien, je peux vous assurer que si!

J'ai revu Zaida, Claudio, Fe, Marie-Hope, Ester... Si la météo l'avait autorisé, j'en aurais rencontré bien plus le 26 juin dernier....Avec chaque personne, un lien indéfectible, un lien qui surprend par sa force et son authenticité. Une amitié sans frontière uniquement possible que lorsqu'on a partagé des expériences de vies fortes et significatives ensemble.C'est impressionnant de revenir dans la vie des gens, qu'on vous ouvre la porte sans gêne pour vous y inviter avec tout ce que la vie a pu apporter de beau, de difficile, d'extraordinaire et de souffrances. Ouvrir la porte à la vraie vie, sans censure. Simplement. Une amitié internationale et éternelle

Eternal friendship

I realize the depth of friendships forged when I was here in 1981: the strength of a form of love and respect for others and their differences, the possibility of man-woman friendship between a Canadian and a Quebec-Philippines. A kind of brother-sister link that unites us, even after all this time.

Manuel Novio, my partner in the Philippines as part of the "Canada World Youth" project of 1981, is a brother to me. I was lucky this time to meet and become part of his family. To become friend and confidante of his wife (how much we laughed) and to meet his boys (who are now 2 men). What an extraordinary family! Many people doubt that the friendship between men and women may exist. Well, I can assure you that it can!

I have met again Zaida, Claudio, Fe, Marie-Hope, and Ester. If the weather had permitted, I would have met many more on June 26.With each person, an unbreakable link, a link that surprises by its strength and authenticity. Friendships without borders made possible because we shared strong and meaningful experiences together.It is impressive to return to people's lives. That they would open their door without discomfort, to invite you with all that life has been able to provide, with its share of beauty, difficulty, extraordinary, and sufferings. Opening the door to real life, without censorship. Simply. An international and eternal friendship.

Working in a sari-sari in Quezon (metro Manila)

After the mention of "sari-sari" in one of my travel notes, a few weeks ago, I spent the evening yesterday working in one in a popular district of Quezon. This is my friend's Zaida shop. She taught me the secrets of a sari-sari: how to empty a bottle of soda in a small plastic bag for passersby, the price of all items in individual bags (coffee, soap, salt, pepper, shampoo, flavored broth, cooking oil, or candles). She explained that some people manage to extract 2 or 3 uses from these single portions. I met people from the area (youth, children, a transvestite, which is very common in the Philippines). I met the locals! They were all surprised at the sight of the new "sales clerk". I laughed with the children who helped me remember to say "Balikan" to each customer ("come back soon"). I even scared a few clients who thought they were seeing a "white lady", a ghost. Oops! Sorry!I appreciated being introduced to the sari-sari business. This was the occasion to enter the reality of the neighborhood, and to share their lives, simply. It's great to have a good friend like Zaida, who allowed me to experience this.It's great to have so many good friends in another country!I feel privileged.

Vendeuse dans un sari-sari à Quezon (Manille métropolitain)

Après avoir parlé des "sari-sari" dans une de mes notes de voyage, il y a quelques semaines, j'ai passé la soirée d'hier à y travailler, dans un quartier populaire de Quezon. Il s'agit de la boutique de Zaida. Elle m'a appris tous les secrets d'un sari-sari... comment transvider une bouteille de boisson gazeuse dans un petit sac en plastique pour vendre aux passants, le prix de tous les objets en sachets individuels (café, savon, sel, poivre, shampoing, bouillon de saveur, huile à cuisson, chandelle, etc.). Elle m'a expliqué que certaines personnes ménagent les sachets individuels pour en soutirer 2 ou 3 usages. J'ai pu rencontrer les gens du quartier (des jeunes, des enfants, un travesti, ce qui est très commun aux Philippines). Les gens de l'endroit quoi! Ils étaient tous étonnés de la nouvelle "sales clerk" (vendeuse) de l'endroit. J'ai surtout bien rigolé avec les enfants qui m'aidaient à me rappeler de dire "Balikan" au départ de chaque client ("revenez-nous"). J'ai fait peur à quelques clients (pensant voir une "white lady", un fantôme). Oups! Désolée!J'ai bien apprécié être initiée au métier de tenancière de sari-sari. Ce fût l'occasion de rentrer un peu dans la réalité du quartier et partager de leur quotidien, simplement. C'est génial d'avoir une grande amie comme Zaida qui me permette de vivre ceci.C'est génial d'avoir autant de grands amis dans un autre pays!!Je me sens privilégiée de vivre ça.

Canada World Youth Participant In Action

Dear Elise,

What a pleasant surprise! After viewing your blog and reading the reply of the Ayala Foundation to your request, I was overwhelmed with the enormity of Canada World Youth working through you!

When we said our goodbyes at the airport, I was afraid to shed tears because of that joke as to who is the real crying lady between you and Mary Hope. Now it can be told that I am the real crying queen when I learned that Ayala Foundation is doing its best to reach out to my students! You bet, I was like crazy crying, laughing at the same time never mind if my staff were puzzled with my sudden outburst.

I left at least two days to pass by without answering your e-mail and allowed myself a little time to enjoy this moment of complete joy and deeper appreciation for the kind of person we had become because of Canada World Youth. I tried to retrieve of what was left of my memorabilia- from old pictures to journals that carried articles about us and our engagement while we were in the program and read the content of our certificate of participation almost a hundred times. It gave me intense pride to have been part of Canada World Youth and found new meaning to this embodiment - Our responsibility to foster international relations and to serve humanity is a lifetime commitment. It did not end when we went back to our respective homes and communities we will carry it for as long as we live.

If Jacques Hebert (note from Elise: the founder of CWY) were alive today, he would be proud to have founded this wonderful organization and see these young people now grown up and living up to the legacy of fostering international development, community development and cultural exchange.

Now back to your initiative, it was such a brilliant idea for you to have asked Ayala Foundation to allow our students to visit their museum. For many years now, the Ayala Foundation has been helping schools throughout the country in providing computer units through their computer literacy program. Because of the scarcity of resources in the country, we usually ask from our donors things we need to be globally competitive like computers, LCDs and books. My school per se has been a recipient of 10 computer units from Ayala Foundation and if indeed this free visit will materialize, I will consider it a bonus!

What more can I say to you my friend, Maraming Salamat mula sa kaibuturan ng aking puso! (Thank you from the deepest recesses of my heart.)

A friend forever,
Zaida

Note from Zaida: For the last two years, we didnt have a field trip because of austerity measures. A field trip will cost a student 500 pesos as this include entrance fees to historical sites and museums, and bus fares. Usually only about 20% of the entire school population can afford to join in field trips.

Note#1 from Elise: with the help of the Ayala museum there would be no cost charged or fee to the students - so all the children of the school could participate to the learning activity.

Note#2 from Elise: Jacques Hebert (not the founder of CWY but the one who participated in RP-CWY in 1982-1982 , and our great friend) has personally offered 100$ to contribute to the materialization of this empowering-heritage discovering event for the children of Zaida's school.

If others are willing to contribute - let me know

Jeunesse Canada Monde en action

Chère Elise,

Quelle agréable surprise! Après avoir regardé ton blogue et lu la réponse de la Fondation Ayala à ta demande, j'ai été débordé par l'ampleur de l'effet de Jeunesse Canada Monde qui se manifeste par ton entremise!

Lorsque nous avons fait nos "au revoir" à l'aéroport, j'ai eu peur de pleurer à cause de cette blague, à savoir qui d'entre toi et Marie-Hope est la vraie reine des pleurs. Maintenant, il peut être dit que c'est moi la vraie reine des pleurs, car lorsque j'ai appris que la Fondation Ayala faisait de son mieux pour aider mes élèves, j'ai beaucoup pleuré! C'était un mélange de pleurs de joie et de rires, sans trop me soucier de ce que penserait mon personnel enseignant, qui était étonné de me voir ainsi.

J'ai laissé au moins deux jours passer sans répondre à ton courriel, ce qui m'a permis de profiter de ce moment de joie et de profonde gratitude pour le genre de personne que nous sommes devenus au contact de Jeunesse Canada Monde. J'ai tenté de récupérer ce qui restait de mes souvenirs, de vieilles photos et des articles de journaux qui portaient sur nous et notre engagement alors que nous étions dans le programme. J'ai lu et relu le contenu de notre certificat de participation près d'une centaine de fois. Il m'a donné une intense fierté d'avoir participé à Jeunesse Canada Monde et j'ai trouvé un sens nouveau à cette mission - notre responsabilité est de favoriser les relations internationales et de servir l'humanité en tant qu'engagement à vie. Ceci n'a pas pris fin lorsque nous sommes revenus à la maison et dans nos communautés. Nous porterons cette devise en nous aussi longtemps que nous vivrons.

Si Jacques Hébert (note d'Elise: le fondateur de JCM) étaient encore en vie aujourd'hui, il serait fier d'avoir créé cette magnifique organisation et de voir ces jeunes, maintenant adultes et à la hauteur de l'héritage favorisant le développement international, le développement communautaire et les échanges culturels.

Maintenant, revenons à ton initiative, c'était une idée tellement géniale que tu aies demandé à la Fondation Ayala de permettre à mes élèves de visiter ce musée et cette magnigifique expostion sur l'héritage philippin pré-colonial. Depuis de nombreuses années, la Fondation Ayala à aider les écoles dans tout le pays en fournissant des ordinateurs par l'entremise de leur programme d'alphabétisation en informatique. En raison de la rareté des ressources dans notre pays, nous demandons de nos donateurs de nous aider à devenir compétitifs au plan international par des dons comme des ordinateurs, des écrans LCD et des livres. Notre école a ainsi bénéficié de 10 ordinateurs de cette Fondation et si cette visite gratuite se réalise, je considère que ce sera un bonus!

Que puis-je te dire de plus mon amie, Maraming Salamat mula sa kaibuturan ng aking puso! (Merci du plus profond de mon coeur.)

Une amie pour toujours,
Zaida

Note de Zaida: Pour les deux dernières années, nous n'avons pas pu faire de voyage de fin d'année en raison des mesures d'austérité économique. Un voyage pour un étudiant coûte 500 pesos, ce qui inclut les droits d'entrée aux sites historiques et les musées, ainsi que le trajet en autobus. Habituellement, seulement environ 20% de l'ensemble de la population étudiante peut se payer de telles activités.

Note d'Elise#1: avec l'aide du musée Ayala, il n'y aurait aucun coûts ou frais imputés aux étudiants - ceci permettrait à tous les élèves de l'école de participer à l'activité d'apprentissage.

Note d'Elise#2: Jacques Hébert (pas le fondateur de JCM, mais celui qui a participé à RP-JCM en 1982-1982, et notre grand ami), a personnellement offert 100$ pour contribuer à la matérialisation de cette visite au musée et permettre aux élèves de l'école de Zaida d'aller à la découverte de leur propre patrimoine.

Si d'autres sont prêts à contribuer - laissez-le moi savoir.

Ayala Museum - gold from ancestors - for the children of Quezon

The adventure continues!

The Ayala Museum has responded positively to my request to open its doors to the children of Zaida's school. They offered a huge discount to the entry fee. I had to tell them that even a small amount was a lot to pay for these children as these children are not privileged.... and this is their response:

"Dear Ms. Renaud,
The museum will look for companies and organizations that will be willing to sponsor the admission of the students. I will get back to you as soon as we get a response."

I just hope the adventure continues and that these kids can be empowered by all the beauty of their heritage.

Salamat po to the Ayala Fondation and the Ayala Museum. This is a beautiful gesture. I really hope it materialises.

Interesting articles on this exhibit:

• "Going for the Gold"- A new permanent exhibit offers tantalizing hints to the Philippines' precolonial history . By Jessica Zafra, NEWSWEEK magazine, May 5, 2008
• Gold of Ancestors: Pre-colonial Treasures in the Philippines Reviews.2008 (Travel_buddy.com)

Le musée Ayala - l'or de nos ancètres - pour les enfants de Quezon

L'aventure continue!

Le Musée Ayala a répondu positivement à ma demande d'ouvrir ses portes aux enfants de l'école de Zaida. Ils ont offert un considérable rabais au prix d'entrée. J'ai toutefois dû leur préciser que même un petit montant est trop élevé pour ces enfants, car ces ils ne sont privilégiés .... et voici leur réponse:

"Madame Renaud, Le musée cherchera des entreprises et des organisations prêtes à parrainer l'admission des étudiants. Je vous recontacterai dès que nous aurons une réponse."

J'espère que l'aventure continuera et que ces enfants pourront réaliser, à l'aide de cette visite, toute la beauté et la richesse de leur patrimoine pré-colonial.

"Salamat po" à la Fondation Ayala ainsi qu'au Musée Ayala. C'est un très beau geste. J'espère vraiment que cela se réalise.

Articles intéressants sur cette exposition:

• "Going for the Gold"- A new permanent exhibit offers tantalizing hints to the Philippines' precolonial history . Par Jessica Zafra, NEWSWEEK, 5 mai, 2008
• Gold of Ancestors: Pre-colonial Treasures in the Philippines Reviews.2008 (Travel_buddy.com)

Message of Zaida - Just to let you know how you are sorely missed

On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 6:53 AM, Zaida Padullo wrote:

DEar Elise,

I was so happy to read your blog and thank you you appreciated our friendship. Me and Mary Hope cannot thank you enough for the wonderful person that you are. Your three days stay with my family opened my eyes to a lot of realizations including my own need to know more about my country's history. I thought, history is the responsibility of the Social Studies teachers and the head of that department. Never did i realize, that we will never be able to love much and be proud of our own country if we do not know our rich culture, if our knowledge of our history are restricted to the discovery of our country by Magellan and who became the leaders after.

More than this, i was even more amused with your love for the people in this side of the world and it gives me now a feeling of security in who i am, because you Elise, made us so proud to be Filipinos. Looking back, i smiled at the thought of you getting sick by eating at least 14 mangoes in two hours. Your love for langka, kinilaw, adobo and even spending on an expensive Barong when we Filipinos are crazy with the corporate attire you western people wear to the office are sweet memories that will pleasantly haunt me in my sleep.

Thank you Elise, you have taught me lessons in life that will make me a better person, and sure a better citizen of this country. How many more Elise will wake us up for taking for granted our rich culture and heritage? it is not yet too late for us Filipinos.

Missing you my friend,

Zaida

Marie Hope Birthday - July 3rd

Maligayang Bati sa iyong kaarawan - Happy Birthday to You Mary Hope
Bon anniversaire chère amie !!!

Mary Hope is the strongest women I know, she can make vanish the worst obstacles of life and still hope and care for the rest f humanity. She is now carrying a battle against the coming of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in her province. She is one of my singing partner (Zaida and Ester are my other partners) . Mary Hope has always been a sunshine wherever she goes.

I love you

Elise

The words of a friend

J'ai passé les derniers jours chez ma copine Zaida in Quezon Metro Manila. She lives in a 4 storeys house with a garden on the roof overlooking the city. Her husband Romeo is the perfect complement of Zaida, they live in a smooth harmony that is a pleasure to witness. He cooks Zaida prefered fish dishes even if he himself is allergic to it! Wow, that is true love in action... They have 2 children, one adolescent (not quite yet appreciating true pinoy food- but he was willing to try some) and the oldest son is finishing his nursing course. They had lost one child many years ago, to tetanos reaction. This hurtful experience has made them grow. Now Zaida is more beautiful than ever and she gained a luminous glow - a genuine gentleness.

She is the principal of a public high school in Quezon. I will have to write about this school as it is a microcosme of the socio-economic situation of the country (overcrowded, no ressources but with the willingness of the people they make miracles every single day, with a smile).

On the 26th of June I had spoken to Zaida about the Ayala exposition - Gold of the past. I wanted to share my adventure, my experience. I would had wish that all her students could visit this exposition and learn and cherish this heritage. I even went to the extent to write to the Ayala Fondation to make the request. Zaida does not know about my initiatve. I will let her know only if it is successful.

Just the night before I left, she told me she had made a speach to her teachers (chez has around 100 teachers or more - it is a 5 000 student school). She told me she spoke about me and my stay in the Philippines in her motivational speach. She mentionned I had given her a wake-up call! When she read in my blog about the 1000 pesos bill that pictures the Palawan funeral bowl... and realised she didn,t even knew about it... and many other things I was discovering...

"That a foreigner knew more about her country than her, when it is her job to transfer to the younger generations pride of their nation and knowledge of it!"

She took a 1000 pesos bill out of her purse and asked her staff if they knew what was depicted on it and why. No one responded, no one knew. She realised that they knew a lot about the latest gossip of international stars, their latest frivoilities... but not much about their own heritage and history. She told them to take exemple on my experience and be willing to learn about the beautiful Philipino heritage. She tryied to transmit my love to learn about it to them.

When she told me that... just as I was preparing my departure, I cried.
If my mother would had been alive, she would had been very proud.

Ayala Museum - gold from the past - Encore le 25 juin - Still the 25th of June

Je me promenais avec mon nouveau collier - heureuse - le coeur léger et serein et soudain, l'affiche d'une exposition a attiré mon attention.... Gold of Ancestors - Pre-colonial treasures of the Phillipines - Ayala Museum.

I had to go. It was as important as breathing. I could not say why or even care. I had to go and be touched. There was nothing I could do against the desire to learn more, to taste history itself and to become part of it.

What I saw was a revelation! Like discovering something you always knew deep within - the richness of the Philippines civilization before the Spanish came.

For most Pinoy (filipino) the history of their country starts with Magellan's "discovery" (How could you claim to "discover" something that already existed ?). For most of Pinoy, around the time the Spanish came their society was primitive. There was something wrong with that picture, something that does'nt fit.
If they were so primitive, how come they were able to push back Magellan's men (even killing Magellan himself). These Spanish men had the most advanced technology of the time (boats, armor, cannons, swords, etc.). But they were defeated by what was suppose to be a primitive society ??? this did not make sense.

Finally, there was something, a glimpse at what was then a florishing society - with writing on gold plates, jewelry, ceremonial gears, etc. A rich society with tradition, knowledge and something to be pride of.

Ear what they say of the gold exhibits:

"More than one thousand gold objects celebrates the sophisticated cultures that existed in the Philippines before colonization in the 16th century. Many of the precious objects were recovered in association with tenth to thirteenth century Chinese export ceramics. Similarities in form and iconography with artifacts of other Southeast Asian cultures affirm regional affinities and inter-island contacts that flourished in these archipelagic crossroads of civilizations. Adornments of elite individuals and their deities include a spectacular array of golden sashes, necklaces, pectorals, diadems, earrings and finger rings, bracelets, and anklets. Here, the role of archaeology in reconstructing the past is illuminated, demonstrating how funerary offerings become valuable sources of information for subsequent generations of the living."

Unfortunatly, we are not allowed to take pictures inside the musem. I would had loved to show you the beauties of the jewelry. Sorry !

The hilipino civilisation that produced these objects was extremely advanced. These objects are as beautiful as the antiquities of Egypt or old Rome.

I saw the reproduction of a book by the Spanish depicting the people and the way they lived at the time of the meeting of these two worlds. What I saw was exquisite, depicting a complex society where jewelry was a sign showing status and power.

Some of the objects depicted in the book were right before my eyes, in real.... Wow!

I saw diadems, wore by women of the region of Leyte (close to Bato, Biliran). They were like delicate origami gold art work!

I saw, huge gold chains wore by men across their chest, at the end a symbol of power (not sure what is was). I would need to read on the subject. I never saw such beautiful gold chain. I would love to find a miniature version for myself or something inspired by it.

I saw a gold tablet with the original writing of the people of the Philippines. There is a dance of words on the gold. It is beautiful to look at. Apparently, the Spanish destroyed most of the writings of the Philippines pretending it was the writings of the devil... and, most of it was on bamboo sticks attached togheter, it did not survived time.

I have to know more about this exceptionnal heritage.

As part of me is somewhat of a Philipina, I am pround of it and need to learn from it. I would wish that people know more and appreciate what is right before their eyes. The Philippines are beautiful.

http://www.ayalamuseum.org/index.php?option=com_ayala_content&task=viewexhibitpage&id=14

Gold Pearls - Perles: Journée du 25 juin - 25th of June

Une journée mémorable, comme si on se rend à l'évidence - j'aime cet endroit, j'aime les gens d'ici, je m'y sens bien. I surrender ! Mahal po kita Phillipines.

Je suis à Manila, j'ai rendez-vous pour aller chercher une autre folie, comme un pacte éternel entre ce pays et moi. Un lien indéfectible. Je m'en vais chercher un collier de perle dorées des mers du sud, dont j'ai sélectionné les perles individuellement. Non pas un collier de perles parfaites et rondes, ce genre de collier n'est pas pour moi... Mais un collier des Phillipines, de ces perles dorées comme il n'en existe nulle part ailleurs. Surtout des perles Keishi, le résultat d'une lutte entre l'intervention de l'homme (la tentative d'implanter artificiellement une base de perle dans une huître) et les forces de la nature (l'huître qui se révolte, rejette ce qu'on exige d'elle - la production d'une perle ronde et parfaite de bonne taille - et qui en définitive produit sa propre perle de nacre pur à sa façon - une véritable destruction créatrice). Une perle différente, avec ses propres formes et sa beauté unique - une perle keishi. Habituellement on rejette ce type de perle puisqu'imparfaites. A mes yeux elles sont magnifiques. Ce sont ces perles qui troneront autour de mon cou - à jamais.

Un collier préparé juste pour moi par des gens aimables avec qui j'ai eu énormément de plaisir à matérialiser un tel objet, des gens qui m'ont permis d'inventer une telle parure; les gens de JewelMer : http://www.jewelmer.com/

_____________________

This is a memorable day for me ! I had to admit it - I love this country, I love these people and I feel great in these grounds. I surrender ! Mahal po kita Philippines !

Now in Manila, I am going to pick up another of my absolutely crazy buy ! it will be an unalterable bound between me and this country - a neckless - not any neckless... a neckless made of south sea golden pearls, selected by me individually. Not these perfect pearl neckless of big round pearls, these are not for me... This is my Filipino neckless ! as these golden pearls cannot be found nowhere else and these are keishi pearls !!! - the result of a battle between human intervention (artificial implantation of a pearl nucleus indide the oyster) and the force of nature (the oyster revolts and reject what it is asked to do - the production of a perfect round shaped pearl of a important size - and in doing so end's up producing a pure nacre beauty - a keishi pearl, different, unperfect, with it's own shape, a real creative destruction. Usually we reject these pearls, because unperfect - to me they are real beautiful. These are the one I requested. These will be the ones on my neck, forever!

This is a neckless prepared just for me, by the Jewelmer team made out of Philipina (speaking perfect French). A very nice team, so nice of them to let me "invent" such a neckless : http://www.jewelmer.com/

Quelques petits secrets révélés - some secrets revealed

A cause de mes copines philipina, je me vois obligée de révéler certains secrets de mon voyage.... sinon, elles le feront !!! alors, je préfère que ce soit moi....

1- je me suis fais arrêtée et questionner
2- j'ai abusé de certaines substances pendant mon séjour aux Philippines

A few weeks ago (in fact a few days after I arrived), in Manila, I wanted to test different features of my camera by taking some shots at night, withouth a flash, on Roxas boulevard. I wanted to capture on tape, these nice multicoloured street lights... I was around midnight. There was lots of people on the promenade taking advantage on the nce fresh breeze from the baie. The night was nice and the moon, full... perfect for my camera experimentations!

J'entendais siffler, flaxonner et tous les bruits de la route de Manila. J'étais très concentrée sur ce que je faisais et donc j'ai été très étonnée de voir s'arreter près de moi une voiture avec plein de militaires. On me demande de monter à bord. Je dois dire que de prime abord, la perspective de me joindre à eux n'était pas très grande mais je réalisais que ce n'étais pas vraiment une demande mais plutôt un ordre. Je demande des explications et recule de plusieurs pas pour être directement en dessous d'un lampadaire (oui, oui, un de ceux que je prenais en photo) - pour être bien visible et les voir plus clairement. Je leur demande de quoi s,agit-il... et on me dit que c'est une question de sécurité.... je dois dire que je suis restée perplexe.... comment ça une histoire de sécurité ??? Il me disent être des Services de Sécurité des États-Unis... je n'en crois pas mes yeux... c'est que je suis aux Philippines... mais qu'est-ce que c'est que cette histoire.... mais avec de grands hommes armés.... on discute moins. Ils me demandent de les accompagner à l'ambassade américaine, de l'autre côté de la rue, puisque je prenais des photos des bâtiments de l'ambassade (y sont malade... on est dans le noir, qu'est-ce qu'ils veulent qu'on voit sur mes photos, c'est les lampadaires que je prenais, le back ground en pleine nuit... on le voit pas... et en plus... je suis en sol philippin !!! mais les guns sont assez gros...). Je monte à bord. Je suis escortée poliement mais fermement dans une salle d'interrogation. Un premier homme me pose des questions... j'ai l'air d'une idiote avec mon histoire de photos de jolies lumières multicolores de lampadaires (ils n'apprécient pas tellement, je crois). Je me vois dans l'obligation de leur montrer mes photos (examinées par un autre monsieur), on me demande ce que je fais là, pourquoi je visite les philippines, combien de temps j'y séjournerai, o;u je séjournerai (je répond mais reste un peu vague... quand même!).

On exige que j'efface toutes mes photos, je proteste - certaines sont magnifiques!!! - ils se regardent avec un faciès sans aucune expression qui en dit long sur leur regard artistique... ils me font un geste de la main... tu le fais toi même ou on le fait... je m'exécute en gromelant et grognant en français (j'ai droit a un regard - comme si Ben Laden était devant eux). Je m'explique, on parle aussi Français au Canada... et c'est ma langue.... ils n'entendent pas recevoir un cours d'histoire cette nuit. Je termine le tout. Un d'eux n'est pas content, il aurait voulu que ma carte mémoire leur soit remise. Ça brasse un peu mais on n'exige pas l'obtention de ma carte de 8MEG (une chance). J,ai été ensuite ralâchée... Je suis allée un peu plus loi, quand j'ai été certaine qu'aucun bâtiment américain n'était en vue et j'ai quand même pris quelques photos de mes lampadaires. Il n'était pas question qu'on me retire ce plaisir...

Je dois avouer avoir grandement abuser de certaines choses. Lors d'un passage a Cebu, je n'ai pu résister. Cette région produit les meilleures mangues du monde. J'en ai acheté pluieurs fois par jours et en ai mangé sans retenue.... mais un soir.... je ne sais pas trop ce qui m'a pris, j'avais une envie irrésistible de mangue. J'en ai donc acheté autant que je pouvais en transporter. Le soir venu, je me suis mise a les déguster une par une. Je crois en avoir mangé 14 en 2 heures. J'ai commencé à me sentir un peu mal.... une over dose de mangue.... j'ai eu mal à l'estomac, aux intestins et a tout mon corps... je n'ai pas encore remangé de mangue depuis ce jour. Ça viendra.

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OK, OK, I will tell these stories before my Filipina friends tell it all. I prefer to do it myself...

- I was arrested and questionned for half an hour
- I had abused substances while in the Philippines

A few weeks ago (in fact, a few days after I arrived), I was in Manila. I had the idea of experimenting with my camera at night to take snap shots of lights without flash. I wanted to experiment different features of my camera. So I went on Roxa's boulevard promenade around midnight. There were lots of people taking advantage of the sea breeze coming in the bay. I wanted to capture the beauty of these multicolored streetlights. The moon was full, perfect for my experimentation..

I was quite into my things, taking shots of different angles, with different features. I could ear the street sounds, honking and the like. I was stunned when suddenly a van stopped right in front of me, full of military people... The ask that I come in !... I should say they order... I was not exactly incline to join them... so I stepped away from them to be directly under a light. I asked a few questions. They told me this is a security concern... what do you mean a security issue ?!? I asked who they were... Security Services of the United States... what do you mean... we are in the Philippines ?!? but they had guns... you ask less questions when you see guns...

They wanted me to follow them to the other side of the street, to the American Embassy, as I was taking pictures of american premises (they are sick or what... we are at night !!! do they think we see what is on the other side of the street ??? on my pictures ?? I was just taking these beautiful lights, the background, who cares about the background... What is wrong about taking a picture from the street of what everyone walking by can see anyway??? Am I not suppose to be on Philipino ground ??? but they had guns...

So I follow them. I was politely escorted in an interrogation room. A first man ask questions... I looked like a complete idiot talking about beautiful lights and picture angles... I had to show them my pictures. They ask a lot of questions (what I was doing in the Philippines, why returning, etc), my passport, etc. I answered but stay a little vague...

They requested that I delete all my pictures. I protest as some are very nice !! a few men look at each other without any facial expression what so ever... saying a lot about how artistic the are within... As they do a simple gesture with their hands... I understood that i was better to delete the pictures myself or they will do it for me... I did it, one at a time, gromeling something in French. They looked at me as if I was Ben Laden in person wright in front of them. I explained that we also speak French in Canada, that it is my mother tongue... but they are not very open to aquick history class!

As I finished deleting my last pictures, one of them is unhappy... he wants my memory card confiscated - my 8 meg card !!! no way !! They kind of argue between themselves and they finally let go of me. I walk away... free... I went just a little further and took anyway some shuts (withouth any american background). There was no way they would take away that plaisure of me !

I have to admit, I have taken too much of good things. As I was in Cebu, I could not resist the most delicious mango on earth ! During a week, I bought every day a few mangoes but one night.. I do not know what took me ... I ended up with an irresistible mango desire ! I bought all I could carry ! That night, I started to eat one after the other. I think I ate 14 in 2 hours. After that, I started to feel a little week, then not very well - yes, a mango overdose ! - I was stomach sick, my intestines, all my body ended up ached... Since then, just the idea of a mango... but it will be OK soon.

Bonne fête André -- Happy birthday Andre

Today is Andre's birthday - Happy birthday très cher André!!!
André is my brother-in-law, mon beau-frère. The husband of my sister Johanne just a year older than me. Le mari de ma soeur Johanne, mon ainée d'un an.