Tsinelas Drive Season 4

It has been 4 years since I started my Tsinelas (slippers) Drive campaign. It started when I learned about a good friend, Jireh, who had been celebrating her birthdays with homeless children and in the home for the aged. I told her that what she was doing was awesome!

I got inspired to do something for my birthday too! Then my yearly Tsinelas drive was born. I would solicit for slippers or ask for donation to purchase slippers. I would pick a school in one of the haciendas in Victorias City. Why here? Because I grew up in this place. And I know that there are a lot of secluded schools in these places. I realized this when I was in high school since we would have outreach programs in these places.  Tsinelas Drive 2009

So this year, I was aiming for 27 people to donate or pledge. (I'll leave it to you why I chose 27.) And every year, I would text and email everyone about this. This year was something new. I posted my cause in Facebook hoping for donations and pledges to arrive and I was not wrong! A lot of people wanted to donate!

We went to Faith Christian School in Hacienda Luisa in Victorias City. The area is just in front of the Coliseum. I was with Jude and Soi. When we got to the place, the Head Teacher, Ms. Arlene, greeted us and welcomed us into their humble school. All the students followed and greeted us too. I told them our names and why we were there. I told them how grateful I was. And we started unpacking all the slippers that we brought. I could see the anticipation from everyone.

with Soi and Jude

On our way to the school

unpacking...

With Teachers Arlene (in blue) and Ailene (in white)

The students helped in unpacking everything and rounding them up at the center. They even formed A - C - E!!! I was smiling! We started with the preschoolers. Everyone else were excited while they waited for their turn. Everyone had a new pair and yet we still had a lot to give. We called the children who were watching the activity so they may choose theirs as well.

spell ACE?

Preschool students ready to fit a pair

Everyone was excited as they tried the slippers on to check which one would be a snug fit. We didn't stay long since we were expected in the meeting of our Rotarians in Bacolod. After everyone got their slippers, I still had 2 pairs of Dupe (I had 5 pairs courtesy of Mariel.) So we had a mini dance showdown! When we ended the activity, not everyone was there for the photo op but those who stayed behind, gathered for our group picture.

Dance showdown

Just a few of them who stayed for the group picture

I would like to thank my friends who helped out in this year's project:

Mariel Genito of Islandscape Inc, distributor of Ipanema and Dupe

Glady Tomulto of Experience Negros! 

Marvi Pioquinto

Sharon Flores

Mikay Manaloto

Cheryl Choresca

Valeen Solancho

Jen Valladolid

Soi Cañete

Jude Quingco

and to anonymous donors

Thank you so much!

To go to album

4-Day Puerto Princesa Tour - 1st Day

4 A week had passed since my friends and I visited Puerto Princesa in Palawan. From the sky, you'd really sea the glittering blue green water. You'd also be amazed that the runway is near sea; edge of Puerto Princesa.

We were all first-timers so we were all excited to tour the place. We booked our flights last year. We had to fly to Manila to get to Palawan. Johan picked me up from the office at 4am; our flight was at 5:50. Waiting for almost five hours at the NAIA Terminal 3 was not a burden some of us were even too comfortable while we waited for check-in. :)

 After an hour we landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport.

We met up with our guide, Pepito Donaire. Pepito was recommended by my officemate who went to Puerto Princesa last July. She mentioned to search for Pep's name in Facebook. We dropped our bags in a house with 3 bedrooms and a common bathroom. The place was nice; complete with a sala with tv, a dining area with fridge and all 3 bedrooms with a/c units. Not too shabby, we said. Just good enough for us nine. We didn't intend to stay at the house for the rest of the days anyway. The house was just a minute away from the airport; no fret if you wake up a little late.

We freshened up, went to the nearest turu-turo, Noki Nocs, to have lunch. It was the start of our city tour. We passed by the boulievard where the transient houses were built for the poor people. AS per our driver, the houses in that area were burned. And the city government built these apartments. The people who are staying at these houses were charged with a minimum rate.

Next in the list was the Plaza Cuartel. This was where a number of Americans died. As per our tour guide/ driver, the Japanese bomb the area. Plaza Cuartel faces a the sea. When we stopped by, we even saw Navy ships.

It started to rain. A few steps from Plaza Cuartel was the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The driver even joked to pray that the rain would stop.

Another stop was the Mitra's Ranch. A vast land with a lot of trees. I presumed those were Cashew trees. A lot of horses too.

Next destination was the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Our first hand encounter with the crocs...

Baker's Hill was next. I haven't really taken a lot of pictures at this point. Not getting sleep tooked its toll.

The most exciting part of the first day; the Iwahig Firefly tour was second to the last part. This was one of the best scenes I've ever had in my entire life! This was my post in Facebook just after the tour;

"Iwahig firefly tour (boat ride @ night time + knowledgeable boatman + red light * thousands of fireflies) = a night to remember forever!"

I think this says it all!

We capped our night with our dinner at Ka Lui. Great ambiance; food was ok - we were just compairing Bacolod food and what we had; and company, priceless!

This ends my first day! I still have a lot to tell; what's next would be the top places I will miss in Palawan.

My Palawan trip was a blast!