Immersion it is

The second week in the barrio flew faster than the first...that's because I spent almost half of my day sleeping. Yup, I would forever think of Laiya Aplaya with much fondness, it's only during this rotation that I get to sleep 8-10 hours a day. And then another hour in the afternoon for siesta .
Anyway, Chiqui and I have already blended in with our foster family and their friends. We spend our mornings and afternoons chatting with them, getting updated with the latest chismis of the town, and betting numbers for jueteng. We help Nanay Meli with the cooking, but we don't dare taking things on our own because of our poor cooking skills. In the evening after dinner, we sit in their living room together with all the family members (and some family friends who come over everyday) and gather in front of their television to write all the prime time tv programs. Good thing, they are loyal kapamilya, ,like me, who never switch channels even during commercial breaks. We feel that we are very much welcome to their family already so we also treat them with utmost respect and love just like our own parents.
However, maybe due to our intense immersion thing that's going on, a quite funny incident happened. We've been waiting since our first day in the barrio to meet and greet the barangay chairman. He's known for his goodness and leadership and also for his ownership of one of the largest and most popular beach resort in Laiya Aplaya. In addition to that, the health center that Chiqui and I go to every day became the biggest and most funded RHU because of his efforts. And so finally this week, we were able to meet the kapitan. He has a large property beside the sea and we sat quietly while we wait for him in his lanai. When he came out we quickly greeted him good morning and expressed our apologies for not coming sooner. He glanced at us for a second and talked to his employee. After that, he came to us and asked us, "Anong kelangan nyo, bagong inodoro?" We were stunned, we could't believe what we've just heard. When we told him that we are the new interns assigned to their health center, he hurriedly said, "Ay, mga doktor pala, sige, upo kayo." He tried making it up to us by offering his beach for swimming and an invitation for dinner with his family. That was really funny. I guess we've succeeded in immersing with the barrio folks that the barangay captain wasn't able to tell the difference. Really funny. We're not sure whether to get offended with the idea that we don't look like doctors and look like an indigent instead just because we're only wearing t-shirts and shorts...we couldn't stop laughing about it.

maybe it's the t-shirt and shorts

Only after 2 weeks, Chiqui and I already managed to own a beach resort. With a lagoon. The catch: the stretch of our beach shortens during high tide and widens during low tide. Just wait for the large beach umbrellas and mini huts.

welcome to our beach: chi-an's resort

the lagoon...Php 100 entrance fee