In my second to last area in the Philippines, I had great experiences. Solana, Cagayan is a hot area, surrounded by rice fields, but full of memories. Elder Galang is on the left in the picture. This is a family we came to know while teaching. As you can see, they are so full of life and energy and joy. Another area that I miss.
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Any Filipino, or person that has been to the Philippines will recognize this deliciousness. Jollibee is one of the largest fast food chains in the Philippines with few restaurants international. They specialize in serving delicious burgers that are familiar, however, unique. Along with their burgers they serve a few Filipino dishes, fried chicken, spaghetti, etc. My personal favorite food they have to offer is their chickenjoy meals. It consists of 1, 2, 3, or up to a bucket of fried chicken cooked to perfection. Their choices with the fried chicken is original, which is KFC Filipino style, and then their spicy chicken which is indicated by the tiny red flags stabbed into the meat. Along with the chicken, you can choose how much rice you get, depending on your taste and then gravy for the chicken. My opinion is that a beverage that should be included should be either Pineapple juice or Sarsi. Any other drink seems to ruin the meal. Anyway, if you live in the western coastal United States, go find a Jollibee, and for the rest of us. Go to the Philippines and experience this as well as various other delicious treats.
My fifth area in the Philippines was Mabini, Gamu, Isabela. This area was great because I had a rough time in my last area, but I was transferred to Mabini and companioned with my good friend, Elder Ellis from the MTC. Even though our area was only one barangay, or village, we still had a lot of fun. Some of my favorite sunsets and clouds to watch were in this area because it was just rice fields. There were very few buildings.
Four years ago today, I was serving in my first area, Cauayan City, Isabela with my companion Elder Paco. It was nearly the end of the cycle and he would learn that he would be called as ZL. In just a little bit I would become companions with my follow-up trainer, Elder Fangupo.
Three years ago today, I was serving in my third area, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya with my companion, Elder Urgelles. He ended up leaving early with his batch due to seasonal transportation issues. My following companion was Elder Blancaver in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. Two years ago today, I was finishing school at Salt Lake Community College and getting ready to attend school at Snow College for my first semester. One year ago today, I was attending my last semester at Snow College. Today, I am sitting in the cafeteria of the Union Building at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Happy Filipino Friday with one of my favorite and shortest areas: Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
The reason this area was so short was because my companion in Bayombong and the companion of the Elder in the next area, Solano were sent home earlier due to the time of year and flight issues, so their entire batch went home two weeks early. That left me and the elder from the other area without companions, so we became companions and lived in Solano. Even though the time was short, I loved that area. Such a great place. Here's another Filipino Friday for all of you reading. Regardless what I say about this area, I really did enjoy most of my time there. Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya was an area where I learned to grow and where I learned a lot about the importance of obedience. In Bayombong, I served with two companions; Elder Urgelles, in his last cycle before going home, and Elder Alimagno, my first junior companion. I will admit that Elder Urgelles and I were not as obedient as we should have been, but the work was good and we had fun. Within the first weeks of being with Elder Alimagno, I got sick from Dengue for the second time. That put me out of work for five weeks. When I came back to work, I received a lot of negative response. Supposedly, people thought that I was just being lazy and refusing to work. Well, to salvage the area, I requested a transfer. I loved Bayombong, and I loved Nueva Vizcaya. It's a shame that the paradise of my mission was more like hell for me, but I don't blame anyone. If anything, I blame myself. Anyway, to get to my picture for today, this is me with my companion, Elder Urgelles (taking picture) at a street burger trailer, eating the one pound, or giant burger they offered. It was good. I loved that place and I crave a burger from those trailers almost everyday.
On November 8th, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, locally referred to as Yolanda, struck hard against the Philippines. The storm was the second strongest storm on record with 4,009 confirmed dead and at least 1,600 persons still missing. To celebrate the strength and unity of the Filipino people as well as giving a universal support all around the world, today has been set aside as the day for the Filipinos. All over Facebook and social media sites, supporters were asked to switch their profile pictures to a picture of the map of the Philippines (white) with the background being black. All throughout Facebook, one can see the support grow. Even people that didn't switch still have faith and support for those who lost their lives, were injured, or affected in any way. In a way, the entire world was affected by this traumatic experience. However, this super typhoon has brought the world closer and it shows that even through the terrible wars and hate we seem to spread about, we still care about people when they are hurt. It doesn't matter what our nationality is or where we come from, we've seen this time and time again. Disaster, with all its cruel beatings and malicious attacks, still brings the world together as one. The human race still exists. Our hearts are filled when we have to watch videos of little children walking about a flooded street, streets littered with corpses. The children crying in confusion, the strength of people walking for miles to find refuge. The best of all, however, is to watch how, even through the hell they suffered, the Filipino people keep smiling and living another day. Here is the picture for profile pictures on social media sites: Mabuhay Philippines!
So, I had a buddy from my mission in the Philippines that did a sort of learning experience list from each companion. I decided to mimic what he did but also memories from each area. I spent time first in the MTC with two separate companions: Elder Brown and Elder Hansen. This picture of Elder Brown was taken on our first night in the MTC. We were awkward, but sort of anxious. I learned to study hard, be diligent and caring with Elder Brown. Elder Hansen was my second MTC companion and although things were a little weird at first, we learned to have fun and enjoy our time. The MTC is seen as this time where all you do is study, but I learned from Elder Hansen it can be a lot of fun also. This picture was taken near Christmas in my first area of Cauayan City in Branch 2. My Tatay, Elder Paco taught me so much. He taught me how to love, work hard, obedience, and overall, how to become a good missionary. My second companion in Cauayan City was Elder Fangupo (Fangwapo) who is holding a pig head. He is a person that I just love so much because of who he is. Elder Fangupo taught me how to utilize my resources and time to become a more effective missionary. He made me look at missionary work in a whole new way. Elder Laudenorio was my third companion in Cauayan City, a companion that taught me patience, taught me how to enjoy my mission, taught me how to smile even during stressful times. My fourth companion, first companion in Cordon, Isabela taught me patience and endurance. Elder Talusig was a fun companion and he also taught me how to stay determined. (Sorry, no picture. SD card was lost) Elder Mataipule was my fifth companion and second in Cordon, Isabela. He taught me to relax in times of stress. He taught me the importance of change and cleanliness. Most of all, he taught me to have fun, but stay focused. In my third area of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Elder Urgelles, my sixth companion, taught me to love the people and love the area. He taught me how to become close with the members. In Solano, my fourth area of two weeks, Elder Blancaver taught me friendship and having a positive attitude even during hard times. In my return to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, I learned with Elder Alimagno, patience. I learned to not become affected by small grudges. I also learned sacrifice in leaving an area, knowing I needed to leave for the area to grow. In Mabini, Gamu, I was reunited with Elder Ellis, an Elder from my MTC batch. I learned from him how to remember and move past things. I learned a lot about caring and being united in all things. In Solana, Cagayan, I learned how to lead, but also not take complete control. Coming into a new area I wasn't familiar with, I had to allow Elder Galang to lead in many aspects. In my last area, Caliguian, Burgos, I learned with Elder Apin to, in essence, run through the rain. I learned a lot about rationing supplies and keeping track of things. With Elder Molino, I learned to endure, to walk the long road and how to introduce new ideas to members. We became very hardworking with the help of members. My final companion, Elder Lisaca taught me how to smile at the road behind me. He taught me how to share the burden, rather than trying to hold all responsibilities. He showed me how to love the people, the area, the friendships and the hard times. Elder Lisaca taught me how to find beauty in the small things and enjoy each moment.
As I watch the news and hear the devastation resulting from Hurricane Haiyan or Bagyong Yolanda, I came upon this video about the storms of 2009 in Manila. It's awesome to understand and know the people of the Philippines and their willpower and strength to endure such hardships. Mag-ingat kayo mga minamahal kong kapatid. Kaya natin ito! I felt that it would be appropriate to spend some time in thought and prayer for the citizens of the Philippines that are suffering because of the recent storm. Our lives are full of storms, many may be like the physical storm that is destroying homes and taking lives, others may be the inner struggle with decisions and direction in life. I think we all have dealt with such trials. The important thing to do during such hardships is to look to the eye. What I mean is, in a tropical storm, there is a circular disc of clouds spinning over the land, but the center is called the eye. The eye of the storm is a safe haven from the damage and chaos happening around you. In life, the eye of the storm is God. If we look to God, we will find peace and all the destruction surrounding us, will seem a lot easier to bear. God is the calm during the storm, the serenity during chaos. Look to God. Find your faith. Hold fast hope. |