June 24, 2003
Its my sister, Daisy, and my aunt's birthday. We dropped the cake in all the excitment. (pic (l-r). Daisy, JB, Me, ate Brenda)
This is a picture of John Paulo's baptism. He is my cousin Zaldy (back) baby. Daisy was honored as his "ninang" or god mother. (front l-r: ate tess (Kuya Zaldy's wife), ate brenda, mom, John Paulo, Daisy)
ok you cant really see it, but the first week of my stay my eye was swollen shut because of an alergic reaction to some crab i ate.
This is me riding the infamous "jeep" that the Philippines is well known for. Its like a bus and "PARA!" means stop.
Yup, I still play ball, and this is me whooping my cousin "Goy-b"
With my cousin Joylee in a bumpercar. This is at the nearby mall "Sta.Lucia" in Cainta.
We made a pact that whenever we saw this kfc chicken, we'd take a picture in front of it. No matter how weird people thought we were!
Migrante International was so kind enough to give my mom her big break! This is me in front of the studio, where my mom appeared as a guest to discuss the upcoming dual citizenship law.
stolen shot of my mom getting dolled up by professionals
Mellie of Migrante, Tita NekNek (mom's sister) and Daisy want to get in on the fun!
Finally, this is a shot of me at work! To understand the current economic situation of the Philippines, I was invited to interview and join one of the many striking workers throughout the country. This is me in SM Cubao.
What is at issue here is the end to contractualization and fair wage increases. These are the remaining regular workers in this multi-million dollar chain of malls throughout asia. Though they've been working there for almost 20 years, their end daily wage could not afford a cd by Canadian standards. Instead, what is happening is that SM's owner Henry Sy is hiring contractuals who are forced to commit to work for only 6 months. Consequently, they are left to search for work again. The reality of CHEAP LABOUR.
My advisors Nicky and Pom of Gabriela (a sister org of Migrante. They are in the "bedroom" of the picket line in SM Makati. Yes, the picketers go without pay and become like squatters on the line.
In front of the picket line, that box for donations is their only source of income. Many are fathers and mothers with families of their own. The strike has gone on for about 4 months now and some have had to pull their children out of school.
Stolen shot of lunch time on the line.
This is me trying to help the picketers. I think I made about 4 pesos in donations; that's good for maybe one ride on a jeepney.
This is a friend I made during my stay there. I wish the picture turned out better, but what you are supposed to see is the 9 stitches in his head after being beaten by mall guards. I know strikes in Winnipeg can get messy, but I've never seen it get this bloody. I wish I could have taken pictures of the guards nearby the strike line and the glares they gave me, but Nicky advised me it was too dangerous.
Us cousins at Angono's Forest Park. (l-r)back: ate brenda, joylee, daisy; front: JB, Noriel, me.
A shot on the tricycle. Its well known in the Philippines for its use as a local taxi. Much of my cousins and uncles make their living this way. Though, I have to admit they are noisy and can be big time pollutants.
(l-r)louie, kuya noriel, joylee, ate brenda
ok, us being stupid. Notice how much taller me and my sister are to my cousin. We are like giants over here.
This picture was taken at "Soundstage" a club nearby (I think my uncle is dancing ha ha ha!). It was soo weird to see an abundance of beer, cigarette smoke, and toddlers running about in this adult atmosphere.
(l-r)kuya don, goy-b, tito dilo, me
A shot of some of my dad's side (BAUTISTA) before my mom and sis went back to Canada!
A shot of my mom's side (UBALDO) before they went back to Canada!
YOU CANT SEE THE TEARS! This is a shot of the family before my mom and sis left for Canada! It was really hard saying "au revoir" to them!