The Freshest LECHON!!!

We left Gen San and arrived in Toril (near Davao City).  We were greeted by the Rotary Club and had an amazing meal at one of the Rotarians, Lorna's restaurant, Disway!  Afterwards, we went to one of their projects where they are feeding undernourished children.  WE HAD THE BEST WELCOME YET THERE!  The elementary school marching band was playing for us!!  Then the whole band, cheerleaders, dancers, and singers!!  It truly was incredible.  Such talented children.  The program has also been successful in bringing the children back to a healthy weight, such an amazing project.

Warm welcome!

The little one in the middle was nicknamed Beyonce, boy could she dance!

Students acting WACKY

The children in the feeding program and us!  So cute!

Boats at the Toril Fish Port..yumm tuna!

RC Toril!  What a fun group

Karaoke anyone?!

This isn't weird at all....why would it be weird to hire a massage therapist while doing karaoke?!? Just a normal day in the Philippines.  The ladies loved it!!!

Billy singing karaoke and getting acupuncture.  ONLY in the Philippines!!

The following day, we all headed to the beach, to Lorna's place on Samal Island.  We had the greatest time.  We ate some tuna sashimi, freshly caught that morning by her workers AND the freshest lechon we have eaten.  We heard a pig squealing earlier in the day.... and then the next thing we know there is a pig on the pit roasting, muy masarap (delicious)!

Playing cards seaside

Enjoying the tropics!

Lorna's amazing place

Paradise!

They put us to work!  Photo Op!

FRESH TUNA!!

and THE FRESHEST LECHON!!

We were sad to leave.  Here we are with our gracious host, Lorna.

Last days in Gen San

We were so sad to leave Gen San.  We all had stayed with our families for about a week, so we have really bonded.  We spent an entire day at the scuba diving resort of father and son Rotarians Don and Paul.  Paul took us on the boat, snorkeling, and cruising on the hobie cat (small sail boat).  I don't have the pics because they are on Tiffanie's waterproof camera, I will try and post them!  

We visited Notre Dame University of Marbel, nicknamed Green University.  In one year, they have banned non recyclables and styrofoam and have changed their energy consumption, and many many other things. Gives us hope back home to make some changes.  Jim and I also had lunch at the Kalsagni Golf Course, owned by Dole, very delicious!  

We also had a big party our last night with all the clubs from the area, I think 9 clubs.  It was really fun and we got to dress up.  Some clubs dressed in T'boli, native tribe clothing, and we dressed in traditional muslim clothing.  It was fun!  Here are some pictures.

"Green University" campus

Biodegradable vs. non-biodegradable trash

Study area

Caye Mariel (left) my hosts daughter, me and her cousin Joy Joy at their school

Jim and Gino (my host) at the golf course.  Quite the height difference!

Enjoying the day at the golf course

Check out Mt. Matutum in the back

Melody and Rae at the house

Rae's host family all dressed up

In front of the house with some smelly durian

Sashimi!!

Traditional dance, the Banboo Dance, and Colleen giving it a try!

RC Tuna Port

The Polomolok group!

Pinky, Tiffanie, Gino, and Colleen

Russel, Paul, Rae, and Ian enjoying the night.  I had to get out of that muslim dress.  I feel for you ladies, I was soooooo hot!

Dancing!

Colleen learning some moves!

Such a great night, thank you RC's of Gen San, Marbel, and Polomolok!!!!!

Kalilangan Festival - Gen San - Take 2.

Here are a few photos from the cultural festival, Kalilangan.  The dancing, singing, and traditional clothing were amazing.

Getting ready for the show with Ben and Pinky

We also had some fun with costumes.... Filipinos are very fond of "wacky" photos and so are we!

To end the night, a beautiful fireworks show!  We are looking up at it.... the photos of the fireworks did not come out :(

Marbel and Koronadal, another amazing stay!

We were welcomed to Marbel/Koronadal by a wonderful lunch and gathering at Cinco Ninas!  We had a great visit, thank you everyone who was involved!!!

Our welcome lunch in Marbel at Cinco Ninas

We visited a animal rehabilitation center.  Colleen and Alexis were loving it!!

This cat like animal, civet, eats coffee beans and poops them out and then we make coffee out of them!  haha I need to try this.  I am on a mission to find some coffee today!

The animals at this rehabilitation center are released if they recover, but most stay there because they are injured.  I am not sure what the name is of this eagle is.

Cute kids with the Americanos at the Koronadal Public Market.

The Crew with Noel and Rolan at the Banana plantation

This fruit, mangosteen, was delicious!  Sweet and sour.  The red/purple skin has many health benefits and is used in medicine.

Alexis at the public market with a Filipina muslim.

The arcade at the public market

On Sunday, we headed to Lake Sebu to see the waterfalls, lake, ZIPLINE, and learn more about the native culture.

Waterfalls at Lake Sebu

Zipling over the waterfalls was amazing!!  Here are some photos.

John and Tony taking flight

Tiffanie and Alexis.  Look at how happy Alexis is that she took the plunge!

Pitok and Bong

Rae and Colleen  laughing uncontrollably!

Superman Jim!

Noel and Ann.  Thank you Noel and your office for making this happen, it was amazing!!!

Sorry, RC Marbel, I don't have the photos from our meeting.  I will have to get them and post them. Here are some from the RC Koronadal's meeting.  More Karaoke and some xbox dance party (I think thats what it was), and of course more Lechon.  I think we are up to 12 Lechons and rumor has it that there will be 3 more at the GSE night tonight!

Beautiful buffet, check out those chicken lollipops on the end!

Koronadal club members

Lechon!!!!

Our wonderful hosts in Koronadal

President Ann presenting Rae with a RC Koronadal flag

DANCE PARTY!!!

These are out of order -- Sorry!  These are photos from our lunch after ziplining!!

Learning traditional dance at Lake Sebu.  We ate lunch on a floating dining room in the Lake.  Lake Sebu has many tilapia farms.  

Jim learning the manly warrior dance

Our new friends from Marbel and Koronadal, thank you again for an amazing couple of days!