Scammers

We arrived at Macanhan the other day to find out that most of the children have been transferred to a National Government Facility. This turned out to be great news- the new place has 24hr nurses, a doctor once a weeks, proper security, an indoor and out door playground, plus children over 5 get 'school-like' activities to do. Also they have chores and have to be polite, so they are finally getting some discipline. We also found out some interesting information about HOLY CHILD orphanage, the place we were originally going to help at.Then head of the new facility that most of the Macanhan children are now at was the investigating officer for the case against HOLY CHILD and she had quite a bit to say about Sister Celia (refer to picture of small Nun in the First Glimpse post). It turns out that the place is a scam,they get foreign charities to donate money, the former leader/priest is in jail for child molestation and misappropriation of funds, and 3 years ago they had there license to be a care center permanently revoked. What Sister Celia is doing, is gathering up kids from the area and getting them to pretend they are orphans, now I know why she stressed about 20 times that we had to call before we came, and never turn up unannounced, plus they had a look out on the road leading in , lol. We felt something was up on our first proper visit and didn't return, now our suspicions are confirmed.


Here are some pics of the kids, and conditions that are still at Macanhan. It is a solid good building, but where Eve is standing is usually under ankle-deep water full of mosquitos, the whole yard is like that...

The Old Pump Station

After the caves we went for a swim at the old pump station. Only one person with us had been there before. He didnt tell anyone it was at the bottom of over 300 steps and two 5m ladders. Before hoping in the water Eve asked if there was anything in the water that could bite us, I laugh and said no. However afterwards I found out that upstream is the Cagayan Valley Crocodile Rehabilitation center, they are trying to reintroduce crocs here as they have been absent since the late 70's.Their website says this "The Philippine crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis is an endemic, freshwater, crocodilian.It is a small, shy and harmless animal that does not attack humans unless provoked." . On the bank was a pile of rocks with a peice of bamboo on it, if the bamboo moves (as this is not a tidal river) it means a flash flood is coming. There was also a water buffalo and a goat tied up I have a rough idea what it might mean if you go down to the river and they are missing..

This is a perfect Visayan dog, I have seen a few like this,but more often than not they are smaller and have black patches. Lizard (if you see this) you should breed them!

Makahambus caves

We visited the Makahambus caves. This cave is where the local hid during American occupation in 1900, they dont seem to hide from the current American occupation.... If you ever visit and you are creeped out by large gecko looking lizards, dont shine your torch on the roof.

Just at the end of our street...

10min down the road...

Macanhan Orphanage

This is the orphanage we have been spending most of our time at. It is state funded ,barely. And currently the staff are changing as a new mayor has been elected. So favouritism sees people shuffled around every election, I am sure this adds to the disorganisation here. The food has improved with the new council so that is a plus. The children are still sick but the medicine we bought has worked wonders.

Day at the Beach

We went to the beach in the back of a truck. It was a good day, we ate heaps of cashew (casui) and Roast Chicken (Lechon Manuk, the chicken here is amazing a testament to free range and high demand) and had a swim. There are no waves here, about 8 hours up the beach is Cloud Nine :(

Fiesta

Hard times if you are a pig at Fiesta. The Filippino's love pork, deep fried food and sugar and wonder why many have high blood pressure and cholesterol. This Fiesta was for Carmen the burungay we are staying in. Each Burungay has a Patron Saint that they celebrate with Fiesta. Anyone can come into your house and eat your food, and people are walking around eating and drinking all day. There are a few car crash and a couple of punch ups but generally it was easy going.

First Glimpse

Final 24

The 4551 less than 24 hours before departure