Community-based Eco-tourism

  The bottom-up approach, as is applies to ecotourism, can keep the local community involved, and thriving.

  Having wished we had the opportunity sooner, to meet with Gerry Ortega, of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, was our first lament.  None would follow.

  Gerry is a resident of Puerto Princesa City, has been a previous politician in the Philippines and now works with a national broadcasting company in the Philippines, ABS-CBN.  Gerry has successfully developed and implemented five community-based, bottom-up approach ecotourism projects, here in Palawan.

  Before the attached video interview was produced, Gerry sat with myself and colleagues, to discuss how his projects have been successful, and graciously doled out advice for developing our own road map to success.

  Gerry explained that most efficient way to implement an eco-tourism project, in his experience, is to use a bottom-up approach.  An approach that starts at the base level, the community members.  Using local community advisors to keep tabs on the projects and the directly involved, site members, management and success of the projects, comes naturally.

  Gerry's community advisors help to educate, motivate, and delegate.  They don't have a set 9-5 schedule, and many weeks, work overtime... without pay.  They get pride from the sense of community they instill, and joy from the faces of satisfied visitors.  These projects begin at the hearts, and endure because of the passion of many.

  It was inspiring to see the community members, at Ugong Rock, working without pay and with smiles, because they knew the work they were doing would pay off in the end.  They believed in their hard work, paying off.  No bosses, no time cards, no schedule.  Just compelled work ethic.


Enjoy,

MJ

Promo/preview of the Palawan doc...

  Hi everyone.  Yeah, it seems time has gotten away once again!  Sorry.  Well, I'm here and am once again posting.  Hope you all got the message I sent out, pleading you check out the video.

(Also, apologies to those who I told this would be here when I did.... Net conx is weak here... Priorities don't entail 4-hours sitting and waiting....)

  The video is just a promo/preview of the doc-film, that has been officially in the works for the last month, or so.  We are showing this to the stake holders, here on the island (Palawan), in hopes that they will jump on board to see it through, after we leave.  Fingers are crossed.

  I'm hoping the video answers any questions you have all been thinking or wondering about this internship turned job/life-long side project.  That's right, I plan to see this through till the end.  I finally found a niche within my niche, to hold on to tight.

  We're the driving force behind the project right now, the motivators as we see it.  But, we've been extremely fortunate to have met some incredibly motivated and most wonderful people that we are trusting to take the reigns and run, as our departure from paradise looms closer, later this year.

  Wish us luck!  More updates will surely come your way.....

MJ

You can also check it out Here on my FaceBook page, or Here on YouTube. 

Palawan: First Encounter

  I turned thirty a week and a half ago, and I still cannot type the number.  The word is more comforting and aesthetically pleasing, I feel.  I spent the birthday weekend on the island of Palawan in the Philippines.  It's a long strip of an island surrounded for the most part by pristine seas, small outlying islands and the pristine reefs that accompany them.

  We snorkeled, ate good food, played with crocodiles, met political officials, toured the town and nightlife, and most importantly, slept in air con.

  I took the trip to the island, a quick one hour island hop on Cebu-Pacific airlines, with couple of my friends, Ginelle, Justin and Stephanie.  We accompanied my DevCom 140 classmates who could afford the trip and my professor, Sir Ed.  It was photo field trip and birthday adventure smashed into one exciting weekend.  

  I still am unable to process that I am fortunate enough to live there for two months, in less than 4 weeks!  Much less film a documentary there!  Unreal. 

  While we were there, we (Justin and I), were able to meet up with our internship coordinator, Bart.  He brought us up to speed on our missions and we brainstormed over a delectable breakfast, our last morning there.  Needless to say, we are even more stoked than before to be interning with 'Poor No More.'  

  One of many fantastic experiences of the group included dining with and meeting the Mayor of Puerta Princesa, the city we stayed in, and the same one I'll be living in.  He gave off a sense of calm, control, confidence and cunning on first impression.  He related stories of how he's 'made things happen' in Puerta Princesa.  He told us how he has effectively dealt with corruption on a national level, and made it work on his own local level.  

  

  He exuded ideals of progressivism.  I'm interested to see how the mayor operates on a daily basis, outside a first impressions environment.  I hope he maintains the hype he made for himself at dinner.

  I'm excited to share the few photographs I have here.  There will be many more to come.  

There's a few too many images to post up here with the text, and the connection here in the Philippines requires that I spend far too many precious hours of the my 30-year-old (hey!, I did it) body waiting for the upload, so visit this site!!!!

Love ya'll,

MJ

shape U.P.... My first filmed, edited, directed and produced....

  This is the first of many to come.  A warm-up if you will.  I think I've found my niche/calling, what have you.  No, I have.  I loved every moment of this.

  This is a project for my humanities course (HUM 2) at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB).  The project was to show a human artistic performance by our class section.

  We completed the filming on a Monday morning over about 2 hours.  The editing took about 3 days.  I realized at one point during the process, that this is the kind of stuff I had better get used to for the rest of my life.  And, I liked that feeling.

  Thank you to all that have thus far supported me and given me the encouragement to get out and do it.

MJ

My independent experience.

Currently, I reside in the island nation of the Philippines.  I have an address in the city of Los Banos, but my travels have taken me coast to coast on the island of Luzon, and Mindoro.  These are two of the larger of the 7,107 islands that make up the country.

Fact: Traveling outside Los Banos, even if just 20 km, is further than most Filipinos will travel outside of the city in their entire lifetime.  A sad fact indeed, but becoming more understandable as I engage with the Filipino culture and people. 

From what I have gathered, Spanish Rule from centuries back, is still deeply engrained in the lives of Filipinos.  As an American, I have come to realize that there are certain cultural liberties and freedoms that I have taken for granted, for most of my life.  Personal independence is one such.  

In the Philippines, family ties stronger than a noose are most common.  It would odd and possibly wrong to not leave the family home before the age of 25, even if married, male or female.  Some Filipinos live with nuclear family members for their entire lives, if not within several kilometers proximity.  

Rather than being expected to get a job and get on with your adult life at or around the ages of 18-21 in the States, Filipinos are expected to stay with the family beyond secondary schooling, college, marriage, and the like for as long as there is no good reason not too.  In fact, in most families here, it is looked upon as rude or disrespectful to not stay in the home grew up in and to visit on a weekly basis, even when far away at school.  Subsequently, elder rule is a way of life.  

My Filipino friends are sometimes astonished when I tell them of my experience with independence.  I do my best not to flaunt or seem as though my experience is better, but they all seem to be very receptive to the idea of personal freedoms in adulthood.  They cannot believe their ears when I tell them that I live on my own and like it, unmarried.  They are sometimes astonished to hear that I have family living over many miles away, and that I see my father and brother twice a year, at best.  And moreover, that it's not a driving concern of mine.  

The fact that I have a job and go to school full time is probably one of the most puzzling things to Filipinos.  They find it hard to comprehend making time for both.  This is understandable to me having experienced the college curriculum for only half of a semester thus far, and will be explained in another blog, entirely.  A rant that I'm saving for...

For now, I think the importance of this entry relates to those freedoms and liberties that I have taken for granted for so long.  I have taken for granted developing my own values and sets of rules to live by, and my ability to deviate or make exceptions in given situations.  I love my parents and family, but it has been long since I have 'lived under someone's roof', and not my own.  Similarly, I have always been encouraged to go out and to do whatever I dream and to make the most out of life as I see fit.  That is not the case for most Filipinos, and I can't help but think to myself how fortunate I am to be independent as I am.  

I haven't had a curfew for over 10 years, and I haven't had to check in, or really ask for any type of parental permission for about the same time.  I have Filipino friends of my same age, that still find themselves under someone's roof.  I can't imagine.  I appreciate the perspective I have gained, and without being too culturally insensitive, I will wrap up saying, 'Thank you Mom and Dad for encouraging my hopes, and dreams, and endeavors, and for letting me tinker with life, even if it bit me in the ass sometimes.'

MJ

Banca's, banca's and more banca's...

  What's a Banca?  It's a boat.  Not just an ordinary boat.  Not just a boat limited to one form, either.  Banca's are a way of inter-island travel in the Philippines.  They are typically associated with a long hull, bamboo supports beams perpendicular to the hull, as well as bamboo out-rigging.

    Most of my weekend Philippine adventures have found me on a banca at one point or another.  They are one of the most affordable means of travel outside your local island here.  Skimming across the ocean never felt so free.  Well, I haven't skimmed across the ocean any other way, so free I feel.

  My first ride on a banca was nerve racking.  Looking out from the port to an undetermined expanse of aquamarine blue, and seeing that I'm about to ride a boat held steady with bamboo, across it, is quite intimidating.  This is not to mention the dark clouds in the sky that day, the waves crashing hard on the cement pillars at the port-of-call or the endless reports of tragic losses at sea from capsizing.  Never in my life did I think I would put so much faith in bamboo.

  After my first ride though, I was completely at ease.  It's amazing to look over the side and have the Pacific deep at fingertip length, the wind in your face and the air of the open sea fill your lungs.  It's a Titanic moment every time, if only they'de let me out onto the bow.  Still working on that persuasion.

  Some research has shown that 'banca,' as it is known here in the Philippines is specific in name to the nation.  Most other parts of the world, specifically Indonesia, know them as 'Jukung.'  Some banca's have inboard motors, other's outboard.  The affordable mass-island-transit one's have inboard's and a carrying capacity of 150, on average.  Some, for small groups, to small private islands to go camping on and run out of water because someone left the spout open on the jug, overnight, and be parched the next day until the banca comes back late in the afternoon after we're all sunparched,  are no larger than your family inland lake canoe... but still ocean worthy.

White Beach, Mindoro

Real Beach, Luzon

Small Banca, Real Beach

Small Banca, I rode this back from the deserted island, and one-third of the way to it....

Low tide in Calapan, swam two-thirds of the way to middle island....

Flagging down our captain, decided to swim for the island, before he got there....

Dusk, taxiing into Mindoro.

Mindoro, first time.  Gorgeous!

Back of banca, with i/o exhaust.  Mmmmm.

Chillin' on the way home.

Justin's b-day trip to Mindoro, with J, Ena, Steph and Matt.

I wanna be that guy when I grow up.

Yeah, name your life vest after a horrible nautical disaster.  Great.

Sea-foam blue?

Pacific blue, bamboo holding steady.  

A tour of campus....

Hello all,

  This being much overdue, I have got hold of an interactive campus map of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB).
  This site is pretty simple and it appears as if the creators spent some time with it.  I spend most of weekdays roaming around here and going to class, so I suppose this is pretty significant in the general scheme of my abroad experience.  Enjoy exploring.
  Thank you Angela Minas, for providing me with the site address!

Regards to all,

MJ

Philippine Flora

  No, this isn't a re-cap of what I've learned in my Wildlife course at UPLB.  This is a few of the gorgeous pieces nature shows in its tropical galleries....

  I remember watching a movie this last winter that stood my hairs on end with the colors and the beautiful CG... Can't remember the name, but I remember thinking how amazing it would be if there was such a place.

  I think I'm as close to that place as I'll ever get.  The flowers and the trees and everything in between here, give me that not of this planet, 'hair standing on ends' feeling.

  Some of these new photos are from gardens and some from the forest and farms.  They are all naturally occurring, which I myself find most incredible.

  I'm of the understanding that nature by design means that certain species of life have adapted to their surroundings, in physical and physiological aspects.... But maybe, just maybe, these are some exceptions.  Maybe these are just there to be admired, and nothing else.  I'd be okay with that.

MJ

Our New View

   I am a grown-ass man.  I follow rules and in my adult life, I am relatively responsible.  I do live under a curfew and I will have friends and aquaintences over to my home, whenever I feel compelled.
 
   These were not such common liberties in the dorms of University of the Philippines Los Banos.  It's not that we felt the rules unjust, just that we, Justin McKinley and Elyse Kraussman and myself, thought ourselves competent to make our own rules and regulate them ourselves.

  So we moved.

  We now live on the 5th Floor of One Silangan Place, with a view....

  We can see to Laguna de Bay, and at night we see the lights of Southside Manila... Pretty nice diggs.

  Also, the rent is cheaper and we are closer to all of our courses... with the exception of Justin's ballroom dance course that's right across the street from the old dorm.  Sorry J.

  With this familiar, yet still new found independence, this new place is starting to really feel like home.  We cook, we keep it cleanish and we all get along pretty well.

   I enjoy coming home and feeling the breeze more prevalant as I ascend the flights of stairs.  Did I mention the view??!!!

   Common amenenties include our individual fans that come in handy except for the morning.  For in the morning there is no stopping the piercing fiery heat that is the Tropical Rising Sun.  And it comes straight through the east facing windows.... Downfall = waking up in an oven around 7 am.

   A small price to pay for the feeling of "Home."

   More to come!!

MJ

  

No more abandonment....

   Looking back to the last post, I realize that I've left a lot to be speculated on.... Or at least somethings to wonder about.  I feel like I've left some of you in the dark.  I really need to keep myself more accountable.

   For the lack of posting, I apologize.

   If there were anything that might suffice as a valid excuse, it would be this:  There has been so much to do, see and experience!!  I've done my best so far to keep it visually recorded, and these next few posts promise to inform and shed some light for those of you left in the preverbal dark.

   Not keeping my posts up-to-date has also brought the realization that keeping it all in my head is an impossibility.  So, there may be some patchwork thought processes going into the next few updates.... Bear with me!!

   As for video footage.... I have begun filming with the Sony HVR-A1U (review), and have been working on the tutorials provided by Final Cut Studio Student Edition in conglomeration with a brand-new 15" Macbook Pro (review)... Both are gorgeous machines and I feel so blessed to have such capability at my fingertips... Thank you to each and everyone of you that has helped me to realise the dream, thus far.

   You all know who you are!!!

   This all said.... I am very open to constructive suggestions for keeping myself more accountable to updating the blog.

   For those far from me, and those in close proximity... I'll do my best, from now on to keep it real and tell you all the experiences on 'The Phlip Side.'  

  MJ

 
  

2.5 weeks in.... Love.

Not in any particular order, here are a few of the things that have happened/occurred in the last couple of weeks.....

-Offer to check out and film a true cock fight.
-Judging of a Lady-boy (transgender) beauty pageant
-Met and made friends with the pioneers of Philippine rock climbing/outdoor adventure
-Island paradise weekend trip
-Started classes
-Thinking about moving out to a much cheaper place, in Los Banos, with grown-men rules
-Hiked to boiling mud springs on Mt. Makiling and Flat Rocks

  I plan on attaching my roommate's (Justin's) manuscript/rendition of the Lady-boy beauty pageant in order to appease any curiosity.
  A brief synopsis is this:  We go hike on a Monday, early morning, get home, sleep and shower to go out for dinner.  We eat dinner on a second floor balcony, and at the conclusion of eating we look over the balcony rail to see a sort of parade.  It was very similar to a high school homecoming parade, sans girls in there daddies convertibles....
  9 very attractive "women" were being escorted down the main strip in Los Banos, by men and we thought nothing of it....
  We left our dining establishment a bit later and took some shots of the end of the parade.  We went to local bar and had some coffee....
  We start walking home and hear commotion down an alley.  We check it out and see a huge crowd of people around what appeared to be a mock "So You Think You Can Dance" Filipino style.... with DJ, MC and all...
  As the only white skinned people for miles around, Justin and I were of course invited to sit in chairs, rather than on the concrete with everyone else, in true hospitable Filipino style, of course.  When a Filipino invites you to sit in their own country at a special event, you don't say no....
  Were we in for a helluva show!!!
  Three and a half hours, and a full length transgender beauty pageant later, Justin and I had surely had enough culture for the day and night and then some.  
  That may be most interesting of the stories as of yet, on our study abroad in the Philippines, but there are surely more to come.  We are actively pursuing the next adventure every single day.
  I'm including some pics of the aforementioned event as well as some others I think you all might enjoy.
Till next time, and that will be sooner than later.

Be well and love life,

MJ