Sat 29th Aug:
Spent most of the day recovering from yesterday... Lots of swimming, a little shopping, a movie with Tim & Alex (Pixar’s ‘UP’) and finishing the day over dinner with Jan, Malcolm, Tim & Alex, who leave tomorrow. The boys had another great day together forming strong friendships that will undoubtedly grow back home.

Fun in the pool

Sun 30th Aug:
We seemed to miss all the church services, but were amazed at how prevalent they were in shopping centres. Robinsons Mall (our local mall) alone had 3 churches based in shop fronts, and RC Masses occurring in alcoves around the centre. We had some early pool time and then said goodbye to Jan, Malcolm, Tim and Alex. We jumped in our first Manila Taxi (feeling very brave) and headed to the massive Greenhills Mall & Hawker Market about 5mins away. Filipinos love their Malls... they are everywhere and they are massive! We picked up some clothes and a few souvenirs, whilst constantly hounded by dodgy guys trying to flog dodgy DVDs (which are technically illegal, but the Philippines is rumoured to have the largest pirate movie industry in the world). You are constantly greeted by stall holders and shop assistants who say ‘hello maam’, ‘hello sirrrr’ in asian American accents. The ratio of Sales Assistants to customers is overwhelming, 2:1! In the Hawkers market we noticed after every sale that the stall keepers would rub the new money they received over all the unsold goods, apparently for luck. We noticed in a couple of sales ledgers headings like ‘God bless our sales’. A mix of faith and superstition... We couldn’t avoid walking through a huge Mass in progress in the centre of the mall which was packed with shoppers. We loved the tags that said ‘original replicas’. Came home for a swim, dinner and bed.

Under cover Hawkers Market at Greenhills... 'Hello Maam, you buy bag?!!'

Mon 31st Aug:
‘National Heroes Day’ – Public Holiday. After breaky we were in the mall for opening at 10am to grab some cash and heard throughout the complex the opening prayer, asking for God’s blessing on the day and their sales, help for the shopkeepers to be thankful for their jobs and be given the strength to serve their customers well etc... Very cool.
We headed for Intramuros this morning, the old walled city from the time of Spanish rule (1500’s), and site of Gen Macarthur’s HQ during WWII. Another successful Manila Taxi ride... 150php for a 30min ride worked out about $3aud. It’s a real tourist mecca but well worth a look for the incredible history. We were greeted by Albert as we got out of the cab who promptly ‘propositioned’ us and become our tour guide for the following 2hours, in a pony drawn buggy. It was a really hot day (90% humidity) but the breeze caused by the movement made it a little more bearable. We visited the amazing Manila Cathedral were former President Cory Aquino’s funeral was held only weeks before. Albert took us ‘backstage’ and we visited a small chapel/ mausoleum which held the tombs of previous Filipino Cardinal’s including one aptly named ‘Cardinal Sin’! The history of the place (Intramuros and the Philippines in general) really is incredible and sad, Earthquakes/Typhoons, Spanish and English colonisations, invasion by the Japanese and occupancy by the United States over many years, and horribly corrupt leaders. The walls of the city are full of bullet and grenade holes. Albert took great pleasure in showing us where things ‘used to be’... his commentary was insightful and hilarious. We picked up some souvenirs and were dropped off at Rizal Park, which was full of people (in the shade) due to the public holiday. Another successful Air Conditioned Taxi ride back to the hotel. There’s no real ‘middle class’ here from our initial and probably crude observations... there’s the extremely poor, the poor, the working class, and the extremely wealthy. Watching life happen in the Philippines, you certainly become conscious of how good we have it in Australia.


Manila Cathedral


One of the many ruined but still beautiful churches dating from the 16th century


Will and Albert at one of the outside chapels

One of the villas courtyards (1500's)

The end of the line... being dropped off at Rizal Park

Tue 1st Sep:
If yesterday was ‘national heroes day’ I guess today was ‘JM day’. None of us slept well, Liss was ready for the day before the boys were even up. We all felt queezy in the tummy and full of emotion (excitement and nervousness). We met the ICAB Social Worker in the lobby and jumped in a Hotel car at 9:45am for the 30+ min trip to CRIBS Foundation (Childrens Home/ orphanage were JM lives) in Marikina City. We were told to pack clothes etc because some orphanages ask for the kids clothes back before you left, we had everything except shoes. We met all the ‘significant’ workers associated with JM’s care who went through JM’s past history and documents and we got to ask lots of questions. We were thrilled to receive a ‘life story book’ of the past 2.5 years with baby pictures (incl one with his birth father which is brilliant), a lock of his hair, and even a squashed first birthday candle. We received a copy of JM’s daily routine, Filipino words etc. The carers were very affectionate and clearly adored him, after about an hour of talking suddenly the door opened and there was our new little fella, carrying his pictures of us which he has looked at every morning for the last 5 months. He was so excited and recognised us immediately. He jumped straight into Liss’s arms and began jabbering away. He has the cutest little language (think high pitched ‘ewok’ from Star Wars), most of it completely nonsensical according to the carers. He lit up even more when Will gave him a little ‘Barney the Dinosaur’ toy. He’s mad about Barney! We played together for a while and then had a tour of CRIBS, checking out our son’s home for the last 2+ years. It was small and run down and hot, but they are doing great work, also running a shelter and school for girls rescued from sexual abuse from ages 7-17. The workers we met were all amazing, and we are thankful that JM was surrounded by so much love. JM was really taken with Will, following him around and touching him constantly. We eventually left, no tears from JM, no grizzles, no nothing... he was asleep on Liss within 10mins of us leaving, and he even came with shoes! Liss said she couldn’t have been more content at that moment. On the way back in the taxi Will expressed his relief that JM was so great, didn’t look as old as he thought, was actually really cute, and he wasn’t nervous at all anymore. Neither were we! It felt a little like a dream. We were so conscious of the thoughts and prayers of so many and of God’s hand on us at the time. We got back to the hotel in time for lunch, some quick shopping for formula, sandals, and a little cup and bowl set (which we found in the ‘Barney’ aisle of the kids section). Lots of fun and laughter in the pool as a family, and under the poolside shower after. JM thought the power to turn water on and off that fell from the sky was hilarious. We know where to take him if we hit a rough patch in the next few days! Back to change for dinner. JM had an adult serve of Spaghetti which he literally inhaled and then bath and bed time. It’s now 9:50pm and he’s been soundly asleep since 6:45pm without a grizzle. Liss lay down with him until he dozed off (about 15-20mins) and he looks like a little angel. We’re sitting on the couch writing and can’t wipe the smiles off our faces as we think about the day and look over the photos...we’re pretty whacked from the emotion of the day so am off to bed. xo

First family shot of the 'Campbell 4'

Check out lots more photos from today on this public facebook album (just copy and paste the link)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143037&id=632594049&l=22582fb9f9