HY + CC in Philippine

Hihi! Greetings from Taiwan. My brother and I were back from Philippine. We went there on the 28^th and left Pagadian city this Monday and reach home on Tuesday early morning. I found it is easy to travel to Pagadian city from Taiwan, but it was exhausted. Going and coming back it was all midnight flight. On the day going and coming back from Pagadian city we met the city Mayor’s wife and she still remembered us from last year.

Since last year visited Philippine, Pagadian my brother and I had the thought that we wanted to go back. But we had no idea what we can do. My thought was trying to give support and care for their life especially the people in SakaD’A. SakaD’A is a group of young people who get together perform dance and drama. They are in their early 20’s. SakaD’A changed a lot compare with last time we met the group. Now only few people we knew. SakaD’A faced difficulties through the past year and most of the people left because of studies and works. Three weeks ago they had a new group of people joined. My brother and I spent most of our time with those we knew, seven of them.

We stay at the same place, the same room as AFL visited last year. And the girls’ room was the same without air-con. Our host didn’t repair since last year we left. But the city changed. They have a new airport and it was more convenient. It took less than 30 mins to reach the place we were staying. The main road in front of our place is constructing into double wide. There is a new department coming and the boss is the Mayor’s wife.

We were in Pagadian with another 4 Malaysian Chinese, Nandor and Weny couple, Kaylin and Jackie. Jackie will be in Taiwan with us for the Chinese in Action. Nandor and Weny went twice a year to give family workshops there and helping the team develops. This was their fifth time visiting.

We attended Nandor’s sensitivity training with SakaD’A. And we had one to one time with each of them. I appreciate the time with them and their trust + open sharing. Through the workshop drawing the family tree I got to know their background more. And through one to one time together I can ask more details and really give support to their life as they needs. Each of them has their own issues in life. I was touch by their attitude. Even it is painful to go back to the pass, they still willing to try. During the workshop each of them cried. The time with us they cried again. The time we left can see hopes in their life and some people already taking small step of action. We also went to Gen’s niece one year old birthday party and met his big family. XYZ’s mum and younger brother came to the Change Start with Me conference.

Oct 3^rd they had their first Change Start with Me conference. It was a one day conference from 9 am to 4 pm. The theme for this time was Love starts with Family. In the morning Nandor was the keynote speaker. And then two Malaysia friends + me + two Filipino went to share our stories. Everything was translated into their language. We had Q&A time. And can see the people who attended were shy to speak but they keep passing note to the MC to asked questions and shared their feelings. In the afternoon were small groups’ time and each group needed to come up with a performance to present. It can be singing or drama. We had fun in the afternoon. There were around 50 people attended and we had one senior couple Vic and Alice DIAZ came from Manila as well. Now Pagadian slowly can see a team form and they are ready to have the same conference next year.

Best wishes

H.Y