Cebu Day 3 - Daanbantayan

Misheil and Tom arranged for us to stay at the Crimson Resort on Mactan our first night in Cebu. It is very nice.

This is the view from the lobby area.

Here are a few pictures from the drive from Cebu to Daanbantayan. It is only 130 km but we were on the road for about 3.5 hours including a stop for lunch.

Here are some school kids on their way home for lunch.

Hang on!

I don't think there is a limit other than the number of places to sit or stand.

Here is an inside shot of Fidela's house. Although very quiet in this picture it was a beehive of activity for the next day or so.

As soon as we arrived Tony, Myla's husband, prepared some coconuts for us to drink.

Here I enjoy one. Actually, I think this is the first time I had a fresh coconut like this. It was very nice.

Here Fidela's sister, Delia and Misheil's sister, Mia, prepare cakes for a town festival that was taking place in the next day or two.

Misheil's dad, along with the rest of the Philippines, is big into cock fighting. He has about 20 cocks staked out in the backyard. They live in their own little circle each with their own shelter. They have to be kept separated or the will fight until one is dead.  Notice the leash on the leg.  They are molting now so they aren't very showy.

These are some orchids growing in the backyard.

Click to enlarge.

This is the scene across the street from the family compound.

After meeting Misheil's extended family it is obvious that for generations they have emphasized faith, education, hard work and a generous spirit as family values. In the Philippines, where the social safety net isn't very far off the ground, social outcomes seem magnified. I think the U.S. has something to learn here. I'm not advocating for a lower social safety net but it struck me that the U.S. would be better off if more Americans emulated the Aballe/Coyoca family values.

Later in the afternoon the family visited Misheil's grandfather's grave and we tagged along. Here are few street scenes from along the way.

This guy looks like he is hauling firewood instead of people.

These school girls were on their way home.

This is one section of the cemetery. These are family memorials.

Here is Misheil's grandfather's grave. As a non-Catholic, I don't feel that I fully understand the significance of the candles but it is standard procedure as noted in the previous posting.  Cebu - Day 1 and 2

This cow is part of the grounds keeping crew. He and a goat are moved from spot to spot to keep the grass under control.

This section was in a part of the cemetery affect by a typhoon a few years ago. The black I assume is soot from candles. No idea what happened to the cover on the one in the center. There were a lot of niches in similar condition.

These kids were hanging around and seemed to be pretty interested in us foreigners. I can imagine they don't see a lot of foreigners here. Daanbantayan is pretty much at the end of the road on Cebu. Click here for a map of Cebu. Google Maps - Daanbantayan

Here is one of the stainless steel jeepneys.

You can see them a long way off at night since every surface is reflective.













It was almost dinnertime when we arrived back from the cemetery. Here the main course arrives.

In this picture the roast pig or lechon is ready to be served.

The ladies must have been cooking for a couple of days. It was an incredible feast. Notice all the seafood. I see fish, squid, shrimp and crabs on first inspection.