Bacolod Day 1

Thirty one students and staff traveling from Singapore to Bacolod, Philippines. We all met at 8 in the morning at Changi terminal 1 row 12. We met parents and friends of our students at the airport and they became part of our send off.

The Singapore to Manila flight was mostly uneventful until we had to abort landing few hundred meters above the ground. As the engine roared, I knew exactly what had happened but none of my students seemed to know and to care. We circumnavigated around the busy Manila airport and landed safely on the pilot's 2nd attempt to land. A quick immigration pass thru and we transferred from the international to the domestic terminal. We had our chance to snap our 1st group photo at terminal 2 just before boarding our 2nd flight.

The Bacolod to Manila flight flew very fast. While waiting for our pick up from Gawad Kalinga (Give Care) Foundation, we took the opportunity to get a local sim card with data plan. My students are specially happy :)

Half an hour later traveling with 3 vans, we reached ERK village and we've settled into our simple dorms. This will be our home for the next 14 days!Read more