Graduation Season to the Start of Summer
- Stephanie Estrera
- Apr 12, 2019
- 4 min read
Currently Listening to: Soft Sounds from Another Planet by Japanese Breakfast – “Diving Woman” from this album is so cosmic and groovy. And it’s made me kind of obsessed with the haenyeo, or the matriarchal, free-diving women of Jeju Island
Currently Watching: Game of Thrones Season 6 and 7 – things are spicy
Currently Reading: LOL GRE PREP BOOKS – I’m taking the GRE in July. Not super excited, but you gotta do what you gotta do
Somethings I'm Looking Forward to: my trip to Palawan next week with Rach, Vi, and Kat; Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé – I remember laying in my bed watching this stream live. It's like Beyoncé knew I needed a film about the preparation for it!
I’ve come to realize that I’m so inconsistent with writing here, and it’s probably because I don’t feel inspired to post something until I’m about to burst with news and information! Which is difficult to organize, but I’ll try (for no one else but myself… I really like reading back on these posts!). Rather than doing it chronologically, I’m going to do an “IN/OUT” list like Massie Block did for The Clique (which btw is a cinematic and literary masterpiece!) to discuss what I did on the last week of school and first week of summer!
IN
_Sea Turtles: I went diving on Apo Island with some friends, and there’s a reason this island is such a popular diving spot. Apo means “grandchild”, probably because it’s a little island 30ish minutes from the coast of Negros Oriental. Apo Island is home to hundreds of species of fish, coral, and sea turtles! I saw sea turtles sleeping. I saw sea turtles munching on kelp. I saw sea turtles swimming around being themselves. IT WAS GLORIOUS!
My friends and I went diving with Harold’s Dive Center, which has a unique relationship with Peace Corps Philippines. Harold’s grandmother and mother used to host Peace Corps Volunteers, so he’s had a connection with PC for a hot minute. He also runs a hostel, which is very affordable option if you’re looking into staying in Dumagete for the night. I feel like Harold and I are pals now, I mean he like… bought us mangos and stuff. Which to me, is a sign of friendship.
_Red Waterfalls: My friends and I did a half-day trip to Valencia, Negros Occidental from Dumagete to check out the Pulangbato Falls. Pulangbato means "red rock", and the water from these falls cascade down rock formations with sulfur deposits. It's also not far from the Red Rock Hot Springs, but we didn't have time to check it out. Next time!
_Ibus and Mango: Suman sa ibus is a sticky rice that you can easily transport because it’s usually wrapped in banana leaves. Easy, affordable breakfast option. Not to mention, it’s a zero-waste breakfast option because the mango skin and banana leaves protect the delicious food inside. Thanks nature!
_Rites of Passage: Last week was the graduation week for all of the elementary schools in my district. I was invited to attend every elementary graduation in the district, which was a great opportunity for me to visit the other schools! The ceremonies I saw all started off with the students walking in with their parents, and included tributes to their family in which they presented their graduation sash or garland to their family. I feel as though this really highlights the importance of family and community, especially in the school community. Maybe I shed a tear once or twice or all nine times (since there were nine ceremonies. Which is a lot of ceremonies). I’m an empathetic crier! Which means I cry whenever I see someone else cry. And I saw a lot of parents and students cry.
Not to homogenize the Filipino student’s experience, because there are definitely plenty of students that have a myriad of protective factors (i.e., their parents are highly involved in the school community, the have all their needs covered to focus on school, etc.), but some students have to walk far to get to school. Some students have to work or help out more around the house, so school isn’t their main focus. For some students, school is not always easily accessible (I mean… it’s like that in the States too!), so passing the mark of elementary is something to be celebrated for all. This year’s theme was “unity in diversity, quality education for all”, which really resonated with me. The Philippines is a country made up of literally thousands of islands and numerous dialects, but there’s still a major push to provide high quality education for all students.
OUT
_Swimmer’s Ear: I’m pretty sure I have it
_Pink Eye: I also might have this too?
_Single Use Plastic: SUP is always out. I’m hoping to work on a science club this summer for the next school year, which will focus on environmental education for the students. Maybe even culminate into an eco-camp? Who knows. Anyways, remember that there’s no conscious consumerism under capitalism, so try and reduce before you reuse/recycle!
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