Philippine holiday part 3

Late afternoon the three sisters went to a beauty parlour. Here they are with their new look!

We went to see Ivy's benefactor. Dr Sergio Rodriguez employed Ivy in his household staff and financed her through university as a working student. His sponsorship enabled Ivy to get her degree in Social Work. Without his help, Ivy would not be where she is today. For several years now he has been in the long, slow process of recovery from a stroke, a process Ivy helped in the early years. The picture on the right shows a multi-coloured crystalline rock used as a fountain in his garden. Charles, meanwhile, was thrilled to see bats wheeling overhead.

On Wednesday, Ivy & Irene went to Tagum city to sort out some documents at the land registry. Tagum is about an hour's drive north of Davao, and has a much more provincial air. Each barangay is headed by a Barangay Captain who leads a Barangay council. A Barangay is relatively small community, comprises 50 to 100 households/families.

Municipal Hall

Bureau of Inland Revenue

Tagum City Overland Transport Integrated Terminal

Tagum City Public Market

Front View of the Market

Land Registry Office

A family selling Lanzones just outside DENR office

In the evening, Ivy's friend Hannah (from their university days) and her boyfriend Joy came to see us.

On Thursday night, Ivy, sister Joanavi and brother Michael together with Hannah and Joy went out to a night club. The plan was to go to VENUE but when they got there it was extremely crowded so they decided to have a try at MTS (Matina Town Square). It is about 5 minutes drive from the downtown area. The place has lots to offer. There were several live bands performing, a beauty contest and and some dance groups dancing some of the Philippine native dances.

Before we set off, Ivy made sure that her husband was well fed. (David isn't keen on night clubs and was happy to stay behind to look after Charles).

David and Joanavi talking about English history!

Ivy with her youngest sibling

Ivy's parents

At the Matina Town Square. This opened a few years ago, and is a complex of bars, eating places, stages and discos. It plays host to a variety of events, some cultural and some just for amusement. There is always something going on.