Today, is the day that I have been waiting for since I applied for the YSEALI Professional Fellowship Program Fall 2018...Yup you read it right! 2018! I already applied for this program last year but wasn't able to be chosen as the professional fellow. I was a bit heart broken when I got an email … Continue reading Never give up on your dreams…
Divin’ in Sablayan
Francis and I traveled from Manila to Occidental Mindoro on May 14th. The original plan was to divide our four days in Mindoro into two: mountains and sea. The mountain excursion had to be cancelled to due unforeseen conditions. Francis told me that meant we would have four days on the beach. I don't think … Continue reading Divin’ in Sablayan
The Fella in Manila
Goodbye Texas Very early in the morning on May 3rd my supervisor kindly picked me up from my place and we made the trip north to George W. Bush International Airport. Low on sleep and high on caffeine, I turn to see this astronaut bovine planting the Lone Star Flag in what I presume to … Continue reading The Fella in Manila
The Spirit of Bayanihan
Setting the Scene According to the World Risk Report of 2018, the Philippines is the third most vulnerable country to disasters. The country lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire where 80% of earthquakes occur. Around 20-25 typhoons ravage the country every year, leading to the loss of lives and millions of damages to infrastructure and … Continue reading The Spirit of Bayanihan
Challenged to Dream
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will be not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” –Martin Luther King, Jr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his historic speech entitled “I have a dream” during the … Continue reading Challenged to Dream
A day with the Native Americans
I spent a day with Fabian and Letitia Jensen, both Native Americans residing on the Grey Mountain within the Navajo Nation. I also met Jason, Fabian's nephew, who showed us around his Hogan that he and his father built from scratch. The Navajo Nation is a territory covering more than 70,000 square kilometers. This is … Continue reading A day with the Native Americans
Finally in Flagstaff, Arizona
My month-long fellowship will be with the Coconino County in Flagstaff, Arizona. It has a population of only about 75,000. Flagstaff has a strong tourism sector with an estimate of more than 20,000 visitor arrivals per year, due to its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, the Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater, and … Continue reading Finally in Flagstaff, Arizona
My first time in the USA
After almost 24 hours travel time, the Filipino fellows arrived in Washington D.C. on the evening of October 10th. Since most of us were exhausted, only Marc Almario and myself went outside to walk a bit and find a pharmacy where we can buy some personal supplies that we needed. Our first day in DC, … Continue reading My first time in the USA
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program 