Welcome banner at Leganes National High School

After three days in Manila, our TGC cohort split into groups of two and three for our field experiences. Roma and I traveled to Iloilo City, on the island of Panay, where our host Zoilo met us and guided us around the city. Once in town, we visited some historic churches and the old port area.

Iloilo palms

At the Iloilo CIty port

Colorful Iloilo

Jaro belfry, Iloilo City

Worshipers at the Our Lady of the Candles shrine

Roma and I were treated like celebrities when we arrived at the high school in the morning. Students greeted us with a parade, complete with marching band and baton twirlers. Never before have I felt so important!

Welcome banner at Leganes National High School, complete with life-size photos of our faces

After meeting the mayor and posing for approximately 254 photographs, we presented a brief introduction to the US education system and our schools to an audience of Leganes High School staff and students. Dr. J, our Julius West mascot, was a hit!

Dr. J, now famous in the Philippines!

Food has definitely been in abundance ever since we arrived in the Philippines. One teacher joked that TGC (Teachers for Global Classrooms) actually stands for Teachers Getting Chubby. Today we were offered two breakfasts, two snacks, and two lunches. I look forward to our two dinners. I may transform into a hobbit, or a blimp, by the time I leave the country.

Local specialties: lumpia, mango, grilled bangus, chop suey

Even more food!

In the afternoon we conducted team-building games with a group of 80 students. We tangled up in knots while building our communication and cooperation skills – and our patience. Of course we couldn’t resist jumping in and joining the fun!

All tangled up during our team-building activity at Leganes National High School