First Trip to Mindanao
For the production team’s third out-of-town trip, we featured the Dinagatnon’s way of life in the province of Dinagat Islands, CARAGA region. They were formerly part of Surigao Del Norte. I appreciate every province that we visit and all the new experiences they bring. But the entire trip was not at all smooth-sailing, as we had to live with time and material constraints, observing how poverty afflicts their citizens. Mayor Gwendolyn Ecleo briefed us with the information that 80% are indigent families who rely on government. Though we are only supposed to produce a lifestyle program that focuses on cooking, we cannot separate the sad realities in the community. These were already shown in previous documentaries.
We did the following:
1. Had a 1 hour 20-minute flight from Manila to Surigao City via AirPhil Express, then an hour of boat ride to Dinagat
2. Hitched in motorcycles to get footage, running for more than 15 kilometers uphill. Videos include the hanging bridge, seawall, hospital, goat and carabao-raising, and vegetable farm
3. Featured native hats and mats made of Romlon.
4. Taped cooking demos by the different barangays including the seafoods preservation (Ginamos) of Cab-Ilan, seaweeds calamay of New Mabuhay, and Bukayo of Wadas
5. Went to the bakeshops featuring the famous Cream Loaf and Royal Bibingka which uses coconut milk and flour instead of rice
6. Witnessed the conference of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, which is accused to be a cult. Later we felt the earthquake in the island.
7. Entered the castle of the Ecleos at night
8. Bought lechon at 300 pesos per kilo
9. Shopped at Lovely Souvenirs and had a chat with the kind saleslady. She even gave me a gift: The yellow turtle keychain! I will add her up now on Facebook. :-)
We did the following:
1. Had a 1 hour 20-minute flight from Manila to Surigao City via AirPhil Express, then an hour of boat ride to Dinagat
2. Hitched in motorcycles to get footage, running for more than 15 kilometers uphill. Videos include the hanging bridge, seawall, hospital, goat and carabao-raising, and vegetable farm
3. Featured native hats and mats made of Romlon.
4. Taped cooking demos by the different barangays including the seafoods preservation (Ginamos) of Cab-Ilan, seaweeds calamay of New Mabuhay, and Bukayo of Wadas
5. Went to the bakeshops featuring the famous Cream Loaf and Royal Bibingka which uses coconut milk and flour instead of rice
6. Witnessed the conference of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, which is accused to be a cult. Later we felt the earthquake in the island.
7. Entered the castle of the Ecleos at night
8. Bought lechon at 300 pesos per kilo
9. Shopped at Lovely Souvenirs and had a chat with the kind saleslady. She even gave me a gift: The yellow turtle keychain! I will add her up now on Facebook. :-)
