The Team

Marie-Michèle

The most magical moments

• The grand view from the top of the mountains in Sagada
• The satisfaction of a day of hard work and learning while performing the general exams for the birds of prey at the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City, Mindanao

• Our adventure climbing through the caves in Sagada, first manouvering through guano to eventually find ourselves barefoot in huge pools of clear, cool water
• The time we spent familiarizing the rescued dogs to human contact at Animal Kingdom Foundation in Tarlac, Luzon

 Some difficult moments

• The time I badly cut my foot in the dirtiest river I have ever seen, in which we had the good idea to go swimming! I jumped into the river because I was being followed a little too closely by a dog who didn't look particularly friendly... Rabies being omnipresent in the Philippines, I decided not to take a chance. Instead, I spent about a week limping around.
• When our internship with the lizards didn't end up working out, right at the beginning of the trip, and we had to find other options

Favourite Filipino food

Turon (banana wrapped in fried pastery with brown sugar inside and sometimes jackfruit) and Biko (sticky rice with sugar and jackfruit)

If she were to return to the Philippines, where would she go?

Sagada for its mountains, Palawan for its paradise beaches! And I would like to visit the more obscure parts of Mindanao where we didn't get the chance to go because of terrorist threats. The culture seems very unique to that region.

Her recommendations for other visitors to the Philippines

One should make every effort to integrate into the culture, learning as much of the language as possible, trying local dishes... the people are very open and excited about sharing their culture!

Favourite word

"Maraming salamat po" (Thanks very much)- words that describe so well all that we wanted to say to our hosts for all that they gave and shared with us, and to the project Défi Vet-Monde for having given us the opportunity to participate in this once in a lifetime experience.

Something she learned about veterinary medicine in the Philippines

It's incredible how the veterinarians have developped different techniques to compensate for the common lack of funds or materials. For example, old flip-flops were used to construct cushions to protect the feet of some birds of prey from pododermatitis! We also saw a blow dart made from piping and old seringes- ingenious!

Taya

The most magical moments

• Discovering that just below the surface of the water was a world of vibrant colours and unimaginable shapes and textures! Dark purple starfish measuring 40cm across, coral ranging from delicate whisps to large round brain-shaped orbs, and all the varieties and colours of fish one could imagine!
  

• Singing karaoke. Everywhere!
• Spending the evening player cards with the Oxales family, who taught us all their favourite games.
• In general, all the amazing people we met. We tried to thank them all throughout this site, but to everyone who made our trip so meaningful, THANK YOU!

Some difficult moments

• At the beginning I was able to pretend that I wasn't really eating meat, but after two weeks of eating meat every day (after never having eaten any before in my life!), I started finding it more difficult to imagine that it was tofu! Especially when the pork still had some hairs on the outside...
• The fundraising campaigns required an enormous amount of energy. It was a good lesson in time management and learning how to cope with stress. I learned a lot about myself during this period, especially what my limits are and the importance of finding balance between work and rest... not always straightforward!

Favourite Filipino food

Buko salad : When mama Inday made it for us, I was sure that I would explode before I could stop eating it!

If she were to return to the Philippines, where would she go?

I would visit the southern part of Palawan to visit the other UNESCO site ... Marie-Pier, I'll need to borrow your Lonely Planet! I would also go back to visit our family in Davao and the Philippine Eagle Foundation, maybe climb Mount Apo....

Her recommendations for other visitors to the Philippines

Don't spend too much time in Manila. Domestic flights are a very easy way to get around within the country (and a lot safer than the ferries). Filipinos appreciate it if you know a bit of Tagalog. Take advantage of all the fruit, especially the yellow mangos! And don't be afraid of the jeepneys, tricycles, etc, people will help you out!

Favourite word

Mahal kita (I love you) -featured in all Filipino songs (which can be heard at 4am, being sung be groups of men at the karaoke bar)

Something she learned about veterinary medicine in the Philippines

The veterinarians in the Philippines are very well educated but have few opportunities to make a living in this profession. Many end up in Canada or the US to work on farms, where they often make more money than they would working as vets in the Philippines...

Marie-Pier

The most magical moments

• Our day of SCUBA diving in Bohol! It was the first time diving in the ocean for the three of us! Magical!
• The general exams performed on the Birds of Prey at the Philippine Eagle Foundation. These were often performed at night when it was easier to catch the birds.

• Our first ride on a tricycle. It was our first day of taking public transportation, but certainly not the last! Public transportation is an adventure each time, whether it is 50 people crammed into (and onto!) a Jeepney or because the tricycle you are riding is being shared with a pig!

A more difficult moments

Towards the end of our trip, we had some money stolen from us while we were sleeping on the bus heading north to Sagada. As our trip was coming to an end, money was becoming scarce and we found that we had to tighten our belts a little farther than expected, but now it makes for a good story!

Favourite Filipino food 

Turon of course! (Banana wrapped in fried pastery). All of the food prepared by Mama Inday (our Filipino mother during our placement with the eagles) was also particularly delicious and typical of traditional Filipino fare.

If she were to return to the Philippines, where would she go?

• To Palawan! This island is truly paradise, with white sand and azure water! I would go to the northern part of the island where we didn't get the chance to visit, particularly El NIdo.
• Sagada in the north was also charming with its rice terraces and cooler temperatures. Wherever you go in the Philippines, you are sure to receive a warm welcome!

Her recommendations for other visitors to the Philippines 

Try all the food that people recommend to you, learn a few words of the language, and take public transportation! Filipinos are very proud of their country and will joyfully share their culture with you if you keep an open mind.

Favourite word

I'm not sure how it's written, but "nagagalak po akong makilalacayo" or something to that effect! Taya, I need your Lonley planet dictionary !!! This was one of the first phrases that we learned on the plane heading to the Philippines! It means "pleased to meet you!"!

Something she learned about veterinary medicine in the Philippines

Although their facilities are sometimes wanting, veterinary medicine in the Philippines is interesting and efficient! The education seems to vary between each university there but the vets are generally well educated and competant. Unfortunately, their salaries are low and many Filipinos lack the means to pay for proper veterinary care.