ATTENTION: SUNDAY SKED: 9 AM - some group will be at the hospital for unpacking..8:30 at the lobby please 10 AM - Jaime, Megs and the host Rotary club will have a radio interview for Rotary public image. LUNCH is open/free to move around.. 1:00 PM - Group's orientation at the hospital with local volunteers, too. 6:30 PM - Welcome Dinner with the host Rotary Club (Iloilo Central) , see you 6pm - hotel lobby A VAN IS STAND BY at the hotel for the transport to the hospital and back during the work week.. --- Dr. Jaime, Dr. Dahl, Dr. Charles and Debbie arrived today in Iloilo at least half an hour after the whole team arrived from Manila. We had fun in Roxas City, too. The support and welcome reception was overwhelming and thanks to Rotary Club of Roxas and its provincial government, too. Food was great but most especially, the Rotarians here can't wait to see us back for the next visit..yes, and seafoods were served being the place as SEAFOOD's CAPITAL. We had a successful series of meetings with Governor Vic Tanco, Mayor Bermejo and the Provincial Hospital Officers and staff, tagging along are other Rotarian members, too. Also, we had a side trip to some neighboring Barangays and the museums...all were assisted by the host club RC Roxas. I guess, the place is positive area for the next mission in 2010. Oh, we visited today the hospital and talked to the ENT head Dr. Bryan and other residents, too and everything was organized by them, we are impressed. Goodluck everyone! Oh well, we miss the "old timers" team, we missed you here now for the 2009 mission. And welcome to the new ones...am sure you will have fun! Thanks also for making a difference in the life our children here in the Philippines..you are great guys! (Roxas pics to follow by next week though. Thanks) Cheers guys! Megs

We Have Arrived! February 14, 2009

We had a great trip on Philippine Airlines. The legroom wasn't that bad, the service was good and we had several snacks including dinner being served shortly after leaving San Francisco. At 2:00 A.M., San Francisco time, we were served breakfast. We arrived in Manila 4:00 A. M. local time. Another "plus" was that ALL of our luggage arrived safely.

One of the "fun" items on the trip was the CONSTANT checking our tickets and passports, at least 2 and sometimes 3 before and after going through security and also checking again at the gate, etc., etc. Quite frankly, I don't think any of us felt any more secure in the process.

The photos show the "stack" of blue boxes and our personal luggage at customs in Manila. Then a shot from above of a courtyard in Manila with Magnolias in bloom. Last but definitely not least a "Royal" reception from the Rotary Club of Central ILOILO City District 3850.

Happy Valentine's Day!

4 Days and counting, February 8, 2009

A group of the team from Denver met at Wheatridge Presbyterian Church to attend church and receive a Blessing of the TAGHOY Mission Team. After the church service we assembled in Fellowship Hall for a light lunch, receive our Uplift Internationale shirt, name tag and luggage stickers. Jaime then gave us a PowerPoint presentation of where we are going and outlined many of the responsibilities and highlights of the trip. Jack Dahl gave a brief review of the "do's and dont's" while we are gone. i.e. brush your teeth only with bottled water, do bring a small flashlight in case the power goes off, don't lose your passport, etc., etc. From all indications "everything is GO" and we will leave Denver on February 12th, arriving in ILOILO on February 14th. Hopefully it will be a "GREAT" Valentine's Day for all!