Weekend escapes from Manila

This weekend was a bit of a mixed bag.  Saturday we climbed Mt. Makiling for the second time, but this time it was a bit more challenging.  Since it was super rainy, the trail was extremely muddy and the leeches were out in full force.  We were attacked for almost the full 16km hike and had some leech wounds to show for it by the end.  Sunday I escaped Manila again for a quick day trip to The Farm, an organic farm and spa about an 1.5hrs away from Manila.  

Baseco

Last Friday I went to visit a project in Metro Manila that works to help communities reduce their risk to flooding.  We visited Baseco, an barangay just north of the port in a flood-prone area.  In addition to being flood-prone, the community is also grappling with serious solid waste issues.

Ducks!

This is a little late in getting posted, but a few weeks ago I had the change to go down to Bukidnon and see the entire length of the duck value chain.  We saw ducks hatching, ducks laying eggs, and ducks fertilizing rice.  We even had two duck-themed meals where every dish had duck or duck eggs in it.  I even had balut for the first time; a fertilized, partially formed duck embryo that is boiled and eaten out of the shell.  Mine was 17 days, so not too crunchy, did have a beak.

My balut.