VIDA Volunteer Hazel Maglantay currently works with KAFCODE as an Organisational Development Adviser. Here she shares her thoughts on being reacquainted with her Filipino roots, among others.

Q: How’s it like working with Filipinos, with you being Fil-Australian? Was it more of a challenge or helpful, etc?
A: Once a Pinay, always a Pinay! I quickly reacquainted myself with various Filipino quirks, most times it makes work (and life in general) so much easier. I’ve learned to like videoke too, even if it means singing (badly) and reliving my rock chick days singing cheesy hair band songs.

I would have to add that knowing the local language is a huge help. It has been useful with my work especially when writing in Filipino. Funny thing is the reverse is happening since I've picked up some of the Mindoro intonations too well that my friends and family laugh at me when I talk to them in English!

Q: You’ve been in the Philippines for more than a year now. What have been your best VIDA memories in the country so far?
A: I have many great memories and each day brings opportunities for growth and new experiences. One of them was celebrating project completion with fisherfolks and their families and having a slideshow of their pictures. This was a great feat considering there was no electricity in the community and the laptop had limited battery power.

Q: Tell us about your assignment with KAFCODE.   
A: For the past year I was involved in enhancing the organisation’s microfinance operations and assisted in our Eskwelahang Munti Learning Center. In support of our Environmental Stewardship program, I participated in ALAMIN (Alyansa Laban sa Mina) conferences and other anti-mining workshops and seminars in Calapan, assisted in producing advocacy materials, communications and edited proposals.

I also worked on a Community-based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) project in a small fishing village in Bansud, 2 hours south of Calapan.  My role involved organizing meetings with local barangay officials, setting up focus group discussions with stakeholders and formed a group of 35 fisherfolk members of the PO (People's Organization), to lead a process of planning and group analysis of key community needs.  We established 179 units of concrete reef modules to provide marine sanctuary, increase the number of fish stocks and rehabilitate the fishing grounds which have been damaged from years of illegal fishing practices such as dynamite fishing.

Currently, I am busy with our Transparency and Accountability Governance (TAG) project.  We pooled together key stakeholders from active NGOs and civil society organizations (CSO) in Calapan City, conducted several constituency, partnership building and training activities with farmers, fisherfolks and market vendors and worked together with the Planning Office of the City Government.  We aim to form a citywide CSO coalition who will proactively engage with the local government to identify and include their sectoral development reform agenda in the City's Annual Investment Plan.  

Q: What is the biggest challenge in your assignment? How did you respond to that?
A: Sometimes it can feel like I'm tied to a desk drowning in paperwork loaded with very long acronyms and donor jargon, since a lot of my work involves writing various reports to funding partners and producing documentation for the bulk of our projects.  However, I am lucky that there are plenty of opportunities for field work where I can see the other side of what we do and spend time with people in the community who benefit from our work.

Q: What do you do in your spare time in Calapan?
A: I’m happy to be anywhere where I can just about smell the ocean, so I go to the local beaches here as much as I can. I go out with friends and visit their local hotspots, have ihaw-ihaw and lots of merriment. When at home, I catch up on some reading and do yoga. With the wonders of Skype, I am able to re-connect with family and friends back in Australia, and even play online chess with my 9-year old nephew.

Q: What’s your favorite local dish?
A: This question is not fair; there's too many to choose from! I love ensaladang talong with paho and itlog na maalat, my Tita's ginataang gabi with dilis, my friend's tinola with native manok, lomi from a resto in Roxas, sinigang with sugpo or tanigi..My day is also not complete without turon/banana-q and taho...or all three.

Q: What are your top 5 Philippine destinations?
A:
1. Tingloy Island, Batangas
2. Buktot Beach, Mansalay
3. GeoFarm, Pangasinan
4. Mt. Halcon, Baco (still on my to do list)
5. Sagada (also still on my to do list)

Q: How has the program helped you as a person?
A: On a personal level, the VIDA program has helped me realise my dream of doing meaningful work in an amazing part of the world, which happens to be my homeland.  On a professional level, I have a better understanding of the different cultural norms and work ethics and I am continuously learning to appreciate these differences.

Q: Any message for others who might be interested in volunteering in the Philippines?
A: Volunteering is a unique opportunity, and the possibilities are endless. What better way to share your skills and knowledge, meet some of the most amazing people and have an experience of a lifetime in a country so rich in culture and diversity than volunteering in the Philippines? Go for it!