Louella Villadiego, a VIDA volunteer from Melbourne, works as the Program Coordinator/Legal Adviser for Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation’s Crisis Intervention Program in Angeles City. Read on as she tells us her thoughts on reconnecting with her Filipino roots and her other adventures as a volunteer.

Q: What have you been doing before joining the AYAD/VIDA program?
A: I was studying for my Masters degree in International Law and volunteering at an anti-human trafficking NGO in Melbourne.

Q: What made you decide to go on assignment in the Philippines?
A: I was born in the Philippines and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I had a chance to come back after 20 years of being away.  I was only in the Philippines for 2 weeks and it left me wanting to experience more of the country I was born in, to re-learn the language and to make a connection with my heritage.  For a long time I had been wanting to do a long-term volunteer assignment in development after university so one year after my Philippines visit, I came back as a volunteer.

Q: You’ve been in the Philippines for some time now. What have been your best memories in the country so far?
A: Travelling the islands and negotiating the maze of public transport from trikes that are supposed to fit 2 people comfortably but somehow can fit whole families (and sometimes chickens), and jeepneys and buses playing karaoke videos very, very loudly.

Q: Tell us about your assignment. How does this fit in the HO?   
A: My 2 year assignment is as the Program Coordinator/Legal Adviser of my Host Organisation’s Crisis Intervention Program.  My Host Organisation is Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation (‘Pro-Women Action’ Foundation based in Angeles City in the province of Pampanga.  IMA Foundation is an NGO with programs and services that aim to empower women and children survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.  Within the Crisis Intervention Program I provide initial legal advice to clients so that they know what their rights are and assist with filing cases and provide referrals for other types of assistance they may need, such as psychosocial counselling, shelter or livelihood assistance.  I’m also conducting a research project on trafficking in persons in the area and where the gaps are in services for repatriated survivors of human trafficking.

IMA also has a Research, Information, Advocacy and Networking Program where I’ve conducted community orientation and information sessions on human trafficking, domestic violence and child abuse and the rights of victims of these crimes under international human rights law and domestic law.  Right now, we are busy with the MTV Exit Angeles City concert against human trafficking (to be held in September) where IMA is the local partner of MTV Exit Asia and Visayan Forum Foundation, a Manila-based anti-human trafficking NGO.  We are trying to mobilise as many youth and young adults as possible for the concert and in the lead-up raise awareness of the issue of trafficking through schools and community groups.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge in your assignment? How did you respond to that?
A: Having to learn about the intricacies of the legal system in the Philippines and becoming familiar with the domestic laws and also local ordinances affecting women and children.  The legal system in the Philippines is often very slow and a lot of the courts have a large backlog of cases.  After consulting with my Host Organisation, we changed the focus of my assignment from a legal-focus to a more holistic, integrative approach which also involves case-management and other types of intervention apart from legal assistance, such as sourcing livelihood opportunities from partner organisations.

Q: What do you do in your spare time in your assignment location?
A: Trying to fit in visiting other parts of the Philippines as much as I can. Angeles is close to Mt. Pinatubo which is a few hours hike to the crater which has a beautiful turquoise lake. You can also see Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Arayat looming when you’re just wandering around town.  There always seems to be a fiesta or other type of celebration going on, so lots of eating of local delicacies.

Q: What are your top 3 Philippine destinations?
A: Sagada for the cool mountain air, caving and rice terraces.
Siquijor for being home to shamans and healers – not to mention some beautiful beaches.
Manila for its confusing chaos and when I want to be in the big smoke.

Q: Give us your top 3 favorite Filipino dishes.
A: Leche-flan, anything ube and when I really can’t decide halo-halo (which will often contain leche-flan and ube). The province where I’m based, Pampanga is famous for its halo-halo.

Q: How has the program helped or changed you as a person?
A: I’ve learnt so much since being here but mostly not to take things for granted, even what we may think of as ‘little things’ such as paper in the office.  It has been such a humbling experience.  I’m also more patient – well, less impatient – than I used to be and have started to enjoy going with the flow of ‘Pinoy Time’.

Q: Any message for those who are thinking twice about volunteering in the Philippines?
A: The Philippines is a country of contrasts – there is the busy metropolis that is the capital, beautiful white-sand beaches but also poverty which means there is a real need for skilled volunteers wanting to make a difference.  It’s a great place to travel as there is so much to see and do but there is a lot more to it than travel destinations like Boracay.  So come and immerse yourself in Filipino culture – it’s a rich tapestry with Spanish, American and Chinese influences with a unique Pinoy twist.  Also, come with a willingness to say ‘bahala na’ (it’s like saying ‘whatever will be, will be’ in Tagalog), oh and always have your videoke voice handy!