VIDA Daniele Marechal, a native of Perth, Western Australia, works with the Child and Family Service Philippines.  She worked as an AYAD in the International Rice Research Institute (which probably explains her love of Banaue Rice Terraces) in 2004 and is a huge fan of Pinikpikan. Read on to find out more about Daniele's Baguio adventure. 

 

Q: What have you been doing before the VIDA program?
A: I was working as a consultant for the International Rice Research Institute (Laguna, Philippines) where I had been an AYAD in 2004.

Q: What made you decide to go on assignment in the Philippines?
A: After being an AYAD for 12 months in the Philippines and then continuing to work as a consultant for another two years I was in love with the country and its people. I decided to experience a whole new area of the Philippines with a different language and a different culture. So taking a VIDA assignment in Baguio City felt like a continuation of my personal and professional journey: only this time with a local NGO rather than a big institute. I also wanted to get to know my relatives here on my father’s side and explore the connection I felt with the Northern Philippines.

Q: You’ve been in the Philippines for some time now. What have been your best memories in the country so far?
A: Running through the amphitheatre rice terraces and swimming in the freezing majestic Tapiya waterfall in Batad, Banaue.

Spending ten days over Christmas and New Year at North Pandan Island: amazing fireworks, delicious buffets, fresh coconuts and white sandy beaches right outside your nipa hut!

Dancing at the Aussie/NZ annual fundraising ball in Manila with my fellow country mates: the theme was CHICAGO, the jazz was blasting and we danced for hours!!!
These are just a few but I have so many many more!!!!  

Q: Do you have any misconceptions/bad impressions about the Philippines that you proved entirely wrong?
A: I had zero expectations when I left for the Philippines; I decided to have a clean and open mind. What I didn’t expect though was that after being picked up at the airport I would slowly fall in love with the place!

Q: Tell us about your assignment. How does this fit in the HO?   
A: I am working with Child and Family Service Philippines in Baguio City as a communication developer/advisor. Together we have developed a communication strategy and policy which highlights how we can use communications to advance my HOs existing programs and activities. Using this strategy, we are developing the organisation into a learning hub and resource centre where industry professionals in the community can access juvenile justice and children’s rights information and training practices.



Q: What’s the biggest challenge in your assignment? How did you respond to that?
A: The hardest thing for some HOs to understand is that you are a volunteer rather than a staff member. Very often I am asked to do things that fall outside my original assignment objectives and while I don’t mind doing them it can get in the way of my real purpose of being there - which is to help the HO develop a driving and sustainable communications strategy actively functioning day-to–day. I decided to create a work plan with my supervisor that prioritises the best use of my skills and time at the organisation. I am also holding a series of simple workshops for staff to help them further develop their own communication skills according to their needs.

Q: What do you do in your spare time in your assignment location?
A: There are plenty of public holidays in the Philippines as well as weekends so I enjoy bathing in the boiling Asin Hot Springs 20min away… Picnicking at Camp John Hay under the pine trees… Buying fresh seafood at the local market and cooking up a storm… Window shopping at the mall or relaxing in one of the cities many artistic and cool cafes, and sometimes on Sunday driving around on sight-seeing adventures along the nearby mountain roads and organic farms.

Q: What are your top 3 Philippine destinations?
A: As mentioned from my favourite memories: Batad, in Banaue Ifugao, North Pandan Island, in Sablayan Occidental Mindoro and Sagada in Mt. Province which has the best yoghurt in the world and very exciting cave adventures!

Q: Give us your top 3 favorite Filipino dishes.
A: Pinikpikan – a smokey chicken soup made the native northern Filipino way with Sayote and fern. Tahong – Mussels cooked in ginger, garlic and onion with some patis and chilli. Laing – Taro leaves cooked in coconut milk with ginger.  Not to mention the fresh beautiful fruits like mongostein, lychee and rambutan or the delicious rice desserts… I could go on forever.

Q: How has the program helped or changed you as a person?
A: On a professional level, the VIDA program in the Philippines has helped mould me into a more accepting, patient and versatile person who is proud to represent our Australian culture and values overseas. The real journey has been internal and I have discovered a strength and resiliency I never knew I had. On a personal level I have learnt so much during my time here I have realised how important family is and how a simple love for life can carry you day-to-day regardless of what happens in between. I truly believe I am a better person for the experience.



Q: Any message for those who are thinking twice about volunteering in the Philippines?
A: My first assignment in the Philippines gave me the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Asia with my HO. It was really exciting yet the Philippines remained an amazing place for me, it called me back to its unique facets of culture and environment that I still had so much to explore and experience.

Despite the years I have spent here, I am still exploring the different cultures, customs and amazing environments that make up the 7,107 islands of the Philippines.

Beyond this though, it is the people that make the place and Filipinos are wonderful people who are passionate and romantic about life. Filipinos love to sing, dance and laugh and this joy is infectious. Despite their hardships many people here are grateful for the simplicity and love that life offers them. The Philippines has been a fantastic place to volunteer and I am so glad that I chose my assignments here.