2-weeks Manila: Retrieving Data (and Mango?)

Hi Everyone, Spring has arrived in Tokyo, and as I sit in a park bench looking at a cherry blossoms, I write this blog about my experience in Manila. 

In the mid of February, we officially started to conduct a Household Interview Survey in Philippines. It was an exciting two-week process! Unique and challenging because we organized everything ourselves, with the help of my philipinos colleague, and local university students as surveyors.

The Survey: Planning and Data Acquisition

Unlike our past surveys in Thailand, we didn’t rely on a third-party company for data collection. Instead, we recruited students from a local university who had prior experience in conducting surveys, which made the whole process smoother than expected. Huge shoutout to Budz, my colleague from the Philippines, whose help was indispensable. (You can read his blog for a more detailed look at the technical side of the survey. HAHA! xD)

Here are some photos from the kickoff meeting all the way through to the data collection in the field. It was a lot of hard work, but with the students on board, we managed to make it all come together.

Eat, eat, and mango!

One of the best parts about Manila, of course, was the food. My favorite treat was the mango juice, a local gem that we couldn’t get enough of. Served with tapioca, nata de coco, graham crackers, and fresh mango, it was the perfect refreshing snack after a long day of surveying. For just 300 JPY, it was both delicious and affordable. We also indulged in various snacks from local stalls, with fresh bread and cakes tempting us at every corner, but mostly mango for me. HEHEHE! :D

Museums and Churches

Despite the packed schedule, we managed to carve out some time to explore the historical Intramuros district. One Sunday, we visited several museums and churches, learning about the Philippines' rich history and culture. The art, architecture, and religious significance of the places we saw were awe-inspiring. It was the perfect way to unwind after the busy work week.

 

Two weeks in Manila may seem like a long time, but it passed by in the blink of an eye. Between the hard work, the new culinary experiences, and the hospitality of the Filipino people, it was an unforgettable experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work closely with the local students and feel the warmth of the country’s culture, both in the food and the people <3.  

 

As usual, thank you for reading my blog to the end. Enjoy the Spring!

- Leon

 

 

Back to the Philippines. My Journey in Understanding Flood Resilience, and more!

(Budz)

I'm back in the Philippines, again! This time, with two agenda: first, to conduct a household survey in Marikina, and second, to serve as a local student assistant for a tour of the Metro Manila Subway construction.

Household Survey in Marikina

Our survey officially kicked off on the afternoon of February 14—yes, on Valentine's Day! The entire city was painted red, from people's outfits to building decorations. Love was definitely in the air. We began with pre-deployment training to the enumerators, who were students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). These students had prior experience in conducting household surveys and, most importantly, were locals of the barangays they were assigned to (Nangka and San Roque). This gave them a huge advantage, as they knew the area inside out and had firsthand experience with flooding.

During orientation, we explained the survey's goals, shared helpful tips, and emphasized key protocols—like always wearing their enumerator IDs and maintaining professionalism when conducting interviews. With national elections coming up in May, we had to be extra cautious to avoid being mistaken for campaigners. It made me realize that in this part of data gathering and research, these small logistical details shall be considered.

 

Pre-deployment training to enumerators (February 14, 2025) in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina.

We also coordinated with barangay officials to request assistance from local tanods (village watchmen). Their support was overwhelming —they even provided free transportation on certain days to help us reach our target household.

Surprisingly, convincing residents to participate in the survey wasn't difficult. As soon as we mentioned that it was about baha (flood), they were eager to share their experiences. Every household had its own unique way of preparing for and recovering from floods. Some still had visible flood marks on their walls, evidence of past disasters. Talking to them face-to-face made me realize that real insights go beyond the written survey questions. People's recovery strategies varied depending on the level of damage they sustained and their economic status. It was a reminder that while floods affect everyone, their impact is never the same.

Some pictures of household survey in Barangay San Roque (left) and Nangka (right).

One can still see the flood marking in this house in Barangay San Roque. 

This household has lived in Barangay Nangka for almost 3 decades, enduring countless floods.  The most unforgettable were Ondoy (2009), Ulysses (2020), and Karina (2024).

We successfully completed our survey last February 28 !  It truly was a team effort. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (especially to Dean Tolentino, Dr. Reamillo, and Dr. Calaycay) for connecting us with the enumerators and providing a venue for our pre-deployment training; Officials of Barangay San Roque (Brgy Captain Aramil, and Councilor Sandee) and Barangay Nangka (Brgy. Captain Delas Armas, and Secretary Maryjane) for their unwavering support; and our dedicated enumerators (Raisyn, Liza, Ronalyn, Charmaine, Rafael, Ryza, Christian, Micaela, Hannah, Jeanelle, John, Glaizelle, Kurt and Lance) and checkers (Angelo and Miguel) for their hard work.  Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Metro Manila Subway Tour & ADB Visit (Local Guide v.1.0)

After the survey, while Kawasaki-Sensei and Leon flew back to Japan, I stayed a few more days in Manila to serve as a local student assistant for a tour of the Metro Manila Subway construction and to visit the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  The tour, organized by Concrete Laboratory, took us to several on-going construction of subway station sites. Seeing the progress firsthand was truly exciting—it's amazing to think that soon, the Philippines will have a modern subway system! I'm grateful to have been part of this tour.

Site Visit to Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)

Visit to Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarter

Food and Side Trips (Local Guide v.2.0)

Of course, after each day of fieldwork, the highlight for me was dinner! fortunately , our hotel was just a short walk from several amazing local restaurants. We made sure to indulge in Filipino food—  sisig , dinakdakan , lechon kawali, BBQ, silog, lumpia, pares, etc.  One thing I realized is that Filipino cuisine leans heavily toward meat dishes, with some meals little having to no vegetables (but they tried Laing ). But our desserts were definitely a hit, and of course, I couldn't let them leave without trying our local beer, San Miguel and Red Horse.

Food v.1.0

Food v.2.0

Food v.3.0

Marikina City is rich in history and culture. One of its oldest barangays, San Roque, still has century-old buildings standing strong. We also took time to visit the Shoe Museum and Kapitan Moy Building—both significant landmarks in the city. Marikina is also home to well-loved food spots, like Macky's Eatery,  which has been around since 1989.

Some landmarks in Barangay San Roque 

Since I was already in a 'local guide mode', I also took Leon on a trip to Manila. We explored Intramuros (the Walled City), home to historical sites like San Agustin Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest stone church in the Philippines), Manila Cathedral, and Fort Santiago. Since it was a Sunday, the place was packed with churchgoers and tourists.

Places in Intramuros

We also visited the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Anthropology, both just a short distance from Intramuros. No matter how many times I see Juan Luna's Spoliarium (painted in the 1880s), I'm still in awe of its beauty. Entrance to these museums is free! No wonder the lines were long, with both locals and tourists eager to explore.

National Museum of Fine Arts 

National Museum of Anthropology

Local Guide v3.0 (??)

This journey was both eye-opening and fulfilling. From engaging with communities in Marikina to witnessing major infrastructure projects in Manila, I've learned so much. Looking forward to more adventures ahead—stay tuned!