(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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