Feeding Program

siblings sharing food

After hand washing, the children again fall in line near the food which will be served. Children usually want to be the first on the line because of their notion that they will be given first. They do not want to move even if they are taller than the others who are at their back. The team spends time telling them to find their height and avoid too much noise knowing that the area is already very noisy.  

Feeding is given to the street children (2 to 18 years old) once a day and five times a week. Often, street adults also join in but the team always give priority to the children especially those who attend the activities. Unfortunately, there are some who do not understand our objectives and leave us only with bad comments.  Again, a test for our patience!

Anyway, the meals given everyday are considered balanced full meals-with rice and viand. Viands are a mix of vegetables and meat of either pork or chicken. There are times also which we give soup, samporado, arozcaldo and pancit. However, even if pancit is given, we still prepare rice since most of the children ask for it.  Children appreciate viands with soup (sabaw) because they enjoy mixing it with their rice. Sometimes milk is also given after eating.

Anhawan Island

view of the island

I think Anhawan Island is the best destination we visited in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. No offense to Langub but this island really captivated me. It is an untouched island and dubbed as the Turtle Island because of its form perhaps. The island is about 4 or 5 km (i think and i forgot the name of the sitio) from Mina. It is a private and a virgin island owned by a humble descendant of a prominent family from the province who also allowed us to go with him. Getting there was not an easy ride because the road was not concrete. Only "habal-habal" can get faster through the rocky road as the folks said so we rented at least 3 and headed to the place. It was my first "habal-habal" ride which is a single motor with a seat extension behind to accommodate at least 4 persons including the driver and is more practically used in going up to high places.

approaching Anhawan Island by boat

Conquering fear...

We met the owner before we got on a rented small boat just enough to accommodate 10 people. I was a bit reluctant and was getting paranoid about the things that might happen along our way. We did not have life jacket of anything that we could use in case of emergency. Everyone was already in the boat so I jumped in there and just thought it is not everyday that I ride a boat anyway. The 10 to 15 minutes boat ride was like eternal. Every one were closing their eyes while gasping every time our boat went up due to strong waves.

We saw this native house along our way near the island. The owner said it was built by some fishermen and only use that for resting or or staying overnight.

Finally, we arrived at the beach and were welcomed by countless loud barks from the owner's dog along with its master's wife and son who generously accommodated us. 


Life there is simple like 50 years ago and only the owners live there with their pet animals. 

the smart dog..beware tress passers

We were toured around the island. We hiked up the mountain and went down to the other side where another spectacular view was awaiting. It was like a hidden paradise.

a signage posted on a tree

It was very hot but nothing stopped us from running playfully on the sand. The island has white sand and almost fresh pebbles and shells all around. 

pebbles from the sea

The water from where I stood which gave me goosebumps. It was very calm yet I did not know why when I looked down, it seemed the water was coming in torrent. It is the exact opposite at the other side where in the water was beating the rock.

the rocky side of the island

part of the island

the seemed to be kissing rocks

shells

sea urchin-tasted like sea

island animals

Anhawan Island during evening.

It is such a rare opportunity to see this untouched beautiful island. I hope its beauty will blossom even if it will be opened for commercialization.

Langub Beach, Sipalay

approaching Langub Beach behind the island

One of the beautiful beaches of Sipalay is Langub Beach located in Brgy. Nauhang. 

We left Mina early morning of January 2. The travel was not easy going to the beach because of the rough road our rented three wheeled cycle went through and our agony inside holding on not to bump each other's head. We stopped at an area and walked until we reached the sugary beach line where we had our time scampering around while searching for a place to stay. We did not dare try going to the rented resorts. Why so when we can enjoy without even paying.

It was an unpredictable day when we went. It was cloudy then became windy but still, the weather did not spoil our day.

resorts in Langub

Driftwood village

Langub beach is really a good place to stay away from the busy life of the city. There is no night life here or other commercially featured stores that could destroy the nature's beauty. It was good we brought with us some foods and drinks otherwise we will have difficulty looking for nearby stores . 

abandoned landscaped resort