The American Ambassador Visit & Dinagyang Festival

Dinagyang is the Iloilo City cultural festival of street dancing and food. While we were unable to attend the festival parade, we did had the pleasure of a social hour with the American Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg and his staff. It was wonderful to be given the chance to talk with such an experienced diplomat and to learn from the embassy staff members who were accompanying him on his visit to Iloilo. We send our thanks that PC staff members Lynn Vista (bottom left) and Bill Moore (far right) for setting this up for us.

Top left to right: Tyler Hassig, Geoff Hightower, Ambassador Goldberg, Alan Willis, Lauren Willis, Jess Gulbranson, Terry Perez, Lauren Ciesiensky, Merrill Noser, Bill Moore, Lynn Vista

 ,

Afterwards we walked around the festival and found a street side food area amongst the ballon venders and henna tattoo artists.

Island Hopping Guimaras

While Claire and Eleanor were still visiting we had an opportunity to visit our friend Tyler on Guimaras. The weather was a bit windy and not exactly conducive for swimming but we were able to go island hoping and stop by a friend's farm for some buco (coconut).  

The islands are beautiful, barely inhabited, and full of vegetation. The local tourist guides seem to be doing a great job keeping island hopper's trash out of the water and off their shores.

The low tide snorkeling was great in the protected waters. 

We were able to get up close and personal with the coral. 

There was a bat filled cave, a sea snake, and Nemo was found several times. 

Leaving the island, we had a chance to stop by our friend Jevie's farm house. 

His family graciously welcomed us and were happy to show us where coconut water comes from.  

Photo credit: Tyler Hassig https://tylerhassig.wordpress.com

Photo Credit: Tyler Hassig https://tylerhassig.wordpress.com

Claire gives it a try after Jevie made it to the top of a 40m tree in 6 seconds.