Cultural exposure

Saturday Oct 15, 2016

By Jill Wilson

Chair, NYAC Council on Missions

Prospect UMC, Bristol, CT

After a good night of sleep at the Shalom Center in Manila we were taken to a very old (built in 1714) military camp Fort Santiago, in the Intramuros.  We were blessed with a well-educated, friendly guide Professor Ellery Ortiz. We learned about the history of Manila. Over centuries it has been influenced/occupied/colonized by the Chinese, Spanish, Americans, and British. And yet there are still many pure Philippino customs and foods. We learned about their country’s hero José Rizal. A young well educated and well-traveled man with many talents, including opthamology, poetry, artistry, and architect. He was accused and executed at the age of 31 for forming a movement that threatened the establishment!  Imagine that.

We also visited a very large elaborate old Catholic church, which was also part museum for St. Augustin. It was Saturday and it was a wedding factory. We saw bridal party after bridal party utilizing the church for their wedding venue. Apparently, it is quite expensive to have your wedding there, so for the affluent families!

After church, we were totally entertained at a Concert for Peace. It was a Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. We were treated to orchestra music, solos, drum number, and a 300 voice choir. The concert culminated with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”. Our very own host, Rev. Grace Choi, a talented soprano was part of the 300 member choir.  God has blessed her with a beautiful voice!  We decided to skip the second half of the concert – K-POP contest! You may have to look that one up.

Sometimes I forget that Jay Choi is a Pastor and seminary professor! He has done such a wonderful job exposing us to all kinds of cultural opportunities. He took us to a dinner at a restaurant named Barbara’s. After a buffet supper, there was a show of Filipino dance, and music. Even I tried the traditional Filipino dance (in bare feet) over moving bamboo sticks. You have to cross through and over the sticks as they tap the floor and close together, hopping out of the way before the sticks close on your ankle! Thankfully my dance partner was a good leader!

Each and every day of this journey has been filled with a new exposure. I can barely take in, remember, process, learn, share and incorporate all I have seen before we are on to the next thing. I have been blessed with a very rich experience.