SETTING THE SCENE & CULTURAL IMMERSION

SETTING THE SCENE

During my participation in the Sea-Teacher Program Batch 9, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. This journey was not just about teaching practice but also about fostering cross-cultural connections and gaining a deeper understanding of the local way of life. Especially, it was the first time for me to go abroad therefore, I am afraid because every moments during this program was just too beautiful the people, the places and the environtment, I will keep it deeply in my mind and heart and I would love to come and visit the Philippines again in the future.

I was based in the picturesque province of Ilocos Norte, where the natural beauty of the surroundings was matched only by the warmth of the local community. Laoag, city full of memories and the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. The city is also referred to as the "Sunshine City" because of its pristine environment and stunning blue skyline. It serves as the industrial, commercial, and political center of the province. This city is home to Laoag International Airport, which is served by flights from Korea, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Guangzou, Shenzhen, and Macau. The city enjoys year-round warm temperatures and mostly sunny days due to its tropical savanna climate. Rich Spanish influence can be seen in Laoag's well-preserved ancestral homes, colonial buildings, and century-old churches. Ilocano heritage is primarily felt in the region's mouthwatering cuisine and customs. Ilocano is the language spoken in the town.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

One of the most remarkable aspects of my time in Laoag was the hospitality of the Filipino people. I was welcomed into the homes of my Filipino colleagues and students, where I had the chance to experience traditional Filipino cuisine for the first time when I arrived at Mariano Marcos State University and had a lunch at the dean office we were served with some cuisines such as lumpia, chicken barbeque, fish fillet, beef steak and buko salad. These meals weren't just about food but also about sharing stories and traditions.

It was not just about the cuisine but also the hospitality that Filipino have. Actually, we had a bad accident during our way to get to Laoag where we lost our luggage and we had no idea what happend at that time because, the airport officer at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Balikpapan International airport said that we did not have to take our luggage when we had already arrived at Changi airport Singapore moreover, we were in rush when we were going to the next flight to Manila and sheesh, our luggage didn't fly with us to Manila. It was our first time went abroad and we had such bad experience. Of course, we didn't have clothes, pants and underwear yet at the moment we arrived in Laoag ma'am Fe and ma'am Eva accompanied us to get our new clothes and the other stuffs. Not only that, in the first week, we encountered some problems such as: we need adapter and need to buy local SIM card. As a foreigner we still didn't know how to solve those problems but some of the students from MMSU helped us with it even, to activate the SIM card we need a local ID card. Since we didn't have that they helped us to activate the SIM card. I can say the hospitality of the Filipinos is unquestionable. Maraming salamat po...

CULTURAL CHALLENGES & CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTIONS

CULTURAL CHALLENGES

Adapting to a new environment and culture came with its challenges. The most difficult challenges I felt for the first time was that hard to find halal food. It was a big challenges since every food stall in Indonesia always provides halal food. In the first week we just ate a beef floss or it is called "abon" in Indonesia, we ate it with rice and also a peanut paste that I brought from Indonesia and usually, we are as Indonesian we always eat spicy food but the typical foods in the Philippines are not spicy or Filipino considering it as spicy but for us it was just sour yet everything was just be fine because we were used to it. In addition, we didn't encounter a problem with language barrier because all the instructions or directions in the Philippines used English and mostly, Filipino could speak English where this was also helped us in communicating with natives here. However, as I made an effort to learn some basic Tagalog or Ilocano and local dialects, it became a bridge that connected us, allowing for more meaningful interactions.

CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTIONS

The most profound experience I had was the cultural exchange with my students which was in Teachers day on Thursday, October 5 2023. I came to their class where through collaborative activities they celebrated Teachers day with the teacher there. They also had a booth just like food booth or make up booth. It was a new experience since we won't have it in Indonesia, when it comes to teachers day in Indonesia they just do a formal ceremony and I was so amazed by their sincerity to their Teachers. They worked together to make it worked and actually, in teachers day you will give some gifts to your teacher as a way of appreciation for their sincerity in teaching. They also gave me some snacks and knitted flowers. I thought we should have it in Indonesia just to show our respect to our teachers so that, they feel valuable as a teacher or feel valued. I also spent a little bit time with my students in 10 Camia we sang some Indonesian song and Phililippines song together and I realized these interactions brought us closer and helped me appreciate the deep-rooted customs and values of the Filipino culture.

IMPACT ON PERSONAL GROWTH & CULTURAL INSIGHTS

IMPACT ON PERSONAL GROWTH

During my time at Mariano Marcos State University I saw lots of events that they had there and it was a big event, they worked together or it is called "bayanihan" in the Philippines. They worked together to arrange the chairs and completed the task together in the success of the sports event. In this program I also met my friends from Indonesia that came from different cultures and backgrounds They are Aurel, Suroya, Vian, Rashit, Bening, Mirda, Yola, Dhania and Dicky (I am sorry guys I put your name here :) I just want to introduce you to all the readers). Even when we only had a little time to get to know each other, we still tried to understand the situation at hand. For example, when some of our friends were going to do demo-teaching, we help them in preparing food and also washing dishes so they can focus on completing the things they need for their demo-teaching. My time in the Sea-Teacher might really short but this program had already transformed me in numerous ways. I developed a greater sense of empathy, adaptability, and communication skills. I learned that culture is not just about customs and traditions but also about the heart and soul of a community.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

Exploring the Northern Philippines, specifically Pagudpud, Bangui Windmills, Patapat, Pangil Beach, Buena Agua Beach, Malacañang, and the Sand Dunes, was an extraordinary journey that offered a deeper understanding of the cultural and environmental aspects of the region. These destinations revealed valuable insights about the local culture, its connection to the environment, and the spirit of the Filipino people. On every trip we took, ma'am Eva and ma'am Fe always explain the history of each tourist spot we visit. So, here are a bit explanation of my thought in every tourist spots that I had already visited:

Bangui Windmills and Renewable Energy: In addition to being a feat of engineering, the tall Bangui Windmills that line the Ilocos Norte coastline serve as a testament to the Philippines' dedication to environmentally friendly and sustainable development. These enormous wind turbines highlighted the value of renewable energy sources to the local way of life by showcasing the fusion of technology and environment.
Patapat Viaduct and Infrastructure Development: The Patapat Viaduct, a scenic coastal road that overlooks the South China Sea and is positioned above breathtaking cliffs, served as a reminder of how crucial infrastructure development is for establishing connections between isolated areas. It demonstrated how the government is working to make local communities more connected and accessible.
Pangil Beach and Buena Agua Beach: The natural beauty of the Philippines and the locals' reverence for the environment were brought to mind by these peaceful, pristine beaches. The purity of the beaches and crystal-clear waters underscored how important it is to protect the coastal ecosystem, which is fundamental to Filipino culture. These beaches' serene atmosphere made clear how important peace and tranquillity are in daily life.
Malacañang of the North: Historical insights were gained from a visit to the former official residence of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, known as the Malacañang of the North. The exquisitely preserved mansion and its artifacts illuminate a pivotal juncture in the history of the Philippines. This historical location served as a window into the country's journey through social and political upheaval.
Sand Dunes Adventure: The thrilling journey through the sand dunes served as a tribute to the resilient and adaptable nature of the Filipino people. It was a chance to enjoy the rush of sandboarding and take in the untamed, constantly shifting scenery. This exercise demonstrated how the people of the area can have fun and adventure even in difficult situations.

The cultural insights gained from touring these incredible locations in the northern Philippines offered a comprehensive understanding of the history, values, and mutually beneficial relationship between the local populace and their surroundings. It was a voyage of discovery where the enduring resilience of the local culture and the stunning natural surroundings blended together to create a lasting sense of harmony between people and the natural world. Ma'ams Eva, Fe, and Jeanette, thank you so much for sharing your cultural insights about the Ilocos Norte tourist destinations. This amazing journey is something we will never forget.