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Mabuhay!  Another incredible and very full day of activity with the children, social workers and ambassadors. 

We started our City Tour leaving at 9:00 AM.  Some of the children had arrived already at 7:30.  Our first stop was Fort Santiago - a historic site for Manila.  This place is noted for the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who stood up for the Filipino people during the time the Spanish ruled and oppressed the people of the Philippines.  Everyone was engaged with the history and artifacts.  The children impressed us with their reading skills and endless questions about the fort, the hero and our surroundings.

After a full morning at the fort it was time for lunch - JolliBee's.  This is the "Mc Donalds" of the Philippines!  Rice and fried chicken was the choice for all the kids (and most of the adults as well).

Next stop was to Ocean Park.  This incredible aquarium amazed both the kids and adults with the endless sea creatures, fish, exhibits and activities.  The underwater "tunnel" captured our attention by giving as a nearly 360 view of the fish - swimming over top, on the side and all about.  Sharks, stingrays, tropical fish...and creatures we could not name.  The kids took over the camera's and videos...snapping more pictures than anyone could count (and wearing out all batteries!).  They loved every moment of it.  Drawing and coloring was part of the education area and our mosaic of drawings meant more pictures needed to be taken.  Hold on there is more....

Are you ready for this?  Our next adventure was the Fish Foot Spa.  Yes you heard right!  You take off your shoes, and place your feed into a shallow pool of water and the fish nibble the dead skin off your toes and feet.  Yes, it sounds bizarre - and it was!  There was much giggling and screaming from the group.  This was truly a first of a kind adventure for all.  Our next stop was the glass bottom boat ride where the many sea creatures swam around and under us - another great treat.

So how do you top off a day like this? Well with Halo Halo, (mix-mix) of course.  This traditional Filipino treat is a blending of shaved ice, Ube (a purple yam) ice cream, geletains, bananas, tapioca, and other goodys.  You mix it all up and it eat - like an ice cream sundae.

The bus ride back was time for more chatter and a movie watching while weaving through Manila traffic (always an adventure in itself).

This was the first time ALL the kids and ambassadors were together since yesterday was spent in separate groups.  Everyone got along well - some taking more time to warm up to each other and the "new" ambassadors.  Our extended time together allowed us to get to know each child better - some of their interests, hobby's, desires in what they would like to see in a family, what they would like to be when they grow up...and more.

All left exhausted...and excited for another great day tomorrow! 
We both feel blessed and honored to be part of this experience. 

Bong and Wendy Jornales