http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/ en-US Copyright 2009 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:42:09 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification another setback for me
I won't get into details here right now, but basically 4 days ago when I attempted to check in for the period March 14, 2009 thru April 28, 2008 (dates previously agreed to by my myself & the hotel vendor on Dec.13, 2008 when I arrived) I was told they were sold out and they would not be accommodating myself & my Family, and no other reasons were given.

For now, I have to get my Family and baby into a safe place to live & sleep, without there being a budget allocated for this (hence my Dec.2008 agreement with the hotel vendor) and I don't have to tell you what a mess this is as I try my best to sort it all out.

I'll get back online as soon as I can; when my Family's in a safe place.

Thanks for reading and Keep the Faith,
PJAMES

ps: LittleFish has just given birth to a baby boy on March 15, 2008 - more details coming.
]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/03/another-setback-for-me.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/03/another-setback-for-me.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:42:09 -0500 everyone's been sick here...
My 1 yr & 5mos. adopted baby's also been sick with a lung infection that caused her many breathing problems, coughing, high fever etc. - and it was when she got sick that I also came down with the upper respiratory issues and fever, ending up with severe bronchitis.

I've actually been trying for the past week to physically get online, and there's been very little internet available here; most of the time the signal's dead for most of the days, with intermittent access at a few different times of the day, but it's been a crap shoot.

Bantayan Island Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/400s f/5.6 at 54mm iso400
P2218248 edit 500px PR.jpg

A local poor girl on the beach selling cooked crab - she makes the long trip to Sta.Fe from Bantayan Town each day to earn a little money.

As soon as I'm physically back to normal I'll be able to get back to shooting & editing - above, from one of my last days I was out shooting last month: the little girl above was actually doing good business with travelers and locals who were buying her fresh crab, and I was amazed she was making daily long trips from here home (over 1hr. each way at her own expense) to spend the day selling in the hot sun, making money to help support her Family.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/03/everyones-been-sick-here.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/03/everyones-been-sick-here.html Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:45:58 -0500 the Kids get back to playing
Pictured: MH's Grandson Kalle & daughter Uzel, at home.
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/5.6 at 14mm iso200
P2086833 edit 600px PR.jpg

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/the-kids-get-back-to-playing.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/the-kids-get-back-to-playing.html Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:19:13 -0500 Mama Helen recovering
I just left Mama Helen's house and spent this morning with the Family & kids; she seems to be recovering from her hospital stay last week - she's moving around and doing her usual routine but she does look thin.

There were many visitors at the house this morning, neighbors and friends beginning to cook some rice & hot water for drinks, etc.

Mama Helen's daughters son Kuji seems to be getting by with TB; he's happy & smiling, and the Family's giving him as much fish & rice to eat as they can, to help him recover (I don't know if he's been getting his medicines since last year from the local Clinic, but I'm willing to bet not)

Kuji photographed last month:
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/20s f/3.5 at 52mm iso800
P1024745 edit 500px.jpg

PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/mama-helen-recovering.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/mama-helen-recovering.html Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:47:28 -0500 Mama Helen taken to the Hospital
Right before we lost our connection I recieved a text message from LittleFish, informing me that her mother Mama Helen was taken to the local Hospital here on the Island, suffering from fever & "60 over 40" blood pressure, so it was serious.

I was in Cebu City at the time getting a Visa extension done, so as soon as I got back to the Island I rushed over to the Family's house, and Mama Helen was there - just released from the local Hospital.

She appeared weak but in good spirits, and I'll have more details later.

Mama Helen last month at home: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/5.6 at 54mm iso100
P1024691 edit b&w PR.jpg

Because I know the Family has no money for Hospitals, I asked how much the bill was, and she told me she herself had to pay P2,000 (about $40USD) of a total cost of over P5,000 - the balance of which was picked up by a local program for indigent Families here.

I don't know where they got the $40 from for the bill; I'm sure they borrowed it from friends, and I'm sure they won't be able to pay it back, as they're still in debt from a $400USD loan they got in June 2008 to repair their fishing boat and squatters shack from Typhoon Fengsheng's damage (reported here on the Blog last summer)

More later,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/mama-helen-taken-to-the-hospit.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/02/mama-helen-taken-to-the-hospit.html Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:31:47 -0500 Weekend Shooting in Santa Fe
These Barangays on the Island are fishing communities and inherently quite poor, but when you roll in everyone comes out delighted & curious to see you.

Spontaneous portraiture with the kids who came out to greet me yesterday:

Sillon, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/5.6 at 54mm iso200
P1256342 edit 675px PR.jpg

Sillon, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/5.6 at 54mm iso200
P1256333 edit 600 PR.jpg

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe-2.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe-2.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:06:34 -0500 Weekend Shooting in Santa Fe P1256342 edit 675px PR.jpg

I haven't taken a day off from shooting & editing images since I left the USA, but I wanted to get out on the motorcycle and roll through some other Barangays I don't normally drive through, so we took off to see some friends & Family in Balidbid & Sillon and enjoyed the drive.

These Barangays on the Island are fishing communities and inherently quite poor, but when you roll in everyone comes out delighted & curious to see you.

Spontaneous portraiture with the kids who came out to greet me yesterday:

Sillon, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/5.6 at 54mm iso200
P1256333 edit 600 PR.jpg

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe-1.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe-1.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:43:01 -0500 Weekend Shooting in Santa Fe
These Barangays on the Island are fishing communities and inherently quite poor, but when you roll in everyone comes out delighted & curious to see you.

Spontaneous portraiture with the kids who came out to greet me yesterday:

Sillon, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/5.6 at 54mm iso200
P1256333 edit 600 PR.jpg

Sillon, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/200s f/5.6 at 54mm iso200
P1256342 edit 675px PR.jpg

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/weekend-shooting-in-santa-fe.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:43:01 -0500 LittleFish and son in town
Since I had a package of Hany chocolate candies with me, I handed it over to Kalle who loves them - he started right in and opened it up.

Roaming around w/chocolates: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/16 at 14mm iso100
P1105336 edit 600px PR.jpg

Pregnant ladies also love chocolate, so LittleFish just smiled and said "thank you kuya..."

I believe the baby's due by next month.

PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/littlefish-and-son-in-town.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/littlefish-and-son-in-town.html Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:41:49 -0500 Mama Helen & Family at the SINULOG Festival Mama Helen & Family arrive for the opening of SINULOG in Santa Fe. this weekend.
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/11 at 14mm iso100 w/flash
P1155437 edit 600px.jpg

It was so good to see the Family able to get out and enjoy a bit of the Festival happening here in town this weekend; I spotted them right as they arrived by tricycad.

Mama Helen has been looking very tired and gaunt recently, so I was thrilled to see her out with her kids.
...from left to right are LittleFish & son Kalle, Angelica & her Mama Helen - LittleFish is expecting her new baby next month, and she's in very good spirits - so when I see her these past few days Im always FEEDING her, as pregnant ladies are always quite hungry:)

Her & her husband were having a chicken dinner at the roadside BBQ later that evening, so I sent over more food to the table and a liter bottle of Coca Cola.

The kids really enjoyed running around to the local vendors selling toys, oki-oki used clothing, snack foods and such, and when I saw Sandman and asked to see how his severe burns were coming along, he opened his shirt and I was astonished to see NOTHING there anymore - it was all healed!

Now, it was dark outside at night when he showed me, but I really couldn't see any scaring, just smooth skin, so I'm going back later today to check on him in the daylight to make sure he's out of danger.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-family-at-the-sinul.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-family-at-the-sinul.html Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:48:05 -0500 Mama Helen recalls the June '08 Typhoon: Part 2
Santa Fe, Philippines: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/30s f/2.8 at 14mm iso100
P1024797 edit b&w 500px FlatSharp.jpg

After Mama Helen's house collapsed during the storm, they quickly ran to their cousins house to seek shelter, but that house also collapsed - so they literally had no where to go.

After the storm died down, they went back to the rubble of their house and sifted through anything they could salvage, including a small bag of rice.

During the first week post Typhoon, there was no food to be had anywhere - The Parents gave the rice to their 10 children who were sleeping in the local school gym, and Helen & David survived solely on coconuts and coconut milk for almost two weeks.

Kevin Weir came with us the day we met with the Family, and brought along a big 25kg. sack of clean rice; riding it all the way from the local rice vendor to Mama Helen's house, on his motorbike.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-recalls-the-june-08-1.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-recalls-the-june-08-1.html Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:34:34 -0500 Mama Helen recalls the June '08 Typhoon
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/640s f/5.6 at 54mm & 14.0mm iso400
P1024678 edit 600px.jpg

During Chris' conversation with Mama Helen, Mama explained that when her house first began to come down in the wind, the Family was asleep and was woken up by very loud crashing noises.

Mama Helen & Papa David then grabbed all their children and crammed them all under a few bamboo tables to shield them from the debris which was smashing into the house from all directions.

PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-recalls-the-june-08.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/mama-helen-recalls-the-june-08.html Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:19:06 -0500 a Gentle Face in need.
LittleFish is expecting her 2nd. child next month with her Filipino husband, and she's in good spirits - always laughing & joking with me when I stop by.

LittleFish told me yesterday she has not heard from Kalle's Father in well over a year, nor has Kalle's Father sent any child support in that time (he's a Foriegner living & working in Europe) so Kalle must do without many things most fortunate children have.

I love you, little Kalle.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

ps: LittleFish has asked for my help in locating Kalle's Father in Europe - If any readers have a contact in the private investigative area, or an information broker with experience in dealing with international embassies/consulates that would be willing to donate their services, please contact me.

LittleFish holds Kalle for my Camera: Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/500s f/3.5 at 54.0mm iso200
P1024675 edit crop 675px_filtered.jpg

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/a-gentle-face.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/a-gentle-face.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:14:33 -0500 Sandman seriously burned with scalding water
I was stunned, and asked how it happened, and was told SandMan was trying to carry a pot of boiling water when his cousin bumped into him, scalding him badly.

Jan.3, 2009: The SandMan & his burns. Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/5.6 at 14.0mm iso100
P1024790 edit 675px comp.jpg

In the picture he was kind of blowing it all off, but I knew that he had to be in real pain, so I asked his parents for permission to bring him to my doctors office the next day, and they were happy I had offered.

Dr. Batayola saw us immediately when we arrived (I took SandMan and his sister Angie on my motorcycle) and learned that this was SandMan's 2nd. visit to a real doctor; he's 11 years old.

The doctor put him on oral antibiotics and prescribed an anti bacterial burn cream for the wounds, and only charged me for the medicines.

Seems the other scar SandMan has just below the center of his collar bone was from last New Years, when a firework he was trying to light off blew up in his hands.

SandMan's a firebug, just like my brother was at his age...and SandMan always reminds me of my brother who died a long time ago.

SandMan's a very lucky kid - serious burns of that degree usually land one in the hospital, and I just checked him earlier this morning and the burns look much better after 2 days of meds & ointment.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/sandman-seriously-burned-with.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/sandman-seriously-burned-with.html Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:10:20 -0500 Kevin comes back to Santa Fe
Kev outside Mama Helen's house yesterday, shooting in the storm.
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.5 at 54.0mm iso400
P1014639 edit dark.jpg

The Family rebuilt some of their squatters shack from wood, bamboo & plywood scavenged from the rubble of the June 2008 Typhoon, and has hung some tarp just outside the main rooms to stay dry, as we're currently in the middle of Tropical Depression AURING here on the Island.

It was so good to see all the Family; I've missed them much.

Jan.3, 2009: Mama Helen sitting with 2 of her 10 children: JuvieMay & the youngest, John Mark
Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/60s f/5.6 at 48.0mm iso800
P1024729 edit 600px.jpg

I sat down with Cris to translate her conversation with Mama Helen that outlined all they went through during and after the storm; Mama Helen was sad and at times angry at recounting all that happened, as she said the Family received next to no assistance or rice, which was supposed to be given out to residents in need.

The Family is still very much in need of food, rice, and building materials for ongoing repairs; if anyone reading would like to help, please contact me asap.

More on this later,
PJAMES

]]> http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/kevin-comes-back-to-santa-fe.html http://projectrice.wowbantayan.com/mt4/2009/01/kevin-comes-back-to-santa-fe.html Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:40:15 -0500