What to Expect When Visiting the Home
Several people have asked me what should they expect when visiting the children's home. I have taken all of the emails I have sent to various people and put them all together and came up with this. I have also heard people say that I think it's better if I just send the money rather than spend all that money on a plane ticket. I whole-heartedly disagree unless the Lord has specifically directed you otherwise.
After my first visit to Subic Bay Children's Home someone asked me, "Did visiting the children's home increase your burden for missions"? I answered, "No" and I stick by that answer. I have always had a burden for missions and wanted to do something to help but had a hard time focusing my burden. Visiting the home allowed to make an emotional connection and allowed to see what the true needs were. After my first visit my burden was finally focused. I imagine there are a lot of people out there just like me. If you have a burden for missions and want to help but don't know exactly what to do I encourage you to visit Subic Bay Children's Home. It will change your life.
There is NO substitute for visiting in person.
PS The kids love visitors.
Making Arrangements
To make arrangements to visit and be picked up at the Manila Airport call Assistant Director, Rodrigo Valbuena, at 409-356-6054. The phone and internet systems are very unreliable in the Philippines. Keep trying and you will get through. If you can't get through call me at 901-486-4003.
Purchasing Plane TicketsAll information about Passports and Travel Visas will be on the "Tickets" page. This is where I buy my tickets but it does pay to shop around.
TICKETS
Arriving at the Manila Airport
When you arrive at the airport it will be a bit of a mad house. You will go to baggage then to customs. Brother Ted said they used to be strict about what you brought in - checking your luggage and all, but that was a long time ago. It shouldn't take long to get through baggage claim and customs. It moves along pretty well but there will be a lot of people. Just move through as quickly as you can to baggage and jump in there and find yours and go straight to customs (Tie a colored ribbon on your bag to make it easily identifiable). At customs they have always put their hand over the customs form and say "Nothing to Declare" without asking me and then send me on my way.
Getting Recognized and Feeling Happy
After leaving customs go outside and see if anyone recognizes you. If not get back on the plane and go back home - just kidding. If not walk across the street and you will see letters for last names on the wall. Go left if your last name begins with letters "A-M" and right for letters "N-Z"and someone will eventually find you. You will feel lost as a goose in a snow storm because there will be so many people running to and frow. You will feel HAPPY when somebody finds you.
From Manila to Olongapo
It takes about three hours to get from the airport to the home. In Manila the traffic seems like it's always bad - a very busy place. If possible help with fuel expense while traveling back and forth to the airport. The home is on a very tight budget and visitors are coming more often than ever before.
Electrical Outlets
Be careful when plugging in anything electric because the receptacles there look the same whether 110V or 240V. Ask Rodrigo before you plug anything in especially something like a laptop.
Cash or Credit Cards
A few select places do take credit cards. I have read that with some cards you have to contact the company and activate your card for international use. I took mostly cash when I went even though there is a chance it would be stolen but there are just not enough places that I saw that took credit cards. I put my wallet in my front pants pocket and kept my hand on it when I was in crowded places like Olongapo Market and malls. I hear some of the street kids are pretty good at pickpocketing. As far as being paranoid about pickpocketing I would err on the side of caution and exercise a little paranoia.
Rodrigo can show where to go in Olongapo to get the best exchange rate for your cash.
Attire
The weather is hot and dry in March, April, May (summer). The rainy season runs from May to the first of December and there is a lot of it. From December to February the weather is mild and dryer. The children tell me it's very cold when the temperature is at 70 F (Haha). The temperature rarely goes below that. You can buy a cheap umbrella there and just leave it with them when you leave instead of taking it on the plane if you want. They can always use them. They don't wear shorts at the home and prefer we don't. Shirts must also be worn - men and women.
Water
Don't drink it! They have bottled water there that is good but make sure they don't get the high alkaline bottled water. That's what I had last time and it's hard on your stomach. I had them get distilled. You don't have to bring water with you. DON'T buy the bottled water from the street vendors. They will find old bottles and fill them up and sell them. If you drink this water you will be hugging the toilet like it was your newlywed spouse. Also I liked the mango juice and coconut juice in a can.
Food
I don't know how sensitive your stomach is but if you are particular about what you eat you may want to ask what you are eating before you eat it. I've eaten horse, chicken feet, snails, tilapia head, water buffalo, dried fish, and a sauce made of pulverized fermented/rotten shrimp. They cook with different spices so the food has its own taste - especially the shrimp sauce.
My story about the shrimp sauce: I was sitting and eating with kids when one of the associate pastors came by and asked, "Are you eating that sir"? I said, ""Yes, what's in it"? He said, "Nothing." A few minutes later one of the big girls came by and asked the same thing. I asked her what's in it. She gave the same answer, nothing. Then Rodrigo came by and asked me the same thing again. I knew something had to be up but he gave me the same answer, nothing. The next day I found out it was the shrimp sauce. If I had known what it was I probably wouldn't have eaten it. But not knowing it tasted pretty good-sort of tangy. It's hard to explain-you will just have to try it.
When I'm there I eat with the kids usually. But sometimes on rare occasion I go out and get something. It's rice every meal - they love it but it can get old quick for us. In Olongapo they have McDonald's, Jolibee, KFC, and Chow King. McDonald's is a little different in the Philippines. There are no free refills or super-size drinks. The burgers are smaller and come with rice instead of fries although you can get fries at some places. The shakes and iced tea (instant) are different also.
Vaccinations and Medical
Vaccinations were not required either time I went. Malaria is not a terrible problem and I didn't take any meds for it. Brother Ted said he is religious about not having any standing water. He got malaria a few times in the early days and he said it was rough. When I was there last March 2009, their summer, I don't remember there being any mosquitoes. When I was there in May, 2008 there were some but not many. I think the biggest problem with them is in the rainy season that runs from May until December.
Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
Phone Service
One thing you might want to consider is getting international roaming on your cell phone. It is very expensive (about $4.00 a minute) but will be handy if you get stuck somewhere. Beware because it can add up quickly. I had a $200 roaming charge after one of my visits. Also before leaving home check with your service provider to get instructions on how to dial when in a foreign country.
If you think you need to communicate while there you can purchase a cheap phone in Olongapo and leave it there when you depart because it won't work here - wrong frequency. One of the workers at the home could use the phone. You will just need to buy a sim card and load then you can communicate locally.
Where will you sleep?Sleeping arrangements can be made for single people and married couples. Contact Rodrigo at the children's home to make arrangements. There are several different options as to where you will sleep. Don't be shy about asking. SBCH loves visitors.
Driving in the Philippines
Unless you are used to driving in the Philippines I suggest you don't. There are very few traffic lights, stop signs, street signs, etc. Driving is CRAZY! No GPS either. The children's home is about 60 miles from Manila, but the trip takes 3 hours. Here's a video while riding with Boyet, the driver, during one of my visits. Pay close attention to the end.
"DRIVING" It's almost like being inside a video game.
Avoiding Jet-Lag and Travel Tips
Do exercise some patience when you get on the plane because it is ONE LONG TRIP. Traveling from the U.S. to Tokyo on average takes 13 hours - From Tokyo to Manila is another 4 hours. The drive from Manila to Olongapo takes another 3 hours. This is not counting time in layovers. The whole trip from start to finish will take around 27 hours. With most flights you will arrive at the home about 2-3 AM. Sleep until 6 AM and stay awake until bed time.
Planes are very noisy and if you have ear plugs or noise canceling headset you won't feel as tired at the end of the trip. Drink a lot of water and don't eat much food. The air is dry in planes and you tend to dehydrate. Plus most of that plane food stinks.
Here is a site with a lot of information on jet lag -
Do You Need to Learn Tagalog?
You can get by without it but I would know these three words just in case:
1. Food - Kain (Ka-in)
2. Water - Tubig (Tu-big)
3. Bathroom - Banyo (Ban-yo)
Travelling From the South Asia Region
For those travelling from south Asia region there are connecting budget flights out of Singapore by Cebu Pacific or Tiger Air. Airasia airlines flies out of Kuala Lumpur at a very cheap rate if booked six months in advance. These will bring you directly into Clarke airport near Angeles City hence escaping the Manila traffic. The flght from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Clarke takes 3.5 hours. It will be only an hour drive by a brand new freeway directly into Subic Bay. A leisurely stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur is recommended for the adventurous.
If you have any questions about visiting the home that I have not answered feel free to call me any time. I leave my phone on 24/7/365.25 and I promise it's alright to call anytime.
Mark White
U.S. Rep. for SBCH
901-486-4003
Daniel Andres does not have Leukemia which is good news but may have Dengue fever. Doctors are doing more tests to make sure. Please pray for him because Dengue fever is a very serious disease.
