When I was in Davao, I met and sat down with some military officers. During our interaction, I had the chance to explain to them my programs for various marginalized sectors. I also told them how sad I was to hear that there is a black propaganda circulating against me, wherein my statements about women empowerment have been twisted to make me look like I do not value the sacrifices of our soldiers. In several forums, I simply voiced out the sad plight of teachers and nurses whose salaries have historically been lower than their counterparts in other fields such as engineering and military profession. It was a mere statement of fact, not in anyway meant to lessen my concern for others.
At the Kapihan in Manila Hotel recently, in the presence of my co-candidate Capt. Mon-Mon Mitra and the Chief of Staff of Col. Ariel Querubin, I expressed my full support for their candidacy and said it is good that our soldiers continue to have a voice in the Senate. In the same vein, I am also the voice of the marginalized sectors like women, persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
My concern for women does not in any way diminish my support for other sectors including soldiers. In fact, I have been visiting the men and women in uniform, supporting in particular, the concerns of our women soldiers. I have also pushed for more benefits for the widows of our soldiers.
With women of the Philippine Military Academy
File photo of my visit to Camp Capinpin
I wish I knew the motivation of the black propagandists but what is obvious is they want to alienate me from the military sector. But why?
I reiterated to my new military friends in Davao of my continued support for the concerns of our soldiers. It’s the same assurance I tell our women soldiers whenever I have a chance to meet with them, that I will always be around to champion their causes as I encourage them to excel in their profession.
Women in Uniform - an intergral part of my women advocacy
I would welcome more suggestions on how our government can better provide for the welfare of our soldiers, particularly, the women and uniform, and the widows and orphaned children of our fallen heroes.
In the last six years, I have worked on a number of key legislative measures which have been enacted into law. Among them are:
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act
The Cheaper Medicines Law
The Food and Drugs Administration Law
The Anti-Hospital Detention Law
The Expanded Breastfeeding Law
The Environmental and Education Awareness Act
The Magna Carta of Women
I also authored/sponsored a number of protected area laws, including the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Mts. Banahaw – San Cristobal Protected Landscape.
I have made amendments to various bills to ensure that they are gender sensitive. These include the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Law, the National Disaster Risk and Management Law among others.
With respect to our national budget, I have made amendments increasing the budget for health care, environment, education and protection of women – such as doctors to the barrios programs, hospital equipment, water and air quality, and clean-up of the Bulacan river. I have also pushed for the release of the funding of major environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean Water Act, and women laws such as the Magna Carta of Women and the Violence against Women and Children Act.
In the past 5 years, I have actively represented our country in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). I have been President of the Women Parliamentarians of the IPU for the last 2 years. I have chaired sessions for women parliamentarians in the United Nations and all over the world. I have brought back these experiences to my work in the senate. Many of my legislative work, including budgetary amendments are inspired by my exchanges with fellow legislators from all over the world.
It has been my greatest pride to represent our country as a Filipina legislator.
As I run for re-election, I present my accomplishment report to the Filipinos. It will be my honor to serve once more.
I should have done this sooner. When I started a new blog whereispianow.com, the intention was not to leave this blog. I just wanted to start a daily campaign blog where I could track my campaign over the next 90 days. I should have known I would not have time to go back to this blog for the time being.
The campaign has been going on for 78 days. There are 12 days to go.
I have done my part for the past six years, but there are still a lot to be done. Among others, we need to revisit the PhilHealth Law to ensure that our people will have access to quality but affordable health care. I also need to push for the passage of major environmental bills such as the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), Land Administration Reform Act (LARA), National Land Use Code (NLUC) and other protected areas.
I look forward to going back to the Senate with your support and vote.
When I was a child, I would climb into bed with my mom and fall asleep in the comfort of her warmth, knowing monsters would not come close with my mom by my side.
I am no longer a child and have outgrown my fear of bedtime monsters. But what about children living in Maguindanao who wake up after a bad dream? How can their mothers assure them there are no monsters?
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As I prepared for the upcoming International Day to Eliminate Violence against women (November 25), I learned that a candidate sent his wife to file his certificate of candidacy as governor of the province. He had received threats that he would be harmed if he pursued his candidacy. So he decided that to send a woman, his wife, would be a safer thing to do. A few hours later, his wife, other women and companions, including members of the media, were brutally murdered.
Excerpt of the report published in Inquirer:
“Esmael Mangudadatu said the body of his murdered wife had been horrifyingly mutilated and that his dead sister and aunt had both been pregnant.
‘We can’t call him an animal because I have pets and they are tame. No, he is a monster. They are monsters,’ Mangudadatu told reporters, referring to Ampatuan Jr. and his gunmen.
‘My wife’s private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it,’ he added.
‘They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth. I could not begin to describe the manner by which they treated her.”
To date, 62 bodies have been recovered.
Moreover, 12 members of media were part of the group that was killed. In its website, the International Federation of Journalists states:
“Under the current government the Philippines has become the most dangerous place in the world for media workers. At least 74 journalists have been killed during its eight-year tenure, yet the [Arroyo] government has not acted to end the culture of impunity. At last count, only four convictions had been secured,” the group said.”
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If I was a child, I would wave around a giant dream catcher and make this bad dream go away. But it is real, the monsters are real.
And the only way the monsters will go away…
..is when the criminals, the crooks and the perpetrators of evil are arrested, prosecuted and convicted, swiftly – no cover-up, no delays, no bungling of evidence.
But not just that…
We need to work on our priorities. The next President has to right all the wrongs of this present administration. Corrupt officials must be jailed. The Senate has come up with so many reports on multi-billion scams. What did this administration and the Ombudsman do? Nothing. No wonder, crooks and killers walk around without fear.
Our latest official statistics (2006) show that 27.6 million Filipinos are living below the poverty line. Our enrollment rate is lower than it was 10 years ago.
The same statistics show that the region with the highest poverty incidence is the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The province of Maguindanao is the 3rd poorest province with a poverty incidence of 62%.
In Maguindanao, school is often disrupted due to armed conflict. As such, their literacy rate is 66.27 compared to the national average of 92.3. The Philippine Human Development Report of 2005 states that only 39.7% of adults in Maguindanao have six years of basic education compared to the national average of 84%.
In my next blog, I will write about the need for a national budget that will address social injustices that plague our nation.
Bike commuters and environmentalists rejoice! Bikes are now allowed on LRT line 1 and line 2. Foldable bikes that is.
I had the pleasure of traveling from Cubao to Luneta via two modes of eco-friendly transportation – as a bike commuter and on board the LRT. Along with LRTA Administrator Mel Robles, bike enthusiasts and environmentalists, we took the LRT from Araneta, disembarked in Legarda, unfolded our bikes and biked to Luneta.
At the Legarda LRT stationrelaxing during the ride to Legarda
This was at the launch of the LRTA’s Bike On Bike Off program (BIKE 02).
The Bike 02 is the first mass transportation/bike friendly program in the country.It is our first step towards an eco-friendly and healthy mass transportation system.
At Legarda station ready to go
The project seeks to encourage commuters to leave their cars and hop on their bikes to the nearest station and board a train to their destination.
I recognize that there is still much to be done. For now, only foldable bikes can be used. That in itself is a huge limitation since most people own regular bikes. Also, due to limited space, only 4 bikes at a time on the last coach of the train.
Of course, we have no bike lanes and let’s not even get started on the quality of the air in Metro Manila!
But a journey starts with the first step and I congratulate LRTA and its partners – Firefly Brigade, UP Mts, Padyak and Tiklop for this initiative. Already there are commitments tofollow-up measures.
Close monitoring of this pilot launch will help us expand this project to make it mroe viable. LRTA Administrator Mel Robles acknowledges the need to build bike racks in allstations. We also discussed the need to have secured bike racks/parking areas in all parking lots. I commit to continue working on the national budget to include funding for the Clean Air Act and its related projects.
If there are any lessons to be learned from typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, it is that the time has come to focus on eco-friendly sustainable programs in urban planning, transportation, energy and everything else that we do.
biking on Legarda st. heading to Lunetahappy bike commuters at Luneta
Meanwhile I will continue to dream and plan for a time where we can commute from the south and north of Metro Manila and all over our country in a seamless inter-connected pollution-free mass transportation and bike friendly system.
For more information on the Bike 02 project, please read LRTA’s Bike Rules.
After my conference in Geneva, I flew to London. I had requested the Philippine Embassy to set-up a dialogue with the Pinay OFWs, particularly the nurses. I have been working on our problem brought about the migration of our health professionals and knowing that we had a large number of nurses in the UK, I wanted to meet them.
Before the meeting, I chatted with Ambassador Lagdameo who is an old friend of my mom and dad. He knew my parents when they were still studying in the University of Michigan and actually gave me my very first present when I was born! Imagine that. It was a delight chatting with him. I asked him and Con Gen de Vega about their visit to the queen where the ambassador presented his credentials and they had to bow and curtsy 3x in keeping with protocol.
the closest I got to the queen is holding Ambassador Lagdameo's picture with her
Ambassador Lagdameo, ConGen de Vega and Embassy officers
I was delighted to be among such an empowered group of Pinays! Among others, the group included a nurse, teacher, businesswomen, solicitor, domestic worker, chef and urban planner.
We had a lively discussion at the Embassy. Ambassador Lagdameo and Consul General Tess de Vega welcomed everyone. I began by giving the women a background of the issues affecting women and why I believe legislation and policies still need to be improved.I talked to them about the Magna Carta of Women. I also mentioned the Millennium Development Goals and the salary standardization law (see my previous blog on the discrepancy between the salaries men and women. I explained my work in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), where I currently am the President of the Women Parliamentarians.
At the Phil embassy with Pinay OFWs and migrants
For this talk, I focused on migration issues and how migration affects both the OFWs and the families left behind. I emphasized the need to create more programs directed at the social impact on OFWs and their families.
After my talk, we had an open forum to give the women a chance to air their views and concerns. Many of them spoke of the long hours they endured to send money back home. Many worked 2-3 jobs! But despite the long hours, they felt rewarded and fulfilled in their ability to improve their standards of living and provide for their families.
They also spoke of the difficulty of being away from their families, the frustration of not getting the support and understanding they needed from loved ones back home. Many nodded their head, when one woman spoke about the despair of working so hard and yet feeling unappreciated.
They were a hardy happyset of women, confident about the lives they made for themselves in the UK.They spoke of improving their support system for newcomers to help them adjust to the lifestyle in the UK and the need to encourage Pinays to get better by getting a better education.
The next day I went to the Financial Learning Campaign sponsored by the Central Bank and the Philippine Embassy. I think this is a great program and committed my support for continuing financial literacy programs for the OFWs and their families back home.
central bank presentation
watching the presentation with Ambassador Lagdameo
In between those meetings, I was able to visit a few historic sites including the Tower of London and West Minister Abbey. I am an enthusiastic student of history, includingEnglish history.And I was thrilled to visit the places, I had only read about in the past. I have always believed that we can learn a lot if we look back into history.
So many were beheaded here, including two queens disliked by their husband King Henry VIII
Suffice it to say, at a time where women were subservient to men, Englandhad a succession of Queens that ruled the land.Each of these Queens have their own stories to tell. I’ve been reading about the lives of queens, including Queen Katherine of Aragon (first wife of King Henry VIII), Queen Mary and her sister Queen Elizabeth (daughters of King Henry VIII). If I can find the time, I hope to blog about my thoughts on the lessons we can learn from the women and the Queens of England in 15 and 16 century England.
Every October, Parliamentarians from all over the world meet in Geneva for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference. I am currently thePresident of the Women Parliamentarians and ourcommittee of women meets here once a year to take stock of our work and to prepare for the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians the next year (2010 will be in Bangkok).
At the women's meeting with the Sec Gen and Iranian delegates
In the Women’s Committee, we discussed the gender dimension on the topics pending in the IPU’s standing committees:
–On the topic ofCooperation and shared responsibilityin the fight against organized crime, in particular human trafficking. it was underscored that human trafficking was often under-acknowledged and that the first step was for parliaments to call on governments to recognize the full extent of the problem and develop strategies to address it.This in fact is a big problem in the Philippines and much needs to be done.
–On the Role of Parliament in developing cooperation in order to accelerate achievement of the MDGs,the womenemphasized the need to focus onMDGs 4 and 5, on child and maternal mortality. This has been my campaign in the country for the last two years. We need more midwives to the barrios, more birthing facilities and access to information and support re family planning.
–On Youth Participation in the Democratic Process, it was suggested that different strategies be considered to include young people in parliamentary debates and hearings, parliamentary youth forums and political party work. The need for gender-sensitive training was also emphasized. I met with the representative of UNICEF to brainstorm on this item later in the week. This would be a good project to implement back home.
The Secretary General Anders Johnson briefed us on IPU’s campaign “Parliaments Take Action on Violence Against Women.” IPU is urging parliaments to take part in this campaign and organize activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. This has also been my campaign for the past few years (my related blogs on violence).
Our Gender Partnership Group met twice. We looked at the IPU budget and noted that due to budgetary support for gender issues, the IPU has been able to focus on many gender related activities.As for participation in the IPU, the Group noted that there are still 6 countries without women parliamentarians from the Gulf States and the Pacific Islands.
At the second meeting, we met with the Senator from Palau who briefed us about the recent election of two women in the Palau Senate.He explained that Palau is actually a matriarchal society. Women are king makers in the communities but do not themselves run for office. I opined that there may be a need for re-orienting society to support women in leadership positions.
At the General Council Meeting on the last day, the body approved the resolution on the emergency item on Global Food Security. I supported an amendment tothis resolution, urging governments to make microfinance funds available, guaranteeing that at least 50% would go to women.
Finally, I presented the report of the women parliamentarians to the body. Although the IPU meeting formally closed on Wednesday, there were still events going on, including the seminar on the Convention on the Elimination ofAll Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which I would chair the next day.
Delivering the report on the work of the women parliamentarians
Over the years, I have made friends with parliamentarians from different countries. It is always a pleasure to see them during the IPU meetings. Many of them are seasoned parliamentarians, and I always go home inspired by the people I meet and the lessons I learned.
Sen. Pimentel, Ambassador Basilio and our friends fr Canada, Sen Carstairs, her husband and Judge DebbyChatting with the MP fr Cambodia who I met last Sept when I was a speaker in Siem Reap Cambodia
My son Gabriel lived for 9 months. Every September, we celebrate his short life with a 12 hour event in his memory. Friends come to run, walk, bike or do a triathlon. By doing this, our foundation, Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation, raises funds for kids who are disadvantaged either because of a disability, sickness or poverty.
I like to think of it as a venue for families to have a day of fitness and fun while helping others. My own kids have done different things over the years. The first year, they actually biked and ran throughout the day stopping only to eat and rest. The succeeding years, they did the kids tri. This year, they both ran the 3k run with their friends. Anthony Pangilan and his son Donny won the Parent and Child buddy run (official results of all the events will be posted on Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation).
The kids triathlon and aquathlon was fun as always. Coach Ani de Leon’sSuper Kids, ourfuture national triathletes were there in full force.Three year old Kira Ellis was our youngest participant (youtube video of super kids).
Super Kids
Fresh from the CamSur 70.3 Ironman, my tri-friends,organized themselves into groups to do an ironman relay. There were 12 teams in all, including two all girls teams called Little Twin Star and Hello Kitty! The Carpo sisters crossed the finish line with their teammates in colorful head gear and attire. Similarly, the sea princess, Tessa Prieto Valdes biked in her tutu. Inspired by all this,I told Ani and Mailet, we should have a best in costume award next year!
Polotri relay team and me at the finish line
Coach Ani with women who did the ironman relay
Tessa, Ani and I after Tessa finished her bike leg
Some of the visually impaired kids, beneficiaries of our Foundation were there too. They did a demo swim, which prompted me to tell their coach that they may want to train and participate in the aquathon next year.
Visually Impaired kids swimming as the other kids cheer them on
Later that morning they did a demo of table tennis specially designed for visually impaired individuals. We have donated 2 of these tables to blind schools and has committed to donate some more.
table tennis demo of visually impaired kids
We also forged a new tie-up with Carewell Community, a foundation dedicated to provide support for cancer patients and their families. We did a Carewell Bikes for Hope and raised funds both for Gabriel’s foundation and Carewell.
And of course, my friend, Maiqui Dayrit, did his 5th ironman.Every year, he worries that he is not in shape. But regardless of the shape he is in, he does his 3.8k swim, 180k bike and 42k run. He is by far, the foundation’s, longest running, largest individual donor. God bless your heart and keep you healthy and running strong Maiqui!
Running with MaiquiAni Joey and Me with Maiqui after he finished his 5th Ironman distance.
As Maiqui was finishing his run,my brothers and some friends on a whim, decided to do a 200 meter sprint.The arrangement was regardless of who wins, the group would donate to the foundation. The run lasted all of a few seconds but it was totally fun watching them.
Then we came up with the idea of having my senate staff do the same 200 meter sprint. Some of the women in my office are quite fit… In fact, three of them Mich, Marvee and Karen did their first sprint triathlon relay in the UP College of Law Dean’s Cup a few weks ago.
Staff run
There was just too much that happened that day for me to be sad. I miss my son every day of my life. But so much goodness has come out of his short life. I thank everyone who has made this day memorable, for taking time to join us and for making a difference in the lives of children.
We found ourselves in Desaru, Malaysia when the 70.3 Ironman Putrajaya was suddenly postponed. We had trained for months and were ready to race. Ani de Leon instantly found another race, just 1 week after the original race wetrained for. It was called theDesaru Long Distance Triathlon (2k swim-90k bike-21k run).
Our small Philippine contingent consisted of National tri-champ Ani de Leon, Phil team triathlete and now Coach Peter Gonzalez,my training partner Joey Torres and me. Ani’s boyfriend Patrice also joined us. We flew into Singapore and caught a 30 minute ferry to Malaysia.
On the ferry to Desaru
None of us had ever been there. The roads were beautiful, perfect for biking.Unfortunately, the hotel we stayed in was not as nice as the roads. It was run down, there were leaking pipes in the bathroom, and there was hardly any food in the restaurant.We had rice and eggs every meal. Breakfast buffet was..all you can eat rice and eggs. Buti na lang girl scout ako. I had gone food shopping in Singapore and bought fruits and yogurt and some bread.
On Friday morning, we got on our bikes in search of food. We biked about 25km til we found heaven – a Petronas station with a store. We loaded our back packs (I loaded Joey’s since I did not have one) with instant noodles, drinks and chocolate bars.
Race morning breakfast was boiled water in the coffee pot and voila..instant noodles and egg. We biked to the Desaru Golden Beach Resort where the race would start. Nadine, my daughter and Che would be our water girls and cheering squad rolled into one.
The swim turned out to be a mini-roller coaster. I felt I was moving up and down, not forward. Thankfully, I made it and transitioned into the bike segment. I loved that bike course! The roads were smooth and wide,rolling hills without too many turns.
Soon enough, I was on to the last segment – the run.It would take me about two hours. Course was hilly with one killer hill where I found most people walking. I didn’t walk it, but I could feel the strain on my calves going up that hill. We passed the Desaru Golden Beach Club a couple of times.This was the best part. Spectators and supporters waited there, cheering and handing out refreshments. Nadine and Che handed us water, energy bars and whatever they had.
Halfway through the run, I was running towards the crowd of people,and I spot Nadine holding out a banana. She shouts,” Mommy, mommy, banana?” As I pass her, I shout back, “Later, later, after the turn around.”
my sweet water girl ready to hand me my drink
Throughout that turn-around I dream of that banana. All I have had for the last 4:30 hours is water, some energy drink and gel. 4k later I am back. I can practically taste the banana. I imagine its sweet taste, the potassium and whatever other nutrients a banana has flowing thru my veins and nourishing my body to give me 1 more hour worth of strength and speed.
As I approached Nadine, I shouted, “Banana! Banana!”
My daughter replies, “Sorry mommy, its gone.”
I said, “What?! Why? What happened?”
“The monkey ate your banana, mommy.”
one of the culprits
What can I say? In some triathlon races, you look out for cars,in others you look out for potholes on the road. In Desaru, you look out for monkeys…and your banana.
I took 6th place in the age group 35 and up. Ani took 5th place in her age-group and Peter Gonzalez took 2nd. Not bad for our small Philippine contingent. We dedicate our race to President Cory Aquino.
flag in one hand, yellow flower in the other
happy finishers
Like many other women, I’m a trimom. I had promised Nadine that after my race, I was all hers. She wanted to go swimming and show me her dive. So we swam in the pool, and then headed to the beach to catch the waves. Then we we went back to our hotel to pack-up and eat.
What was our post-race meal?… but of course more noodles and eggs.
How do you spend a dayin Hong Kong with the Running Priest?
Contrary to what many of my friends guessed, there was no running (we’ve done that), no mass, no confession (at least not real confession). But it was still a cardio-packed day filled with spiritual reflection,thought-provoking conversation and inspiration.
I went to Hong Kong upon the invitation of Fr Robert Reyes,otherwise known as the Running Priest.A few weeks ago he was at the Senate and told me about his current work with OFW cancer stricken patients and survivors. He wanted me to meet them and see what we could do to help them.
Buhay Ka members and other OFWs and NGOs
I arrived on Sunday afternoon and went straight to the meeting held in the Philippine Consulate. What transpired was an emotional yet extremely inspirational 2 hour dialogue. There are clear gaps in policies andlaws which I am looking into. I will cover this in a separate blog.
The next day, Fr Robert and I agreed, or should I say, connived to show my staff and friends a different side of Hong Kong. I had been to Lamma Island a few years ago and was excited to go back.. We met at Central station and took a ferry to Lamma. That alone was an adventure because I get seasick very easily. Thankfully, it was a short 25 minute trip and I managed a smile soon as my feet touched land.
We were introduced to island life by the sight of bicycles parked by the pier. This is how people got around in Lamma. No cars, just bicycles and a few miniature vehicles that transport goods. Even their ambulance and fire trucks were miniature versions.
Arriving at Lamma island
Fr Robert explained to the group that we would walk to the other side of the island. You could hearthe sound of resistance to Father’s plan but Father simply said, that’s where we are eating, so if you want to eat, you have to walk… end of story.
After passing thru the commercial area, we found ourselves in the midst of forest cover walking to the beat of bird sounds. Fr Robert pointed out the burial sites which seemed to almost blend with the forest.
Our first stop was the Portiuncula Monastery. We met the contemplative sisters, headed by Sister Mary Ann. They served us cold orange juice and told us about the distance learning program they offer to OFWs. Sister Mary Ann explained that the objective was to keep the modules as simple and relevant as possible to enable to students to study and comprehend the lessons on their own.
Leslie, an OFW walked me thru the course she was taking. I was amazed! The topics were very relevant to the lives of the OFWs. One sample test was to make a marketing plan for the sale of pre-paid cards to other OFWs.
Our next stop was the taho carinderia. Since the Chinese version of taho is served without sago, I took out my bag of trail mix (nuts and dried fruit) and passed it around to be added as toppings.
More walking…. Fr. Robert then announced that we would make a stop to visit Joey Dyogi, an OFW who has end-stage kidney failure. Although, he no longer works, Joey is still able to avail of subsidized treatment from the Hong Kong government because he was working as a professional and was a permanent resident at the time he got sick. Contrast this with our domestic helpers who lose their benefits once they are no longer employed and who cannot attain permanent residency status despite the number of years of work.
The main path then led to the beach. After walking in the heat, the urge to jump in the water was almost irresistible. How I wished I had a swimsuit.. I didn’t and neither did anyone else, so we just took more pictures.
with my staff Atty Karen, Mich, Mike and Peter
The next segment of our walk was hilly and hot. We entertained ourselves with storytelling, jokes and phone calls from people who Fr Robert wanted me to touch base with.
Finally, we reached the other side of the island. We sat down for lunch at 4:30 in the afternoon just in time to catch the 5:30 ferry back to the mainland.
What did we take home from this trip? Because it was led by the Running Priest, our stops were not the usual tourist stops. The people we metand interacted with along the way had stories that affected us, changed us.I think my staff was inspired to take their fitness to the next level.We also felt a deeper appreciation of nature walking thru the well-preserved island devoid of vehicles and traffic. I picked up lessons, I will use to work on legislation and policies for our OFWs.
I plan to go back and take my kids there.They have been on nature walks, they have climbed Mt. Pulag. But I want them to see Lamma Island where it seems modern living and nature have found a way to co-exist.
