kamusta po?

I had my hair done today by a girl who was being trained in hairdressing at RENEW. They did this thing called hot oil which makes your hair soft and shiny! noice! Judy had her hair cut as well. There are some rather amusing pictures....

I forgot to tell you about the night times here... i think. Sorry if I already told you - its rather noisy at night. There are people shouting, dogs howling/barking/squealing/whimpering/squeaking etc, cockerels chattering and crowing all night, machines going, cars, tricycles.... you get used to it! Occasionally I've woken up (i'm still waking up a lot!) and its been quiet but that doesn't happen much. Its also hot and sticky. You don't need sheets or blankets and the window consists of a mosquito net. Mum - you'd be unable to sleep!!

its raining.... a lot! you think england has rain? You've seen and heard nothing!! its pretty heavy. Apparently it should rain every day in the wet season but its only rained three times since we got here - and you know what? this is a real live example of global warming affecting the poor! Yesterday when we went to Pampang - the poorest squatter area in Angeles - there was a government stand handing out government rice (but they still have to pay)... there is the beginning of a rice and water shortage here and the first signs of serious malnutrition. Its scary because its going to get worse and companies will hoard rice because they know its running out and so the price goes up more... then no one can afford to buy it except the rich. Paulo, the director of the charity, says that over the last decade his wife who has lived here all her life has noticed the weather getting hugely more erratic and extreme.

Anyway I'm off for my first night at the bars on fields avenue.... quite nervous.

lots of love xxx