Maporak, Zambales
14-16 December 2007
*This is a photographic account of our immersion to the Aeta community of Maporak Zambales.
For most of us, we were asleep on the way to Zambales for we left Manila at 5 AM on the first day of our immersion.
Upon arrival, we were upbeat and ready to settle in.
Given the short time that we spent here, we still hardly packed light.
Getting to know our foster families is, of course, the first step. 
As soon as I unpacked my things in my foster home, I went outside and found my foster brother playing with his buddies. He was so full of energy and loved to use the environment as his playground.
After play time, I, along with an immersion mate, went up a mountain and helped my foster mother gather vegetables for dinner.
Digging for your food is something that I had never done and it turned out to be quite interesting.
One of the main sources of income for the Aeta here is coal-mining.
After the hike, we fooled around with some kids at the sand dune near the river.
While at home, mom was busy preparing our dinner.
And there's nothing like cozying up with family after a hearty meal.
Coffee energizes the people of Maporak every morning, both old and young.
Even "Pogi," the pet monkey agrees.
After cleaning part of the planting grounds up the mountain, we headed to the river and washed up.
We headed straight for a wedding celebration just on the other side of the river as we were invited by the town chieftain yesterday. As a gesture of generosity, people are invited to pin money on the couple's backs while they dance.
As the couple danced solemnly, onlookers could only admire their resolve for having gone through an arduously long celebration.
Back home, it was play time as usual for the kids. Toy guns are nothing new to them. It seems that Western culture has penetrated the community.
But there is still nothing like a good, old fashioned twirl.
Community night was a tremendous success for both the audience and the students. Feelings were shared and emotions were captured.
Waking up on the last day seemed surreal, coming from a long day yesterday. Nonethelessm the sun offers its light, though only partly.
Breakfast as usual? It became natural to us then, living there.
And of course, nothing says 'good morning' like a great big smile.
Are our memories here so etched in sand that as quickly we established our selves here, we quickly brush off what we've experienced?
And as we process these experiences amongst ourselves, we realize that we can never take away what we've accomplised here, even if in a couple of weeks later all these would be an afterthought. 
Saying goodbye is very difficult.
Yet is is inevitable.
And as we head home, little memories will stick around until we leave,
for it is these little memories that will eventually guide us back to remember the life lessons we've discovered here at Maporak.
