BacolodCity,Philippines
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Location: The Philippines is made up of 7,100 islands. The country is divided into 3
major groups, Luzon (north), Visayas (middle) and Mindanao (South). The primary
religionofthecountryisCatholicism,buttherehasbeenagreatrevivalhappeningforthe
last 10 years! The city of Bacolod is situated the Visayas in an island called Negros
Occidental. It is a 13‐hour journey from Los Angeles to the country’s capital Manila and
anotherhourbyplanetoBacolodCity.
Language: “Ilonggo” is the dialect of this island but English is spoken among young
adultssincetheschoolsystemwasestablishedbytheAmericansduringtheiroccupationof
thecountryduringWWIIandclassesaretaughtinEnglish.
Economy: Bacolod City (aka the “City of Smiles”) is a small but progressive city. 20
yearsago,thecityproduced75%ofthecountry’ssugarneedsandexportedtoalmostallof
thesurroundingAsiancountriesbutduetocompetitivemarket,productioncametoahalt
and sent most of the citizens of this island below poverty line. It has been a very slow
economicrecovery.Someoftheareaswewillbeworkingwillbelocatedwithinthecity’s
shanties/slumsandsomewillbeanhourawayinthefarmingcommunities.
Health: Most common illnesses are diabetes and high blood pressure and respiratory
diseases among adults while malnutrition, parasitic infections, cholera, dysentery,
respiratory and skin diseases are among children. Visual and dental health is extremely
expensiveleadingtopoordentitionandblindness.Itisatropicalislandsodiseasessuchas
MalariaandDenguefeverarepresentbutareseldomseen.
Climate:Theweatherishotandhumidwithoccasionalthunderstorms.
Food/Facilities: The hotel facilities are modern with hot/cold showers, A/C, and wifi
connectivity. You will experience the warmth and hospitality of these people as soon as
youland.EvenwiththearrivalofAmericanfastfoodchainandcafesinthelast5years,
localfoodisstillfavoredbymost.FilipinocuisineisverysimilartoSpanishdishesdueto
their50yearrule.Riceisastapleforeverymeal.