It's night time.
As with most blowwgg posts, I am writing this at night. We just finished concert number six here on Cebu Island. It's been a little crazy. Each concert is held at a basketball court in a borongai. We have to load up our multi-cab with a borrowed drum kit, sound board, mics, etc. basically all things needed for a show except the instruments. Our team got a crash course in setting up a concert and we did alright. Electricity can sometimes be a problem.
As a side note I literally feel as if I will never fully flesh out or recount the experiences I have had on this trip or even one concert. Full is one word that comes to mind. Full of projects, conversations that have long-reaching intention, gods spirit, and many more things.
Like I was saying, electricity has been borrowed from a persons house before. We pay a flat rate per hour for the usage if someone allows us to tap in. Once we get electricity and the stage set up, we hand over center stage to national (in this case, Philippino bands). Our vision is that we will train and disciple already existing Christians to have a full walk with and understanding of God and then they can minister the gospel. The reason: nationals know their own people better. When we visit the Philippines it is too much for us to break the culture barrier and have long lasting effect.
Fun fun fun. One of my favorite things to do is use accents. I have used them since discovering my ability to mimic in seventh grade. Speaking Cebuano is the perfect opportunity to stretch my legs. At home speaking in an accent is less than desirable attention for me. Drawing attention is unhelpful. Anyway, it's not like I am having long discussions in the language but the usage is still there.
People here see Americans as celebrities - this is not good. I want to speak to someone as an equal- not have them perceive me as they do. Some individuals have been able to set this aside to se degree and we have talked at length. Others simply want to take a picture of me and wish they could hang out with me. I have to work hard to turn my attention seeking self off. It is important to say that the girls are beautiful and the boys handsome because they have said so many times "I like your nose" or "I like your color".
One girl (Kyra) was eating a Santil at the Bato concert yesterday. I asked her how it was add she replied "medio". I laughed very hard at this. It was an attitude that I was not unfamiliar with. Somewhat because it is how j operate in some respects. (The idea that contrasts bring hilarity, being a conundrum.). This answer gave away her bad/tough girl attitude in a second and I spent the next few minutes breaking it. After hearing her say things and nearly scolding another girl in Cebuano so that she remained centre attention to me I told her that being mean to other girls would not suit her well in her later years. She probably won't listen but her attitude made me laugh so much because it was so throwaway, casual and nonchalant all rolled into one. She said "this Santil is merely okay" in the same sentence as saying "i will eat this whole thing." Even in such a beautiful place people are disinterested in life outside their own mind. Odd.
Another girl had what I thought was gum in her mouth and she got all sheepish when I asked if it was gum. I thought she was being shy but she was not and said it's a Santil. She then spit it out.
Another kid worth mentioning was Glabien. She came to both concerts this weekend. Very nice girl. She was singing the last songs that Andy Colopè sang, and since they had lyrics posted, I sang along with her.
Another side note is that Philippino bands love to use "because you're amazing just the way you are" in their own songs. It suits the culture I suppose. Everyone can just state that you are beautiful or handsome and not be weird. This is a far cry from my culture because using those words tends to be tied to wanting something out of a person. Yes, it appears to be that base to me. The Philippines has been healing in that respect for me. It's okay to think some one is beautiful and even to let them know that. I intend on giving this idea trial runs and will probably go down in flames but hopefully not.
This blog is vain and fails to tell my story or an accurate account of events. For this, I am sorry. There is much more I want to post but I feel that should I write, I would make it more so.
That's it for now.
This is B. Harn. Signing off from the bumpy, cargo-laden back of Shoar Mission's multi-cab.
Peace, brah
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