My first day in the Naga City of Phillippines

Hi, everyone! 

This is my first writing. I don't know what to write but since I am doing my teaching practicum in Phillippines, I will tell you a little about it. The practicum is organized by Southeast Asia (SEA) teachers. People call it SEAMEO. This is the 4th batch of SEAMEO. There are seven students from State University of Yogyakarta that are sellected based on their pedagogical competence, their personality and their English skill. Two students are assigned at Udonthani, Thailand, while the rest of them are assigned in Pangasinan City and Naga City, Phillippines. Two of my friends and I are assigned to finish my practicum in the Naga City with Ateneo de Naga University as the host university. We left Indonesia on August 2nd then we were arrived in the Naga City on August 5th. 

In the first day, on August 5th, there was a welcoming party conducted by practicumers from Ateneo de Naga University. They are very nice and helpful. The welcoming party was attended by Ma'am Lut the Dean of College of Education, Ma'am Jeannette the coordinator of the program, practicumers from college of education, and three SEAMEO participants. The welcoming party started by singing the National Anthem of Phillippines and Indonesia then followed by the welcoming speech from the Dean. There was also students who were singing a song and dancing. The SEAMEO participants were also invited to dance. We were introducing each other and sharing our number so if we need any help, we can contact them. The welcoming party ended by eating lunch together in the Coko Cafe.

The next activity was taking a break before going to the Naga Central II School to observe. That was one of the school where the SEAMEO participants were going to practice teaching. The school was a public school. One of our friends said that thesome public schools in Phillippines are lack of facilities compared to the private school. Of course, because the private schools are more expensive. We took a picture with some students there. That was Saturday so we only met few students. In the yard, there were also students practicing a kind of dance. They were preparing for the FIESTA festival on the last week of September.

We have planned to go to a market after visiting the school by walking because we would pass some beautiful places near the market. That was the Cathedral, the oldest Catholic Cathedral in the Naga City and the University of Sta. Isabel. Of course we took pictures there. Here are the pictures.

The last activity was going to the market to buy some foods and vegetables. My friends were introducing their favourite food named Turon. That was a banana and jackfruit wrapped and fried. That was similar to Pisang Aroma in Indonesia. The price was 15 Peso only.