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Friday, April 25, 2014

KIVA: The Visit

Day 0

You're probably wondering why I loaned to Marlito. Maybe you're also wondering what I was thinking when I saw this loan on Kiva. You should be wondering. I would be wondering all day long if were you and I told you this. The first thing that crossed my mind when I saw this loan was, "Man, that is one sick-looking motorcycle."

Day 1

And that was why I loaned to him. 2 months later, I found myself on a plane; destination: Getafe, Bohol. I was going to visit and meet Marlito. I got to Getafe in the late afternoon. Marlito was waiting for me at the airport, and we took a taxi to his town. It was a nice village; everybody was very friendly there, and everything was in great shape. Marlito took me to his house, and I was greeted by his family. They all were so nice, with big smiles on their faces, and open, welcoming arms. They invited me to stay, and I gladly excepted it.

Day 2

The next day started with a fresh morning dew. I was greeted with smiles and a delicious breakfast, and Marlito and I were off to the garage. First, Marlito directed me to the tools and told me what to do with them. We gathered up some parts and started assembling. I started on the engine, which roared like a mad cow. First, I cleaned out the engine pipe, which was filled and clogged with grime. I then polished off rough edges, and then we cleaned the rest of the bike. It looked brand new. We finished the day with a test ride, and it now roared like Katy Perry.

Day 3

Marlito woke me up the next morning and told me to get up and get ready. Today was the day he would take me out on the job. He gave me his spare motorcycle, and we rode off into the sunrise. I had just realized that all of his motorcycles were awesome. We stopped at our first pickup area. There were a couple who we were picking up at our stop. One of them was a doctor, and the other was a shopkeeper. Their destination was the airport I was flown to. They were going to another part of the Philippines for three weeks for a business trip. It was mainly for the husband, who is the doctor, and he was going to a remote part of the Philippines where a new sickness had spread. When we dropped them off, they left us a tip for (an awesome motorcycle) great service. Marlito and I raced back home and the day was over.

Day 4

This day we had gotten a call from a stockbroker who needed transport to a business their company is having a deal with. Marlito let me use his motorcycle, and I almost fainted from amazingness. We had a race over to the stop, and I won (only because of the awesome motorcycle). When we arrived at the stop, the man said, "I need to be at this address in 10 minutes! Can you get me there in time?" I replied with, "How fast?" "Fast", the man replied. Marlito nodded and I revved the engine to full throttle. I was going so fast, that I got him there in 5 minutes. He didn't tip me, and he walked away looking sick. Marlito scowled at me. I said, "Hey, he said fast."

Day 5

Today was an odd day. We got a call from a blocked number, which was weird, and it was a weird address as well. It was in the rough part of Bohol, and he needed to go to a McDonalds to pick up a clients meal. We picked him up, and he was very suspicious looking. He had the whole deal with the trench coat, the weird hat, and the glasses. He also had gloves on, with was also weird. We drove him to McDonalds, and he got out. I told Marlito about the suspicion, so we followed him in. He then pulled his trench coat open, and he had bombs strapped all on the inside of the coat. He yelled, "This is a robbery! I want all of you on the ground, NOW! As for you McDonalds, hand over all of the money and get me 500 chicken mcnuggets!" Marlito and I crawled to the back door, and ran for the motorcycles. I couldn't just let him get away. I took the awesome motorcycle, and revved the engine. I told Marlito to grab the man in a hold, get the bombs off, and get as far away as you can, then throw it. Marlito snuck up behind the man and ripped of the bombs. He then ran towards the door, and got on the motorcycle. He took off, but I wasn't done yet. I yelled at the man, "Hey sh*** wad, eat tire!" I went full speed towards him, and ran into him. I sprayed dirt in his face, and took off.

Day 6

The next morning was exciting. Marlito rushed over to me with the newspaper in his hand, and the front page said, "LOCAL HEROES SAVE LIVES AND THWART THIEF". It had a picture of me and Marlito on our motorcycles with the bomb, and me running the thief over. Today was going to be a great day for business. We had so many calls, that we could barely keep up with any of them. I told Marlito that I was leaving, and that he would be able to pay of the Kiva loan very soon. I wonder who I would loan to next.


Day 7

You're probably wondering why I loaned to Marlito. Maybe you're also wondering what I was thinking when I saw this loan on Kiva. You should be wondering. I would be wondering all day long if were you and I told you this. The first thing that crossed my mind when I saw this loan was, "Man, that is one sick-looking motorcycle."

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

KIVA: Getafe, Bohol


KIVA: Language & Currency

Language

EnglishTagalog
WelcomeMaligayang pagdating / Mabuhay
HelloMabuhay! (frm) Hoy / Uy (inf) Hello (on phone)
How are you?
I'm fine
Kumusta? (frm) Musta? (inf)
Mabuti po naman (frm) Mabuti naman (inf)
Long time no seeTagal na ah! Long time no see!
Grabe ang tagal na nating di nagkita!
What's your name?
My name is ...
Ano po ang pangalan nila? (frm) Anong pangalan mo? (inf)
Ako po si ... (frm) Ako si ... (inf)
Where are you from?
I'm from ...
Taga saan po sila? (frm) Taga saan ka? (inf)
Taga ... ako
Pleased to meet youKinagagalak kong makilala ka
Good morningMagandang umaga po (frm) Magandang umaga (inf)
Good afternoonMagandang hapon po (frm) Magandang hapon (inf)
Good eveningMagandang gabi po (frm) Magandang gabi (inf)
GoodbyePaálam
Good luckSuwertehin ka sana / Magsumikap ka / Pagbutihin mo
Mapasa iyo nawa ang suwerte (old fashioned)
Cheers/Good health!Mabuhay! (long life)
Have a nice dayMagandang araw sa'yo!
Bon appetitTayo'y magsikain (frm) Kainan na! (inf) - Let's eat
Bon voyageMaligayang paglalakbáy!
I don't understandHindi ko naiintindihan
Please speak more slowlyPwede mo bang bagalan ang iyong pagsasalita?
Please write it downPakisulat mo naman
Do you speak Tagalog?
Yes, a little
Nagsasalita ba kayo ng Tagalog?
Nagsasalita ako ng kaunti lamang
How do you say ...
in Tagalog?
Paano mo sabihin ang ... sa tagalog?
Excuse meIpagpaumanhin ninyo ako!
How much is this?Magkano ho ito? Magkano to?
SorryIpagpaumanhin ninyo ako! Paumanhin (po)!
Thank you


Response
Salamat po
Maraming salamat po (frm)
Salamat
Maraming salamat (inf)
Wala pong anuman (frm)
Walang anuman (inf)
Where's the toilet?Nasaan ang kasilyas / banyo / CR? (comfort room)
This gentleman/lady
will pay for everything
Siya na po ang magbabayad ng lahat
Would you like to
dance with me?
Sayaw tayo? Tara sayaw tayo? Gusto mo bang sumayaw? (inf) Maari ko bang hingin ang kamay mo para sa sayaw na ito? (vfrm)
I miss youHanap-hanap kita (inf) Ikaw ay hanap-hanap ko (frm)
I love youIniibig kita / Mahal Kita / Minamahal Kita
Iniirog kita (old fashioned)
Get well soonMagpagaling ka na, ha
Leave me alone!Iwanan mo ako mag-isa! Hayaan mo ko mapag-isa!
Lubuyan mo ako! (go away)
Lumayas ka sa harapan ko! (get out of my sight!)
Huwag mo akong pakialamanan! (don't bother me!)
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Saklolo!
Sunog!
Para!
Call the police!Tumawag ka ng pulis!
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
Maligayang Pasko / Manigong bagong taon
Happy EasterMaligayang pasko ng pagkabuhay
Happy BirthdayMaligayang kaarawan (Happy Birthday)
Maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan
(Happy/Joyful/Merry Wishes on your Birthday)
Nawa'y pagpalain ka ng Diyos ng marami pang kaarawan
(May God bless you with many more birthdays to come)
One language is never enoughHindi sapat ang isang wika lamang
Hindi sapat ang isang lengguahe lamang
My hovercraft
is full of eels
What!? Why this phrase?
Puno ng palos ang aking hoberkrap/hovercraft


Currency

5 Pesos

The 5 peso note depicts Emilio Aguinaldo, a Philippine resistance hero who first fought the Spanish, and later the American occupiers of the country. The first president of the Philippines. On the reverse you can see the proclamation of Philippine independence, from the balcony of Aguinaldo's house. You won't find this note much in circulation today, as it has been replaced by a 5 peso coin.


10 Pesos

The 10 peso note depicts Apolinario Mabini and Andres Bonifacio. You can also get across an older version with only Mabini. On the reverse is the church of Barasoain.


20 Pesos

The 20 peso note depicts Manuel L. Quezon. On the reverse you can see the Presidential Palace, the Malakañang.


50 Pesos

The 50 peso note depicts Sergio Osmeña. On the reverse you can see the Executive House. Be careful not to confuse it with the 20 peso note, as the color is nearly the same.


100 Pesos

The 100 peso note depicts Manuel A. Roxas. On the reverse you can see the buildings of the Philippine National Bank.



200 Pesos

Introduced in 2002, the 200 peso note commemorates the the June 12 Independence Day, and the EDSA II uprising. It depicts president Diosdado Macapagal, the father of the current president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is also depicted on the back of the note.


500 Pesos

The 500 peso note depicts Beningno S. Aquino Jr.


1000 Pesos

The 1000 peso note depicts Jose Abad Santos, Vincent Lim, and Josefa Llanes Escoda. On the reverse you can see the rice terasses in Banawe, and some tribal artifacts. You won't come across this note very often, and you shouldn't expect your taxi driver to have change from it.


Monday, April 21, 2014

KIVA: Meet Marlito


This is Marlito.
He lives in the Philippines where he has a motorcycle transport job.
I supported him with a kiva loan so he could repair his awesome motorcycle.