Hi everyone! My last post about the Philippines was sort of just a relaying of details, but I didn't do much reflection or explaining about the geothermal industry there, so I'll try to convey some of my more thoughtful observations in this post.
The geothermal industry in the Philippines is somewhat similar to what happened in Iceland and Japan, where the real explosion of industry was catalyzed by the oil crisis in the 70's. It started off almost entirely in government control, and has slowly been privatized, with the Philippine National Oil Company's subsidiary, the Energy Development Corporation spin-off being the huge chunk. EDC has since further acquired previously government-owned power plants and incorporated them through a subsidiary company called Green Core. The case of the Philippines was interesting in that the steam fields and generation facilities were originally conducted rather separately, and even now, are owned handled separately, the production fields being operated by EDC and the power plants being operated by Green Core. This is quite different that what I've seen thus far, as most of the other companies have been vertically integrated from sub-surface to generation.
One of the most fascinating and perhaps spectacular things about the Philippine program is the social development and outreach that EDC has undertaken. Even before government regulations mandated social responsibility programs, EDC has been committed to using geothermal energy for sustainable community development. Not only does construction provide employment opportunities for local laborers, it has also brought road construction, EDC-assisted schools, and community resources--like better health care access, community buildings, etc. Additionally welfare programs that focus of the lives of community members has combined reforestation and agricultural farming efforts to better both the environment as well as the lives of local residents.
My time in the Philippines was certainly an encouragement to me, as it convinced me that geothermal industry can be promoted in a way that can enhance the welfare of the community as well as the environment. Truly development of the industry can positively impact social development, which will be key in transferring geothermal to the developing world. That said, on a personal level, visiting the Philippines was my first encounter with the "developing" world. I'm so glad that I was able to visit the two sites, which were both located in rural areas, as this allowed me to see the truly "developing" part of the Philippines. Manila, and even the other cities which I visited, were certainly more familiar than I expected. It was of course strange to see the insane traffic patterns due to overcrowding. Lane lines and general traffic regulations appeared to be little more than suggestions, and people literally walk into streets with little regard for their own well-being. If someone told me that the leading cause of death in the Philippines was traffic-related incidents, I wouldn't hesitate to believe it for a moment (although to be fair, in my nearly two weeks there I never saw one). The vespas, pedicabs, and bicycles that weave in and out of traffic nearly gave me a heart-attack a day.
When I first arrived in Manila, I thought, "Wow, so this is what "developing" is like." But going out to the rural areas, I realized that I was severely mistaken. People literally live in huts that look like they're made of banana and palm leaves. At night the air was hazy from people lighting fires, kids and teens hung around on bridges and clustered around little mom and pop shops that are every couple houses. People with ox, cows, horses, and goats walk along the side of the road on their way to work. Kids that looked barely 9 years old drove bicycle pedicabs for a living. Yet I was shocked to see cell phone minute signs up on tons of little stores, and, even more shocking, I could see TVs inside the huts from the road as we passed by. It was a strange thing to see. People that live in shacks but have TVs, kids that ride pedicabs for a living but have cell phones.
Having just finished reading "Too Big to Fail," a novel by The New York Times' columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin (which I highly recommend), on the events of the financial crisis, it seems absolutely insane to me that there are people who live million dollar lifestyles while there are people living steeped in poverty. If you took half of the salary of one top Wall Street executive, you could probably feed the entire rural population of Dumaguete for a week (especially since food in the Philippines is insanely cheap comparatively). The world is so lop-sided that I can barely even grasp the concept. It was entirely disheartening. My first experience with a developing nation, even one that is considered quite developed by comparative standards, delivered a rather devastating realization of what developing really means. I don't mean to look down upon the lifestyle in those communities at all, but I, in my own spoiled and luxurious life, realized just how far our world has to go.
Apologies if this entry seemed overly reflective. As the end of my time abroad quickly approaches, I have become quite introspective, often choosing to sit and read or people watch in parks instead of doing tons of sight-seeing. Since I am coming to the end of my trip, my last few entries will probably be a bit more thoughtful. Hopefully in reflecting I can properly sort out this incredible experience and what I have gained, both for my project, and for myself.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Mabuhay!
Hi everyone!
I am currently in my last country, Australia, but I will be writing about my time in the Philippines today to catch up.
Before I relay some of the details of my trip, let me begin by saying that if you ever come across someone (though it is my opinion that this is highly unlikely) who tries to convince you that the Filipino people are not amongst the most hospitable in the world, they have probably never actually been to the Philippines. I was treated so incredibly well there. The people in EDC were wonderfully friendly, accommodating, helpful, and extremely generous. I was greeted everywhere with smiles and enthusiasm. Perhaps their greatest virtue is the ability to genuinely laugh at themselves. As they always say themselves, Filipinos are constantly doing two things: laughing and eating. It was such a pleasure to do both with the people at EDC.
I arrived in Manila and got to my hotel a bit late, as my flight from Hong Kong was delayed due to bad weather. Like Japan, the Philippines was experiencing its rainy season. I showered immediately (because humidity in the Philippines is absolutely unlike anything I've ever experienced) and then gratefully fell asleep in the comfort of my air conditioned room.
First thing the next morning, I was driven to the headquarters of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), which is the company that set up all my arrangements for me. It was a pleasure to finally meet Marie, my contact person. As soon as I arrived, I got to meet the company president, Mr. Tontoco. I had a series of meetings in EDC, including technical briefings on various parts of the production process and discussions about project finance.
My first site visit was to the Palinpinon production site, located in the city of Dumaguete. Let me begin by saying, that the people in Dumaguete were perhaps the friendliest and most joyful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was accompanied by Naureen and Pacifica, as well as our driver, Bert, practically everywhere I went. I was toured around Pal 1 and 2, the generation facilities, as well as the production fields and headquarters. I had a lovely dinner with the staff and was put in a quaint hotel next to the ocean. The next day Pacifica toured me around the city a little bit, and I got to see one of the Universities, a botanical garden/wildlife reserve (where I got to see the famous spotted deer, crocodiles, and enormous BATS that were as big if not bigger than my face), as well as shop a bit for some local goodies. I was then sent off by practically all the women at EDC and the manager, Dwight, with a delicious lunch and dessert. Sitting with all of them felt so much like being back home in Hawaii, with aunties and uncles laughing and talking over food. It was really a great feeling.
From Dumaguete I traveled back to Manila. Marie took me on a tour of Intramuros, the historic area of Old Manila. Her long-time friend is a tour guide, so she gave us a free guided tour of the area, including Fort Santiago. It was very hot walking around, but it was very interesting to learn about all the history in the Philippines, which is actually very long and complicated.
After a brief stay in Manila, I had my next site visit out in Leyte, which is near the city of Ormoc, and is the largest of the production fields. In Leyte I was accompanied by Liza and my driver, Benjie. The hotel I stayed at was very nice. The first night I got in, I had dinner with Liza and Benjie at a local barbeque court. It was really good! Filipino barbeque is a little different than American bbq. It's extremely full of flavor and there are lots of sauces to dip in as well. The rice came in little packets made of leaves (it kind of looked like money leaf). It was really really good, and I was excited to try some local food. Early the next day I was driven to the EDC office for a meeting with the site manager. Throughout the day I was given tours of several generation facilities, as well as driven around the production fields. I also met with people in the environmental and asset management departments. Dinner that evening was with several staff members at a pavilion-type outdoor restaurant. Liza had Benjie go buy balut for me to try. If you're from the mainland and have no idea what balut is, take a look:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(egg). Luckily, it was a very very very young egg, so the chick wasn't formed yet. It was more just like a boiled egg with 90% yolk and the egg white was very hard. It wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be (probably because I had the whimpy version). The next day I spent touring around Tacloban, the city that I flew into. I visited a house turned museum that was essentially a tribute to Imelda Marcos the former first lady, and the Marcos family. We had lunch with a few people from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. All you cant buffet for only 250 pesos (about $6)! I tried lechon, roast pig, which is a speciality of the area. I also got to see the San Juanico bridge, which connects the islands of Leyte and Samar. It is the longest bridge in the Philippines at a whopping 2 km.
Then it was back to Manila for my last few days in the Philippines. On my last day, I had a meeting with the Department of Energy. A familiar face, Chie, who I had met during my previous meetings at EDC for discussions about project financing, accompanied me to the DOE for my meeting.
That just about wrapped up my time in the Philippines. I had about 4 hours to kill before my flight, so Boy, my driver dropped me off at a mall in Makati to get some lunch. I had a quick bite and then decided to see a movie. In the Philippines, movies are about the equivalent of $4. Despite the fact that I consistently tease one of my best friends for being a Twilight fanatic, the movies are rather entertaining. And if you have 3 hours to kill in a mall, with neither the funds or necessity to shop (though as a girl, believe me there was plenty inclination), why not spend that time watching Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner brood on a huge screen? By the time the movie was over I had just about 20 minutes to kill until I needed to meet Boy. I grabbed an iced tea and sat down to read for a bit.
Then it was off to the airport.
Well, that's it for recounting my time in the Philippines. I think tomorrow I will offer a bit of reflection on the many things I saw and did there, before moving on to my chronicling of Australia. As this is the last leg of my trip, I have slowly become a bit more introspective, and thus I have a lot to talk about. But as I have two meetings tomorrow and am quite tired, I will retire for the evening. I hope that all is well back in the states!
I am currently in my last country, Australia, but I will be writing about my time in the Philippines today to catch up.
Before I relay some of the details of my trip, let me begin by saying that if you ever come across someone (though it is my opinion that this is highly unlikely) who tries to convince you that the Filipino people are not amongst the most hospitable in the world, they have probably never actually been to the Philippines. I was treated so incredibly well there. The people in EDC were wonderfully friendly, accommodating, helpful, and extremely generous. I was greeted everywhere with smiles and enthusiasm. Perhaps their greatest virtue is the ability to genuinely laugh at themselves. As they always say themselves, Filipinos are constantly doing two things: laughing and eating. It was such a pleasure to do both with the people at EDC.
I arrived in Manila and got to my hotel a bit late, as my flight from Hong Kong was delayed due to bad weather. Like Japan, the Philippines was experiencing its rainy season. I showered immediately (because humidity in the Philippines is absolutely unlike anything I've ever experienced) and then gratefully fell asleep in the comfort of my air conditioned room.
First thing the next morning, I was driven to the headquarters of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), which is the company that set up all my arrangements for me. It was a pleasure to finally meet Marie, my contact person. As soon as I arrived, I got to meet the company president, Mr. Tontoco. I had a series of meetings in EDC, including technical briefings on various parts of the production process and discussions about project finance.
My first site visit was to the Palinpinon production site, located in the city of Dumaguete. Let me begin by saying, that the people in Dumaguete were perhaps the friendliest and most joyful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was accompanied by Naureen and Pacifica, as well as our driver, Bert, practically everywhere I went. I was toured around Pal 1 and 2, the generation facilities, as well as the production fields and headquarters. I had a lovely dinner with the staff and was put in a quaint hotel next to the ocean. The next day Pacifica toured me around the city a little bit, and I got to see one of the Universities, a botanical garden/wildlife reserve (where I got to see the famous spotted deer, crocodiles, and enormous BATS that were as big if not bigger than my face), as well as shop a bit for some local goodies. I was then sent off by practically all the women at EDC and the manager, Dwight, with a delicious lunch and dessert. Sitting with all of them felt so much like being back home in Hawaii, with aunties and uncles laughing and talking over food. It was really a great feeling.
From Dumaguete I traveled back to Manila. Marie took me on a tour of Intramuros, the historic area of Old Manila. Her long-time friend is a tour guide, so she gave us a free guided tour of the area, including Fort Santiago. It was very hot walking around, but it was very interesting to learn about all the history in the Philippines, which is actually very long and complicated.
After a brief stay in Manila, I had my next site visit out in Leyte, which is near the city of Ormoc, and is the largest of the production fields. In Leyte I was accompanied by Liza and my driver, Benjie. The hotel I stayed at was very nice. The first night I got in, I had dinner with Liza and Benjie at a local barbeque court. It was really good! Filipino barbeque is a little different than American bbq. It's extremely full of flavor and there are lots of sauces to dip in as well. The rice came in little packets made of leaves (it kind of looked like money leaf). It was really really good, and I was excited to try some local food. Early the next day I was driven to the EDC office for a meeting with the site manager. Throughout the day I was given tours of several generation facilities, as well as driven around the production fields. I also met with people in the environmental and asset management departments. Dinner that evening was with several staff members at a pavilion-type outdoor restaurant. Liza had Benjie go buy balut for me to try. If you're from the mainland and have no idea what balut is, take a look:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(egg). Luckily, it was a very very very young egg, so the chick wasn't formed yet. It was more just like a boiled egg with 90% yolk and the egg white was very hard. It wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be (probably because I had the whimpy version). The next day I spent touring around Tacloban, the city that I flew into. I visited a house turned museum that was essentially a tribute to Imelda Marcos the former first lady, and the Marcos family. We had lunch with a few people from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. All you cant buffet for only 250 pesos (about $6)! I tried lechon, roast pig, which is a speciality of the area. I also got to see the San Juanico bridge, which connects the islands of Leyte and Samar. It is the longest bridge in the Philippines at a whopping 2 km.
Then it was back to Manila for my last few days in the Philippines. On my last day, I had a meeting with the Department of Energy. A familiar face, Chie, who I had met during my previous meetings at EDC for discussions about project financing, accompanied me to the DOE for my meeting.
That just about wrapped up my time in the Philippines. I had about 4 hours to kill before my flight, so Boy, my driver dropped me off at a mall in Makati to get some lunch. I had a quick bite and then decided to see a movie. In the Philippines, movies are about the equivalent of $4. Despite the fact that I consistently tease one of my best friends for being a Twilight fanatic, the movies are rather entertaining. And if you have 3 hours to kill in a mall, with neither the funds or necessity to shop (though as a girl, believe me there was plenty inclination), why not spend that time watching Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner brood on a huge screen? By the time the movie was over I had just about 20 minutes to kill until I needed to meet Boy. I grabbed an iced tea and sat down to read for a bit.
Then it was off to the airport.
Well, that's it for recounting my time in the Philippines. I think tomorrow I will offer a bit of reflection on the many things I saw and did there, before moving on to my chronicling of Australia. As this is the last leg of my trip, I have slowly become a bit more introspective, and thus I have a lot to talk about. But as I have two meetings tomorrow and am quite tired, I will retire for the evening. I hope that all is well back in the states!
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