Passed through Bangkok, Thailand last week, on my way out of China. Stayed for a week at Koh Wai Island with the Camping Akademie e.V., where I partially decompressed while working on applications and questionnaires. If you ever want to try living on a quiet little island in Thailand for cheap (~$10/d), go to Koh Wai and stay at Good Feeling guesthouse. The woman who runs the place is nice. Her name is Gob, which means “Frog” in Thai language. Gob is the first other Frog I’ve actually met in person so far in my life!
Just arrived in Cebu today. I’m here to meet up with Khokhoi (KK de la Vida), who got the ACC grant this year, to study Visayan-speaking festivals in the Philippines for five months. We’re planning to work on another Cosmiknots production; based around church-temples and the tropical storm (which should be here soon, very very soon). If we get trapped indoors, it will give us some extra time to work out logistical details and costuming… no time wasted.
Today we stopped by the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño, the oldest Catholic Church in the Philippines, and they happened to be having Sunday Mass when we walked in. Giant screens broadcasted the event to different angles and corners of the church, for attendees who couldn’t see the front stands clearly. At least five salespeople were selling balloons. Khokhoi, who was born here, said she’s never seen such a thing elsewhere, and I haven’t either, but I thought it was pretty cute.
Tomorrow we are heading over to organize ourselves and brainstorm at the Tropical Futures Institute/ 856G Gallery.
Check out Khokhoi’s blog for more updates here: http://balitao.blog
Drawing balloon vendors at Sunday Mass // photos by Kk