Carlo Jones Velayo

Australian University Games, Gold Coast, QLD.
23 - 29 September

My first and last university games experience was nothing short of unforgettable. A week of sun, surf, turf, themed-parties, hot hot hot!, question games, 12 hour road trips, hotel breakfasts, big bananas and who could forget Kanga court.




I thank the Ultimate Frisbee team of UTS for an amazing experience. We may have gotten wooden spoon (last place) but as they say it's all about the journey rather than the destination.

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Happy Easter to you all.

I have just spent the last week with my brother Ryan and my cousins, Paul, Adrian and Chris, in Ballina on the Northwest coast of New South Wales.

You wouldn't believe it but it's only an hour by plane, north of Sydney.

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It has been a glorious month filled with BBQs, dinners, weddings, lunches, leadership camps, breakfasts and days at the beach - all of the elements to help one setlle back into the swing of Sydney.

Week One
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp was another successful and engaging week. It was a pleasure meeting another seventy amazing individuals and to work with five amazing staff members. Photos to be posted when I get my hands on the DVD of photos.

Week Two
I then had the honour of attending Brooke and Max's wedding. You looked stunning Brooke! Congratulations to you and Max!

It was my brother's 28th birthday on January 21. He hosted a nice BBQ with his good mates, both new and old.

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I arrived in Sydney on January 3, 2007 at 6:23am. My dad and brother were there to pick me up and it was great to see them. We headed towards the Qantas Freight terminal to pick up a box of books and personal effects. Then it was a three hour wait to clear customs and have the box quarantined before heading back to my parents' place in Guildford. It was surreal to be back in the house that I had not seen in about eleven months. It was also great to see my double bed!

Jessica came over and we exchanged stories of our travels over lunch.

I then snoozed for an hour. I have been averaging only three hours of sleep per night for a whole week... so you can imagine how lethargic I was at that stage.

My sister and mun arrived from work at 4:30pm and after handing out some pasalubong and going over the CDs and DVDs that I had purchased, my family and I, along with our dog, Mase, travelled to Greystanes to visit my sister's home. I was so happy to see and walk through my sister's very charming house... almost a teary moment... especially sitting down around the lounge room with my entire family, watching the 5 o'clock news and enjoying a cup of ice-cream... I felt right at home!

I then met with Divya at Stratty station. We grabbed a drink at Bar Ace with her boyfriend, Amit, before heading to Equilibrium at the new World Square complex. It was here that I surprised Deepa, whose birthday it is today (Happy Birthday Duppa Puppa!), and met up with Nita and Sash as well as having the opportunity to meet Deepa's boyfriend, Sam, for the first time.

Wilson arrived shortly after and we all headed to Casa Asturiana, where we shared some tapas, paella and some good ol' steak. Esther and the twins then arrived at about 10:30pm... It was great to share some dinner with some of the Sefton crew.

After dinner, Wilson drove myself, Divya, Deepa and Esther back to Deepa's house in Stratty where Deepa's mum, sister and aunty had prepared a cake for midnight.

By 1am I was exhausted and was ready to hit the sack... but only after setting up my laptop and the editing equipment for the following day.

Before I forget I wanted to thank my uncle for seeing me off at the airport in Manila. To Micah, Prince and Fanny for visiting me on the morning of my departure and to everyone who called (Calvin, Adler, Ansel and Kaiser) and texted before my departure.

I took some time out from editing this afternoon and had lunch with my friend, Emily. Apart from doing a bit of shopping we also had the chance to watch Ridley Scott's latest film, A Good Year. It made me realise that I too have had a great year here in the Philippines and before leaving the country (not for good, I promise!), I wanted to thank everyone for making my time at the Ateneo, in Manila and in the Philippines, such an unforgettable experience. Friends have started to leave the city for family gatherings, so I thought I'd get in early this year.

Tonight, I will be attending the ninth and final night of Simbanggabi. It's a Filipino tradition, which allows family and friends to attend mass, usually at 4:30am but I have opted for the 8:30pm anticipated mass, during the nine days leading up to Christmas. It has definitely been a challenge to attend the nine masses, but it has also been great preparation for the upcoming festive season, without my immediate family by my side.

But I also wanted to take the time to deliver an early Christmas present. It's been a while since I last wrote, and since I can't send you all individual presents, here's a delectable selection of photographs to last you through the holidays and until I arrive in Sydney in early January.

As always, I hope that your Christmas stocking is overflowing and wherever you may be in the world these holidays, ingat (take care) and have a Merry Christmas!


Simbanggabi with friends and Mr. Tony Meloto

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Today, I had the sheer honour of interviewing Mr. Tony Meloto, the humble founder of Gawad Kalinga. It was great to talk with him about the work of GK in the Philippines and around the world - by building communities for the poor and the needy. I was overwhelmed by the sincerity and compassion, with which TM spoke. I am truly in awe of the wonderful work that GK does for so many people, including the victims of the recent Typhoon Durian in the Bikol region.

Mr. Meloto told me about the exciting projects that are being carried out throughout the archipelago as well as in America, throughout Asia and even Australia. It is definitely a cause that I am interested to learn more about and hopefully be a part of in the near future.

For now I can only express my respect for Mr. Meloto and the amazing work of the GK volunteers.

I hope that everyone is doing well, wherever they may be in the world!

I just wanted to write and let everyone know that I am safe and well. Typhoon Durian has been on the news back home in Australia, as well as around the world, and I wanted to confirm that the typhoon did not hit Manila.

Unfortunately, Durian did create havoc in the Bikol region. The last time I heard, there were over 300 deaths. Entire communities have been covered due to mudslides near the Mayon volcano. And because of the damage inflicted on the power network, there is a real possibility that some families in the region will not have electricity this Christmas.

Once again, life is put into perspective.

I'm here in Naga, Bikol, which is on the South-eastern part of Luzon. This weekend, Calvin Keen will introduce myself and two Fullbright scholars from the U.S, Emily and Emily, to Gawad Kalinga (GK). All over the country there are GK villages that provide homes for those that need it most. All of the materials required to construct the houses are donated by members of society and are built by the hands of volunteers, ranging from students to former-multi-millionaires.

But from what I have been told, GK is more than just the 13,000 homes that have been built. There is a real sense of community, which I am looking forward to experiencing first hand this weekend.

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I have never been a big fan of boxing. Yesterday, however, I witnessed history in the making as the Philippines' very own, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, knocked out Erik "El Terrible" Morales, in three captivating rounds. It was the final installment in the Pacquaio Vs. Morales Trilogy, and while it was short, it was oh, so sweet!



Each time that Pacquiao's glove connected with Erik Morales' head the crowd and I jumped to our feet in ecstatic jubillation; our shouts increasing in volume and empathy with each deadly blow.



I watched the fight on a cinema screen at a local shopping centre, along with some friends; Calvin, Rafe and Emily. It was definitely a world away from the venue at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, but when Morales fell for the third time, everyone watching the fight in cinemas, restaurants, school gymnasiums and even churches around the Philippines (as well as TV sets around the globe) affirmed Manny Pacquiao's status as a modern day hero. I wouldn't go as far as to agree with the "Pacquiao for President" sign that was being waved after the bout, but I definitely feel proud to be "Filipino" and also to come from General Santos City, where Pacquiao is also from. Go Gen San! Overall, it was a very culturally enriching experience.





I also want to thank Gabrielle and her parents for the wonderful dinner, last night. It was lovely to have met Gabrielle's parents from France and I hope that they enjoy their week in Bohol. It was also a pleasure to meet some of Gabrielle's other friends from the University fo the Philippines and from around the Katipunan area. Although I only have six weeks left in Manila, I look forward to hanging out with you all soon.

I just wanted to mark the birthday of my dear sister, Michelle. Congratulations, Ate, on reaching a quarter of a century. You have achieved so much and I know that you will only continue to achieve great things! You have been there for me and our entire family, through thick and thin, and for this I say thank you!

Have an amazing day!!! Love you.

P.S. I can't wait to host DVD marathons at your new home in Greystanes.