UNICEF Film Premier



I am currently being mauled by mosquitoes. I average 5+ new bites every day, and this morning, I woke up to the realization that I have 3 bites on my face.

However, Dan’s major concern is the population of cockroaches in the office. The first roach that appeared startled everyone, but once it ran under the cabinet, we all returned back to our work. Dan sits behind me, to my right. Out of the corner of my eye, I see this guy, every 2 minutes, getting up and looking for the cockroach! He’s running around the room, looking under every desk.

I tried to contribute and brought him my Raid, which didn’t help much… because now he’s running around the room checking under every desk WITH RAID. He followed it behind a shelf, and emptied half the can on that insect.

Way to go, Dan. You just spent the last hour…killing a bug


ANYWAY, I am proud to say that I discovered ‘for a while’ here means ‘please wait a second’… something that caused me great confusion the past weeks.

Other than that, I have yet to experience any form of culture shock, or find things that are very unfamiliar. The Philippines, in general, is quite similar to other Asian conservative cultures… so for me, it feels like home : )

My favourite part of the week was sitting around and talking to people for hours. I have had such conversations with our co-workers, other legal professionals in the Philippines… and it’s just amazing to hear their life stories. Dan and I have had such conversations as well. (His stories are like something out of the movies!)

We are developing relationships here… with people from all over the world, but also with our fellow interns from Osgoode. I think real learning comes when you sit down, share your lives (maybe over a hot cup of coffee) and leave with a new friend or a stronger friendship. These conversations really stretched my mind, and challenge me to look at things in a different way.

The previous week has mostly been orientation and brainstorming. This week is the beginning of our research. Dan and I will be leaving for Boracay tomorrow morning to help ECPAT with their police training program and conduct interviews with local officials about the local laws on CSEC. (Commercial sexual exploitation of children)









Outside our office @ ECPAT