The Redvers Long Term Care Centre works hard to ensure residents are enjoying themselves. On Monday, Jan. 29, one way to do this was to create a “stay”cation by turning the activity room into the Philippines. With fun facts and food from the Philippines served, it was like being there for an hour.
Rael and Annie Familaran were born and raised in Romblon before moving to Manila and eventually the long journey to Canada.
“Annie came over in December of 2007 and she sponsored me here in November of 2014,” Rael explained.
Together Annie and Rael presented photos and spoke of their lives in the Philippines before moving to Canada.
“We’ve really been enjoying Canada,” Rael said. “We miss our hometown, but we were able to go on vacation there last year.”
The residents were told about the unique cultural and environmental characteristics of the Philippines, while the Familarans were able to show photos of their recent trip and answer many questions about the Philippines as the residents had questions.
“There are many volcanoes because it is part of what they call the ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Pacific,” Rael said. “It’s an archipelago and although there are active volcanoes, they are quite quiet, although there is one erupting there now.”
“If you enjoy beaches then the Philippines are for you. There is about 1,200 miles of white sand beaches; and we only have two seasons rainy and dry. The rainy season is from June to December.”
The country itself is bilingual with Filipino and English being their primary languages, although the country recognizes 19 regional languages as well.
Its biodiversity is impressive with nearly 100 mammals and 170 bird species not thought to exist anywhere else including the tarsier – a very small nocturnal primate.
The Tubbataha Reef and Sulu Sea have been declared World Heritage Sites and thus are a protected area of corals and marine fish species.
The Chocolate Hills were also spoken of, which are covered in grass that turns brown during the dry season. They are a tourist destination and a National Geological Monument.
Rael and Annie were very happy to share a piece of their home with the residence of the Redvers Long Term Care Centre. The residents were treated to the stories and photos from the Philippines, but also enjoyed an afternoon snack including Filipino desserts and native fruit.
