The author, during the Basic Water Safety and Rescue course he took with the Philippine National Red Cross

By Antonio Graceffo

Editor’s note: This is one of several articles by the author on his EMT experience in Manila. New to this site? Read this first.

The first day of swim rescue, the instructors had us practicing getting in and out of the swimming pool. Next, we learned to put our face underwater. To keep us organized and avoid accidents, the 60 or so participants were divided into two groups, swimmers and nonswimmers.

Why someone who was classified as a nonswimmer would join a rescue course was beyond me.

• Pinoycentric went with a group of birdwatchers to Candaba marsh, where migratory birds come to rest during the winter. Read about it here.
• Planning to go birdwatching? Here are some birdwatching basics.
• It’s heartwarming to note that Pinoys abroad are doing everything …
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OFW blogger-author Nicanor “Batjay” David signing copies of his second book during a launch of Fox Literary House’s newest titles.

An excerpt from a soon-to-be-published Innerview with California-based blogger-author Nicanor David, Jr., aka Batjay:

Pinoycentric: What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned as an OFW that you’ll forever remember?

Batjay: Goal #1: Start saving money while you’re young so you can buy a house and have a great life.

2. Find a job in the Philippines that will allow you to achieve goal #1.

3. If you can’t, find a job outside the Philippines that will pay enough money to fulfill goal #1.

To birdwatchers, seeing a new species is a life-altering experience—like falling in love, perhaps, or witnessing a miracle.

“Life became different when I saw my spark bird,” says Alice Villa-Real, a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, whom a select group of journalists had accompanied to the Candaba marsh in Pampanga, the refuge of many migratory birds from Europe during the winter. Organized by the outdoor products distributor Recreational Outdoor Exchange, the trip included first-time birdwatchers, the youngest of whom was two years old.

Birdwatching is an activity that young and old would enjoy. The youngest of our birdwatching delegation at Candaba was two.

Planning to go birdwatching? Here are some basic tips for first-time birdwatchers from the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines:

1. Wear clothes in colors that blend with the environment, such as green, dark brown, and gray. Don’t wear anything bright or you’ll stand out and scare the birds away.
2. Apply some sunscreen. Birdwatching usually goes on for hours so you want to make sure you’re protected. Wear light, long-sleeved clothes. Bring a hat as well.
3. [Read more..]

• Catch this: If you’re a big fan of Havaianas, the flip-flops shop is holding a “Make Your Own Havaianas” event today until Sunday, May 4, at the Rockwell Tent. Have fun customizing!
• If you’re in Bacolod, catch the two-man exhibit of artists Anthony Fermin and …
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