Tim King, Outbound GSE Team Leader

   We were joined at our July 11 meeting by Area 11 Assistant District Governor Tim King, who recently served as team leader with the outbound Group Study Exchange (GSE) to the Philippines.  Tim shared some photos and memories from his trip.

   The team visited many local sites and venues during their stay; one which stood out was Bataan.  Very early in the second world war, American and Filipino forces were being overrun and so attempted to hold out there until reinforcements could arrive.  After a 3-month siege by the Japanese, they surrendered.  As prisoners of war, they were forced to march nearly 80 miles to Tarlac, with no provision for food, water, or medical care – the infamous Bataan Death March.

   On the lighter side, Tim told us of some of the food they were served there, including stuffed frogs, water buffalo, goat, and pork.  Bananas are a local fruit there; as are mangoes, which are to the Philippines as apples are to the US.

   The Philippines was a territory of Spain before becoming a US territory.  As such, about 80% of the population is Roman Catholic.  In the area our team visited, that number is almost 98%.  Almost every house visited by the team had a shrine to the Virgin Mary.ree quarters of the children in the area attend a Catholic school.  Most prefer it over the public school system.

   Tim shared many photos and would have told us much more about the trip if only we had another hour or so for our meetings! 

Club President Dianne Sloan with ADG Tim King, GSE Team Leader.