First Time Visiting Mariano Marcos State University

            After having breakfast, we were picked up by MMSU buses. We were taken to MMSU administration office. We were warmly-welcomed by all of MMSU people. We also met the president and the vice president of MMSU. We had welcoming ceremony on our first day. Everyone greeted and smiled at us. They all were so warm-hearted. After having good welcoming ceremony, we were invited to the president’s room and took some pictures. She was so beautiful and warm-hearted. She loved to smile to everyone.

Welcoming ceremony from MMSU

Visiting President office

            After having quick visit to MMSU administration office, we went back to the bus to attend orientation at Laoag City. It took 45 minutes from Batac City to Laoag City by bus. During the way from Batac city to Laoag City, we passed some historical places and a lake named Paoay Lake. We also passed large “multifunction” field. Because the field can be used to plant rice, corn, and garlic depend on the season. It was so fun having a quite long road but we could see those beautiful views.

            We had orientation after arriving at MMSU campus at Laoag city at Center of Teaching Excellent building. We were presented two Indonesian traditional dances and an Indonesian regional song. We were so amazed because they done it very well.

            After had the first session, we had snack time and then continue it to the second session. We were intorduced the Philipppines’ phylosophy, the history of colonialism of the Phillipines, and we were also introduced with some Ilocos Norte’s language. I found iy easy to learn Tagalog and Ilocanos language because it still uses latin letters. We sang the Philippines community song together and tried the song with body gestures.

            After having fun orientation, we had lunch. They served all halal food because they knew that we do not eat prok and other non-halal foods. When it was already pray time, we were allowed to pray together at the office. Then after that, we went back to the bus to go back at Batac City. Before going to the bus, we passed MMSU College of Student Teacher and took some picture together with the student teachers there.

Having Philippines luch in MMSU orientation event

MMSU Cllege of Teacher Education

            We went back to Batac City by bus but during the road, we were showed places where we can buy things like malls, supermarkets, markets, and other places. We were also brought to buy Philippines SIM-Card because some of us still had not inform their family yet since they arrived at the Phillipines. We bought “Globe” SIM-Card for 40 peso but we had to load it for internet data and it costed 599 peso since the mansion’s wifi was still not available. Then we ha quick walk to see around the MMSU festival stands.

            We went back to the mansion and got rest. For the dinner, we decided to cook instant noodle which we brought from Indonesia and sit together in a big circle. We also discussed and shared about our first day. Then we went sleep because there would be 41st Anniversary of MMSU tomorrow and we were invited to come so we had to wake up earlier tomorrow.

            It was an memorable day since I arrived at Batac City of the Philippines. The Filipinos were very nice. They loved to greet and smiled at us. They did not hesitate to ask us everything about us since our appearence as Moselims were different with them but we answered and explain to them happily. They were understand that there are some foods that we can not eat. They also laernt and spoke some Indonesian words well to us. What a good day! I hoped that tomorrow until our 30 days stay would be more interesting than today.