A STORYBOOK FROM THE STUDIO

Sally Visits the Philippines

Fifteen pictures, one whole country, and a jeepney driver named Kuya Marco. This is the story of Sally's trip, the way she tells it to everyone now.

Sally stepping off the plane in the Philippines, waving hello

SCENE ONE · THE ARRIVAL

Sally stepped off the plane and the warm Philippine air said hello first. Mabuhay, Sally!

Sally meeting Kuya Marco and climbing into his jeepney

SCENE TWO · SAKAY NA

Kuya Marco was waiting with his jeepney. "Sakay na!" he called. Hop on!

Sally riding the jeepney through the streets of Manila

SCENE THREE · MANILA

Through the bright, busy streets of Manila they rode, and Sally waved at everybody.

Sally in Intramuros with a kalesa carriage

SCENE FOUR · INTRAMUROS

In Intramuros, the old walled city, a kalesa carried her back in time.

Sally at Rizal Park by the Rizal Monument

SCENE FIVE · RIZAL PARK

At Rizal Park she stood very quiet for a moment, under the flags.

Sally sharing a carinderia feast and halo-halo with friends

SCENE SIX · THE FEAST

Lunch was a feast: adobo, pancit, and the tallest halo-halo in the world. Probably.

Sally on a bangka boat in El Nido, Palawan

SCENE SEVEN · EL NIDO

Then the sea turned the color of jewels. El Nido, Palawan.

Sally at the Chocolate Hills with a tarsier

SCENE EIGHT · CHOCOLATE HILLS

The Chocolate Hills rolled on forever, and the littlest tarsier said hello with his eyes.

Sally on Boracay beach at sunset

SCENE NINE · BORACAY

Boracay gave her a sunset made of pink and gold.

Sally before the Banaue rice terraces

SCENE TEN · BANAUE

In Banaue, the rice terraces climbed all the way to the clouds.

Sally snorkeling near a whale shark in Oslob

SCENE ELEVEN · OSLOB

Under the water in Oslob, a gentle giant swam by, slow as a dream.

Sally singing karaoke with friends under string lights

SCENE TWELVE · KARAOKE NIGHT

That night there was karaoke, and Sally, being Sally, sang her heart out.

Sally dancing at a Philippine fiesta under banderitas

SCENE THIRTEEN · THE FIESTA

At the fiesta, the whole street danced, and so did Sally.

Sally buying pasalubong at a market

SCENE FOURTEEN · PASALUBONG

Pasalubong for everyone back home: mangoes, woven bags, and a little bit of everything.

Sally waving goodbye from the jeepney window at sunset

SCENE FIFTEEN · THE FAREWELL

Some trips you take. This one took her. Salamat, Philippines. Until next time.

The End

For now. Sally is already planning the sequel.