Day 4 & 5: Chapel Service, Fun Rugby Day and a Visit to Western Super Mare

Day 4 : Chapel Service and meeting the Phil Ambassador to the UK

The day began with a chapel service in the Clifton College chapel, which could easily be compared to a small Cathedral in most other countries. The Chapel was built over 120 years ago and is steeped in history, with tall ceilings, stain glassed windows and a pulpit that would match Westminster Abbey.

Photo credit: Jessica Zafra

The host families decked the Bahay Bata boys out in full Clifton College school uniforms which included, long trousers, Vests, Dress Shirts, Blazers and Clifton College Ties. The Bahay Bata boys looked a treat and all of the boys explained that they had never worn a tie before. The Chapel service ran from 11am to 12nn and the collection was donated to the Bahay Bata foundation. After a rousing service all the parents and children congregated outside the chapel in front of the main Clifton College field where they would be playing the fun day touch football tournament in the afternoon.

The afternoon fun day began with all the children being split into different teams, mixing the Bahay Bata boys amongst the Clifton College teams. The afternoon was also a fundraising activity for both the Bahay Bata trip and the Clifton College u14s Rugby tour to Australia. James Breeze and John Digby from Clifton College arranged a wide range of fun activities including old English stocks where the students were able to take revenge on their teachers.

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The Philippine Ambassador Mr. Reynaldo A. Catapang travelled from London to Bristol to join the fun day activities and watched the Bahay Bata team defeat the Clifton College u14s team in the Touch Football Tournament, he was delighted to see the young foundation children in England and could not believe that they played Rugby so well and instantly invited the team to visit him at the Philippine Embassy in London this Wednesday when we visit Twickenham Stadium.

The day was another amazing success and once again the boys from Bahay Bata thrilled the crowd with their attacking skills and flair in the touch football tournament.

Day 5: A Trip to Western Super Mare

The Bahay Bata boys enjoyed a day trip to Western Super Mare (locally nicknamed Western Super Mud) which is a quaint seaside British town situated 40 km south west of Bristol. Clifton College arranged for the Bahay Bata boys to visit the famous Grand Pier at the beachside and provided  free rides and activities for all the players to have a fun day at the theme park, which is situated at the end of the 200m long Pier.

The boys arrived at the Seaside and Coach Cullen challenged them to don their swimmers and have a dip in the North Atlantic Ocean, to his amazement there were no volunteers. After taking a stroll along the promenade and observing the differences between the Pacific Ocean waters of the Philippines and the North Atlantic Ocean, the boys were entertained at the Pier Theme park.

The theme park included various old fashioned rides and of course the bumper cars and the house of terror stole most of their attention and money. It was extremely windy at the beach and the boys were happy that the theme park at the end of the Pier was enclosed, we all ate a good old fashioned English lunch of “Fish n Chips” followed by freshly cooked sugar donuts.
 
The team then travelled back to Clifton and held their last training session from 3pm – 5pm before their first game against Clifton College. So far the Bahay Bata boys have been able to display their skillful touch Rugby talents, but the boys will certainly have to focus on their defense to stop the bigger Clifton College team. The games against the British School Manila and ISM will certainly pave the way for the boys to take on Clifton College.

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