Philippe Lazaro
OCTOBER 2016

A Lesson in Global Poverty

From the perspective of someone living in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, it’s easy to look at poverty all around the world without much nuance. We often overlook the difference between a low income country and a middle income country. Or a modest living standard versus extreme poverty.

Does that matter, though? Isn’t the goal simply to end poverty? Period?

It matters because of that goal.

It shows us that it’s possible. And what it might look like.

Thanks to Hans Rosling and Gapminder for the graph.

Ingoma

Just imagine it’s late in the day. The daylight is almost burnt up, except for that last orange glow. You hear an elongated shout, then some thumping. Then it explodes into a rhythm.

The drummers emerge. They’re in line. But some cut to the front. And others follow in a pattern. One moves to the center to leap.

Burundi’s the country of big beats, largely because of their tradition of ingoma drumming.

These drums were used in royal ceremonies, like crowning a new ruler or mourning a funeral. Because the drums were made of cordia africana, or Sudanese teakwood, their sound could travel a far distance. Right up close, however, it simply thundered.

Today the big beats are also used to honor and welcome special guests. I kept trying to find out if they were ever used for war. It seems possible, but I never found that explicitly stated. The ceremonial reasons were the main priority.

But i do know the sound of those drums is a bigger pump up than any locker room anthem I can think of. If I was an opposing army and heard the way those sounds echoed… game over.

Congo Closed

One of the year’s biggest disappointments: I was supposed to visit Congo this summer, along with Burundi.

I ended up spending more time in Burundi because three days before my scheduled DRC visit, violent protests broke out in the area I was staying, targeting outsiders.

This was the second time in three years I’ve had to cancel a planned trip to DRC, a country I’ve wanted to visit for years.

I’m thankful I still got a chance to see my friend from Congo, Birori, while in Bujumbura.

NLCS


I never thought I’d see the Phillies and Padres face off for a pennant!

Been a lifelong Phillies fan. I was just old enough to catch the buzz around their ‘93 team. It’s mostly been tough times since then, with the exception of the 2007-11 golden era.

And the Padres… one other long-suffering fan base, often ignored by the league. While the Phils always come first, it’s hard not to feel good about that squad too. Though, don’t get me wrong, I want the W.

Anyways, at first I wrote off even thinking of going to a playoff game. I assumed it cost a gazillion bucks. Turns out, it was only half-a-gazillion, so I bought tickets not knowing if I’d see this again.

The Marvelous Musk Ox

I had a hunch Rhys would enjoy getting to take a tour of an Alaskan Musk Ox farm… and I was right. And I loved it too. It doesn’t take much for me to be enamored with a large prehistoric herbivore.

These guys date back to the last Ice Age, which puts their dinosaur-like low growl into perspective.

After diving a little bit deeper into Arctic ecosystems, it translate out they are impressive guardians of biodiversity, who once almost went extinct. Glad they didn’t. Charisma beasts.

Philosopher's Walk

Nested between the Royal Ontario Museum and the campus of the University of Toronto, the Philosopher’s Walk is a cool example of what a green corridor is capable of.

This spot is right in the middle of the city, mind you. But it feels pleasantly covered by trees, and carpeted by lush grass.

I catch two older ladies looking up. Turns out we’re under a horse chestnut tree. As of the past four years this tree is under risk of extinction, which is what happened to the American chestnut. Good to see one looking healthy.

We also find melanated squirrels. Squirrels in Canada have a distinct black fur, and you can mostly find them around Toronto.

Supposedly the dominant genetic mutation gives an advantage in the cold. It’s also linked to more testosterone and these squirrels really aren’t that shy.

Back to Wien

I’ve long claimed Amsterdam as my favorite European city, but man, Vienna’s making a strong case to try and claim that title.

It’s sometimes called the City of Dreams. And I totally see it. There’s a romantic vibe to it, but it’s also a place that manages to ground you and keep you present. It’s like a long walk around town, late at night, simply being in the moment.

Travel Standouts

A bunch of travelers have taken this trend and added their twist and so I wanted to play along. Here are some standout countries in all my years of traveling.

Of course, this was impossible to do without overthinking. Morocco could’ve just as easily been the most hospitable. The Colombian people I met were so inspiring. And those Icelandic landscapes?

I’m not even gonna start any debates about whose got the best coffee.

Vienna

Twelve years later, I’m back in Vienna.

Just like that last visit, the chance to spend time in the city came as a bit of an unplanned but welcome surprise, and this time, I got to spend a bit more time… allowing me the chance to get to know it a bit better. I was completely impressed by the city this time around.

And just like my last visit, Vienna was the perfect site for me to take a few steps back from my regular life and to see it with a lot more clarity. It’s a good city for that.

The Nyakazu Rift

My Burundian teammates did such a good job of showing me some of the most beautiful spots around the country. One of them was the Nyakazu Rift.

It’s so hard to do this place justice through photos or even videos. There’s a real vastness to this rift that is completely breathtaking in real life. I loved being there with the community of Nyakazu, too. Incredible place, incredible people.

What places have you been that photos seem to never do justice?

Tell Deeper Stories

Part of being a storyteller is being deeply, deeply thankful to the people whose stories I get to tell.

I don’t take for granted that when people offer me a window into their lives, particularly some of their hardest and most challenging moments, and then trust me to tell that story to others, it’s a huge act of vulnerability and generosity.

I do my best with ethical storytelling and I promote having some pretty high standards when it comes to that, but I think one of the most essential parts to being able to tell a story properly is true appreciation and gratitude for that trust.

Reintroducing Myself

Seems like a good time for a little reintroduction for any new faces around here!

🇵🇭 I’m Philippe, I was born in Illinois and grew up in Philadelphia and San Diego, the latter of which is currently home. But! I have also been shaped by Filipino ancestry and other places I’ve lived, including: Argentina, Oregon, South Africa, and Italy.

🌳 I married my best friend from college, Deanna, and somehow it’s been 7 years already! We’re raising three kids under the age of three, so things are always pretty wild.

🏕 I absolutely love nature and travel. Basically, I love people and places. I’ve found that efforts to protect nature and preserve culture are deeply intertwined.

🌍 I’m passionate about ethical storytelling, especially for climate and social justice organizations. I’ve worked in that space for ten years.

🥭 A lot of the work I do is tied to serious and heavy topics but I honestly prefer to not take myself too seriously. I think that’s why one person I’ve really looked up to is Desmond Tutu. Dude took on apartheid while subversively giggling.

🎥 When I travel I love to make videos investigating things that have deeper origins or stories than we often realize, like mezcal, recycling, or moss! Did you know zombies originate from Haiti? I would love to make a whole docuseries on stuff like that someday.

✏️ You’ll probably see a lot of my visual art on here. I started using digital drawing as a form of wordless prayer for some of the heavy things going on in the world. I also use it to celebrate bits of culture and life.

🏔 I’m pretty motivated by how life is a pretty miraculous gift but also by how quickly it goes. I enjoy pushing myself and so at least once a year I try and do 1-2 big bucket list level things. This year I checked off visiting my 50th state: Alaska. Soon? Maybe a food-focused visit to India or getting a traditional Filipino tattoo.

🗺 I also try to ‘always be a rookie’ by always having something in my life I’m a total beginner at. Recent rookie year projects have included: boxing, Japanese cooking, and making animated maps on AfterEffects.

The Vibiest Taco Bell

This felt like an old Spanish monastery mish-mashed with a day spa.

But actually… it was a Taco Bell!

A bit before going to Antigua, I did my usual thing of pre-exploring via Google Maps and letting my little street view avatar guy do some walking around for me. He walked me into this rustic alleyway that I couldn’t believe was actually a Taco Bell. But sure enough, I was able to get in there and snag a chalupa.

I know there’s the fancy ocean-view Taco Bell out in Pacifica, and then there’s the one that’s also a luxury hotel in Vegas… but this is probably my favorite of the weird Taco Bells.

Friends in Town

You know what? As an adult it’s not just hard to make friends, it’s hard to keep them.

It’s not that we all just get nasty and dump each other (I mean, hopefully not) but with jobs and families and how much our culture prioritizes productivity over relationships… it takes a real effort on both ends to keep up with each other.

Between Alaska with friends, and then a visit from friends to San Diego, not to mention a recent wedding, I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of quality time with my people lately, and my cup is full.

It takes time, energy, effort, plus mutual investment to make these things happen, but they are so necessary and worth it. Wherever friends rank on your list of priorities, think of how you want to look back on life twenty years from now, and consider sliding ‘em up a couple notches.

CreativeMornings Talk

If you’re not familiar with CreativeMornings - its a breakfast lecture series, and a whole lot of fun. Come hear from a different speaker (in this case, me!), snag some free donuts and coffee, and meet people. I’ve seriously made a few pretty good friends just from hanging around.

I’ve been attending for the past five years, and now look… I’m this month’s featured speaker! I always thought that would be a lot of fun.

Theme for the month is depth. I’m gonna be talking about my storytelling work, and sharing some stories from my own life. Register online and let’s hang!

50 Million Trees


I’ve learned a ridiculous amount of things about trees over the past five years, but its still the simplest things that I’m most amazed by.

The way trees function, not so much as solitary living things, but as members of a whole community. Talking to each other, nursing each other, via fungi. Playing host to all kinds of bugs and birds and creatures.

The way trees’ lives greatly outlast our own, growing slowly, dying slowly, and being there for so much history as it unfolds.

The way trees replenish the Earth and make it more livable for people.

Proud to be part of the journey to 50 Million Trees for Plant With Purpose. From seeing a community reforestation day for the first time in Tanzania, to celebrating the milestone with Burundian friends beneath a waterfall, to planting the first of thousands of trees in Mexico in honor of a dear friend.

Huge accomplishment.