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palaui island
2012-05-10 12:55:00
Palaui would have been Cagayan's best kept secret until it has been exposed to the whole world when CNNGo included it as one of the best beaches and islands in the Philippines. The reasons for that are numerous. For one, the 7,415.48 hectare island is a protected landscape and seascape by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 447. This guarantees that its forest, the coral reefs, the migratory birds and the thriving marine life are all protected for a long, long time. Aside from this legislation, the relative seclusion of Palaui in comparison to more popular tourist destinations in the country has, to some extent, contributed to the pristine conditions of its beach coves and seascapes. It is in fact quite far from the maddening crowd. Getting to the Santa Ana Fishport, the nearest jumpoff to Palaui, involves a 12 hour bus ride from Manila which would try you and your travel companions' perseverance or whatever that is left of it. And when you think that the travel adventure en...
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santa ana, cagayan: the northeastern corner of the philippines
2012-05-03 17:31:00
The laidback municipality of Santa Ana in the province of Cagayan is located approximately 642 kilometers from Metro Manila. This is indicated by a lonely kilometer marker which is propped right across the Santa Ana fish port. You may also likely miss this spot though, but the 12-hour bus trip to Santa Ana is already an indication by itself that you are traveling to a very remote destination in the Philippines . But despite the long bus travel, it is fast becoming a tourist destination in the country. There are many adventures that can be had, beyond its vast rice fields. For one, it is dubbed as the "Game Fishing Mecca of the Philippines" due to its proximity to major bodies of water. Local and foreign aficionados of the sport gather at Santa Ana for the various competitions that are held there every year. However, my friends and I traveled to Santa Ana last month not for the swordfishes, trevallys (talakitok) and mahi-mahis (dorado), but for a different kind of marine creat...
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mission complete: lakbay jose rizal @ 150
2012-04-26 13:56:00
The Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is a unique initiative launched by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Departement of Tourism and other local government units. This is to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Jose P. Rizal's birth. This mini-race would take one to the various places that played a significant role in Rizal's life. At each stop, there is a unique stamp that is affixed to a Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 passport. Exciting prizes are then up for grabs for the first 100 individuals that have completed all the required stamps. My Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 journey started at Camarines Norte on June 20 and ended at Zamboanga del Norte on August 19 last year. Since I am now based in Manila, most of the sites are just a jeepney or a bus ride away. I am also glad that I already bought promo flight tickets to some of the destinations outside Luzon, long before the contest was even launched. That meant that I only needed to change my itinerary a little bit to accommoda...

paco park
2012-04-17 18:36:00
If not for the diligence of Narcisa, Jose Rizal's sister, the Philippines would not have been able to give proper burial to its beloved national hero. After Rizal was executed at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896, his body was then secretly carried away and then buried in an unmarked grave at the Paco Park . At that time, this served as the municipal cemetery for the Spanish aristocrats and elites. It stands out from other cemeteries too because of its circular shape. Narcisa looked for Rizal's grave in various cemeteries but to no avail. When she passed by Paco, she noticed that there were many guardia civil stationed outside the gate. This clue led her to a grave with freshly-turned earth. She then tipped the gravedigger to identify the site with a plaque inscribed with 'RPJ,' her brother's initials in reverse. However, the remains of Rizal are no longer interred there today as these were transferred to Teodora Alonzo's house in Binondo in 1898. And in 1913, a monument design...

rizal park
2012-04-13 12:18:00
Rizal Monument. The Rizal Park , formerly known as Bagumbayan and then Luneta, started merely as a clearing that overlooked Manila bay back in 1820. It was then developed into a park in the years that followed. It is now one of the Philippines' main tourist attractions and a popular public plaza where people from different walks of life can find some form of respite from the urban jungles of Metro Manila. Although the park already underwent several facelifts, controversial revisions and various modern improvements through the years, the Rizal Monument remains to be its most prominent landmark. It was designed by Richard Kissling, a Swiss national. The finished structure was then inaugurated on December 30, 1913. Enshrined in this beautiful monument are the remains of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. There are guards that constantly look after Rizal?s tomb. Only dignitaries could approach the monument in certain special occasions. But during the sesquicentennial ...

fort santiago
2012-04-11 19:10:00
The Fort Santiago is an almost triangular citadel in Intramuros, the old walled city of Manila. It was built in 1590 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as part of the city's defenses against pirates and bandits. It was named after St. James the Great, the patron saint of Spain. The relief of the saint adorns the facade of the front gate which is now one of the iconic symbols of the city. Among the many soldiers and prisoners that have stayed at Fort Santiago, Jose Rizal perhaps is its most famous resident. The National Hero of the Philippines was incarcerated here from November 3 to December 29, 1896. He was later found guilty of the charges of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy, all of which merited death by execution. The Rizal Shrine. The improvised chapel cell On the evening of December 29, Rizal was transferred from his prison cell to an improvised chapel cell. The following morning, he was then escorted all the way to Bagumbayan, now called Luneta, where a firing squad aw...

lakbay rizal @150 - intramuros sites
2012-03-31 16:18:00
Inside Intramuros, the Walled City in Manila, are three places that have played significant parts in the life of Jose Rizal. One of these is the University of Santo Tomas, where he once studied medicine, with specialization in ophthalmology from 1877 to 1882. It is said that Rizal did not fare well when he was at Santo Tomas. But he did have exceptional or sobre saliente grades when he studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila from 1872 to 1877. And finally, the Cuartel de España was one of the abandoned buildings within the Jesuit Compound. This is where Rizal was tried for sedition in 1886. The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila now stands there to this day. The original buildings of the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo and the Jesuit Compound could no longer be found in Intramuros today. Except for the Ateneo Municipal de Manila which was destroyed by fire in 1932, the other two sites were all destroyed during World War II. But the good thing is that there are i...
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rizal and the women of malolos
2012-03-21 16:12:00
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, one of the feisty female senators in the Philippines today, could probably relate to the struggle and the courage displayed by the twenty exceptional women in Malolos, Bulacan way back in 1888. Although these women were from middle class families in Malolos, they still chose to defy stereotypes during that period. On December 12, 1888, they petitioned Governor General Valeriano Weyler to allow them to open a 'night school' so that they will learn the Spanish language. It was not granted at first, but on February 1889, they were finally given permission provided that Señora Guadalupe Reyes would be their teacher and that the classes would be held during the day. The nature and audacity of their request came as a surprise even outside the Philippines. Jose Rizal, who was in Madrid during that time, wrote an encouraging letter to these brave women who demonstrated initiative and stong desire for education. Rizal praised them for challengin...
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simunul, tawi-tawi: the birthplace of islam in the philippines
2012-02-28 16:54:00
Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, an Arab missionary, reached Simunul, Tawi-tawi more than one hundred years before Ferdinand Magellan stumbled upon Cebu. He also arrived in a manner that would probably beat the Portuguese navigator in terms of style and spectacle. The sarsilya (local histories) say that Makhdum was aboard a metal boat but when he saw the island from afar, he walked the remaining distance on water. He then built a mosque at Tubig Indangan in 1380 AD and thus planted the very seed of Islam in the Philippines . A more modern building stands there this day, but inside the mosque are the four original pillars made out of Ipil wood. Makhdum, which is said to have more than one supernatural ability, carried these heavy posts from the forest all the way to the shore, like they were just merely matchsticks. Little is know about what the missionary did after he planted the first Philippine mosque. He was laid to rest in Tawi-tawi, although the exact location is still being disp...

oroquieta city
2012-02-27 17:32:00
It is usually quiet, clean and trouble-free in Oroquieta City , the provincial capital of Misamis Occidental. The city, however was not named because of its placid nature. Two theories prevail as to why it was named as such: that it was named after a place in Spain and in a more literal sense, that the early inhabitants found gold along its rivers. But it was unusually more quiet in Oroquieta one week after Typhoon Sendong hit Northern Mindanao last December. Even if the city was not ravaged by the typhoon, there was still a somber atmosphere that hung over the place. My aunt told me that a few bodies were washed ashore by the city's beautiful boulevard during that week. The bodies were already retrieved when I paid the city a quick visit that day. Top left then clockwise: Oroquieta City Hall, City Kiosk, Oroquieta Catholic Church and the halang-halang stalls. I also noticed that the 1912 city kiosk and the famous halang-halang stalls beside the city park were deserted except...

the forgotten bells of ozamiz city
2012-02-16 15:04:00
Bukagan Hill overlooking the scenic Ozamiz City and Panguil Bay. Not many know this, that there are four bells, named by their German casters as ?St. Peter?, ?St. Marien?, ?St. Joseph? and ?St. Michael,? at Bukagan Hill (92 MASL) in Ozamiz City. These were supposed to be installed at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral but the church?s existing belfry could not adequately support the bells which reportedly weigh a total of 7 tons. The residents could not afford to build another bell tower at that time, considering that they already raised a substantial amount for the construction of the church and the installation of its pipe organ. The bells ended up at Bukagan Hill in Barangay Malaubang, through the efforts of Fernand T. Bernad. The site was inaugurated on July 16, 1948 which was participated by various religious and civic groups. When I asked my relatives and friends in Ozamiz about the bells, they did not know about them and were only aware of the cell towers and a mon...

philippine hot air balloon festival
2012-02-13 14:29:00
It is the time of the year again, when the skies at Clark in Pampanga will be colored with hot air balloons of different colors and shapes. This event is called the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival , which recently concluded its 17th successful run yesterday. The four-day affair was attended by thousands who wanted to witness the hot air balloons slowly lift up into the air, a spectacular event that they do not get to see anywhere else in the Philippines. The giant balloons could only take off under specific wind conditions. The best times to catch their flight is during early morning and in the evening when the wind is not as relentless. Even so, visitors still travel to Clark during the wee hours in the morning just to take a glimpse of the gentle giants. And for a brief suspended moment every dawn, the sleep-deprived travelers eagerly await for their magical flight, oblivious to the emcee's scientific explanation for the latter. The Clark air field is littered with ...

breaking myths and barriers on a basilan daytrip
2012-02-10 11:44:00
The province of Basilan in Southern Philippines doesn?t have to pay for a pricey advertising campaign just to let the whole world that it exists. Its frequent troubles have been featured especially by both local international media outfits, many times more than the rest of the Philippines combined. This free publicity, albeit an unpleasant one, is one big reason why it may never end up in most Filipinos? travel bucket lists. Despite Basilan?s notorious reputation, I was honestly surprised to find out that it is, for the lack of a better description, actually a safe place. When my friend and I reached the port of Isabela City last year, we just walked without armed escorts, towards the provincial capitol to meet the local tourism officer. We were admittedly, more curious than afraid during that time. The Santa Isabel Cathedral's mosaic altar is reminscent of Roman-Byzantine cathedrals. On N. Balderosa St, the main street leading to the provincial capitol, are thriving busines...
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malamawi island: basilan's best kept secret
2012-02-02 12:07:00
The last thing I expected to see at a private resort in Malamawi Island was a banana boat. I imagined that many have already saddled on this colorful inflatable device while being drawn by a jetski perhaps and then intentionally thrown overboard in the end. However, there were no excited tourists when my friend and I arrived there one fine afternoon last year. Except for the resort?s caretakers and a few persons that looked like college students enjoying the last few days of their semestral break, we had the whole stretch of immaculate shore pretty much to ourselves. The boat's vivid colors provide an interesting contrast to the white sand, the sea with varying shades of blue and the dark outcast skies hovering over Zamboanga peninsula at a distance. It looked just like all the other beach resorts elsewhere in the Philippines, and to some extent it may even be better than the well-visited ones. But no one would have guessed that the postcard worthy image was taken at the island of...
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candaba daytrip: birdwatching and so much more
2012-02-01 17:36:00
At this time of the year, migratory birds have already flocked to the swamps in Candaba in the province of Pampanga. The low-lying plains and often flooded plains of the region are perfect resting grounds of the birds who have been flying several thousands of miles. The swamps have also attracted serious birdwatching enthusiasts, wildlife photographers and weekend backpackers to witness something unique in this part of the Philippines. The best time of the day to visit the Candaba Bird Sanctuary in Doña Simang is late in the afternoon, when the sun is not too hot. This is also a good time to catch a beautiful sunset with Mt. Arayat as a background. Unless you want to spend the entire day watching birds, you might want to do other budget-friendly activities in Candaba. There is more to this landlocked municipality than just the migratory birds. The burong tilapia is on the lower right hand corner. Consider a sidetrip to the Candaba Wetland Spa which is part of a private p...

new Php1.00 Rizal coin
2012-01-30 13:24:00
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has released new Php1.00 coins late last year to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal's birth. Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was born in June 19, 1861 and was executed in December 30, 1896 by the Spanish authorities for his subversive writings. His death is one of the many events that sparked the revolution that overthrew the more than three centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines. The coin's obverse shows markings such as "150 years," "Republika ng Pilipinas," and "1861-2011." It also bears a portrait of Rizal that is noticeably bigger. He is also not facing sideways this time. The reverse side shows the new BSP seal and "1-Piso" and "2011" etchings. The nickel-plated steel coin however, has the same size (24 millimeter) and weight (5.35 grams) as the current Php1.00 coin in circulation. My friends and I were able to literally pick up a few pieces of the new Php1.00 coin over the weekend. Our friend who is currently...

birdwatching at candaba, pampanga
2012-01-27 14:42:00
At certain times of the year, the Candaba swamps in Pampanga transform into a tropical pitstop for Asian migratory birds. Some of these bird species hail as far as China and Japan, to escape the harsh winter season. They fly southward on an invisible migration highway where the Philippines is a part of. They start arriving as early as October, with their numbers peaking by December or January. They are then gone by March. The best place in Candaba to view the birds is at the the Candaba Bird Sanctuary in Sitio Doña Simang. This was previously a 72-hectare farm of the Pelayos. All the farming activities were then stopped to have a better sanctuary for the birds. A small Php150.00 fee, which also covers simple refreshments, is collected for the upkeep of the place. There are narrow passageways to provide discreet entrance to the swamps. On both sides are bamboo walls that have small windows for the birdwatchers to peek through. These measures were placed so as not to disturb t...

happy birthday LM!
2012-01-26 17:03:00
My very good friend, Louis Mark Plaza is celebrating his birthday today. Most of his friends usually look forward to this day either for the theme of his dinner party or his interesting wishlist. He requested us to give him plaid handkerchiefs last year and pairs of colored socks for the year before that. Why he wanted something very specific is beyond me. I guess he just wants to receive something he could use on a daily basis. This year however, LM wants to have a rather low-key, if at all any, celebration. He said that he likes to have time for himself to clearly discern what God wants him to do for the next phase of his journey. I hope and pray that he gets that, and everything else his heart desires. Well, it would have been my first time to crash one of his birthday parties, but I wouldn't mind that at all. So I would just like to dedicate this small space to thank him for introducing me to Tolkien, Jars of Clay and Sara Groves many years ago. Their writings and music...
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san fernando train station
2012-01-16 14:50:00
The old San Fernando Train Station , located at a grassy residential area in the province of Pampanga, could be easily be mistaken as an abandoned warehouse, if not for the historical markers installed in its vicinity. This station was inaugurated on February 23, 1892 and was part of the Manila-Dagupan Line of the Manila Railroad Company. It is no longer in use anymore today. But during the station's heyday, it witnessed two important events that unfolded in Philippine history. It is said that Jose Rizal once alighted this station in 1892, to visit some friends in San Fernando and Bacolor. He wanted to recruit additional members for the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization which he founded that pushed for moderate reforms from Spain. This organization was one of the important dominoes that tumbled many others, including Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan Movement, which then led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896. There is also a Bataan Death March marker propped near the o...

carcar: cebu's heritage and chicharon city
2012-01-11 16:52:00
At the center of Carcar in Southern Cebu is a beautiful rotunda which was probably built in the 1920s by the mayor at that time, Mariano Mercado. Two figures are perched on top of the gazebo which is said to signify the United States guiding the Philippines. There are also sculptures around the rotunda representing people from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three major island groups in the country. This rotunda has served its purposes well ever since. It has been helpful for travelers especially those riding in buses. Some of them may alight here or continue further south to Dalaguete or go westward to Barili. Regardless of their next destination, it signals them that they are finally at Carcar, one of the oldest crossroads in the province of Cebu. Heritage Structures Aside from the rotunda, there are also other heritage structures in Carcar. One of these is the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church, an 18th century church that has Greek Orthodox architectural undertone...
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who painted the murals of the magellan's cross kiosk in cebu city?
2012-01-08 15:33:00
I have long been curious as to the persons behind the already iconic murals of the Magellan's Cross kiosk in downtown Cebu City . The octagon ceiling portrays two important scenes that happened on April 21, 1521. Half of the dome shows the baptism of Rajah Humabon and his household by Fr. Pedro Valderrama and the other half shows the erection of a wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. These events marked the seeds of Christianity and the beginning of more than three centuries of Spanish colonization in the Philippines. It is said that the original cross was enclosed inside the existing cross which is made of Tindalo Wood. This was done since many people chipped away portions of the original cross for souvenir purposes or for the healing powers it was believed to possess. The authenticity of the historical relic is also doubted by many. On the other hand, the ceiling paintings done in 1970s, are genuine at the very least. My intial guess was the ceilings was painted by the same...

dahilayan adventure park
2012-01-08 07:11:00
At 840 meters, the longest dual zipline in Asia is claimed by Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in Southern Philippines. Since its opening in 2009, many have tried the exhilarating rush it offers while towering over the park's pine trees. It is also located near the foot of Mt. Kitanglad and on a clear, cloudless day, the mountain's peak which is visible from the park's premises. The adrenaline rush and the view are just among the many reasons why the Dahilayan Adventure Park has been frequented despite its remote location. Getting there is already an adventure by itself due to largely unpaved roads 25 kms from the national highway. The bumpy ride indeed adds to the unforgettable journey to Dahilayan. I was finally able to visit Dahilayan last December 2010. Seventeen of my cousins braved the zipline challenge and the long queues that afternoon. Afterwards, we had fun recalling the different types of screams we heard from our fellow cousins. Aside...

manolo fortich: bukidnon's pineapple central
2012-01-05 07:16:00
The first thing that comes to my mind when one mentions Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, is pineapple. The cool climate, vast plateaus and fertile land have all made this municapility a perfect environment for Del Monte's Smooth Cayenne variety. With the multinational company's 20,000 acres of pineapple plantations, there might be more pineapples than there are humans living in Manolo Fortich. Del Monte's beginnings in the province could be traced back to Philippine Packing Corporation (PPC) when the Americans started an experimental plantation in the 1920s. Since then, this industry paved the way for other economic developments such as cattle raising and a busy cannery in Misamis Oriental, not only in Bukidnon but in the entire region as well. The Americans indeed have left more than the pineapple as an enduring legacy in Manolo Fortich. One proof of this is Camp Philips which was named after Lawrence Philips, one of PPC's pioneers. It was previously named as 'Camp 12.' Th...
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memories of malaybalay, bukidnon
2012-01-03 15:24:00
Many years ago, our family visited Malabalay City in Bukidnon to attend my cousin's wedding. When we reached Malaybalay that afternoon, the first thing that I noticed was the drop in temperature. At 622 MASL, this city indeed enjoys a cool climate all year round. The change in temperature is also accompanied by a change in the atmosphere. I remember that as we drove nearer into the heartland of Mindanao, the bustling cityscape of Cagayan de Oro was replaced with lush forests, vast vegetable plantations and rolling mountains. The green sceneries reminded me of Middleearth in one way or the other. I would not be surprised at all if there would be Hobbits sighted one day in this part of the Philippines. Monastery of the Transfiguration My cousin's wedding was held at the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Barangay San Jose. The church resembles a pyramid with a square base. It was designed by no less than Leandro Locsion, a National Artist for Architecture. The sleek lin...
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a rainy trek to mt. kitanglad
2012-01-02 15:02:00
It was for the pleasure of seeing a glorious sunrise that I climbed Mt. Kitanglad (2899 MASL) the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines, last January 2, 2011. This mountain is part of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park which covers 47,270 hectares of dense forests and 4 other peaks (Mt. Dulang-Dulang, Mt. Maagnaw, Mt. Lumuluyaw and Mt. Tuminungan), one city and seven municipalities in the province of Bukidnon in Southern Philippines. I would have climbed alone but Herbert, my mountaineering mentor, strongly advised against it. Mt. Kitanglad according to him, is a technical climb and that means I must have a buddy with me at the very least. I then asked Alquine, my former college professor who is also an experienced mountaineer and a hardcore backpacker, if he would like to join me in my madness. Thankfully, he agreed even on such short notice. The weather before our climb was not encouraging at all. I remember that it often rained hard during the last few days of December...
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help CDO: a plea for prayer, relief goods and financial donations
2011-12-20 11:44:00
Cagayan de Oro (CDO), a highly urbanized city in Southern Philippines was hit by Tropical Storm Sendong (International Code Name: Washi) in the dead of the night last Saturday, December 17. Houses along low-lying areas have been washed away by the swelling Cagayan de Oro river and hundreds were killed in an instant. Up to this writing, there are many families who are still searching for their loved ones amidst the rubble and the thick mud, a sight that greeted them after the raging floodwaters have subsided in the morning. Although our small house is located at an elevated portion in the city, I always answer those who are asking how my family is doing at this point, that they are fine but we also share the sorrows of our friends, colleagues, churchmates and classmates who have lost houses and loved ones over the weekend. I would like to end my 2011 entries with this post to reflect the collective mourning we have felt since last Saturday. May I also invite everyone to say a pray...
More About: Goods , Financial , Prayer , Relief

iligan city's halang-halang
2011-12-16 05:42:00
I finally have dined at the famous halang-halang food stalls at a wet market in Iligan City. This comes as a surprise because although I spent my college years in Iligan, I was only able to visit this part of the city one Saturday evening last August. It was also raining that time so I thought that a hot bowl of spicy soup, or the halang-halang would be the perfect comfort food for the cold evening. There are actually many stalls that serve the halang-halang but I chose the one which had yellow tables. This was suggested by an old college acquaintance whom I met at the bus station earlier. It was also located farthest from the road and already overlooked the Iligan bay. Like all the other stalls, it has an open air kitchen, a basic dining area and a rugged ambience. This is indeed a culinary adventure for the budget-conscious who would like to pay more for the food rather than the place. All the stalls serve halang-halang, a spicy soup with beef cuts and innards and bulalo wh...

the tambangongo of baroy, lanao del norte
2011-12-12 12:56:00
This is the tambangongo, a kind of sea catfish that my college roommate told me about many years ago. He hails from Baroy, a laidback coastal municipality that overlooks Panguil Bay in the province of Lanao del Norte in Southern Philippines. He said that there is a celebratory atmosphere when their local fishermen would catch this weird-looking fish because it is quite rare to find one. From the looks of it, the frowning mouth or the staring eyes of the fish suggest that it doesn't want to be caught at all in the first place. Aside from that, the tambangongo's taste, my roommate added, would put even the lechon (roasted pig) to shame. The fish is usually grilled or made into a humba dish. He claims that it is the best dish he has tasted and that at Baroy, the fish is usually wiped off first more than any other dish especially during festive occasions. But I would never know if he was exaggerating or not, since I never tasted one before. When I visited his hometown to attend a wedd...

rizal shrine (calamba, laguna)
2011-12-12 09:47:00
Jose Rizal Mercado was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba in the province of Laguna . He was the second son and the seventh of 11 children of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso. He spent his childhood in this two-storey house, located at the heart of the Calamba town center. The original house, howevever, was destroyed during World War II. It was then reconstructed by virtue of Executive Order No. 145 of President Elpidio Quirino and was said to be funded mainly through the donations of schoolchildren. The reconstruction efforts were spearheaded by Architect Juan F. Nakpil. He researched, designed the ancestral house of Rizal to be a truthful copy to the original. It was then inaugurated on June 19, 1950. At the ground floor of the house are various memorabilias, photo displays that show what a typical Filipino house looks like during that century . Visitors would then be treated to the various sections of the house - bedrooms, kitchen and even the toilet. One must not also mi...
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calamba church
2011-12-11 09:51:00
Jose Rizal Mercado was baptized at the San Juan Bautista Church at Calamba in Laguna, on June 22 1861, roughly 3 days after his birth. The parish priest presiding over the ceremony was Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes and his godfather was Rev. Fr. Pedro Casañas. The small church has undergone several major revisions through the years. It was rightfully declared as a National Historical Landmark last August 19, 1976. ---------- How to get there The Calamba church stamp site for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 is at the pastoral office located at the left side of the church. The blogger would like to thank Merry Epan for guiding him in getting to Calamba after their company activity at Sta. Rosa in Laguna. Transportation options in getting to Calamba are enumerated here. View Larger Map