kid at 1 answering puzzle...amazing! hehe

she's bibay, my adorable niece. we call her that 'cause of her fondness to the videos of justin bieber. bibay - we just thought its a good female version of bieber.

'cause i'm like bibay...bibay..bibay..ooohhhhh

bibay is a fast learner. see how she can grip perfectly the ballpen and of course she now can answer the puzzle, hehe, look at her expression, she does concentrate on her puzzles..cute.

chasing pavements

i love adele already!

FLASH MOB

i wish someday that i could be a part of a flash mob.

Intramuros

As part of my getting-to-know-more of Manila, we visited Intramuros after our half-day walk around Chinatown. Intramuros is easily accessible by a jeepney from Binondo...it's just actually a few minute ride. On our way, we passed by the post office building, which is so grand that i opt to visit during my next stay in Manila. Intramuros or the Walled City boasts of pre-colonial buildings, churches, stone fortresses, kalesas and guards wearing uniforms of the Spanish era. The ruins in the Walled City are also a sight to behold. My favorite time in Intramuros was the leisurely walks we did in Fort Santiago, as the air was very cool and the sights are so refreshing, the OPM played in the park also gives a very relaxing ambiance. A visit in the Rizal Shrine gave us a glimpse of the greatness of our national hero. It was just a simple building with only few mementos of Rizal, but what really touched me the most is his last farewell that was even translated to different languages.

World War II had brought several destruction in Intramuros, the remnants of the war are still evident, but I find it so amazing that this place offers a great sense of tranquility and amazement to tourists and locals. I say that Intramuros is the place to visit when you want to feel nostalgic. The romantic setting at the Fort Santiago park is also perfect for your reveries.

Practical Tips and Information:

1. Fort Santiago entrance - Php 75.00

2. Kalesa Ride around Intramuros - Php 300-500/head

Intramuros entrance

The Governor's Palace - only a stone throw away from the Manila Cathedral. This was used as an air-raid shelter during WWII where 80 male civilians were massacred.

The Manila Cathedral - Mother of all Churches and Cathedrals in the Philippines where a La Pieta replica is housed.

Just one of the war-damaged buildings in Intramuros (Aduana Building)

The park inside Fort Santiago - perfect for photoshoots

My attempt for a pro shot, hehe (feeling!)

The main entrance of Fort Santiago

The Rizal Shrine. Fort Santiago is where Rizal was incarcerated before his execution at the Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park). Thoughts on his last days are the main highlight in the museum.

Another attempt for a professional shot (naks!) This great view is at the back of the Fort Santiago, at the Baluarte de Santa Barbara.

I would like to go again to Intramuros and maybe try the Kalesa ride. There are other beautiful sites I missed to visit. But most especially I like the feeling to be in this place, it seems like I traveled back in time.

Binondo Experience

I just felt that it's time for me to rekindle my Filipino pride, that's why I excitedly urged my BFF (Julius) to take me to the old Manila. We decided not to take a taxi but to try the long commute (trains, jeepneys) to Binondo, from Makati City. The nearest LRT station from Makati is in Araneta (Cubao), so we have to take this train until the last station that is Recto. The Recto Station is our gateway to Binondo. Upon reaching Recto, we took the Divisoria Jeepney and alighted at the J. Abad Santos and Recto Intersection. We proceeded walking to the opposite side from where our ride stopped, and upon meeting Chinese people along the road, we realized we're on the right track. We walked further with the Metrobank building as our north star. And I was getting excited because I have never seen the country's capital in this ambience. During my last visits in Manila, I only confine myself inside the malls. This time I dared to walk the streets of Manila, never mind if I’ll get pimple breakouts the next day (which I did get, actually).

Manila Chinatown (at Ongpin St.) is just at the back of the Binondo church where the narrow alleys are teeming with enterprising Chinese, no wonder that this place is also considered as a major player of commerce in the country. In terms of religion, a combination of Catholicism and Buddhism belief is evident in one shrine in Binondo that displays a cross (catholic) and burning incense sticks (Chinese). For real food enthusiasts, Chinatown will not fail you, Chinese cuisine and its smells linger in every alley of Chinatown. It can be observed that tourists flock the area to experience the taste of Chinatown. And the place never failed them…I am just so sure. Julius and I just had a “safe” lunch at the Quick Snack. And from the number of guests they have, I think this restaurant is a hit to tourists too. Oh, by the way, for safe food I mean the meals we recognize only and eat by heart. We didn’t challenge ourselves to trying the exotic foods offered in some restaurants. For the entirety, Binondo is a worthwhile visit to experience the Chinese trade culture in the modern times.

What to expect:

1. Food stalls in sidewalks for unique Chinese cuisine and other wares

2. Foreigners in kalesa’s

3. Awesome Baroque church (Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz)

4. Vagrants on streets

6. Western establishments with Chinese names printed on its signage’s (Mcdonalds, Starbucks…)

7. Narrow alleys

8. Purple-colored fire trucks

9. The “estero” – restaurants set up along a creek

10. Tourists gathering at Eng Bee Tin for its famous hopia and tikoy

How to get there (from Makati):

1. Take a train from MRT Ayala to MRT Cubao

2. From MRT Cubao transfer to LRT Station and take the train going to Recto Station – Php 14.00

3. Jeepney from Recto Station to J. Abad and Recto Intersection – Php 8.00

Note: get on jeepneys going to divisoria

Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

Morning Mass at the Basilica

Kung Hei Fat Choi. The Plaza Ruiz is adorned by banners in celebration of the
Chinese New Year.

Narrow alley in Binondo. Chinese foods and wares are displayed to entice tourists and locals alike.

Chinese charms

Binondo Shrine

Welcome to Chinatown!

semana santa

I bear the beatings

To wash away the sins

I take the swearing

But hear your grieves

Rob me of my clothes

Crown me with the thorns

Lacerate me

Nail me

Exhaust me

But I will never weary in carrying your cross

in the big city

i am a stranger
coping with your steps
i can't reach you
i'm falling behind

you run like madness
while i stop in awe of this jungle
you wave at jeepneys
while i'm searching for the stars

you line up 'til 10
take dinner at 12
a little nap til 3
and rise at the smell of a new bread

how can i get by
i just started my day
but you are already on your way