Just a quote to make your day better and positive:
"If you’re reading this, if there’s air in your lungs on this November day, then there is still hope for you. Your story is still going. And maybe some things are true for all of us. Perhaps we all relate to pain. Perhaps we all relate to fear and loss and questions. And perhaps we all deserve to be honest, all deserve whatever help we need. Our stories are all so many things: Heavy and light. Beautiful and difficult. Hopeful and uncertain. But our stories aren’t finished yet. There is still time, for things to heal and change and grow. There is still time to be surprised. We are still going, you and I. We are stories still going."
I know it's only been four months since I left America. How I miss my life there and the people I have met and especially l'amour de ma vie and the family.
Today's entry is going to feature the most historical place in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. This should have been up a month ago but laziness hit me. Anyway! As most foreigners know, Philippines is known for white sand beaches and perfect surfing/diving spots (or maybe you really don't have any idea).
A friend of mine asked her friend what he thought about the Philippines. He answered, "Forests, too many lions and wild animals." Well, we have forests in the provinces and different kind of animals but not lions nor wild animals you see in Animal Planet.
I would like to change it by giving you a little tour in Intramuros and hopefully will make you want to visit too. As early as now I would like to admit I barely understood Philippine history therefore I will try my best to write facts and remember all things I know (Google and other blogs is your best tour guide). The last time I visited Intramuros I was in sixth grade for an educational trip. Awesome, right?
A friend of mine asked her friend what he thought about the Philippines. He answered, "Forests, too many lions and wild animals." Well, we have forests in the provinces and different kind of animals but not lions nor wild animals you see in Animal Planet.
I would like to change it by giving you a little tour in Intramuros and hopefully will make you want to visit too. As early as now I would like to admit I barely understood Philippine history therefore I will try my best to write facts and remember all things I know (Google and other blogs is your best tour guide). The last time I visited Intramuros I was in sixth grade for an educational trip. Awesome, right?
So my cousins and I planned to go to Intramuros and Binondo for a photowalk. I was so happy when our plan finally pushed through because with their busy schedule at work and wedding preparations it was quite hard to squeeze it in. Two of my older cousins are getting married this year. Also, we have never gone to a trip without our parents so this would be the first.
Our first stop was Binondo.
This is my first time here. (And unfortunately, because of the hot weather I got heat rashes and until now I can't get rid off of it. So be sure to put sunscreen to avoid sunburn or heat rash, wear something simple and comfy because there will be a lot of walking and never forget a bottle of water to keep you hyrdrated).
When Filipinos hear Binondo what comes into their mind is Chinatown. You will find all the Chinese foods, medicines, restaurants, jewelries and any Chinese-related things you can think of. Every time my parents come here I always ask them to buy me Eng Bee Tin hopia. My all time favourite is the monggo flavor! I have been wanting to eat hopia for a long time already and was delighted to finally eat one. There are many Eng Bee Tin stores and retailers around Binondo but we went to the Ongpin branch where you can also have lunch or dinner (we had our lunch in their restaurant I forgot what it's called though) and beside it, is the store. They have all kinds of sweet Filipino-Chinese delicacies. Yum!!!
The place is jam-packed during weekends so your best bet to avoid being stuck in traffic is to commute or better go there during weekdays. Just Google it or ask your Filipino friends what the easy routes and transportations are so you can plan your itinerary too.
Right after we had our lunch in Binondo.
Our second stop was Intramuros or at the old times it was called the "Walled City".
In Intramuros you can find "The Manila Cathedral-Basilica". When we arrived in the church a wedding was being held. Some brides dream of getting married in that church because of its historic architecture and the long aisle (Right or nah? Hehe). And of course, being a girl I cannot help but imagine myself attending my own wedding, walking in the aisle and seeing mon amour right at the end of the aisle. Its beauty will shine during the evening when the lights are lit up. To my photographer readers, this is the best time to take pictures.
Our third stop was San Sebastian Church.
It's a block or two blocks away from the cathedral if I'm right.
This is my favourite part of our tour and favourite church in Manila. This is also my second time to be here.
I love how they carefully thought about the architecture and design of this church especially the interior. For me it feels like I'm in one of the churches in Spain.
If you want a better and detailed description or experience of the church please visit this website.
If you are coming in one big group like five. Never miss to visit the museum because they give group discounts and student discounts too. You will truly have a broader understanding of Philippine history and the church and ask questions to the tour guide.
I really enjoyed our visit to the museum and I'm happy to know that a private group sponsored for the renovation and development of the San Sebastian Museum. According to our kind and friendly tour guide, it was opened few months before the 2015 ends. Most rooms are now air conditioned and the artifacts are now being stored and maintained properly. I wish our government would take time and an A+ effort to preserve our history by giving a budget and working on it so we can build more museums and parks.
Back in elementary, I barely remember the places we visited and how it looked like. It's weird. It feels right to be here, to visit Manila again and now that I'm older I had a better understanding about the history of my country. The place grew.
I discovered a lot of cafes, restaurants, thrift stores and this is your best place to get good pictures for your trip and share them to your friends and family. And I hope someday you will think about visiting Philippines too.
Thank you so much for taking time to read my experience.
For more photos click here
Update your playlist:
Half Mast - Empire of the Sun
Our first stop was Binondo.
This is my first time here. (And unfortunately, because of the hot weather I got heat rashes and until now I can't get rid off of it. So be sure to put sunscreen to avoid sunburn or heat rash, wear something simple and comfy because there will be a lot of walking and never forget a bottle of water to keep you hyrdrated).
When Filipinos hear Binondo what comes into their mind is Chinatown. You will find all the Chinese foods, medicines, restaurants, jewelries and any Chinese-related things you can think of. Every time my parents come here I always ask them to buy me Eng Bee Tin hopia. My all time favourite is the monggo flavor! I have been wanting to eat hopia for a long time already and was delighted to finally eat one. There are many Eng Bee Tin stores and retailers around Binondo but we went to the Ongpin branch where you can also have lunch or dinner (we had our lunch in their restaurant I forgot what it's called though) and beside it, is the store. They have all kinds of sweet Filipino-Chinese delicacies. Yum!!!
The place is jam-packed during weekends so your best bet to avoid being stuck in traffic is to commute or better go there during weekdays. Just Google it or ask your Filipino friends what the easy routes and transportations are so you can plan your itinerary too.
 |
| Manila Chinatown (apologies for the blurred shot) |
 |
| The Manila Cathedral-Basilica |
Right after we had our lunch in Binondo.
Our second stop was Intramuros or at the old times it was called the "Walled City".
In Intramuros you can find "The Manila Cathedral-Basilica". When we arrived in the church a wedding was being held. Some brides dream of getting married in that church because of its historic architecture and the long aisle (Right or nah? Hehe). And of course, being a girl I cannot help but imagine myself attending my own wedding, walking in the aisle and seeing mon amour right at the end of the aisle. Its beauty will shine during the evening when the lights are lit up. To my photographer readers, this is the best time to take pictures.
 |
| Congratulations to the bride and the groom! |
 |
| A wooden carved main door in the church |
Our third stop was San Sebastian Church.
It's a block or two blocks away from the cathedral if I'm right.
This is my favourite part of our tour and favourite church in Manila. This is also my second time to be here.
I love how they carefully thought about the architecture and design of this church especially the interior. For me it feels like I'm in one of the churches in Spain.
If you want a better and detailed description or experience of the church please visit this website.
If you are coming in one big group like five. Never miss to visit the museum because they give group discounts and student discounts too. You will truly have a broader understanding of Philippine history and the church and ask questions to the tour guide.
I really enjoyed our visit to the museum and I'm happy to know that a private group sponsored for the renovation and development of the San Sebastian Museum. According to our kind and friendly tour guide, it was opened few months before the 2015 ends. Most rooms are now air conditioned and the artifacts are now being stored and maintained properly. I wish our government would take time and an A+ effort to preserve our history by giving a budget and working on it so we can build more museums and parks.
 |
Wandered the streets of Intramuros (random photos):
 |
| The Papier Tole Shop (1668) |
 |
 |
Back in elementary, I barely remember the places we visited and how it looked like. It's weird. It feels right to be here, to visit Manila again and now that I'm older I had a better understanding about the history of my country. The place grew.
I discovered a lot of cafes, restaurants, thrift stores and this is your best place to get good pictures for your trip and share them to your friends and family. And I hope someday you will think about visiting Philippines too.
Thank you so much for taking time to read my experience.
For more photos click here
Update your playlist:
Half Mast - Empire of the Sun
