Revisiting Fort Santiago

An error understanding a news feature got me serendipitously revisiting Fort Santiago last Maundy Thursday, tagging along my girlfriend. Though unplanned, we had a brief chance to step back into Hispanic times.

Our Two Tickets to Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is part of the Walled City of Intramuros who played a key role in the history of the Philippines especially during the colonial times.

Not much have changed since the last time I visited Fort Santiago way back in 1996. Well, as far as my memory serves me. Entrance fee for adults is only Php 75.00 each.

Fort Santiago is 16th century military fortress, built strategically at the mouth of Pasig River. It served to protect the walled city of Intramuros and Manila. The only thing I know about the Fort is that this is the place where our national hero, Jose Rizal, was incarcerated while standing trial for sedition against Spain.

I think that the Fort's best historical feature is the Rizal Shrine, a reconstruction of the colonial period barracks where Rizal was confined. It is now a museum. However, the Shrine was closed on that day.

Apart from Rizal, the Fort also stood witness to many unnamed martyrs and heroes of war marked by a Memorial Cross.

That probably spooked me and Tintin while we were in the Dungeons area.

Other photos inside Fort Santiago.

Tintin got an immediate liking to the calesa, insisting that she ought to have photos with those. We inquired about the fees for a ride and found 50 pesos/per head for two laps around the main plaza too high.

We definitely not have enough feel of history and the Philippines in the older days. We look forward into visiting other historical sites like Fort Santiago in the country as we continue to tour the Philippines.

To history buffs out there, what other historical site in the Philippines should we visit next?

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Visita Iglesia | Way of the Cross in 14 Churches in the City of Manila

Visita Iglesia is a religious tradition practised by Filipino Catholics mostly on Maundy Thursday as part of their Holy Week Celebration. It involves visiting churches and praying the Stations of the Cross.

The Visita Iglesia to some degree is a pilgrimage, believed to grant favors from God and even miracles. Others do it annually as a panata or vow because a special wish came true.

In the tail end of my college years, Joey become a friend. He was the one who introduced to me and our other friends the concept of Visita Iglesia.

Our Visita Iglesia involves visiting 14 churches in the City of Manila on foot. No, we are not barefooted. In each church, we pray one station of the Catholic prayer Stations of the Cross. We go to the designated area inside the church for the specific station. But because there are so many people doing this tradition, we try to be as close as possible.

Our journey begins, ideally after the Last Supper Mass in Tondo, to Intramuros, to Quiapo and into the Sampaloc district of Manila.

The churches that we visit for our Visita Iglesia are in the following order:

St. John Bosco Parish Church (Tondo, Manila)
[No Church Photo yet]
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Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish

Sto. Niño de Tondo Church
Image from simbahan.net

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Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish (Delpan, Tondo, Manila)

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church
Image from agustinosrecoletos.com

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Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Manila Metropolitan Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral

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San Agustin Church

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Santa Cruz Parish Church

The Sta. Cruz Church
Image from archieriva.i.ph

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St. John the Baptist Parish
Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene

The Quiapo Church
Image from ilonggoexplorer.wordpress.com

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Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus

Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus Church
Image from dez-myonlineworld.com

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Minor Basilica of San Sebastian
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The San Sebastian Church
Image from wikipedia

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National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels
Villa de San Miguel

San Miguel Church near Malacanang
Image from Joseph Nepomucin N. Niez

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St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine

St. Jude Church near Malacanang
Image from dez-myonlineworld.com

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Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat
Church of the Benedictine Monks

San Beda College Chapel
Image from panoramio.com

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Saint Anthony 0f Padua Shrine

St. Anthony of Padua Church
Image from philippinetravelnotes.blogspot.com

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Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Parish

Our Lady of Loreto Church
Image from flickr - Loewe Lagdan's Photostream

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As this kind of activity also serves as a barkada kitakits, chatter and playful banter is evident as we go from church to church. But that would gradually fade in the latter churches as tiredness slowly crept among our legs.

But after finishing our Visita Iglesia, we are all smiles, feeling rejuvenated from within. And perhaps, each of us are hopeful that our special request would be granted.

I can't see how this tradition will cease. There is even an online visita iglesia now. I believe that this activity is a perfect combination of prayer and sacrifice. A great experience to share with the family or friends during the Holy Week. And of course, there is the tourism aspect of knowing more about the City of Manila through its churches and streets.

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World Class Fireworks Seen at the 2011 PyroMusical International Competition at Mall of Asia

I, together with GF Tintin, former MH housemates and new alumni friend Judith, tried to catch the last day of the 2011 PyroMusical Competition at the Mall of Asia grounds last Saturday evening and get a glimpse of world class fireworks.

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition
Image collated from official website

The 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition ran from Februay 12 - March 12, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia, the country’s top lifestyle mall by the scenic Manila Bay. The annual event put on a never-before-seen spectacle of lights and colors where the night sky and sea meet as staged by the world’s leading pyrotechnic experts.

As usual, traffic proved to be a killjoy, for us. We didn't even reached the grounds of Mall of Asia. As the jeepney we took was virtually parked on the road because of the traffic, we just joined a crowd of people in a vacant grassy lot along Macapagal highway, in between Blue Wave and the Toyota Service Center.

The following pics are just what we came up, courtesy of GF Tintin's cellphone camera:

As Philippines was scheduled last, we caught a good part of the presentation. And even from a far, some cheers, oohs! and claps can be heard from the sizable crowd amongst us.

I bet if we could just view closer and longer, we could've definitely witnessed world class fireworks.

We are all looking forward to 2012 Pyromusical Competition. And we vow, not to let traffic get in the way of viewing world class fireworks.

:)

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Php 99 Musical Fountain Show at Manila Ocean Park

I was on board a bus going through EDSA when a billboard in Guadalupe caught my attention. It was about the Php 99 Musical Fountain Show at the Manila Ocean Park.

The Manila Ocean Park is offering its Musical Fountain Show for only Php 99 until March 31, 2011. It promises a multi-sensory spectacle for every one this Summer. An affordable attraction right within the city!

P99 Musical Fountain Show
Image from Manila Ocean Park Website

When I got home, I immediately checked at the Manila Ocean Park website and really glad I did.

The Manila Ocean Park indeed has a Musical Fountain Show and provides it to the public at a promo price of Php 99. Luckily, it is extended until March 31, 2011. The show is daily and starts at 6:30 pm.

Another good thing about the Php 99 Musical Fountain Show promo is that an SMS coupon can be availed via cellphone which can be paid and claimed at the Acquatica Ticket Booth (for only Php 99) on the day that you want to watch it.

Terms & Conditions:

• Resistration Booth provided inside Manila Ocean Park is only for receiving sms coupon and not for online payment using credit card.
  
• Seat is on a First Come, First Serve Basis.
  
• Tickets must be claimed and availed only within the promo period.
  
• Unclaimed tickets will not be subject to cash refund.
  
• Promo must not be availed in conjunction with other existing promo or discount.
  

I immediately registered and received the following SMS notification:

Show this SMS @ Acquatica Ticket Booth Pay P99 for Musical Fountain Show. Per DTI-NCR Permit#0409,S-2011. Promo til 3/31/11. Save Ref.Code:1380482

Sender: OCEANPARK

This is a nice treat to people living in Manila and nearby cities. I will blog about my experience in the P99 Musical Fountain Show at the Manila Ocean Park soon. :)

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Café Jeepney Dinner Buffet, 50% Coupon from eBay

I received via e-mail today a coupon offering from eBay regarding a 50% Dinner Buffet at Café Jeepney. The coupon basically offers a dinner buffet at Café Jeepney, normally priced @ Php 1616, for only Php 808.

Café Jeepney is the famous coffee shop and restaurant at the InterContinental Manila hotel. Its dinner buffet offers a mouth-watering mix of both local and international cuisine, including live cooking and carving stations.

Dinner Buffet @ Café Jeepney
50% Coupon from eBay

I am sharing it here because I think that it is a good option for people looking to experience fine dining in the city. Apart from the dinner buffet, Café Jeepney has a luscious variety of cakes available - from Apple Walnut Caramel Crumble to Black Forest, Champagne White Chocolate Croustillant and more. Right next to it is the Jeepney Deli Shop with a wide range of delicatessen, breads, pastries, cheese, wines, chocolates and gift items like mugs and miniature jeepneys.

Café Jeepney is at the Ground Level of InterContinental Manila Hotel located in 1 Ayala Avenue, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. Persons interested with the coupon can call (02) 793 7000 loc 771 and 772.

The 50% Dinner Buffet @ Café Jeepney can be found HERE. I am just reposting the following important details:

• Coupons are valid from March 10 to May 09, 2011; 60 days
  
• Need to have minimum of < 50 > sold coupons in order for the deal to be ON/ ACTIVE
  
• Will accept 2000 maximum buyers/ sold coupons for the restaurant.
  
• NO Limit coupon per person.
  
• Price is inclusive of VAT and Service Charge
  
• No cash back or credit for any unused amount
  
• Coupons cannot be used in conjunction with any discount card or promotion
  
• Bill in excess of the coupon value shall be paid directly to Café Jeepney
  
• Valid from 6PM to 11 PM Monday to Saturday
  
• Valid for Dinner Buffet ONLY ( Eat all you can )
  
• Dine in Only
  
• Coupons/Gift Certificates are transferable and can be used as Gifts
  
• Any number of coupons can be used per visit
  
• BEVERAGES or DRINKS are not included.
  
• Prior reservation is encouraged to guarantee seats. Call Cafe Jeepney at 793-7000.
  

Perhaps in the next few days, I can be the person next to you, enjoying the dinner buffet at Café Jeepney.

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