Support and vote for Vigan City. Tell others and “convince” them to vote for Vigan City. We need to spread the word and vote for Vigan City as the Philippines’ only entry in the New7Wonders Cities. It started with the Nomination Phase (more than 1200 nominees from more than 220 countries), followed by the Qualification Phase and the shortlisting to 28 official finalist candidates (although we’ve counted only up to 21). The Philippines was part of the New7Wonders of Nature with the Puerto Princesa Underground River. See below on how to vote for Vigan. Continue reading Let’s Support and Vote for Vigan (Philippines) as New7Wonders Cities
Tag Archives: historical
Laguna Loop: Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia
We’ve noted in the previous post on visita iglesia in Bicol and Ilocos that the Holy Week (semana santa or cuaresma), specifically Maundy Thursday, is the traditional time for visita iglesia (church visit). Some visit seven churches, while those with more time cover fourteen churches. One of the popular pilgrimage and visita iglesia destination is the Laguna Loop, a series of churches in churches surrounding the Laguna Lake. We’ve taken a tour of these churches. Here’s the itinerary. Hopefully it would be of help to others. Continue reading Laguna Loop: Historical Tour and Visita Iglesia
Mt. Samat Trip: Journey to Dambana ng Kagitingan in Bataan
It was a slow Saturday. The Friday before that was capped with a client dinner-meeting that extended until late at night. Add the trip home and it was already past midnight when we slept. The problem with having a regular waking hour is waking up on that particular hour; even if you don’t want to wake up to extend your rest hours. Continue reading Mt. Samat Trip: Journey to Dambana ng Kagitingan in Bataan
Independence Day: Philippine Holiday
A crowd was waiting outside the home, located in Kawit, Cavite, of General Emilio Aguinaldo. It was 12 June 1898. Jose Rizal, who later became the national hero, was executed by the Spaniards two years earlier. Andres Bonifacio, another great son of the revolution, was also executed a year earlier, but this time by fellow Filipinos. All of them were fighting for the Philippines. Continue reading Independence Day: Philippine Holiday
Vigan, Ilocos Sur: Philippine Heritage City
Postcard-perfect. That’s how I’ve always imagined Vigan would be. Kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) leisurely rolling through cobblestone roads, passing century-old houses that are witnesses to Vigan’s rich history. I thought it would feel like being brought back in time, walking through the past which we’d otherwise read only in books. Continue reading Vigan, Ilocos Sur: Philippine Heritage City
Syquia Mansion Museum (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)
Malacanang of the North (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)
One would usually associate Paoay with the Paoay Church, also called San Agustin Church, and for good reason — this beautiful architecture that is a showcase of Spanish-era churches in the Philippines is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Continue reading Malacanang of the North (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)
Corregidor Island: History in the Ruins
Corregidor Island is where Filipino and American forces made a last stand against the invading Japanese forces in World War II, our school textbooks would tell us. The books bear photos of the guns and the ruins. Seeing the real thing must be a totally different experience, I thought when I was younger. So, today, after more than 30 years of delay, I finally crossed Manila Bay to invade what the forces during WW2 fondly call “The Rock”. Continue reading Corregidor Island: History in the Ruins
Corregidor Island: Araw ng Kagitingan
Every April 9, the Philippines commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as the Bataan and Corregidor Day. The last two strongholds of the United States Armed Forces, Far East (USAFFE), which include the Philippine Army and the US Regular forces, were Bataan and Corregidor. Continue reading Corregidor Island: Araw ng Kagitingan
Bonifacio Day (November 30): In Honor of Andress Bonifacio
Among the legal holidays in the Philippines is Bonifacio Day, traditionally celebrated every November 30. This was changed, however, under Republic Act 9492 (an Act rationalizing the celebration of national holidays), which moved the official holiday to the Monday nearest November 30 (which is why December 1, 2008, a Monday, is a holiday). Continue reading Bonifacio Day (November 30): In Honor of Andress Bonifacio