Manila Bay, Metro Manila

From dawn to dusk...
This is how vivid the Manila Bay streetlights look like when you do your jogging in Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard area. As someone coming from the province, I do find these street lamps captivating and elegant. :) A huge thanks to the one who invested in developing this memorable area in Manila.

Manila Bay is one of the finest harbors in the world. Stretching to an area of 1,994 km² (769.9 sq mi), and a coastline of 190 km (118.1 mi), it does pretty much serve as a sight food to all tourists and locals. If you could still recall your History lessons, Manila Bay was the setting of the mock battle between the Spaniards and the Americans. It was also where the siege of the Corregidor Islands by the Japanese transpired.

Today, this serves as a tourist attraction. I enjoyed walking along the bay when I happen to accompany a good friend to her aerobics session in CCP. Here are my list of must dos when you happen to visit Manila Bay.

1) Don't miss out visiting Ocean Park!! Here you can enjoy watching up close the different marine species in the Philippines, enjoy fun games with your kids and even go to a spa where doctor fishes clean those tired feet.

2) Want to sweat during dawn? Jog along Manila Bay as you see other early morning birds doing their early routines. You can also enjoy a cheap aero session in harbor square.

2) Take time to visit the fabulous galleries in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

3) Have some snapshots of the wonderful things you see as you walk on the bay.

4) Manila Yacht Club is found here, the most prestigious yacht club in the Philippines. :) Only members can enjoy the privileges... for non-members, you can enjoy by just taking a peek!!

5) And of course... marvel on sunset's beauty as your wonderful day in Manila Bay ends. :)

picture: http://pinoyexchange.com/

ENJOY YOUR MANILA BAY OF THE PHILIPPINES VISIT!!

Let me know if there are stores or places in Manila Bay, Metro Manila that you suggest tourists to see. Leave a comment or PM me... I really want to hear what your travel experiences are. :)

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University of Santo Tomas, Manila

One of the BEST places I visited- University of Santo Tomas, located in Sampaloc Manila. It is the First University in Asia and it was the alma mater of four of our heroes- Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini; Philippine Presidents such as Manuel Luis Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal; various Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, senators, congressmen, and more known personage in their chosen profession.

The first UST was built in Intramuros (the walled city), but it was transferred in Sampaloc Manila when there was a continuous rise of enrollees. It now covers 21.5 hectares.

Seeing the seemingly European architecture fro the outside of the gate forced me to break the rules! We were not allowed to enter the campus and take photos during that time, but we managed to find some ways- by escaping and hiding… hehehe… not a good example though.

Here is the list of the things that one can when you visit UST:

1)Start by capturing a picture in the ARCH OF THE CENTURIES. It is located in the gate entrance along España Boulevard. This was the original entrance of the campus when it was still in Intramuros. The structure facing the school comes from the ruins of the old arch from Intramuros.

2)Don’t miss seeing the bronze Benavides Monument. It stands in front of the main building entrance. Bishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P. was the one who funded the first UST.

3)The Main building was one of the nicest place I ever saw in my whole life. I felt like I was in a different country. LOL. Anyways, the main building was the masterpiece of ENGINEER-FRIAR Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., he was once the dean of faculty of the Engineering division. This building was used by the Japanese military forces in World War II.

4)You can also buy some souvenirs in the Quadricentennial Square located at the back of the main building. It has a classy architecture with an interactive fountain.
5)And NEVER EVER miss visiting UST’s Museum of Arts and Sciences. It is also known as the oldest school-based museum in the Philippines. It collects the masterpieces of known artists like Fernando and Pablo Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco, Vicente Manansala, and Galo Ocampo. It also houses the Museum Gallery, souvenir shop and mini-library. Museum closes during Mondays.

ENJOY YOUR UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS VISIT!!

Let me know if there are stores or places in University of Santo Tomas that you suggest tourists to see. Leave a comment or PM me... I really want to hear what your travel experiences are. :)

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Intramuros Manila

A place that will take you back to the past- Intramuros. It is also know as the walled city, which has a bricked barrier circumventing the whole city that is 8 meters wide and 22 meters high. It was the focal area for military, religious and political powers in Spanish era. The only people who can reside the place were pure Spaniards or the mestizos. The city was severely bombarded and shattered when the Japanese and American war in 1945 transpired. Much of the city’s architecture was destroyed, and only the San Agustin Church remained standing after the siege. The place was then refurbished by the former first lady Imelda Marcos. The new buildings were patterned after European architecture to retain the Spanish-era influences.

I have been to Intramuros for a couple of visits. It's mysterious past triggers my hype to explore the place more.

Here is my list of MUST DOS when you visit INTRAMUROS..

1)Start your journey by walking on the walls… It is like you are in a 2-storey high building, you can see the busy streets of Intramuros from up there. I feel safer walking here than in the streets. Meet some guards who impersonate the “guardia civils”. See the cannons that peek through the walls.

2)Or maybe, try the kalesa which can tour you around the city without the pain of walking for miles. Prepare 300.00 for this though. The kutcheros are also informative tour guides.

3)Witness the beauty of 2 exquisite churches- the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church (the oldest standing church in the Philippines).

4)Visit some historical landmarks that will teach you more about our country’s past. This was the only time I knew that the 1st UST was standing here.

5)Want to play golf? Then enjoy their golf course. Playing at night will not be a problem either because the place is well lit.

6)You must not miss out going to Fort Santiago, the place where our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned. Rizal stayed here before his execution. You can even see a replicated footprints of his pathway out. You can also enter his museum where a lot of his old writings are displayed, and some of his garments and stuffs. Entrance fee to Fort Santiago: 75.00 (adult) 50.00 (student). They also have cool kalesas inside.

7)I would also like to feature something, I found Starbucks, Jollibee and McDonalds inside Intramuros, but its design is pretty fascinating, it looked like part of the old architecture. 

8) There are also great restaurants you can try inside this walled city. Barbara's Restaurant is known to offer buffet meals where guests are entertained by a cultural presentation every night. There is also 9 spoons, skydeck and Cioccolata Churros Cafe at the Bayleaf Hotel premises. Ilustrado and Binalot are other food options.

9) The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros is also a commendable hotel for it provide its guests good service in an affordable price. I checked-in for a night and I can say that their crew was really passionately serving us. They catered my requests well. The hotel itself has great architecture. It is new and the rooms are spacious and clean. I got a room with a great view of Intramuros.