Category Archives: Personal

Difficult to plan a family getaway

1 Reply

That’s one problem I have yet to solve. My family is small. We could easily pack our bags and go to wherever our feet would take us. But the problem is everyone’s busy schedule. Hubby is working six days a week and sometimes still on-call even on his day off. The kids are going to school. The one in college is always busy. I have an online gig, but it doesn’t require so much of my time like right now, I’m simply checking on stanton headphones. We would plan a short trip, but after awhile something would come up and the plan getaway would be forgotten. That’s how frustrating planning a getaway is for my family. Have you experienced the same problem before?

Helicopter ride

Leave a reply

I was a stringer for a government news agency when I first rode a helicopter. We were on our way to Camp Nakar in Quezon for an official coverage. I admit I was a bit nervous during the flight. Who would not get nervous when all that was holding me to my seat was a loose seat belt and the door was not even closed so I could feel the cold wind touching my face while we were flying.

After a few minutes in the air, I was already enjoying the short flight to the province even if we were actually flying in the “unsafe” zone for the military. Our military companions were in battle gear and holding rifles which are expected of them. I, however, was armed not with a rifle but with tape recorder for the interview. Riding an aircraft was one of the best parts of my old job.

Fort Santiago visit

3 Replies

Going out in the scorching heat of the sun is not advisable health-wise, but two Saturdays ago, we were blessed with partly cloudy skies that we were able to go out and visit Fort Santiago. We’ve been planning to visit this place for the longest time. But it was only realized last April 13.

The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Manila Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Manila. Have a Kalesa trip via this horse-drawn carriage (right photo) in Intramuros.

We were like tourists visiting the place for the first time. While I was busy taking some pictures on our way to Fort Santiago, hubby was explaining something to the kids about the Manila Cathedral.

Tickets are still affordable.
Mom and Dad alone
Mom and Dad

The kids don’t want their photographs taken with these life-size cardboard standees (left photo), so it’s just hubby and me.

“One of the oldest Hispanic stone fortresses in the country. In pre-colonial times, this was the site of Rajah Soliman’s “kuta” or fort. The Spaniards under the term of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinaz fortified what was originally stone structures.”(Taken from a flyer handed out at ticket booth.)
The Rizal Shrine.This is where Dr. Jose Rizal spend his last few days after he was convicted for sedition. At present, "Rizal Shrine serves as museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last few days inside this cell before his execution on December 30, 1896. His “last footsteps” were immortalized through these bronze footprints.
"The Rizal Shrine houses a museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Inside the shrine is a museum where Jose Rizal memorabilia are found.
The memorial cross represents the demise of a total 600 Filipinos inside Forth Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as execution chamber of political prisoners from Spanish to Japanese period.
The memorial cross represents the demise of 600 Filipinos inside Fort Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as an execution chamber of political prisoners from the Spanish to Japanese period.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The tranvia is a replica of the pre-war street cars in Manila.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The Tranvia is a replica of the pre-war streetcars in Manila.
All tired, but happy.
All tired, but happy.

I would not trade the smile and laughter that the family shared while we were at the park. We went home tired but brought with us an experience that we will always cherish.

Fort Santiago is located at Plaza San Luiz Complex, Cor. Real and General Luna Sts.
For inquiry call: Intramuros Visitors Center at Tel. 5272961; 5271572