A Mind-Blowing Museum Experience

Posted on 4 January, 2014 by Benjie Layug — 1 Comment ↓

For her Christmas gift to us, my daughter Cheska gave all of us passes to the Mind Museum which she bought, at the discounted price of PhP450 each, from Deal Grocer. As we were all busy during the holidays, Grace, Jandy, Cheska, Marve and I, with my 1 year old grandson Kyle, only availed of it right after the New Year.

The Mind Museum

This educational facility, the first world-class science museum in the Philippines, aims to foster the public understanding of science and art in a different light. Formally opened on March 16, 2012 (after a Pre-Opening Ceremony that took place on December 15, 2011) and located on a 1.2 hectare lot within the 12,500 sq. m. J.Y. Campos Park, this PhP1,000,000,000 (US$ 23.5 million) museum was totally funded by private donations from corporations and individuals.

The 7 ft. high robot named KAL

With Lor Calma & Partners as the building architect and Science Center Singapore as museum planning consultant, this museum has more than 250 hands-on, minds-on interactive exhibits, 90% of which were designed and fabricated by Filipino designers, scientists and engineers to clearly and beautifully flesh out a science principle or fact in 5,000 sq. m. exhibition halls designed by master planner Jack Rouse Associates (recognized as among the top ten museum and theme park designers in the world).

The reception desk at lobby

The Mind Museum Store

This interesting, awe-inspiring building has a futuristic, space-age yet organic look based on cell growth and molecular structures. Its innovative and sustainable design, mirroring the functionality of nature and contributing to more energy efficiency, features slanted exterior walls (to minimize sunlight entry), a specially curved roof (for more efficient rain collection) and strategic orientation (to utilize the shadows of adjacent buildings). The National Geographic Channel provided the required footages and stills for the exhibit.

The 1904 Richard Brasier Roadster

We had 3 hours to interact and experience the science exhibits and we were allowed to take photos. Sony Philippines, itself a technology giant, enhanced the experience by providing top-of-the-line and state-of-the-art gadgets such as Bravia LCD television sets, touch screen VAIOs, and 3D Projector Systems. The rest of the exhibits are privately sponsored.

Aedi the welcoming robot

Beside the museum entrance is the 7 ft. tall KAL . Made with recycled vacuum cleaner parts, among other things, it is all about Environment Sustainability – how technology and innovation (such as robotics) can be used to improve the quality of life.

The 10 Most Beautiful Experiments Exhibit

Within the lobby is a souvenir shop and a 9-horsepower, 2-cylinder 1904 Richard Brasier roadster, the first car to ever grace the Philippine roads. It was brought into the country by the trading firm Estrella del Norte in 1904 and is on loan from Pilipinas Shell.

The Philippine Science Hall

An anthropomorphic robot named Aedi (“idea” spelled backwards) welcomed us at the lobby and introduced us to the museum, informing us on what lies ahead.

The Atom Centerpiece

Our first stop was the “Hall of 10 Most Beautiful Experiments,” a visual set of LCD displays of experiments based on acclaimed philosopher and science historian Robert P. Crease’s book The Prism and the Pendulum: 10 Most Beautiful Experiments in Science.

Jandy tries out the Van de Graff Static Ball

At the center of the museum is the Hall of Philippine Science which showcases the passion for science of world-renowned Filipino scientists, both here and around the world, via digital photographs featuring their lives and achievements, and local scientific endeavors spanning local issues such as sustainable communities, rice culture, etc.. Interactive stations here spew out random facts and trivia questions.

The Whirlpool

After this hall are five main galleries, Atom (has the most interactive exhibits), Earth, Life and Universe, stretching from left to right, at the ground floor, and Technology (the largest exhibit) at the second floor.

The gigantic Human Brain

The Atom Gallery has exhibit pieces that show the strange world of the very small in terms of forces and particles. The Van de Graff static ball, where one can explore how electrostatic energy is generated and what effects it produces, is my favorite here. When I touched the static ball, I experienced my hair standing on end. Other interactive exhibits here include the Atom Centerpiece (a 3D visualization of the atom), Everything is Made Up of Atoms (a sculptural exhibit that shows the many levels of spaces inside a chocolate bar), Whirlpool (an enthralling exhibition of gravity and centripetal force), Carbon: Basis of All Life on Earth (a game area where guests can create their own allotropes), Periodic Table (learn about the 118 elements), Electric Table: Magnets and Current, Energy Forms (convert kinetic energy to mechanical energy to electrical energy and then to heat), Newton’s Cradle (Isaac Newton‘s Third Law of Motion at work), Frequencies (see what a pitch looks like) and Shadow Box (leave your mark on the phosphorescent walls).

Bernoulli’s Principle at work

The Life Gallery provides us a deeper understanding of how life surrounds and inhabits us – from microbes to large animals and from DNA, cells to a giant, lit-up human brain model. The latter, one of the largest exhibits in the entire museum, is a walk through exhibit where you can identify what brain part lights up when you sense, feel or think. Its other exhibits include The Human Story (a faithful replica of our prehistoric ancestors), Bernoulli’s Principle (the principle that explains how birds are able to fly), Whale Shark (a suspended life-size and life-like model of a whale shark, locally called a butanding), Small Worlds Within (a multi-media interactive program that will help guests learn more about cells) and the Web of Life.

The Butanding (Whale Shark)

The Human Story

The Earth Gallery tells of the story of the planet and our archipelago across the breadth of time. Stan, the most impressive towering exhibit in the museum, is the first permanent T-rex exhibit in the Philippines. This life-sized replica of a tyrannosaurus rex skeleton was named after Stan Sacrison who, in 1987, discovered the most complete male T-rex in 1987 in Hell Creek Formation, South Dakota, USA.

Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex

Nearby is an exhibit of petrified dinosaur bones and coprolite (dinosaur poop) while underneath the dinosaur is a fossil dig where visitors are allowed to dig, with pails and shovels, for their own fossils. At its Nature’s Hourglass, a mini-theater that acts as a virtual time machine, we watched (with 3D glasses) a 12-min., fully animated 3D film, made by an all-Filipino crew, entitled “Birthplace,” that tells the story of Earth’s 4.6 billion year natural history and evolution.

The 3D movie “Birthplace” at Nature’s Hourglass

Other exhibits include Air (pass your hand over the sensor and watch a tornado form), Rock of Ages/Mass Extinction (depicts the layering of the earth’s crust and illustrates the different geological ages and 2 of the 5 mass extinctions that have occurred over the span of earth’s history), Volcano (see how volcanoes erupt), Knowing Home: Floating Globe (watch a live feed that displays the current state of the planet earth), Spin Browser (watch plants grow or animals move in high speed or slow motion), Fungi: A One Billion Year Old Kingdom, and Beneficial or Harmful Bacteria.

Air

On our way to the Universe Gallery, we passed through Tunnel Craft, a spinning, 2-way revolving tunnel, with moving imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope that simulated travel between outer space and earth but made us dizzy.

Getting dizzy at Tunnel Craft

The Universe Galley, which shows how we, with the tools we invent and innovate, are able to express our evolving humanity, features the mysterious vastness of the universe and holds clues as to where we came from and where we are going. The centerpiece of this gallery is an unique, 8 m. diameter, 35-50-pax mini-planetarium that uses, instead of chairs, memory foam where visitors can lounge on to simulate literally lying on the ground and staring at the stars in the night sky. Here, we watched films that discuss the other planets and starts, as well as debates, the existence of extraterrestrial life. We also tried out pods where we could hear sounds from outer space.

The Space Shell – a mini planetarium

Other exhibits here include Look at the Moon (an interactive wall display that shows the moon’s different phases, and includes other information about the moon’s cycle and path around the earth), The Lifetime of a Star (describes how stars are born and how they die), The Solar System, Dressed for Space (an astronaut suit) and Space Quest History (1990-2011).

Look at the Moon

Dressed for Space – an astronaut’s suit

The Avenue of Life, the escalator to the second floor, was an exhibit in itself. On the way up, we immersed ourselves in sights and sounds that showcased five of the Earth’s major habitats such as the temperate regions, polar environments, deserts and even the cold, sunless existence in the deep waters of hydrothermal vents.

The Avenue of Life escalator

The second floor, which houses mostly Technology exhibits, is divided into 5 sub-galleries – “Who We Are,” “How We Know,” “How Things Work,” “Here to There” and “How We Live.” Here, we found a fun toilet display, an interactive presentation of an archaic Gutenberg printing press and a Timezone-like row of arcade consoles illustrating how video games (Pong, Pacman, etc.) changed through the years.

The Gutenberg Printing Press

You would also enjoy the Laser Harp, the Night Vision Goggles Exhibit, MIMO (an in-house obstacle avoiding robot), Solar Bugs (shows how solar panels serve as power sources), Mathematics: Cars with Different Wheel Shapes, Mathematics: Elliptical Billiard Table (hit any of the two balls and it is sure to rebound and hit the other ball), The Malampaya Project (a representation of the discovery of 2.7 trillion cubic tons of natural gas near Palawan), Scents (check the scents in these spheres and see if you recall a specific memory because of it) and Beauty Symmetry: The Beauty is in the Phi of the Beholder (highlights the technologies that we come up with – in cosmetics, architecture, and art – to express the role of proportion in our lives).

MIMO the in-house obstacle avoiding robot

The museum also has a 198-seat (with space for 2 wheel chairs) auditorium, 2 40-seat classrooms (Mind Pods), a 35-seat laboratory (Mind Lab) and an outdoor Science-in-the-Park where visitors can experience playful science through four-themed pockets: Music, Math, Living and Water.

The Malampaya Project

All in all, we found ourselves thoroughly enjoying relearning about the human brain, solar system, and evolution in ways that we never did in grade school. Anyone, no matter how old, educated or well-read, even indifferent adults, will discover reasons to view, try out and marvel at the exhibits.

Cross section of a toilet

Mind Museum: J.Y. Campos Park, 3rd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig City. Tel: +632 909-MIND (6463). E-mail: inquiry@themindmuseum.org and tickets.themindmuseum.org. Website: TheMindMuseum.Org. Facebook: The Mind Museum. Twitter: @themindmuseum.

The Technology Exhibit Hall

The Universe Gallery

Ticket Prices (with 3 hr. limit): adults (PhP600); children and private school students up to college (PhP450); and public school students (up to college) and teachers with valid school ID (PhP150). Senior Citizen rebate will be given at the gate upon presentation of ID. Children 2 ft. and below are free. Ticket time slots are 9 AM to 12 noon; 12 noon to 3 PM; 3 PM to 6 PM; and 6 PM to 9 PM. An all day pass costs PhP750.

New Year at the Dusit Thani Manila

Posted on 31 December, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

After a one-year hiatus, we returned to our new tradition of spending New Years Eve at a hotel, away from the noise (and the smoke pollution associated with it) of firecrackers and fireworks. More so now as I have my one year grandson Kyle with me. This time we spent it at the Dusit Thani Manila, right in the heart of Makati’s financial district.

Dusit Thani Manila

Surrounded by malls (SM Dept. Store is right across), restaurants, bars and boutiques, its location, aside from its affordability (it was the most reasonably priced of the 8 hotels I checked out), is the hotel’s most outstanding feature, it being along EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares, which abounds with buses, taxicabs and what have you. The hotel is also located about 200 meters from the Ayala MRT station.

View of EDSA, Ayala MRT Station and Ayala Center from our room

View of EDSA, Ayala MRT Station and SM from our room

Formerly the Manila Garden Hotel and, later, the Japan Airlines (JAL)-owned Nikko Hotel Manila, it was acquired by the Dusit group (one of over 22 properties owned in Thailand and overseas) in 1995 and was renamed Dusit Hotel Nikko. On April 2008, it was renamed Dusit Thani Manila. The hotel underwent an extensive US$20 million renovation which included a state-of-the-art monochromatic beige-colored repainting of its facade. In 2011, it won 15 prestigious trophies (including “Hotel of the Year”) from the Singapore-based Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA).

The impressive lobby with its gold leaf-covered columns

As I approached the hotel’s driveway, what first comes into sight is its Patrick Blanc-inspired vertical garden, with its 5-piece, 8-meter high green wall. While bringing an aesthetic beauty to the surroundings of the hotel, it also has a significant impact on environment and atmosphere as it specifically lowers the temperature at the driveway, especially when the afternoon sun rays hit the entrance. Its water feature also helps cool the air that passes through the open spaces between walls. In recognition of these efforts, the hotel received a 2012 Silver certification by Earth Check, a globally renowned organization that grades environmental standards.

Room 1153

Our twin beds

Upon entering the hotel’s spacious, impressive and tastefully decorated lobby (with its tall, decorated Christmas tree), I noticed the lobby’s columns which were covered in real, elegant gold leaf, just like temples in Thailand. While checking in (ultra fast to say the least), i was given a cold, herb-infused towel that refreshed me with its subtle fragrance.

My family

We stayed in an luxurious de luxe room with 2 comfortable double beds (Rm. 1153). Our room, like all the others (the hotel has 538 rooms) at Dusit Thani Manila, are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as LCD flat screen TVs with satellite channels, a work desk, minibar, mini fridge; in-room safe; coffee and tea making facility, air conditioning and free (and surprisingly fast) wi-fi. Our ensuite bath had a bathtub. They even offered, free of charge, a Disney-inspired baby cot for Kyle. Some of the other rooms benefit from Executive Club lounge access which offers complimentary drinks and snacks.

The pyrotechnic spectacle seen from our window

Come 8 PM, we attended a New Year’s Eve anticipated mass at the Molave Room at the mezzanine floor. Though we didn’t avail of the the hotel’s New Year Countdown Package, we were still regaled by the fireworks display from our hotel room window which faced EDSA. As I enjoyed the pyrotechnic spectacle with my family, I thank God for bonding moments such as these and I also prayed that others would also experienced what I felt.

Breakfast at Basix Coffee Shop

The next day, we had breakfast at Basix, the hotel’s ground floor, 24-hour coffee shop. As the hotel was fully booked, tables and chairs were set up at the hotel lobby to accommodate the guests queuing up for a breakfast buffet of delectable international options. It included cold cuts, ham, bacon, cheese, bread, pancakes, fruits, etc..

Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant

Dusit Thani also has 3 international restaurants.Western Tosca Restaurant, awarded “Most Exquisite Dining Experience” in 2011, offers Italian cuisine. UMU Japanese Sake Bar & Restaurant, awarded the “Most Cosmopolitan Bar and Restaurant” in 2011 by HAPA, serves Japanese food and its private rooms offer views over the hotel’s highly-maintained and beautifully manicured Japanese Garden and koi pond. The second level Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant, awarded “Most Authentic Asian Cuisine Restaurant” in 2012 by HAPA, serves authentic Thai dishes.

The Japanese Garden and Koi Pond

The hotel also has meeting and banquet facilities; an outdoor swimming pool; spa (Devarana – awarded “Signature Spa Experience” in 2011 by HAPA); business center; VIP room facilities; flower shop; 24-hour front desk; barber shop; beauty parlor; 24-hour medical clinic; souvenir/gift shop; and wellness center (DFit).

Posing in front of the lobby’s huge Christmas tree prior to leaving

They offer express check-in/check-out; luggage storage, 24-hour room service; airport shuttle; laundry; dry cleaning; ironing service, currency exchange; shoe shine, car rental; tours; safety deposit box, massage and fax/photocopying service.

Kyle in his Disney-inspired baby cot

Dusit Thani Manila: Ayala Center, Makati City. Tel: (632) 238-8888. Fax: (632) 238-8800. E-mail: dtmn@dusit.com. Website: www.dusit.com.

Japanese Garden of Peace Park (Corregidor Island)

Posted on 27 October, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The 2.2-hectare Japanese Garden of Peace Park is a Shinto shrine and garden built as a memorial to the Japanese soldiers who served and died on Corregidor during World War II. The garden was the site of the only cemetery, built by the Americans, in Asia where Japanese soldiers, who perished during World War II, were accorded proper burial rites as a sign of respect for the dead.

Caballo Island – the view that led to the discovery of the cemetery

Its location was lost among the rubble of war until a photo of the cemetery was found, possibly by a GI, and bought in a garage sale in the U.S.. The clue that led them to the exact spot, in spite of the overgrown forest, was the view of Caballo Island in the distance.

Japanese Garden of Peace

Their remains were later unearthed, cremated and sent back to Japan for their own burial rites. As such, this garden is on the Japanese tourist route but is rarely visited by Americans. In fact, the Americans and Japanese have different sets of tours and are never joined together in large groups.

Pavilion and souvenir shops

The park includes a praying area for Japanese war veterans and the families and relatives of Japanese soldiers who served or were killed in Corregidor during World War II. A small pavilion houses mounted photographs (including the discovered cemetery photo) and memorabilia.dedicated to the crew of the Japanese super battleship Musashi which sank on October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

The Jibo-Kannon stone Buddha and its reflecting pool

This garden also features a towering, 10-ft. high Jibo-Kannon stone Buddha, showing a Japanese woman holding her baby while two toddlers tug at her skirt. Beside it is a reflecting pool. The stone Buddha is said to be a fertility idol and quite a few couples visit the island just to touch the statue in hopes of bearing a child.

The Jibo-Kannon stone Buddha

Tribute to the Brave Heroes

On the edge of the hill are a battery of Japanese anti-aircraft guns facing out to sea. Nearby is a cliff where Japanese defenders committed suicide. Around are other Japanese soldier memorial shrines and various markers with Japanese inscriptions, including one dedicated to Vice-Adm. Tetuo Akiyama.

Japanese Anti-Aircraft Guns

Japanese suicide cliff

Also within the garden is a souvenir shop with items such as old Japanese and American currencies, some old photographs, printed t-shirts, key chains, beverages and snacks. The construction of this garden was made possible through funds generated by a Japan-based private group.

Tetuo Akiyama Marker

Various markers with Japanese inscriptions

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Reservation Office: CCP Terminal A, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. Tel: (632) 831-8140 and (632) 834-6857 to 58. Fax: (632) 834-1523. E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph.

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Sales Office: 21/F, Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila. Tel: (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512. Fax: (632) 527-5555 local 4513. E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph.

Filipino Heroes Memorial (Corregidor Island)

Posted on 27 October, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Our Corregidor Island tour included visits to the Japanese Garden of Peace and the Filipino Heroes Memorial, both a first for me as well as the rest of my family.

Check out “Japanese Garden of Peace“

Filipino Heroes Memorial

Our first stop was the Filipino Heroes Memorial, one of the most recent additions to Corregidor. This is a 6,000-sq. m. complex at Tailside designed by Arch. Francisco Mañosa and inaugurated on August 28, 1992 by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos. It consists of 14 murals, chronologically encircling the park, done by sculptor Manuel Casal. It depicts famous as well as obscure heroes who revolted and battled heroically through the centuries; from the Battle of Mactan (1521) to the People Power Revolt at EDSA (1986).

The Battle of Mactan

EDSA Revolution

Other murals depicted include Datu Sirongan and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao (16th to 17th century), the Bankao’s Apostasy in Leyte (1621), Sumuroy Rebellion (1645-50), the Dagohoy Revolt (1744), the Palaris Revolt in Pangasinan (1782), Diego and Gabriela Silang in the Ilocos (1763), the Hermano Pule Revolt (1840-41), the Philippine Revolution (1896), the Filipino-American War of 1899, World War II and the Guerilla Movement.

Dagohoy Revolt

Hermano Pule Revolt

Filipino-American War

World War II

A statue of a Filipino guerrilla was also sculpted by Manuel Casal. A piece of trivia we gathered from our tour guide was that, during the Japanese Occupation, Filipinos guerillas and spies disguised themselves as farmers. To distinguish the farmer from the guerilla, the Japanese employed the palm test: True farmers have hard, calloused palms, guerillas didn’t. There is a room dedicated to photos of prominent Filipinos who died for freedom and liberty.

Statue of the Filipino Guerilla

Beside the Filipino Heroes Memorial is a small park dedicated to President Sergio Osmena, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth. Erected in this park is the statue of Osmena which was inaugurated on May 23, 1998 through the efforts of the Corregidor Foundation and the Cebu Newspaper Workers’ Foundation with the assistance of the late Sen. Marcelo B. Fernan.

Statue of Pres. Sergio Osmena

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Sales Office: 21/F, Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila. Tel: (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512. Fax: (632) 527-5555 local 4513. E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph.

Pacific War Memorial Museum (Corregidor Island)

Posted on 27 October, 2013 by Benjie Layug — 21 Comments ↓

Our Corregidor Island tour included a 30-min. stopover at the Pacific War Memorial and, since I’ve been here before, decided to spend a much longer time to explore its small, bunker-like, modest and airconditioned marble museum, located behind the Cine Corregidor ruins. This museum is the repository of relics and memorabilia related to the history of Corregidor, all found after the war.

Pacific War Memorial Museum

At the entrance is a guard dressed in a Philippine Commonwealth Period-style uniform similar to the Philippine Scout. An old tattered US flag with only 45 (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii weren’t even states yet) stars welcomed me at the entrance.

The museum interior with mural in background

A 45-star American flag

The museum had a lot of glass cases displaying valuable items, with descriptive information, such as a lot of interesting black-and-white wartime photos of some battles at Corregidor; actual military uniforms of U.S. and Japanese soldiers, all worn by mannequins which highlight their height difference; a ship’s signal-flag, and medals of war.

30 caliber, water-cooled machine gun

A 191 mm. mortar

An anti-tank weapon

Weapons from World War II and used by both sides included rifles, mortars, bombs, machine guns (30 caliber, air-cooled or water-cooled machine guns, 50 caliber, water-cooled anti-aircraft machine gun, etc.), a 55 mm. anti-tank gun, mortars (60 mm. mortar, 191 mm. mortar, etc.), cannons, an army trench knife found on Denver Hill in 1992 (with the engraving U.S. 1918), a 1917 model (type CRM-51027) field telephone of the US Army Signal Corps; etc..

War photos

Not that related to World War II but nevertheless important is a book entitled “Souvenir of the 8th Army Corps Philippine Expedition” and a hand-embroidered tapestry, both donated to the museum by Douglas Bello of Los Angeles, California, USA. He inherited these materials from his great-uncle who was part of Adm. George Dewey’s fleet during the Battle of Manila Bay.

Souvenir of the 8th Army Corps Philippine Expedition

Also on display are scaled models of World War II aircraft (B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder, P-38 Lighting, P-51 Mustang, etc.), and ships and Philippine Commonwealth Era and Japanese Occupation currency as well as U.S. and Asian coins. A large mosaic covering a whole wall depicts Corregidor and the battles that were fought there, a map of the Pacific campaign and a diagram of the Allied Offensive that eventually retook the Philippines and won the war .

Model of B-24 Liberator

Model of B-25 Mitchell

I spent more than a few moments pondering the personal items on display which really drew me into the experience of a soldier during war, making it a shared experience. They include identification cards; belt buckles, badges, diaries; dog tags of both American and Filipino soldiers, displayed side-by-side; and random items carried by soldiers into battle (chocolate bars, food tins, morphine ampules, etc.), Japanese scissors found in Corregidor by Lt. Dick Williams; a period Coca-Cola bottle; music discs (the size of a plate); and a rice canteen used by the Japanese during the war.

Gen. George M. Jones dress uniform

There’s also a pair of combat boots and dress uniform (as brigadier-general) belonging to then Col. George M. Jones, commander of the 503rd Regimental Combat Team that retook Corregidor from the Japanese on February 16, 1945. Letters written by soldiers document the struggle to hold Corregidor. There’s also a letter written by Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright to U.S. Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt acknowledging Corregidor’s surrender.

Display of cutlery and china

The museum also has a documentary film projection room and a souvenir shop.

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Reservation Office: CCP Terminal A, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. Tel: (632) 831-8140 and (632) 834-6857 to 58. Fax: (632) 834-1523. E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph.

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Sales Office: 21/F, Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila. Tel: (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512. Fax: (632) 527-5555 local 4513. E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph.

A Family Trip to Corregidor

Posted on 27 October, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

For the fifth time around I was again traveling back to historic Corregidor Island but, this time, I was traveling with my loved ones – my wife Grace, my son Jandy, my daughter Cheska, my 1 year old grandson Kyle and Cheska’s fiancée Marve. With an overnight stay at Corregidor Inn included in our package, it was going to be a true family outing.

My family at Battery Way

Exploring Battery Hearn

This was to be Grace and Jandy’s second visit to Corregidor and the first for the rest. It being a long weekend, the 150-pax, airconditioned MV Sun Cruiser II was fully booked, with chance passengers waiting on the sidelines. We left the Sun Cruises Terminal a little past 8 AM and, after a 26-km. journey, arrived on the island in a little over an hour.

Author at ruins of Middleside Barracks

Our tranvia (pre-war-styled street cars) tour bus No. 5 awaited us upon our arrival at North Dock. Our guided tour again consisted of short stopovers at Battery Way (four 12” mortars capable of firing in any direction), Battery Hearns (a 12” seacoast gun), ruins of Middleside and “Mile Long” Barracks, the Spanish Lighthouse (where Grace, Marve, Cheska and Jandy climbed to the top), the famous flagpole and the Pacific War Memorial (with its museum and steel wing-shaped “Eternal Flame” sculpture).

Check out “Pacific War Memorial Museum“

Cheska and Marve at Malinta Tunnel

Kyle and Grace at South Beach

Marve, Cheska and Jandy availed of the optional, 30-min., vividly-staged light and sound show called the “Malinta Experience” (PhP200/pax), a re-enactment of dramatic World War II events. As they started the show from the east entrance, while Grace, Kyle and I were driven to South Beach where Kyle frolicked on the gray sand. Back in our bus, we met up with the others at the tunnel’s west entrance. This culminated our island tour.

Author at the Pacific War Memorial

Jandy at the Memorial altar

Cheska, Kyle, Marve and Jandy at the Eternal Flame

Finally, we were driven to the 31-room Corregidor Inn where a filling buffet lunch awaited us at La Playa Restaurant. We were allowed to check into our suite by 2 PM and, as I climbed the stairs, I noticed framed copied of 2 of my Business Mirror articles (“Adventure Island” and “Adventour Challenge: Corregidor’s Amazing Race”) hung by the stair landing. Quite flattering to say the least. I hope to add a third with this visit.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Corregidor Inn“

Adventure Island

Adventour Challenge: Corregidor’s Amazing Grace

The first time I stayed overnight at the inn, I checked in at an airconditioned standard twin room with bath (one of 30) but, this time around, we all stayed at the inn’s lone but more opulent and roomy airconditioned suite located at the end of the hall, equally furnished with exquisite rattan furniture. It too didn’t have cable TV but we didn’t mind as it allowed for more family bonding time.

The 31-room Corregidor Inn – the best in the island

The opulent suite

Family bonding time at La Playa Restaurant

Corregidor Inn: Signal Hill, Brgy. San Jose, Corregidor Island, Cavite. Mobile number: (0917) 527-6350. E-mail: corregidor_inn@suncruises.com.ph. Website: www.corregidorphilippines.com/corr_inn.html.

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Reservation Office: CCP Terminal A, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. Tel: (632) 831-8140 and (632) 834-6857 to 58. Fax: (632) 834-1523. E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph.

Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Sales Office: 21/F, Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila. Tel: (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512. Fax: (632) 527-5555 local 4513. E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph.

Kalibo Town Proper (Aklan)

Posted on 13 September, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

It was time for Jandy and I to return to Manila and, as we still needed to buy some paint materials, I joined Grace, Marve, Cheska, John Paul and Kyle on their way to Kalibo where building materials were much cheaper than in Malay. After that, we could all have dinner prior to them dropping us off at the airport. The hardware was located at the center of town, across Pastrana Park. While Marve was attending to the purchases, I took time off to explore the the huge central plaza where all major arterial streets in Kalibo intersect.

Kalibo town proper

Around the park are the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Museo it Akean, a Jollibee branch; the Gil M. Mijares Bldg., the former old tribunal which now houses Kalibo Police Station, Municipal Library and the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (KASAFI).

Pastrana Park

Across the park is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The town’s parish was created on September 18, 1581 with Fr. Andres de Ibarra, O.S.A., as its first parish priest. The church was first built in 1804 but, from 1947-48, a new, bigger and more sturdy church was built. After an earthquake in 1991, the church was rebuilt from 1993-97 under the guidance of Kalibo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The cathedral’s modern interior

Adjacent to the cathedral is the elegantly-designed Museo it Akean. Also called the Aklan Museum, this private museum is housed in the century-old, Spanish-era Estuylahan it Hari (“School of the King”), established in 1882. Before World War II, it was a movie theater showing silent films and later a building of the Kalibo Institute. During the war, it was converted into a Japanese garrison. After the war, it was turned into a trial court sala and a warehouse before it was recently renovated and converted into a museum in 1980.

Museo It Akean

The museum showcases the history and remains of the old civilization of Minuro it Akean as well as contemporary local art. On display are talibong swords; wood and metacraft; the memorabilia of Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes, Jaime Cardinal Sin and Godofredo P. Ramos; pina textiles, paintings of Aklanon artists; jars; pottery; religious relics; furniture; crafts; tools and artifacts from the Spanish era, and literature of Aklan.

Museo it Akean: cor. S. Martelino and Archbishop G. Reyes Sts., Kalibo, Aklan. Admission: PhP15. Open daily, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort (Pandan)

Posted on 10 September, 2013 by Benjie Layug — 6 Comments ↓

The day after our arrival in Malay, I decided to do some sightseeing at the nearby province of Antique. Joined by Jandy, with Marve at the wheel of our 2003 Mitsubishi Adventure and my nephew John Paul Sta. Maria as guide, we decided to visit Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort (also called Malumpati Cold Spring) in Pandan. The resort is located about 7 kms. from Pandan town proper.

The scenic Malumpati River

From Malay Poblacion, we traveled along the Malay-Buruanga Rd., passing by a number of road repairs along the way. Upon reaching the main highway, we traveled some distance until we reached Brgy. Sto. Rosario where, at a junction, a road leads to Malumpati. From here, the 3.5-km. distance to the resort was a mixture of dirt and concrete.

Road sign at the junction

The Malumpati Watershed and Forest, in Brgys. Sto. Rosario and Candari, is a part of the lowland elevation forest of the Northwest Panay Peninsula. A declared municipal watershed and park, it has a lush green forest, limestone formations and is home to rare butterflies, the rare Visayan Writhed-billed Hornbill (Aceros waldeni, locally called dulungan) and the critically endangered Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides Panini, locally called tirik).

At our rented picnic hut

The exceptionally scenic Malumpati River, emerging from a cave system, is the largest river on the Panay’s northwestern peninsula. Part of the Bugang River System, it is called Malumpati to differentiate it from the crystal-clear, blue waters of the 6 km. long Bugang (said be derived from a tree with the same name) River, adjudged as the cleanest inland body of water in the Western Visayas by the Gawad Pangulo ng Kapaligiran (GPK) in 1996, which is a long stretch of river from Brgys. Sto. Rosario, Guia and Zaldivar. The word malumpati was derived from the Ati words malukso (meaning “to jump”) and talumpati (meaning “to announce”).

The concrete bridge across the river

Upon arrival at the resort, we paid the requisite admission and parking fees and took a picnic shed. The resort has a man-made pool created by a concrete dam which keeps the blue-green waters at a certain level but also allows it to overflow during heavy rains. The headwater is a 35-min. walk from the resort. Normally packed with picnickers during weekends and the summer season, the resort was thankfully and blissfully deserted saved for a few picnickers who left soon after we arrived.

At the cordoned off diving platform

The resort has a sari-sari store where we bought some snacks and, just outside the entrance, an eatery, accessed by a short flight of stairs, where we ordered food to be cooked for our lunch (pansit canton, grilled pork belly and steamed rice). While waiting for it to be cooked, we rented a salbabida (rubber tube), for PhP20, and went down into the river to sample its bracingly cold waters which is said to be healthy to drink.

The moored bamboo platform

A concrete bridge, spanning the river’s width, allowed us to cross over to the other bank where we got a cottage for our stuff. Beyond the bridge is the pumping station for the Pandan Water District.

The pumping station of Pandan Water District

Directly over the river’s deepest part (said to be 20 m.), on the opposite bank, is a diving platform which, however, was cordoned off. John Paul, instead, made his high dive from the bridge. Stunted trees, whose gnarled roots extend right up to the riverbank, also make ideal diving platforms. Moored along the bank of the river, directly under the bridge, was a bamboo platform.

The new comfort room facility

A seemingly new addition is a tourist class comfort room facility which was inaugurated last October 3, 2012 and said to have cost PhP1.2 million.

The concrete dam

The Malumpati River offers a fairly long 6-km. stretch of still water (requiring some paddling) and a few mild (grade 2 with a few grade 3 spots) in high water, rapids ideal for novice kayakers. The river’s run begins at the resort where one can kayak out, in a grade 2 kayak, to rapids on the way down to the spring water pool. Pull-out is 5 kms. from the start.

John Paul diving off the bridge

For those who prefer a less strenuous and more leisurely ride, the resort is also the starting point for an exciting, hour-long river rafting tour where one can appreciate the diverse flora and fauna along the way.

Jandy, Marve and John Paul share a salbabida

Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort: Sitio Malumpati, Brgy. Guia, Pandan, Antique. Admission: PhP10/pax. Parking Fee: PhP35. Picnic Hut Rental: PhP25. The resort is a 15-min. tricycle ride from Pandan town proper.

Save the Manila Metropolitan Theater!!!

Posted on 11 July, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Just a day after my birthday, I joined my media friend Mr. Fernando “Rannie” Bernardo and Ms. Melissa Grace Dizon (La Consolacion College School of International Hospitality Management professor) in a group being assembled by Mr. Lawrence “Rence” Chan (who hosts the Royal Postal Heritage Tour), of the Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club, that was to be part of a special documentary tour with the GMA 7 I-Witness team. The documentary was to feature the sorry plight of the now-abandoned and unused Metropolitan Theater (fondly called “The Met”), for me a precious and stunning icon of the Filipinized Art Deco genre that needs to be preserved for other generations to see and appreciate.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater

Aside from Rence, Ronnie, Melissa and I, our group also consisted of Ms. Ma. Fatima T. Flores (a B.S. Architecture student from FEU), Mr. Efren C. Taburnal, Jr.; Ms. Gemma Suguitan-San Jose (of the Southern Luzon Association of Museums); Ms. Maria Ronna Beltran (a blogger); Mr. Dong Despojo (Prima Camera Club); Mr. Noel Aguilera Acedillo (Prima Camera Club); Ms. Bettina Arriola (an art teacher) and Ms. Marian L. Barro (a U.P. Manila student).

Our documentary group

However, due to some miscommunication between GMA 7 and Rence, the scheduled tour did not push through. Even worst, we were not allowed entry by the security guards. Just the same, so as not to make this an exercise in futility, Rence proceeded to give us a moving documentary on the history of the Met. The theater, along the Pasig River and in front of the equally classic Manila Post Office, was designed, in the Art Deco style (then a rage in the U.S.A.), by National Artist (for Architecture) Arch. Juan M. Arellano.

Inaugurated on December 10, 1931, it seats 1,670 (846 in the orchestra section, 116 in loge and 708 in balcony) and was the biggest in the Far East at that time. During its heyday as the “Grande Dame” of theaters, the Met played host to vaudeville acts, zarzuelas, operas, pageants, Filipino and Spanish plays, and performances by well-known artists such as violinist Maestro Jascha Hefertz and composer/conductor Dr. Herbert Zipper (who conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra).

Severely damaged (losing some of its roofing and some walls destroyed) during the liberation of Manila in 1945, the theater was rebuilt, fell into decay in the 1960s (where it became an ice cream parlor, boxing arena, garage, motel and gay club) and was meticulously restored to its former glory by Arch. Otillo Arellano (Juan Arellano’s nephew) and former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos and rededicated on December 17, 1978.

However, it again fell into decay. Worst, a nondescript, 24-hour Park n’ Ride bus terminal and parking structure, with its accompanying itinerant vendors and equally unsightly food stalls, was built behind the theater by then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, compromising the theater’s once-privileged landscape.

Stained glass panels above main entrance

Detail of bas-relief curlicues

In 1996, it was closed due to a long-running financial dispute between the city government and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) over its ownership and management. On June 3, 2010, after extensive renovations (the main roof and 2 minor ones were repaired), it was again reopened by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim but again slowly deteriorated due to disuse, typhoons (Angela) and water infiltration. Water and electricity has been cut off. The main entrance is now home to the homeless vagabonds and its arcades are filled with garbage and stinks to the high heavens with urine.

Tiara-like pediment with minarets

The theater’s still exuberant and symmetrical exterior, with its tiara-like pediment with stylized minarets, has rectangular stained glass panels (by Kraut Art Glass of Germany), bas-reliefs with curlicues or mask-like chimeras; whimsical rope designs; friezes; colorful ceramic tiles; capiz shell main entrance lamps; intricate grille work at the doors and windows; and is also enhanced by sensuous, exotically-draped female statues, said to be Siamese dancers, done by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti (who lived in Manila from 1930 until his death in 1958). It used to house the Museum of Philippine Costumes and Dolls, a GSIS district office, an LBC branch and a travel agency.

Female statues done by Monti

Detail of column with capiz lamps

Theater arcade

Another statue by Monti

NHI plaque

Such a beautiful Art-Deco masterpiece deserves a much better fate and should not follow the demise of other gems such as the Manila Jai Alai Building and Meralco Building.

Manila Metropolitan Theater: Padre Burgos Ave., Liwasang Bonifacio (near LRT Central Terminal), Manila

Quezon Bridge (Manila)

Posted on 11 July, 2013 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Quezon Bridge

The 447 m (1,467 ft) long 22.50 m and (74 ft) wide Quezon Bridge, a combined arch and prestressed concrete girder bridge, connects the Manila districts of Quiapo (it is also commonly known as “Quiapo Bridge” since it connects the Quiapo area to the heart of Manila proper) and Ermita across the Pasig River in the Philippines.

Structural members underneath the bridge

The bridge, which replaced the Puente Colgante, the first bridge built over the Pasig River and first steel suspension bridge in Southeast Asia, was constructed in 1939 under the supervision of the engineering firm Pedro Siochi and Company. Immediately behind the bridge is the Manila Post Office Building.

The murky Pasig River underneath the bridge

Named in honor of Manuel Luis Quezon, president of the Philippines at the time of its construction, Quezon Bridge was designed as an Art Deco style arch bridge and was inspired from the design of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rebuilt in 1946, after World War II, its last major structural repair was done in 1996.

NOTES:

On April 10, 2014, the bridge was affected by a fire that razed a community of shanties underneath the bridge.

After months of construction work, the bridge was strengthened, without entirely closing Quezon Bridge to traffic, by replacing damaged structural components, performing sand blasting, installing carbon fiber and applying epoxy on the deck slab.

This travel blog, a diary of the author’s local and international travels, aims to provide the reader with news and information on people, places and events that would interest the avid traveler and tourist. But, it also aims to be much more, providing insights on the wonders of this beautiful country, as well as the world, beyond the strict confines of the city. Have a BLAST seeing old churches, exotic temples, educational museums as well as palm-fringed islands; white sand beaches; thundering waterfalls; placid lakes; fiery sunsets; turquoise seas; cathedral-like caves; swirling rivers; majestic mountains; stupendous, amphitheater-like rice terraces; awesome volcanoes and the like. Get to know the movers and shakers in the tourism industry; find out where to titillate the palate; rejuvenate your body; feed your adrenalin, unwind and relax; satisfy your craving for history and culture; and find out what's being celebrated and where.

BENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. S. Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is also a copy editor for two publishing houses; travel writer; blogger; architectural historian; author; concert. movie and musical reviewer (for www.pep.ph); and a motivational speaker.

As a free-lance travel writer, he has, in the past, contributed articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day and Bluprint. He currently writes for Artplus Magazine and the Business Mirror.

He is also the author of the following travel books:

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005)
Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007)
A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012)

Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, U.P. Diliman, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian College, Miriam College, Silliman University, to name a few, as well as internationally at the National Library of Australia and the University of California Berkeley Library.

Now a senior citizen, he is probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active travel blogger in the country today. He also has a lifestyle blog called F.Y.I.:Firing Your Imagination (www.firingyourimagination.blogspot.com). Benjie has traveled to two-thirds (53) of the country’s 81 provinces and over 20 countries in 4 continents.