Monthly Archive: August 2009

Aug
19
2009

Asia’s Titanic: MV Doña Paz Documentary Premieres at NatGeo Channel

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August 19, 2009

Asias Titanic on National Geographic Channel

"Asia's Titanic" on National Geographic Channel

It was five days before Christmas in 1987 in a calm night in the Philippines MV Doña Paz of Sulpicio Lines set sail from Tacloban in Leyte to Manila. It was another Christmas vacation ferry trip when all of a sudden, it collided with an oil tanker off-coast of Mindoro, creating a fireball and inferno that claimed almost five thousand souls and only twenty four remain. A Christmas to remember…and claimed the title at the Guinness World Record as “The Worst Peace-time Maritime Disaster.” It was indeed Asia’s answer to the infamous Titanic. Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/19/asias-titanic-mv-dona-paz-documentary-premieres-at-natgeo-channel/

Aug
17
2009

The Cool Breeze of Lake Caliraya Laguna

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August 17, 2009

Lake Caliraya, Laguna

Lake Caliraya, Laguna

Caliraya Lake in Laguna Province is a man-made reservoir or lake perched 1,200 feet above sea level in the Sierra Madre. Built to provide electricity to Manila and the surrounding areas during the American Colonial Era (1930′s) by US Army Engineer Major General Hugh J. Casey, it has become one of the most popular resort lakes near Metro Manila. Having a benign and cool climate, its a popular alternative to an already overcrowded summer getaways such as Tagaytay and Baguio. On the way up here gives a breathtaking panorama of the eastern fork of Laguna de Bai and Sierra Madre. Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/17/the-cool-breeze-of-lake-caliraya-laguna/

Aug
17
2009

No jeeps, fewer buses on Edsa in 2010 – Inquirer.net

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August 17, 2009

EDSA-Pasay Rotunda

EDSA-Pasay Rotunda

by Jeannette Andrade of Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The top official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said that he would ban passenger jeepneys from plying Edsa with the completion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 North Extension Project next year.

At the Balitaan sa Tinapayan forum in Manila, LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing also said that he would reduce the number of passenger buses plying one of the busiest thoroughfares in the metropolis.

The north extension project, which is expected to be completed by January 2010, will connect LRT 1’s Monumento Station to the Metro Rail Transit 3 North Avenue Station. Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/17/no-jeeps-fewer-buses-on-edsa-in-2010-inquirer-net/

Aug
16
2009

Wood Carvers Town: Paete Laguna

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August 16, 2009

Santiago de Compostela Church, Paete, Laguna

Santiago de Compostela Church, Paete, Laguna

Paete in Laguna is just a short 5-minute drive (or even a jeepney ride) from Pakil. Still within the local narrow winding road below the cliff. It’s somehow more bustling than Pakil on a high afternoon. Cool breeze still blows from the lake but the heat under the sun has somehow made it quite unbearable.

Paete is known to be the “Wood Carving Capital of the Philippines.” The tradition of pag-ukit dates back since time immemorial. Even the national hero, Jose Rizal, mentioned its works in one of his novels. The exquisite talent of the Paeteños have reached overseas with some of their works reportedly displayed and used in some countries such as the Vatican and United States. Even the name itself of the town, Paete, is believed to have come from the Tagalog word “paet” meaning chisel…obviously tool used for woodcarving of course, hehe! Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/16/wood-carvers-town-paete-laguna/

Aug
11
2009

Viva Turumba! Pakil Laguna

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August 11, 2009

Iglesia de San Pedro Alcantara, Pakil, Laguna

Iglesia de San Pedro Alcantara and drying the rice grains at town plaza, Pakil, Laguna

It was an a hour drive crossing the verdant foothills of Sierra Madre from Pililia, Rizal to the first stop over in eastern Laguna, Pakil. We passed by the junction where the road leads to the Pacific shores of Quezon province, Mabitac, Siniloan and Pangil.

We turned left towards an old and narrow winding road towards Pakil.

I love the place and topography so much. This is the Laguna barely known or touched by tourists and mainstream urbanity. This is rustic Laguna. Peculiar though is the topography, green hills cascade steeply towards the shore of Laguna de Bai. And later we found out, we are at the pilgrimage center of Laguna, just past 12:30 in high noon.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/11/viva-turumba-pakil-laguna/

Aug
10
2009

Baras Rizal and Beyond Manila East Road

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August 10, 2009

Baras Church, Rizal

Baras Church, Rizal

After our stop in Morong, we moved along towards the next town south-east. Cruising the Manila East Road, we had a short stop over at Baras, Rizal. This small and laidback town besides the shore of Laguna de Bai and nestled at the foothills of Sierra Madre, the town seems to be distant from the hustle and bustle of chaotic Manila. As we go farther, the scenery changes more to rustic. The smell of newly planted rice greeted us along the way.

The church is somewhat hidden from the main highway or the main road of the town proper. You need to ask the locals where it is but dropping yourself near the municipal hall would give you a short work towards the church.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/10/baras-and-beyond-manila-east-road/

Aug
09
2009

Morong Church: The Baroque Wonder of Rizal Province

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August 9, 2009

Iglesia de San Geronimo de Morong

Iglesia de San Geronimo de Morong

After that arduous ascend to the hidden Angono Petroglyphs up in the highlands of Binangonan, we drove down passing by Binangonan and Cardona towns. Next stop: Morong.

All of a sudden, from the dense towns of western Rizal province facing Metro Manila. After crossing the hills that divide Binangonan and Cardona, suddenly everything turned rustic and the old  Tagalog beauty unfolds its green and yellow shade that blankets the hills and rice fields.

Rice fields abound while Laguna de Bai sits beyond the shores. The skyline of Morong fast approaches and the striking belfry of the church is a great scene.

Now, what seems to be interesting in this town? Except for its famed balaw-balaw side dish which I am about to explore sometime soon, the architectural marvel of Morong Church or Iglesia de San Geronimo. Read the rest of this entry »

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Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/08/09/morong-church/

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