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NAIA Terminal 3 Check-In Lobby. Stage

Di na ako makikisabay sa trending topic about the recent “Thrilla in NAIA” by Mon Tulfo and Claudine and Raymart Santiago which I guess a lot of blogs, forums, and in social media, are talking about. Anyway, the airport is a place where stress levels may go up. I have one experience,  but at least managed to control myself and didn’t go barbaric. But I was a bit tense, since it was my first time.

The departure screen

I always show up at the airport, either 2 hours before the departing time (or even way earlier) or an hour before the flight if I’m done web check-in. It’s a contest of getting the best seat on the plane (always on window please, Alpha or Fox Trot). It was just recent when I started using seat selector, but not on all flights. But the morning of April 20^th in Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3, something came in. It was my first time…and it wasn’t a pleasant one. My first late check-in. The first time I was left by my flight!

In Manila, its not only the roads that are congested...

All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go. Departed home at Imus Cavite about 4:45AM. Done with web-check in and I can just whiz my baggage. I am moving down south as work opportunity arises, and I’m bidding Manila a farewell. It was easy getting a bus, was smooth all the way to Las Pinas. The Sun hasn’t risen yet, then…in Kabihasnan area of Coastal Road, vehicles started to crawl. I’m still 3 kilometers away from Roxas Boulevard. I thought the traffic jam was due to the Macapagal-Coastal Access route being opened for public. It’s just beyond the bridge…but I was wrong. It even went beyond—worst case scenario. I was conditioning my head to accept the fact. Got stuck there for more than an hour and arrived at NAIA Terminal 3, ten minutes late from the boarding time. The lady of the airline denied my entry. I was already beyond the “45 minute policy.” Then, as if the sky came down. Anger, frustration, disappointment…zen, zen…don’t get scandalous. Be calm…but it’s something difficult. I was about to leave Manila, and the stress was overbearing that morning.

Web Check-In

Seat Assignment and Checking In...this one is from Cebu Pacific

The reason why I checked-in on the web was at least I get my preferred seat and remove the hassle of lining up at the regular check-in counter, since today’s summer. Also, you are given the benefit to at least show up 45 minutes before the departure time. Such convenience isn’t it?

It always pay to read the fine print

But there is a down-side in checking in on the web—if you missed the 45 minute policy of the airline, “your ticket is as good as used.” In other words, you cannot rebook that particular ticket and buy a new one! That’s an “ouch” on your wallet! And that is exactly what happened to me. The airline agent calmly stated that I should buy a new ticket since (it is in their rules, stated clearly) that if you checked-in and didn’t showed up, consider it as sold. I didn’t take that nicely, but I have no choice, whether I like to move out of the capital and continue with the trip, or not. Zen…zen…

Manila’s Last Laugh

Bidding farewell to Manila--finally!

Despite conditioning myself with the worst case scenario, deep inside me, I was already flaring up. I was 10 minutes late from boarding time and I still could get to the gate and pushed me through with my 7:00AM flight for Gensan, but the flight was already full. Late and bumped off. Ang pait ng kapalaran! Yet I have to move on. I didn’t blame the airline for my fate, I have done my part responsibly by leaving home early (sun wasn’t shining yet!)—I guess it’s just, fate, and poor urban planning. Manila had her last laugh at me.

Painful Solution

Boarding Pass after Web Check In. You have to print this and present it to the web check-in counter

I have to book the next flight, which was already expensive. Good thing, the next flight wasn’t fully booked. All I have to do was to wait for noon…and boy the airport is just like Cubao Bus Terminal at the eve of Holy Week! Full to the brim! Good thing I brought my laptop and surf my time away.

NAIA Terminal 3 Gates 131-134 on a Summer Day

It does pay to read the fine print on fare rules and restrictions, in which a lot of us neglect or don’t give a damn. You get to digest the next solutions or you’d understand what risk are you taking when travelling, may it be physically, mentally, emotionally and most especially financially. In the era of budget travel, prima-donnas, donyas and yayas share the same flight, same aircraft, same fare rules and restrictions, same accommodation—most especially from big airports like that of NAIA and Mactan in Cebu. No one is special (and recently, even people with disabilities on some airports and yeah…actors in a scuffle) except for a few exceptions (elderly, women, children, PWDs). And as for the airlines, I guess a need to “refurbish” customer service and communications may thwart stressing issues.

Boarding time!

At the end of the day, I still managed to fly to General Santos City with assistance. There goes my 7AM ticket to the coffers, yet at the same time, charge it to experience. Indeed, experience is the best teacher for us, even to frequent flyers like I.

In case you don’t have a fare and haven’t done web check-in, try have it rebooked. You may have to pay for the fare difference and rebooking fee though, although it is still more affordable than buying a new one, especially if you need to go that day. Try contacting friends or colleagues and lend you some money in case you don’t have one.

If you’re not in a hurry, you may just book another flight on another day. Most of the flights within the day are already expensive.

Another tip: airlines may say that you have to buy a ticket at the ticketing office if your flight is within the day–that’s not true in all cases. Try also booking a flight online (if you have a laptop or tablet with internet connection) and check if you can still book your flight within the day.

Also lesson learned, don’t assume–even if it is very early. You might encounter things you may not like along the way. And given Manila’s penchant on traffic congestion, even a web check-in cannot guarantee your flight. Scrat early!

And one last very important thing–keep our tempers in control. In this era of social media, making a scandal in a public place has a multiplier effect once the scene is online. We don’t want to end up being the talk of the town–in a negative way.

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The Grand Prix. More Fun in the Philippines! For more photos of Carabao Carroza Race, click on the image

It’s the month of May in the Philippines, and that means its fiesta time this summer. One of the towns that celebrate its annual festivity during May is my hometown Pavia, in the province of Iloilo. However, unlike the trending feasts that went on street dancing as a major event, Pavia still pursued the promotion of its ingenuity, culture, and tradition by celebrating Carabao Carroza Festival every May 3^rd, a day before Pavia’s religious feast for Santa Monica.

Beauty and the Beast

The Muse, Her Cart, Her Driver and Her Staff

Carabao Carroza Festival or roughly translates as “Ox-Cart Festival,” pays homage to Pavia’s traditional and major economic driving force—agriculture. Carrozas or carts, driven by carabaos, are one of the most utilised mode of transporting products and people from farms to market in the rural Philippines. By decorating their carrozas or carts with ingenious designs usually made from indigenous materials, the Pavianhons celebrate the culture of a once vastly rustic town. Designs usually depict the rural landscape that Pavia is known for, and at the same time the incoming progress and its benefits to the people, given its proximity to urban Iloilo City.

Lady CaRa

Carabao Carroza, the muse and his master farmer

These decorated carts are then pulled by carabaos or water buffalos in a parade of pomp that starts from the highway, to its commercial district then to the town’s center and ending up at the town’s high school. Along the way, people watch as the beautifully crafted carts with a barangay muse riding it, passes by.

Carabao Carroza

Pasan ko ang Munisipyo sang Pavia!

While the early morning carabao carroza parade is simple yet attracted townsfolk and even tourists to flock on the streets of Pavia, the carabao carroza race is another event that the people look forward to.

Hala Bira Carbaw!

The Farmer and his noble "steed"

The Carabao Carroza race is another highlight of the event. No non-sense whatsoever, it is a race between farmers and his loyal companion—the carabao, while also pulling a cart at the back. Mechanics are simple, whoever gets to the finish line first, wins. The twist here however, is that carabaos have a very unpredictable nature. Sometimes the carabao goes ahead with the race without the “go” signal, sometimes it heads somewhere else. Yet it is up to his master farmer where he places his diskarte (deal).

This is how we do it in the farm. Ox-carts or carrozas are one of rural Philippines' main mode of transporting products and people from farms to markets.

Hometown Victory!

Being Iloilo province’s oldest instituted festival, Carabao Carroza Fiesta has undergone a lot of changes. From simple ox-drawn carts, it became highly elaborative decorated carts with beautiful muses on it. However, the race still dates back from its earliest beginnings, 40 years ago, as part of the celebrations during the eve of the religious Catholic fiesta in honour of Santa Monica. Yet given Pavia’s fast-paced urbanization, the agricultural areas in its area are decreasing gradually. We do hope that the tradition would stay and prevail further, even if Pavia may go into a highly urbanized town in the future. This reminds the residents of Pavia of its humble beginnings, its history, heritage, and a tradition that brought life in this little town up north of the City of Love.

For more photos of the Carabao Carroza Festival, click here.

Pavia is located 10 kilometers north of Iloilo City. It is accessible by jeepney and only takes 30 minutes.

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Mendiola, Chino Roces and the Barb Wires

Today’s Labour Day in the Philippines. A public holiday celebrating or commemorating the importance of the workers and the day wherein freedom to express opinions about wages, working conditions, economy, society and the like are most tackled about. Yet there is one road in Manila that has been synonymous to Labour Day, activism, civic rights groups, protests and even the phrase “struggle for freedom and justice”—that is Mendiola. Headlines parati yan (that street is always on headlines).

Heavily fenced...

In Mendiola -- A March for Justice for Maguindanao Martyrs (From Archives, 2010)

Heavily guarded and barb wired, Mendiola for the activists and protestors is a symbol of struggle against oppression and society’s ills. It is here where it is believed that they’ll be heard by the government whose mandate is supposed to protect the basic rights of every Filipino citizen, or the struggle for a change in the system begins.

Chino Roces - A freedom fighter icon during the Martial Law years

Mendiola Bridge, or now known as Chino Roces Bridge (named after a freedom fighter journalist during the Martial Law era), has been a witness of every protest, every rally, every struggle, every event that shaped the Filipino history and nation. However, it rose to prominence during the years of Marcos Era when activists (mostly leftist students) would like to invade Malacanang to oust the then budding dictator.

Police shields lie at Mendiola on guard

And the most recent event was in May 2001, exactly a decade and a year ago, the so-called “EDSA tres” when supporters of the ousted president Joseph “Erap” Estrada were angered by his arrest in charges of plunder. From EDSA Shrine, they stormed Mendiola in hopes to oust then President Gloria Arroyo, but failed. The event caused mass looting and extensive damages in Manila, which prompted the executive power to declare a state of emergency for two days. Six people dead, hundred injured, including media men who were covering the event as it unfolds into fury on a hot summer day.

On the other side

Years passed and Mendiola is still is the most popular protest site in Manila, and perhaps in the entire country. Countless protests and civil rights activities are being held here regularly, from solemn gatherings to sometimes violent rumblings between the protestors and the police. The street holds the nation’s most glorified and its most darkest in its history–a symbol to road to freedom and justice. Indeed, it has witnessed a history of a nation and people, a fight for freedom, a struggle for justice, a fight for a better society. Padayon!

Freedom beckons

Photos were from the march for justice for Maguindanao Martyrs in 2010, HabagatCentral Photo archives at http://habagatcentral.multiply.com/photos. Archival video uploaded at Youtube.

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Lake Lanao and Bubong Mosque at Tugaya Town

Lake Lanao is the second largest lake and perhaps one of the deepest in the Philippines. Found in Lanao Del Sur Province in north-western Mindanao Island, it has become the bastion of Maranao civilization. It is at the heart of the Maranao homeland and culture—the prime source of food and even the formation of their culture. Not only Lake Lanao is important to the Maranao homeland, but also to the entire island of Mindanao, as it is the primary source of power for the Agus Hydroelectric power plants, that power almost the entire island. The lake itself is one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world. Yet despite all of these accolades, she sits serenely in the volcanic basin of Ranao, with lots of stories spanning more than a million years.

While four major tributaries feed water to Lake Lanao, it has only one outlet—Agus River. That same river powers entire Mindanao with strings of power plants—including the famous Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City and Tinago Falls.

Time Immemorial

View of Lake Lanao, somewhere between 20,000 to 30,000 feet in the air.

Lake Lanao is one of the fifteen (now seventeen) ancient lakes of the world. That means, water has continuously been present at the same location for more than a million years—a feat shared by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Lake Biwa-Ko in Japan, both are centres of civilizations. Lake Lanao is believed to be formed tectonically or by earth movements. Today, the lake is surrounded by volcanoes and towns and is host to several endemic species of flora and fauna.

Lake Lanao's deepest area is near Ganassi town

The Legend

Boat at Lanao Lake

Yet the Maranao legend has it that Lake Lanao was made by the angels, led by Jibrail (Gabriel for the Christians) as the world became unbalanced due to overpopulation of Mantapoli, an earlier civilization. The basin where Mantapoli was became Lake Lanao. Soon enough, the water started to fill in, thus forming Lake Lanao. Read more about the Legend of Lake Lanao here.

Mosque and Lake Lanao at Tugaya

Today, Lanao Lake hosts to a lot of species including bongkolong (carp) and tilapia. The lake has become the home basin of the Maranao people—even the name of its people, came from the lake itself! From there, singkil dance, torogans, powerful sultanates, the fabled sarimanok and a vibrant history and culture emerged and was unoccupied by foreigners all the way to the 20^th century. This is the Maranao’s water of life, just as Nile to the Egyptians and Tiber for the Romans.

Lake Lanao: Provider of fish, just like this along Narciso Ramos Highway

Of Rice Paddies and Mosques of Lanao Lake

Ever wonder what Maranao civilization or Mindanao would be if Lake Lanao doesn’t exist?

Dansalan (Marawi City) at the banks of Lanao Lake and Agus River

Tranquillity and Power…

Children playing at Lanao Lake at high noon

The calming effect of the cool wind, frequent showers, lush vegetation, and mosques that dot all over Lake Lanao’s coast was a welcome relief for a tired urban eyes. When we visited the town of Tugaya, the Maranao’s centre of arts and culture, kids were taking a bath at the lake–innocence in high noon. The tranquillity of Lanao Lake was unremarkable! Zen and simple living at its finest!

The calm...that noon, the town was silent. No radio or TV heard...there was no power.

However, amidst the cheers of the kids playing beside the lake, there was this eerie silence all over the town. I met several Tugaya residents and said that the whole town centre doesn’t have electricity that noon—only on certain periods of the day. I was like, “WHAT?!” Surprised! While the rest of Mindanao is currently plagued by frequent blackouts, the town itself has and always been on “Earth Hour mode” every day as far as the residents remember. The irony is that it is close to where Mindanao gets most of its power. While far flung cities have reliable power, nearby Tugaya doesn’t have a round-the-clock 24/7 electricity. There is more to its tranquility than electricity–stories of power struggles and politics loom.

Rice paddies at Balindong town, beside Lake Lanao

It Could Have Been…

When I went to Lanao Del Sur last November 2011, the city of Dansalan or now called Marawi, is found at its banks. The lake itself, nestled on a mountain table, seemingly is reminiscent of the mountain lakes of Switzerland, as the cool climate and the mountains provide a refreshing respite from the hot climate down at the plains. I imagine myself having a lake boat cruise or relaxing on a torogan-inspired villa beside the lake. Lake Lanao or Marawi herself has a big potential if marketed and developed properly.

Lake Lanao and Marawi City from Mindanao State University (MSU)

Marawi or Lake Lanao as a whole could have been Mindanao’s summer capital if it’s local and urban planning was developed and maintained properly. Perhaps also the image of “distrust among the three peoples” and the so-called “war-torn Mindanao” as depicted by the mainstream media and social mindset in the past, may have affected its overall image. And there is the issue of security, especially the foreign and even the local tourists, who are still having second thoughts going up there. The issues of urban development and tourism planning, negative image, and security are some of the challenges that Lake Lanao should overcome. Ang laki talaga ng potensyal ng lugar na ito sa turismo (There is a big potential for tourism in this area) which may aid income generation and job opportunities in one of the Philippines’ poorest regions. It could have been developed like that of Lake Maggiore in Swiss-Italian Alps, with a twist of Maranao culture.

Marawi City Lakeshore from MSU Kalilangan Golf Course. Too bad, Sleeping Beauty was hiding that morning

Yet I have hopes that someday and somehow, Marawi City and Lake Lanao generally, would be developed into a tourist destination in Mindanao. It takes time, the right education, and the right development.

Grandma’s Struggle

I was watching a documentary last Tuesday and stumbled that Lake Lanao’s water quality has been declining over the recent years due to pollution, poor sewage planning, effects of the dams, and the increasing denudation of supposedly protected watershed of Lanao basin. According to the documentary, if neglected, by 2050 Lake Lanao may dry up—the end of its million year odyssey on Earth.

The mouth of Agus River at Marawi City, the sole outlet of Lake Lanao. Notice the coast.

While the documentary may sound grim, some sectors of the society are already gaining ground in raising awareness of the lake’s importance, to the Maranao people, Mindanao and the entire archipelago itself. It’s a good start, and hopefully it will become successful in the future.

Agus Hydroelectric Plant in Marawi City

May the grandmother of the Maranao civilization have more birthdays to come!

Ancient, Benign, Life

Powering Mindanao: Saduc Mosque and a part of Agus Hydroelectric Plant-1

Lake Lanao has been the beating heart of the Maranao world. This lake has defined the people’s civilization and gave life to one of Mindanao’s most colourful cultures. The lake has given rise to a federation of sultanates, of a system, of a culture that marks the people. Ever calm and tranquil, she feeds her people with her fish and nourishes them with the water. She is also the beating heart of entire Mindanao, as she gives energy and nourishment to the southern island. And even though she is old and has seen countless stories of both agony and ecstasy, through times of peace and war, she was able to nourish a legacy in the Maranao and the entire Philippines—in both culture and nature. Let’s keep her alive!

Where Lake Lanao kisses the heavens that made her according to the legend

Like a bird and the lake-serene and balanced

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Escolta and Carriedo

I was supposed to write about my personal Visita Iglesia last Holy Thursday, but I couldn’t help but notice the journey that we took, the characters and faces that the streets of Manila shows that Thursday. In this blogpost, I would like to go back to two streets which are two streets that are contrasting with each other, yet a mirror of Manila’s character: Escolta and Carriedo.

Manila has been the capital of the islands since the Spanish colonial era, and it has been a hub of political power and of commerce. From the northern banks of Pasig River, just across the walled city now called Intramuros, this became Manila’s economic hub because it’s near the docks. Between the districts of Binondo and Santa Cruz, Escolta’s prominence rose. On another side, connecting Quiapo to Santa Cruz is the busy street market of Carriedo.

Escolta: Glamorosa Queen

The entrance to Escolta from Santa Cruz

Escolta was once the Wall Street of Manila, the Ayala Avenue of the by-gone era, and to a lot of old folks, it was the center of commerce, trade, shopping, and entertainment of Manila and perhaps the rest of the Philippines. Escolta WAS DOWNTOWN MANILA–vibrant with cinemas, offices, shops, theaters and more. Before World War II, the Pearl of the Orient Seas’ heart throbs in here. Whatever this generation looks up to the malls, the people back then look into Escolta, not even Bonifacio High Street of today can beat up her beauty back then.

Old Escolta (photo from Nostalgia with Old Manila, posted by Glenn Esquejo)

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano kaya ang Escolta Ngayon?

World War II came. The once busy streets were left abandoned. They weren’t lively like as it was, then came “The Liberation.” Boom!

Art-deco Capitol Building

Detail of Capitol Building

Burke Building

Despite that several buildings of Escolta survived the bombardment of World War II, unlike the pulverized Intramuros, she was already declining in prominence. In the 1970s, the companies have started moving their new HQs and offices to a once suburban and more tranquil former airport in San Pedro de Makati, to what is now Ayala Avenue. Escolta was left to decay. It’s once pedestrian and vehicular traffic congestion, now a thing of a past. As if she is left to die by her capitalist amos as she became older and unattractive.

Regina Building

Art-deco building

An Old Building Renovated

Today, when you walk at Escolta, it is as if it is a shadow of its own glamorous past.  The art-deco Capital Building is left to rot while the rest like Regina Building were given a new lease of life. Escolta wasn’t that as vibrant as what the giant photo at the corner of the renovated building depicted it was. Yet there are those who still hope that someday, somehow, Escolta would be vibrant once more. An architect suggested that Escolta would become a BPO (business process outsourcing) complex to which its old buildings become new offices of outsourcing companies. Not bad, and indeed a great idea of reviving her once more. I am hopeful that this endevour would indeed push through. The glamorous queen was left for dead, but a new “man” would bring her back to life once more.

Escolta All the way to Santa Cruz

Carriedo: Palenque Queen and her minions

While Escolta seems to be desolate, Carriedo Street is lively as ever.  Carriedo is just a few meters away from Escolta and it connects the district of Santa Cruz to Quiapo. The LRT Station is located above it, intersecting Avenida Rizal, the part of downtown Manila.

Carriedo on a Holy Thursday

Hidalgo, one of Carriedo's minions. By the way, take note of the sign.

Named after the fountain located in front of Santa Cruz Church after the philanthropist Don Francisco Carriedo y Perredo, the street is famous (or sometimes notorious) for street vendors selling from clothes, slippers, fruits, vegetables, toys, down to pirated DVDs (where a Filipino tshirt company parodied a Disney movie as “Pirates of Carriedo: The Curse of the Black Market.”) and some occasional pickpockets and raids done either by the local police or Ronnie Rickets’ team. It is a street market indeed, almost similar to that seen in Divisoria-San Nicolas area. The market spreads all throughout the area: To Hidalgo and Villalobos and unto Plaza Miranda, in front of Basilica Minore de Nazareno. Lahat mura dito!

Carriedo Fountain - The fountain where the street got its name (even though its not found in the thoroughfare itself)

During Friday however, this crowded street turns even more crowded as devotees of the Black Nazarene flock to the Basilica, mixed with street vendors and peddlers. It is total chaos amidst the bustling crowd. As you go nearer the church, religious and even pamparegla, gayuma, pampalaglag vendors swarm every nook and crook of the street. The atmosphere here is indeed thick with commerce, devotion, survival and cultura Manileña. Lively and vibrant chaos that gives downtown Manila a new lease of life, at least after the big organizations have left for Makati and other new central business districts.

Carriedo nearing Quiapo Church

Escolta Looking Up

Escolta and Carriedo are indeed of opposite characters (and obviously locations), one was left by what she once served as mid to high-end commercial market, and the other as a street market for the Filipino masa. The streets evoke the character that Manila has evolved, and it exists as it is now—perhaps controlled chaos, urban decay, and a hope that it’ll be once more be like she was—or even better.

Escolta and Carriedo are located right here:

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San Beda Abbey Chapel interiors

San Beda Abbey Chapel (of Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat) was our last stop last Holy Thursday, probably an unexpected one since we thought that there are no other churches beyond Mendiola. Then we followed the crowd entering San Beda College, at the heart of the Benedictine Monks’ hub of education. The San Beda Abbey Chapel as locally called, is located in Mendiola Street, right within its campus. Its façade is covered with trees, which its architectural design is predominantly neo-Gothic, with two belfries that remind me of those old universities in UK.

Santo Nino in San Beda Abbey Chapel's Retablo

The present campus of San Beda College was said to have been established in the 1920s since the Benedictine monks want to have a bigger campus for its school. Along with the establishment of the school was the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat. In different occasions of World War II and afterwards, the college became a Japanese concentration camp and a hospital.

San Beda Abbey Chapel Belfries

Altar ceiling and the baroque influence

As we enter, the people crammed inside while a group of devotees do their Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) outside. Yes, it was my first time entering the Abbey Chapel, and boy I was surprised with its interior! The ceiling is adorned with paintings that are very reminiscent of that of baroque period obra maestra. Detailed, gracious and the European influence was predominant in its interior.

San Beda Abbey Chapel Facade

As the priests hold their 6pm mass that time, I couldn’t help but awed with the beauty of its interior. What it lacks outside, is well compensated with its magnificent pastel coloured paintings on the ceiling.

Devotees doing Visita Iglesia in front of Abbey Chapel

As twilight deepens, we left the San Beda Abbey Chapel (Our Lady of Montserrat)–A welcome surprise, especially for me who went here for the first time in the bailiwick of the Red Lions. Animo San Beda!

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San Joaquin Church Rendicion d' Tetuan

Last week, we were in Batangas for a visita iglesia in Taal’s prominent religious structures—the Basilica Minore de San Martin de Tours and Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Today, we fly all the way to the Visayas to visit Iloilo. Our first stop would go all the way to the southernmost town of the province, San Joaquin. This town is known to be one of the landing sites of the mythical Ten Bornean Datus. However, the crowning jewel of this southern town would be its 19^th century church and its cemetery. The church however tells the story of the San Joaquin’s history, carved in stone.

La fuerza moro y espanol

San Joaquin Church is located a few metres away from the highway. It’s situated on an elevated hill near the coast. It’s pretty good location for a church. This greyish-white church was constructed under the supervision of the Spanish priest Tomas Santaren, together with Spanish and Mexican artists. It was built in 1859. Made with coral stone or limestone, egg whites, blood, sweat and tears by our ancestors, this church became a fort when the Moro raiders invade the southern Panay coast. According to Funtecha, the church became an evacuation centre during the Japanese occupation. However, Col. Macario Peralta, leader of the guerrilla resistance in Panay, ordered the church and the rest of the town to be burned to the ground in 1943 (talk about the burning culture). In 1948, a powerful earthquake toppled down the old belfry—yup, the same tremor that destroyed Jaro’s belfry and the magnificent old Oton Church!  Good thing though, the church facade remained intact. Later on, in 1974, it was declared as a national historical site by the National Historical Institute.

San Joaquin Church

Although architecturally baroque, the church has its own crown jewel—the Rendicion d’Tetuan stone relief (The Surrender of Tetouan) carved in its pediment. This obra maestra is one of its kind in Western Visayas, and perhaps the whole country, since this is one of the most militaristic motifs in any religious structure in the country.

Rendicion de Tetuan

The Agustinian Seal in San Joaquin Church

Depicting the Battle of Tetuan in 1860, the relief features Spanish forces defeating the Moorish forces in the siege of Tetuan—which resulted Spanish victory. The medieval town is shown on the upper part of the pediment while the Spanish forces moved in towards Tetuan. Horses, men with guns and a medieval city dominate the pediment. However, the lush tropical fauna was incorporated in the relief. The legendary Santiago Matamoros was said to have been included in the carvings. On top of the pediment, instead of a cross, a carving of Nuestra Señora de Angustias was installed.

The legendary Santiago de Matamoros?

Nuestra Señora de las Angustias at the top of the pediment of San Joaquin Church

The battle somehow reflects the Moro-Moro thinking during the Spanish colonial era in the Visayas, given that the Visayans were frequently raided by the Moros of Mindanao during three centuries that the Philippines was under the rule of the Cross and the Sword. Perhaps, it gave San Joaquinhons some boost in their morale during those times–a manifestation that San Joaquinhon Christians see their victory over the marauding Moros back then.

San Joaquin Church

Location of San Joaquin Church (Iglesia de San Joaquin):

More photos here:

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Philippine Google Map Maker Summit 2012

Philippines will hold three local conferences about Google Map Maker this April 2012, after the successful Google Map Maker Workshop which was held in Makati City last March. The local Google Map Maker Summits will be held at the cities of Bacolod City, Baguio City, and General Santos City respectively.

The active community of mappers and moderators in the Philippines is the major reason that Google pushes through with its local summits, aiming at developing further the interactive map using the Google Map Maker. The summit also highlights the importance of Google Map Maker and Maps for businesses, information, LGU planning, disaster assessment and reduction, tourism, and a lot more. Speakers from Google India will grace the said events.

The Google Map Maker Summits this 2012 will be held on the following venues and dates (All summits open their registration at 8:30AM and promptly begins at 9AM). It is highly-recommended to bring a laptop if you can so you may participate in the hands-on session. Please click the images for more information and registration:

Visayas Summit at Bacolod City – April 12, 2012 (Thursday)

Google Mapmaker Summit Visayas 2012 - Click the Image for More Information and to Register

Location of the venue:

Google Mapmaker Summit Luzon 2012 - Click the Image for More Information and to Register

Location of the venue:

Google Mapmaker Summit Mindanao 2012 - Click the Image for More Information and to Register

Location of the venue:

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Roxas City Airport

Roxas City Airport perhaps this is one of the easiest airports when it comes to accessibility, since it is only 2 kilometers out of downtown. Roxas City Airport serves as the main gateway for the province of Capiz in northern Panay Island and north-eastern Iloilo as well. There are daily flights in and out of Roxas to Manila, Philippines’ capital.

An Airbus A320 service at Roxas Airport

The arrival and baggage claim area of Roxas Airport

The airport’s terminal is petite yet renovated. The runway can take an Airbus A320 jet.

Getting here and out?

Greeting the newly arrived passengers with Hiligaynon folk songs

Getting in or out of Roxas City Airport is as easy as pie, because the most prevailing public transport in the city are still the tricycles. There are “airport tricycles” just at the parking lot of the airport. May either charges you with taking the whole tricycle (special fare) or the usual regular fare which is just P8 (as of the moment).

Roxas City tricycles - undisputed kings of the city's roads

If you are unsure about these trikes, you may opt to walk further into Arnaldo Boulevard and take a tricycle from there. Since it is close to downtown, you may only pay P8 and at least P10 to P15 if you are heading to the bus and van terminals south of the city center.

Capiz taxi cab

If you prefer comfort, there are taxis in Capiz that are pegged by the usual flagged down and meter rate (as of the moment, P40 flagdown).

Bon Voyage! Buen Viaje!

So if you like to get some cravings for seafood, hug the biggest bells in Asia, or simply “bewitched” by its raw beauty, or just looking for a cheap alternative airport going to Boracay, Kalibo or Iloilo, book a flight to Capiz now!

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Eva Estrada Kalaw's Home

It was 2008 when I was still a part-time researcher for the inventory of old homes and buildings in Manila for Ateneo’s project, together with HCS member Jeffery Yap. One of the homes on our Sampaloc inventory was a green two-storey house located in Lepanto Street (now S. Loyola). Amidst the colossal buildings that surround it, the petite home still maintains its suburban feel. When we knocked the gates and asked for an interview, it wasn’t just an ordinary person who welcomed us. It was former senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw–unexpectedly.

Former Senator Eva Kalaw in 2008

Mrs. Estrada-Kalaw accommodated us as visitors. We explained that this inventory we were doing was to record the remaining heritage sites in old Manila. She smiled and she was happy for it and gave a tour of her humble adobe.

Former Senator Eva Kalaw

Mrs. Eva Estrada-Kalaw was a former senator during the early days of the Marcos administration (1965-1972) and is a native of Concepción, Tarlac Province. Born in 1920, she earned her degree in the University of the Philippines in 1940 and became part of the academe before entering politics. She once belonged to Partido Nacionalista but later switched sides to Partido Liberal in 1971. She was one of the victims of Plaza Miranda bombing. By the time we visited her, we never felt any “aura” that she was a former politician herself. She was simple and very reminiscent of the days of her youth.

The table at the sala

Staircase to second floor

The veranda

It was noon, and the sudden downpour has left us stranded at her home. It was nice that she toured us in her home. According to her, the house was built by her father in the 1920s, made of stone and wood. It still maintains the original tiles, ceiling, ventanillas, and a lot more. It is a heritage home indeed full of carvings and antiques. And despite Sampaloc district swallowed whole by the urban jungle, her home still maintains its tranquility. Well maintained and there were only a few minor modifications done in this quaint home in the middle of chaotic Manila. She said that it rarely floods in Lepanto, unlike the neighboring España Boulevard.

The crank phone

Study table

The original tiles

Lunch time and we weren’t expecting that the former senator herself would be serving us some kare-kare for lunch! Serendipity I guess, since we weren’t even expecting at all.

The dining set

The master's bedroom

After more chit-chats, it’s time for us to go. We thanked her for so much information provided for our inventory, the lunch and of course the warm accommodation.

The intricate carvings (and the orbs?)

Lepanto Sampaloc of today. The former lady senator remembers the old days when Sampaloc has that "suburban feel."

Like anything else in urban Manila, not all heritage sites have deteriorated. This one, a heirloom of Former Senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw, was maintained by the owner herself, even though if it looks like an anomaly in a streetscape now full of concrete buildings. A part of her family heritage, and a part of Manila’s glorious history as “The Queen City of the Pacific” in its heydays.

More photos of Former Senator Eva Kalaw’s house, please click here.

The team and the former lady senator before lunch