A History Lesson

     Last night Santa Clause came.  When I awoke, there was a present beside my bed.  Inside the nicely packaged bag was a jewlry box made of coconut.  It was gorgeous.
     Today was filled with history and bargaining.  It began with another great breakfast at a restaraunt called, Bizu.  I had a fantastic, classic Philappeano breakfast.  It included garlic rice, scrambled eggs, and longaniza (which is a classic sausage).  I washed it all down with a hot English Breakfast tea.  It was the start to a great day.

     After a quick Skype session home, I jumped into the SUV and I was on my way to a great lesson in history.
     Our day was spent at Fort Santiago.  Situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, which runs into Manila Bay it is the ideal place to put fortifications to ensure the safety of the area and to defend against the pirates and marauders which frequented the area.

      We decided to take a self guided tour and walk through the inside of the fort.  I crossed a moat full of water lillies, that were soon to bloom.    The center of the fort is an open, bare space.  We decided to start at the left and walk counter clockwise around the inside of the fort.  Parts of the fort need some restoration, but overall, it was in great condition.

 
     Originally the site of Rajah Sulayman’s settlement prior to Spanish occupation and rule. The Spanish defeated the Muslim-Filipino leader, Rajah Sulayman in the 1500’s. He was the last ruler, of the now Metro Manila area, before the Spanish took control.

     Once the Spanish had defeated Rajah Sulayman they rebuilt his settlement into a fort, referred to as Fort Santiago. In 1590 the Spanish rebuilt the wooden structures of the original settlement and re-constructed the fort with stone, making Fort Santiago a highly intimidating and imposing structure.

     Fort Santiago was used by the Spanish as it’s base of power, which it wielded unforgivingly. It housed the Military, Spanish officials and dignitaries and also served as a formidable prison with infamous dungeons where torture was not uncommon. The prison in Fort Santiago also held until his execution, Fort Santiago’s most famous prisoner.

Built in 1593, the structure was a barracks building for Spanish soldiers.
During the American period, army officers and their families live here. 
The buildings were eventually destroyed during World War II.

     Among the other sites that were interesting, was a cross that marked the burial site of approximately 600 Filipinos and Americans who were victims of atrocities during the last days of February 1945.  The appearance of their bodies suggested starvation and possible suffocation.  They were found inside a nearby dungeon, which had inner doors made of massive iron bars.  The outer doors were made of iron plated on wood. 
      From atop the fort, you are able to look down into some of the prisoner cells.  The other, torture chambers, are under the ground.  This is where the American and Pilippeano soldiers were tortured by the Japanese. 
     Although, it started to get quite hot, I was able to walk along the upper part of the wall.  It was serene and I was able to see the advantage to building this walled fort in its present location.  I was also able to view the city from across the water.  The present day Manilla is quite different from the past.



    


     As we stepped onto the main grounds, we followed the bronze footsteps that were inlaid into the ground.  This was the final footsteps Rizal took in his walk of death, from the prison cell leading to his execution by firing squad in 1896.  Also within the compound, is the Rizal shrine in memory of the great national hero of the Philippines. 




     After we left Fort Santiago, We hopped onto a horse and carriage, for a lesson in history.  I recommend this form of transportation to tour the remaining parts of the walled city.  It was refreshing to feel a light breeze and to travel back into history with the mode of transportation appropriate to the time. 

     The walled city is also referred to as, Intramuros, which means "within the walls". Intramuros served as the colonial outpost in Asia for the Spanish for 400 years. Intramous was created by a Spanish conquistador known as Miguel Lopez de Legapsi in the year 1571. The streets of this new city was placed according to urbanization rules during 1573. This lead to the creation of parallel and straight streets; Ultimately producing city blocks of identical sizes. Then a moat along with a stone wall was constructed in order to guard the city and its dwellers from any unwanted intruders.

  

Plaza San Luis

 Inside the city named after one of the old barrios of old Intramuros, is a complex currently composed of five houses - Casa Manila, Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos and El Hogar Filipino. There are specialty shops, a hotel, and a museum at Casa Manila.                                                                               

Casa Manila

      Next, we crossed the street to visit the the historic San Agustin Church.  The first San Agustin Church was the first religious structure constructed by the Spaniards on the island of Luzon. The original church was contructed of bamboo and nipa.  The final construction was completed in 1571, but destroyed by fire in December, 1574 during the attempted invasion of Manila by the forces of Limahong. A second church was then constructed, but destroyed in February 1583, from a fire that started from a candle.

San Agustin Church

     San Agustin is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines; no other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.  As you walk through the corriders of the church, you cannot help but to feel at peace.  It is quite and serene.  The corriders are open and you can look down onto the courtyard. 

                        We were free to walk around the church and look at the artifacts that are located in various wings of the building.    We even wandered up into the organ room.  It is located up a few stairs in the back of the church.  The organ was overpowering.  It was very big, and I could not resist temptation.  Of course, I had to sit and pose for a pic.  It was hard to be quite, when the bench squeeked and echoed throughout the silent church!

The size of the music sheets display how large the 18th century pipe organ was.  The choir loft also has hand-carved 17th Century seats made from molave hardwood that match perfectly with the 18th Century pipe organ.

     The majestic church has stood for more than three centuries in the walled-city of Intramuros in Manila. It has survived two earthquakes in 1863 and 1889 and the ravages of Japanese occupation. Today, San Agustin Church is a fully functioning Roman Catholic Church under the auspices of the Order of St. Augustine, and is also the home to an important Catholic icon – the image of Our Lady of Consolation. 

     It was clear when I stood in the cathedral, how magnificent this building is.  Its ceiling is very colorful and breathtaking.  It is nice to enjoy the view from the pews in the church.  The trompe l’oeil ceiling painting was done in 1875 by Italian artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella. 

The "kadangyan" or rich man of the cordillera is determined not only by how much land and animals he owns but more so by the kind and quantity of is jars.

     It was a wonderful, unexpected day of tourism.  Prior to coming here, I did not know much about the history of Manila.  This tour and experience created a compassion to research the history further.

Merry Christmas: Philappeano Style

 
  Merry Christmas!  I woke from a wonderful slumber.  It was very quiet and dark, compared to my nights i Korea.  I enjoyed using a "real" shower, complete with a bath tub.   There was also a seperate dressing room, with a vaity, to do my make-up.  When Kelly and I went downstairs, the helper had set out chinese bacon, freshly sliced mango, papayas, and bagels.  It was delicious!  To our surprise, we were running very late (I think that we got caught up in the laid back atmosphere) and were whisked away to church.

     The Christmas mass was in English and promptly started right away.  Although I tried to focus, I was distracted by the beautiful nativity scene, Christmas lights, and three kings display.  With about 85% of the population practicing catholiscm, it was not a surprise to see how the community is dedicated to this joyous celebration.  They have one of the longest Christmas celebrations.  They start decorating in September and the carols begin.

     After many photographs, we went to Ann's aunt's house.  There, waiting for us was a roasted pig.  It looked delicious.  It was quite small, but that is supposed to be the most juicy and scrumptuous kind.  There was also lo mein with kalamasi (a minature lime).  It is divine when the lime is squeezed over your serving of lo mein.  It is also good for a cold.  If you slice the lime and drink it, it will shorten our cold.  You can also mix it with hot water and honey.  Egg rolls, white rice, seafood soup, and baked prawns accompanied the pig.
     I will say, it was interesting having a pig on the table.   But boy was it good!  The best part was the crispy skin.  When it was dipped in the sauce, it was great!

Christmas Lunch

     With very full stomachs, we headed off to Mega Mall.  The name suited it quite nicely.  It had American and Canadian stores, and after being in Korea for some time, it was refreshing to see western fashion.  I just enjoyed window shopping, but for the die hard shoppers, the prices are amazing!  Everything is very cheap.
     The next stop, Irwin's house (Ann's cousin's residence).  When we arrived, I felt a little out of place.   It was a Christmas party full of friends and family.  About 30 people were in  attendance.  It was very hard to blend in.  The blonde hair and light skin did not make it easy.  So, I immedietly went towards the buffet.  There was roasted pig, rice, creamy chicken soup, and traditional Philappeano food.  The food was delicious, but the entertainment was even better!

      Everyone at the party was required to do a "presentation."  This could be a song, poem, or dance.  There was even a microphone, which gave a lot of feedback.  I think that I may have lost a little bit of hearing.  I tried to hide, but Kelly, Ann, and I were told to do a "presentation."  We chose "We Wish You Merry Christmas," from our grande finale at POLY.  Of course, it never goes smoothly with me.  They introduced us, everyone clapped, and we stood there, for about 8 long minutes. The sound system was not working, and the music was not available.  I felt as if I was swimming in a sea of awkward turtles.
     The party was filled with many fun games.  They played hot orange (similar to hot potato) and a relay race that involved passing a kalamansi with a spoon.  My favorite was when the adults had to tie a string around their waist.  At the end was a pen.  They had to get the pen into the coke bottle.  It was hysterical!

     The grand finale, was when Ann's aunt, uncle, cousin, driver, and their three maids came out...dressed as belly dancers!  They put on a dance to Shakira's song: "Hips Don't Lie."

     The night ended with the passing of red envelopes to the children.  Then, to my surprise, the adults were told to line up from shortest to tallest.  We formed a circle and started to dance.  As you approached Ann's uncle, he would give you money.  There were 500 pesos mixed in and it was the luck of the draw.  Kelly and Ann both received 500 pesos.  The "circle of money" stopped when the money ran out.
     As everyone left, they were given boxes of apples, oranges, and plants.  Kelly and I were enterained by Irwin and his under water hockey videos.
     I did notice that the family was able to relax, as the helpers cleaned up and put the food away.  It is a very different lifestyle.

The Patio



My bedroom

I Love Mangos

An Unforgetable Shopping Adventure

 
    I am embarking on another adventure.  Although most of my travels have been solitary, this adventure will be different.  I will be traveling with two of my co-workers, Anne and Kelly.  I am excited to have the company on a trip and to be able to share this experience with one another.
     We had a groggy start.  I woke up at 3:45 a.m. to a beautiful city, blanketed in snow.  I took it all in and then panicked.  I had to drag my luggage through this winter wonderland!  After 20 minutes, sweaty and cold, I arrived at the bus stop.  I shouted good morning to Kelly and received a warm good morning from a stranger.  It was from that moment, that this was going to be an interesting vacation.
     The airport limosine bus arrived, and to our surprise, was completly full.  I had to wait 20 minutes for the next one to come...outside.  Besides, this bump in the road, I had a great flight.  There was not any turbulance and three hours later, I was in the Philappeans.  We were greeted by Ann's aunt (who we will be staying with).  She whisked us into the car and the driver placed our luggage inside.
      Along the way, I saw many tin shacks built upon one another.  This was very similar to India.  There is not much of a middle class.  It is either high class or low class.  Ann's relatives, Lola, and Tita Josie reside in a gated community.  The gate guards have guns and do not allow anyone into the community, unless the vehicle has a permit.  There is even an ex-president who resides in this community!  Each of her relatives, aunt and uncle, have a personal maid (helper).  They reside in the service quarters year round and do the shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooking, and errands.  As her aunt put it, it is nice to come home and relax.  Everything is done for you.  I find it very awkard, to be catered to.  If I want something, I just ring a bell.  If I need to go anywhere, the driver will take me.  So, this is what it is like to live the "good life."

The city bus

   

     The first stop: Duty Free.  We went to a very large Duty Free store.  It had everything and accepted US dollars.  It was two floors and a few times, I got lost, trying to get out.  The biggest highlight, was the American grocery store.  I forgot what that was like.  I was in heaven, although I didn't purchase anything.  I couldn't take anything frozen.  How I am craving for a Sarah Lee cake!
     After the Duty Free store, we went to a local shopping area: Green Hills Tingge.  Bargain, bargain, bargain.  I was quick to learn this process, with the help of Tita Josie.  Everyone speaks English here and she was able to get me three scarves for 6 dollars.  That is a bargain for Parshima.  You do need to be cautious.  There are many people and hagglers.  Keep your purse close, because there are purse slashers.  I did feel completely safe.  There were police around and I everyone is very friendly.

 I like to bargain for scarves!

You never know what you will find!

     In the evening, I took a nice walk around the neighborhood.  It is about 82 degrees F.  It was refreshing coming from such cold weather.  I took pictures of the houses decorated in Christmas lights. It was nice to see palm trees all decorated and the Philappean star (Parol) decorations.

parol lights

 
  I relaxed on the porch eating purple, yam ice cream!  It was very different.  It was not very sweet, but still quite tasty.  I am looking forward to the events of tomorrow!

Tita Josie

Picture Diary

     Once a week, I grade my pre-kinder's picture diaries.  They are always a joy to read.  I look forward to reading about their adventures during the weekend.  It is amazing to see how their writing has improved during the course of the year.  They are able to express their thoughts and feelings.  They are also getting very creative!

Would you try it?