Its More Fun in the Philippines: Manila

I mentioned in my outfit post yesterday that a few friends and I went around Manila to take pictures of different buildings and monuments for Cheys' architecture project. Let me tour your around in my own little way and give you a glimpse of what I experienced yesterday. Yesterday was a testament that it is more fun in the Philippines and that our country is a beautiful place! 

First stop: Manila Hotel! I am no expert to the different kinds of buildings and its specific name but this hotel is a piece of art and its amazing how this was managed to be restored and maintained all these years. Manila hotel is the first air-conditioned hotel in Asia (I know this thanks to Tommy!) and its interiors is very much like how it was during the Spanish era. It's been up for almost 80 years and the building is a testament to how rich yet heavily influenced our culture was back then. I read that it was open in 1912 and was used by only the elite back then. I could just imagine all the well dressed men and women that walked the corridors of this hotel! General MacArthur even made this his home when he was the military advisor of the commonwealth government back then! 

2nd stop: National Museum. The museum was closed till October for renovations so I wasn't able to take pictures of the inside. We weren't even allowed to go inside the gates to take pictures! But I've been inside and houses the famous Spolarium by Juan Luna and many works of Jose Rizal and many other prominent Philippine artists. I went here with Dondi a year ago and our favorite exhibit was the Zoology section wherein they showed the different fossils of species found here in the Philippines. Its no Lourve of Paris or Met of New York but the museum does hold different mediums of art that shows   how talented Filipinos are :) Every Filipino must visit it atleast once! 

our famous Kalesa! I wanted a picture with it but I had to pay to do so :( BOO! 

3rd stop: Santa Cruz Church in Sta Cruz. It was built in 1608 by the Jesuits for the Chinese immigrants that started to flock our country back then since alot of these immigrants converted to Catholic when they arrived here in the Philippines. However, the original Sta. Cruz church was completely destroyed during the World War II so this church is a new one. And I guess that explains why there wasn't that stand Spanish friars used to give sermons in. Please do refresh my memory to what its called? :) I just know that all churches that were built during the Spanish era have this.

4th stop: We were surprised to see this building of BPI! I can't find anything about over the net but it looks amazing right?? Look at the entrance! reminds of Greece!

I wanted to eat more but I was scared for my life so I only had one :( haha! 

5th stop: Binondo church! We didn't get to go down to take decent pictures since there was no way to park. Just like the Sta. Cruz church this was built for the Chinese immigrants but by Dominican priests.  However, the original building was destroyed by the British bombardment in 1762 then was rebuilt then destroyed again in 1852 because of the second world war II where only the faced and the bell tower was left. 

6th stop: unknown building near the Post office. 

7th stop: The Manila Central Post Office. We expected more from this building and archi freak Tommy was upset about the pink trimmings the building had but for me, it look okay. Reminded me of the buildings found in Washington DC. This building is relatively new compared to the others since it was completed in 1926 yet was destroyed during the WWII and was restored to how it looks now in 1946. 

8th stop: Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands. 

my face the whole time because of the heat!! haha! I'm not a big fan of the sun! 

Last stop: the entrance of Intramuros. My battery died here already but good thing I got to take outfit photos and a picture with a dressed Intramuros guard. I love how they're dressed this way! It makes you feel like you're really in another place and era :) 

 

I highly recommend touring around Manila with your family and friends instead of spending so much to go abroad. We should take advantage of these monuments and buildings because not only do we actually pay the government to have these maintained (okay, somewhat maintained! hahaha) but we have to realize that we do not have to travel miles and miles away from home to see how beautiful the world is. 

xx, Vern