Historic Cemeteries in the Philippines

Here's one for history buffs and tourists.  Cemeteries not only hold the dear departed's remains in peaceful protective slumber, some cemeteries actually hold parts of Philippine history! If you take a stroll through some of the cemeteries listed below, you will gain important lessons in the nation's interesting history. 1.  Paco Park Cemetery Now a well-tended recreational area, Paco Park was once called Cementerio General de Dilao...

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On Saints and Souls

November 1 is just around the corner.  In the Philippines, the days leading to this day are awash with preparations. Classes stop.  Colleges and universities go on semester breaks. The workforce plans for a skeleton crew because of the impending office shutdown on the week that this day falls.  People book flights to travel to their hometowns.  Mothers start planning the food menu.  Flower shops start increasing their inventory. ...

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My Fitness Adventure - How to Take Up Running and Love It

It is amazingly easy to take up running as a favorite hobby or sports .  When I first chose to run, the first thing that I immediately realized was that all I literally needed were my own two feet! The decision to take up running is probably one of the best decisions a person can make.  Not only does it promote good health and well-being, it is also a great way to socialize, unwind, and even have fun.  In my previous post,...

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Earthquake Insurance in the Philippines -- or the Lack of It

The earth can turn violent once in a while.  It is a living breathing planet, after all.  Proof of that was the recent earthquake that hit the island provinces of Bohol and Cebu in the Philippines.  The ground shook suddenly and so violently that many people died and a lot of buildings and infrastructures collapsed with major damage. A  house fell into a river after the earthquake in Bohol. (REUTERS/Erik De Castro) While...

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Flowers You Can Eat

When my grandfather was still alive, he used to tell stories about World War II, particularly the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s.  He told stories of how our family, composed of my grandmother, my mother, aunts and uncles (who were little children then), had to eat anything edible that they could find because food was scarce during the war and they were always walking on jungles for days on end.  They ate bugs,...

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October - Month of the Holy Rosary

Catholics observe the month of October as the Month of the Holy Rosary.  Why? A Turning Point in History It was a fateful day in October 7, 1571 when forces of the powerful Ottoman Empire sailed west from their naval base in Lepanto, Greece.  They met with a Catholic maritime fleet collectively known as the Holy League.  The Christian forces were composed of Spain, Venice, some European duchies, the Knights Hospitaller, and the...

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My Fitness Adventure - Why I Run

When we're young, or at the peak of our health,keeping fit is often the least of the things we prioritize.  It's the same with me.  Youth seemed equivalent to invincibility the way I saw it then. Fortunately, way before I realized that my health and, my weight in particular, should be a priority, I was already into activities that involve working my two feet.  I love walking and hiking.  It's an easy step to then jog and...

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Houses You Would Want to Live In... or Not!

"I guess when you turn off the main road, you have to be prepared to see some funny houses."                                                                                                      ...

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Momzillas Movie Review

We took our mother-in-law to the movies recently.  It's the first showing day for the film Momzillas.  Our outing was impulsively planned and hurriedly implemented.  But it was fun -- the trip, the company and the movie! Photo credit: Star Cinema We went after lunch, praying that we won't get stuck in traffic.  We multi-tasked when we arrived at the  mall, with the husband finding some parking space while we...

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A Miss World in Each One of Us

 Congratulations to Megan Young for besting 126 other equally beautiful women to become Miss World 2013.  It is a double achievement for her because she also became the first Filipina to ever win the elusive title for her country. Photo courtesy of Miss World Organization Megan Young's Miss World 2013 stint is particularly striking because as a model, actress, and entertainment host, her life has been accessible to the public...

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