Stay Safe, Everyone! 

XX, 

Jess

Highlands Weekend

It's hard to believe that this photo was not taken in Baguio. Surprise! surprise! The photo was taken in Tagaytay! Beautiful view, isn't it? It's where we spent the weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday. It was a great bit of escape from the bustling city streets of Manila and not to mention -- the heat wave!

 We checked in over at Tagaytay Highlands Spa and Lodge. The interiors looked so cozy and relaxing that I want to dive into the bed the moment we arrived. I'll host a little bit of a room tour. 

there's the bed, the couch, the table, the wood furnishings...

And our bathroom, the tub, the sink....Okay, I suck at hosting a room tour. But you do get the point, right? And when it's time for a family photo-op

 I looked like that. I told you I was the odd one. -_-

 And when it's time to take swimming photos  -- my sister looked all nice-simple-kind hearted and all that shiz. 

And yes, there's me -- being odd again. 

 dad,  can I ask something...why the pose? @-) 

(I intentionally made the font size small so if ever my dad visits my site, he wouldn't notice that little nosy comment I made. you know parents = far-sighted) 

 Time for breakfast! I ordered hot cocoa and tapsilog!  

 Sosyaaaaaal. May presenting-the-food effect. haha 

 I will forever swear by this tapsilog! If you guys ever visit Tagaytay Highlands, you really need to have a taste of this! Or else your visit is not complete. 

 Farewell, Tagaytay Highlands! I am looking forward to visiting you again. 

We made it a point to buy some pasalubongs before going back to the city. And what I can say... whoever calls the Philippines "poor", clearly, hasn't seen this. 

 

How's your summer so far? 

XX, 

Jess

Luneta Park, Fort Santiago: The Story of Rizal

I was just reviewing for the Rizal finals then I remembered I had these photos. If you guys haven't guessed it yet, this photo was taken in Fort Santiago. Fort Santiago is considered as a "defense fortress" inside the walled city of Manila.

Yes, the place where the great Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution in 1896. 

The bronze foot markers made visitors and tourists picture clearly Rizal's final walk -- The walk from his cell to the place of his execution. 

An urn containing Rizal's verterbra. Look into it closely and you'll see a crack. 

The crack signifies the fatal bullet shot that killed our majestic hero. 

The place where any have been tortured and executed -- activists and even innocent civilians. 

It is quite common knowledge that oppressive forces during the olden times would not hesitate to terminate the lives, even of the innocent. :( 

 Obviously, the place is abundant with Rizal statues. 

It's quite amusing that this place has been preserved, considering the fact that only a handful of places here in the Philippines have been preserved and improved to act as a tool for tourism.

Our next stop, the National Art Gallery in the National Museum

Finally! A close look at the Spolarium! 

"Luna's Spoliarium with its bloody carcasses of slave gladiators being dragged away from the arena where they had entertained their Roman oppressors with their lives...stripped to satisfy the lewd contempt of their Roman persecutors with their honor..." Rizal was footnoted in his speech that the Spoliarium, "embodied the essense [sic] of our social, moral and political life: humanity in severe ordeal, humanity unredeemed, reason and idealism in open struggle with prejudice, fanaticism and justice..." (Leon Ma. Guerrero, "The First Filipino" 2007)

 This photo doesn't give the painting any justice. 

I seriously think everyone should see this piece of art for themselves. 
Just a little background on it -- The Filipino painter, Juan Luna, submitted this entry at Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884. He actually took home the GOLD! 
And if you're wondering (because I know I did), it took him eight full months to finish this masterpiece. 

Final stop, the Rizal Monument!

We do look like legit tourists! haha 

Rizal's exact place of execution. Just in case, you guys haven't heard it yet -- Rizal's fellow Filipino soldiers fired the shots that killed him (first row). At the second row were Spanish soldiers who were ready to shoot the executioners if they refuse to obey orders. 

Finally! A chance for me to look into it closely. 

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, you are a legend. You have inspired thousand of people through your works, including me. You have taught me that no amount of power can ever replace talent, hardwork, tenacity and most especially, love for one's country. 

"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice."

Jose Rizal 

May the beam of hope that you have shown to this country shine forever. 

XX, 

Jess

P.S. I'll be taking my finals about you a few hours from now. It would be absolutely great if you would help me. hihi

Pangasinan Roadtrip

All my life, I've always been a city girl. I remember growing up wondering why my classmates would visit their provinces during summers or holidays and precisely why they have provinces and I don't. 

Sometimes, I just act all cool and say "oh cause my parents grew up in the city". But sometimes, I feel jealous.

How come they can describe the insect noises at night? How come they come to school with native specialities to hand out? How come they can tweet or make their statuses "Going back to Manila". And I can't? huhu 

Who could've thought that our barely planned trip would push through. I remember it was 12 midnight and we don't have a car to use yet. Just when everything is failing, UV Express came to the rescue. We were against all odds at first but I guess it really is time for me to explore the provinces for once. 

Our planned itinerary is Manila-Baguio-Manila then just make a stopover at Pangasinan. 

But we ended up spending so much time in Pangasinan! 

Touchdown Baguioooo City! Summer Capital of the Philippines, yo! 

Once upon a time there was a

chubby Indian-looking kid

After  14 years... 

*Poof* 

I don't think I look like any of the kid photos. Is it just me? 

Me as a kid = Big Fat Female Boxer 

Don't get me wrong! I loved being one! I have been always referred to as the fat/cute one. Wehhh di nga? haha! 

 The fog scares me. :| Makes you feel hypnotized of some sort @-) 

Ricefields always remind me of the song. 

♫ Magtanim ay di biro

Maghapong nakayuko

Di naman makatayo

Di naman makaupo ♫

Hundred Islands! Only in the Philippines! 

 

The boat ride to the island is refreshing. 

The silent waves forces you to think hard and deep and still remain calm. 

Carthel Island in the heart of Sual, Pangasinan

Just like a WOW Philippines postcard. :)) 

Meet Hufflelump! Our travel buddy in the trip! 

Provinces are still here for a reason. And sometimes we neglect the fact that provinces are beautiful because we focus too much on modernity. We tend to opt for everything modern - modern gadgets, modern-style houses and sometimes even modern values. 

Well, if you were to ask me, it's always better to find the perfect balance between the traditional and  the modern. Traditions allow us to discover who we are while modernities allow us to decide where we want to head next. 

I can proudly say that I have been a promdi (from the province) even just for a little while. 

And honestly, I loved every second of being one. 

XX, 

Jess

P.S. I still have to work on describing insect noises. But I do have native pasalubongs to hand out! 

I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible for us!