Travel Reviews

Time Travel: Corregidor Island and the Eternal Flame of Freedom

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An island in the shape of a Tadpole located near Manila Bay is the island of Corregidor. This piece of land was once a fortress during Spanish rule in the Philippines. Its strategic location is a perfect spot to watch and warn possible enemies off Manila. This is probably how the island got its name, form the Spanish word “corregir” or corrector. Because it once served as a fortress, Corregidor Island is a veritable sea of for historical constructions and artifacts. Some of the well known Corregidor attractions are the Malinta Tunnel, the Pacific War Memorial, Spanish Lighthouse, Barracks ruins, Filipino-American Friendship Park, Gun emplacements, Filipino Heroes Memorial, Aviary and the Eternal Flame of Freedom.

The Eternal Flame of Freedom is a symbol of the recapture of the Philippines by the Americans. The project was sponsored by the Department of Energy, Corregidor Foundations, U-Freight Philippines, the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment and the California-based SunPower which provided the solar components of the construction.

If you fell like visiting the place, the Eternal Flame of Freedom is located at the Pacific War Memorial Dome of Peace. Getting there is easy enough because most of the locals are aware of the location. You only have to ask and the friendly people of Corregidor will point you in the right direction. This “Flame of Freedom” is a symbol of the challenges and fights the Philippine and the United States have fought together in the name of freedom.

After catching a glimpse of the famous “Flame of Freedom”, you can now walk around the Pacific War Memorial Dome of Peace and see the other attractions the site has to offer. Enjoy Corregidor at its finest and drop by the earlier mentioned locations for a true taste of this tadpole-shaped island.

Manila Ocean Park

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If you’re not a diver but still curious to see different aquatic animals at their best, then perhaps it’s time to pay a visit to the Manila Ocean Park. The Park is an oceanarium located at the Rizal Park behind the Quirino Grandstand. The oceanarium is divided in sections specifically designed to showcase the marine life seldom seen at close range. Perhaps its biggest attraction yet is the “Buhay na Karagatan” (Living Ocean), a walkway tunnel 25 meters long with fishes of varying shapes and sizes swim around you every step of the path.

Agos (Flow) depicts a rainforest with 8 tanks worth of freshwater fishes. An artificial waterfall completes the scene and replicates the natural system of fresh water eventually leading to the ocean.

Bahura (The Reef) is a showcase of artificial corals in as much as 46 tanks, their varied shapes, size and colors pleasing to the eye. Laot (Fishing Ground) contains big fishes and Kalaliman (The Deep) concentrates on marine life found at the deepest recesses of the Philippines. One of this is the Barracuda or also called the “Tiger of the Sea” because of its rather terrifying smile. Pagi (Sting Ray) features an Overhang Tank wherein you can watch sting rays swimming above you like giant UFO’s hovering in the wind while Pating (Shark) features some species of the ocean’s predator.

The oceanarium also houses at least 25 restaurants where you can eat and enjoy the day while exploring the wonders of water without ever getting wet. Of course, if you do plan to get wet anyway, there is an Open Water Marine Habitat or an outdoor swimming pool. It comes with diving and snorkeling services that allows you to explore the water without the need to travel to different islands.

The Island of Samal

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The island of Samal name was derived from a tribal group located in the area named “Sama”. Datu Taganiyug, the first datu of the island was a native of Peñaplata, Samal. This bit of land was also witness to the Pacific War wherein Japanese invaders have forced the natives to work for them for four years. Now, the island is a province of Davao del Norte and currently houses more than 80,000 people according to the year 2000 census.

The island is popular for its coral reefs, enticing a visit from divers anywhere from the world. Marine life surrounding the island has been well preserved and continues to thrive over the years. However, this is not the only attraction as the waters surrounding the island are also rife with other aquatic sports such as sailing or snorkeling. The coast view of the island is enough to grace any magazine as the blue waves gently meet the white sand. The island itself boasts of natural wonders such as spring and waterfalls. Try looking for a reputable tourist guide that would gladly take you around some of Samal’s caves and fresh water sites.

Hotel and resorts are not lacking in the island. Modern amenities are also complete which would mean you could have the best of both worlds – air conditioned rooms and nature’s finest surrounding you. However, if you feel like “roughing” it up, there is an area where you can set camp and opt to sleep under the stars.

The route to the island depends on your starting point. You could enter the city directly from other countries or choose visit Davao via Metro Manila. The choice is really up to you. However, the view awaiting you in Samal is definitely worth the trip.

Time Travel: Vigan City

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A renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vigan is located approximately 400 kilometers from the country’s capital: Manila. Vigan itself is the capital city of Ilocos Sur which is lying at the west coast of northern Luzon. Vigan stands out as it is the best example of Spanish architecture throughout the country. The city boasts of well-preserved houses testifying to Spain’s more or less three hundred years of rule on the country. Around the city are several museums concerned with the different National Heroes of the country born in the area – a perfect setting for time travel. The word “Vigan” originates from the word “Biga” a large plant with edible roots that strives mostly on the coasts of the Mestizo River. Some of the specific places to see in the city are the Old Vigan Colonial Houses, Palacio de Arzobispado, Burgos National Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The Old Vigan Colonial Houses stretches along the side of Calle Crisologo with more or less a hundred in number. The spans of houses are adorned with tile roofs, the walls built with thick brick especially made to last through the years.

Palacio de Arzobispado, the official residence of the Archibishop of Nueva Segovia was also the main office General Emilio Aguinaldo.

The Burgos National Museum is home to some of Esteban Villanueva’s best work. Originally, the museum building was the ancestral house of Padre Jose Burgos. Now, it is a site of various dioramas depicting the historical events of the country.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral, with its 12 altars, the Baroque cathedral is one of the must see architectural site in Vigan. The massive building itself is a cause for wonder, not to mention its bell tower.

An Information Center for tourists is situated in the city so you can be sure of visiting all the important facets of the time capsule that is Vigan.