Public [Photo Hunt]

These are recycled photos of Plaza de Armas in Fort Santiago, the fort's main square.  This place is open to the public for a minimal fee of 75 pesos (approximately $1.65).   At the entrance of Plaza de Armas are the brass footsteps of  Dr. Jose Rizal, embedded on concrete.  These are his footsteps from his prison cell to Bagumbayan where he was executed by firing squad  and made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.  Dr. Rizal was imprisoned in this fort in 1896 during his court martial---he was later convicted on charges of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy against the Spanish government.

Across Plaza de Armas is the Rizal Shrine, a public museum built in honor of Rizal's heroism.  The shrine holds Dr. Rizal's books, memorabilia, manuscripts and artworks, his famous poem Mi Ultimo Adios and a piece of his vertebra.   A life-size statue of  the hero holding a book stands at the edge of Plaza de Armas.  This statue made me wonder what was his favorite book.:p

Plaza de Armas at dusk

Posted for Photo Hunt

Crab craving

In the mood for some crab?  Dig into this plate of Crabs with Chili Sauce---it's perfectly spiced and finger lickin' good!  We had this at  the Hong Kong Emperor Seafood Restaurant in MoA one rainy Saturday night. 

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

LP: Gusto/Ginusto

 

Sa dami ng gusto ko, di ko alam kung ano isusulat ko.  But right this minute, gusto ko ng bakasyon grande!  Sa isang magandang lugar na malapit sa dagat o ilog, tahimik, pwedeng magbasa maghapon habang nakahiga sa duyan, walang ulan at maaliwalas ang hangin.  Pero kailangan ko nga ba ng bakasyon, o nangangati lang ang paa ko?  Sa mga bagay-bagay naman, gusto ko ng bagong cell phone kasi may tantrum na itong cell phone ko.  Gusto ko rin ng bahay sa tabi ng bangin---hindi dahil gusto kong tumalon ha, gusto ko lang magandang view  pag-gising ko sa umaga.  At ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat...sana mag-desisyon na ang dapat mag-desisyon para hindi na ako mag-iisip ng kung anu-ano.:p  

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants.  ~J. Brotherton

 

 Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Shangri-la pier [Watery and Outdoor Wednesday]

View of Mactan Shangri-la's pier from Cowrie Cove, the hotel's al fresco seafood restaurant by the beach.  Boats for island-hopping or scuba diving are available at the hotel but the rates were outrageous compared to rental fees at the nearby Hilton pier.

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Tricycle [My World-Tuesday]

In remote areas like Caramoan [where this photo was taken], in  town  and city streets where buses and jeepneys are not allowed to operate, tricycles are the most common means of transportation.   A tricycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar (a passenger cabin)---a local taxi-service with three wheels that will drop you off  at your exact destination.  Tricycles are commonly seen in inner roads, often for short distances.   It fits into alleys and smaller streets, dirt roads, and even in places where there are no recognizable pathways.  Fare is seven pesos (or about 15 cents) per person.  But if you're in a hurry and don't want to wait for other passengers to fill up the tricycle, you need to pay for the maximum capacity, and it's called a "special trip".

Posted for My World-Tuesday