What to see at the National Museum of Natural History: Our first visit 2019

26 January 2019

At last, we were able to visit the recently-opened National Museum of Natural History in the former Department of Tourism Building in Luneta Park in Manila.

Opened in May 2018, this Museum has 6 floors, 5 of which have various displays and exhibits.

Prepare to walk a minimum of 2 hours if you want to visit all the exhibits!

Let's go!

Re-visiting the National Museum of Anthropology (2019)

26 January 2019

We've been to the Museum of Anthropology before, in 2016 (read about it here), but while there were staple exhibits, like the San Diego, Bangsamoro and Lumad exhibits, there were also a few new additions, like the Garing (Ivory Trade), Biyay (about the Negrito Community), Entwined Spheres (Baskets and Mats as containers), the Pina-Seda (Pineapple and Silk Cloth) and the San Isidro Shipwreck.

Prepare 2 hours to walk around the Museum of the Filipino People.

Review: Camp Riverside 2600 Tiny House Lofts, Baguio

28 November 2018

We went to Baguio last November 26-28 and we stayed in this little haven called Camp Riverside 2600 Tiny House Lofts located in Purok 02, Ambayao Road, Barangay Irisan.

We had an EXCELLENT experience and you'll see why when you read through this post.  I've included plenty of pictures to document our relaxing and enjoyable experience during our stay.

Props to Kuya Anjo and Kuya Arnie for making us feel so welcome!

Driving Directions from Baguio to Manila via Naguilian Road, including 2 new roads (2018)

28 November 2018

Our 3 Day trip in Baguio has come to an end and it's time to get back to Manila.  We came up using Marcos Highway but on our way back, we were advised (by Waze) to take the Naguilian Road.

We decided to try it since we didn't have to go back to the City Center and we thought it's best to try all roads leading to and from Baguio just for the experience.

It's pretty much a straightforward drive but it took us almost 4 hours just to reach the TPLEX Toll Gate in Pozorrubio.

Visiting the Tam-awan Village, Baguio

27 November 2018

Tam-awan Village was our first destination on our 2nd Day in Baguio.  We wanted to see the reconstructed Ifugao houses in a natural setting.  

There were also a lot of art pieces made by local artists.  A cafe and art gallery are also in the premises.

It is located at 367 Long Long Benguet Rd, Baguio.  Entrance Fees are P60 for Adults and P40 for Students.

Travel: Baguio Trip 2018

26 November 2018

So after two years, we're back in Baguio again.  This was kind of a spur-of-the-moment trip so we didn't really have any concrete plans about where to go or what to do.

What was definite was our lodging during our trip and we booked at Camp Riverside 2600.

We just went to the usual spots and stopped at the Lion's Head and Tam-awan Village since we haven't been there before.

Driving Directions to Baguio from Manila via TPLEX and Marcos Highway (2018)

26  November 2018

Last September 2016, we traveled to Baguio via the TPLEX and Kennon Road and this post was supposed to be an update to it.  However, we had to take Marcos Highway because Kennon Road was closed to traffic due to falling rocks.

Regardless, I hope it still helps since, now, we exited at the Pozorrubio Gate instead of Binalonan, which was the last open exit at the TPLEX at that time.

Toll fees are also included in this post.

Sta. Catalina College: A Night of Broadway Musical

24-25 November 2018

On November 24 and 25, Sta. Catalina College staged a benefit show entitled "A Night of Broadway Musical" directed by Ms. Christine Palanca. 

Dana was part of the ensemble cast of Les Miserables and they (almost the whole school)  practiced for this production for almost 3 months.  Other sets included Annie, The Little Mermaid, Miss Saigon, Rock of Ages and the Lion King. 

Visiting the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac

04 November 2018

So on our last day in Tarlac, we didn't want to leave without going to places that we've never been and that's how we ended up going to the Capas National Shrine.

The Capas National Shrine used to be the Capas Concentration Camp where Filipino and American soldiers were detained and imprisoned by the Japanese Imperial Forces after the Fall of Bataan.  More than 30,000 of these soldiers died here and were buried in mass graves.   The Shrine was built to commemorate these fallen soldiers.

As we walked around the shrine, we saw the Obelisk, the Memorial Wall (with the engraved names of the fallen), the Esplanade and took refuge from the heat amidst the many trees.

Review: L Square Hotel in Tarlac City

04 November 2018

The L Square Hotel in Tarlac was our home for 3 days and 2 nights, from November 02 to November 04 due to a death in the family that brought us back to this city.

We had a pleasant enough stay and this post will highlight what we loved about the place and will also include some bits of it that could be improved.

L Square Hotel is located at KM 120, MacArthur Highway, Barangay San Rafael, Tarlac City.