Heritage Month escapades!

This summer, we went to three beaches in three days. For Heritage Month, we also went to three heritage sites! So take a glimpse of our heritage month escapades!

1. ILUSTRADO (Intramuros, Manila)

Ilustrado is not just a restaurant but can be considered as a historic site as well because the Capuchin friars' church of Our Lady of Lourdes used to stand there (come to think of it, I should have worn a more conservative attire and brought our veils). The church suffered massive damage during World War II, and the ruins was totally demolished years later. The only remains of that church was one of its wooden doors and some carved wooden faces of cherubims.

It was Señor Gómez who invited us for lunch at Ilustrado on Mother's Day, May 14 (a day after his godson Mómay's 13th birthday). We came in early, so while waiting for him, we just roamed around the site and entered the restaurant premises to explore its vintage look. Two lady staff members were not quite nice. The one who manages the entrance at the lobby and another lady there kept eyeing on us even though my children were well behaved. I noticed that other staff members were preparing some big event at the second floor. But instead on focusing on that, these two ladies were focused on my family who were just marveling at the restaurant's "bahay na bató" architecture as well as its numerous vintage sketches hanging on its walls. I can understand that they are concerned with naughty children running around the place, but my kids aren't like that. They were well-disciplined, especially with my hubby around. We've been to this restaurant many times in the past, but this is the first time we've experienced such unfriendliness.

I was sitting on a wooden bench at the lobby while the rest of the family were enjoying the interiors of the restaurant. But I noticed that the lady on the lobby didn't like this. And instead of being frank about this, she simply told me that people are not allowed to loiter on the lobby. So why did they bother putting a bench there in the first place? She told me instead to get inside the café, but I told her that we are still waiting for our friend. To avoid any further confrontation, I just got up and called my family for us to stay in the garden. It was just my third time in Ilustrados. The first two times that I've been there, all staff members were courteous and friendly. But on this third visit, the only friendly stafff members were the waiter who assisted us and the security guard.

When Señor Gómez arrived, all's well that ends well. We started ordering our food. There were many customers during that time because of Mother's Day. Because the food was great, I forgot how unfriendly those two staff members of Ilustrado were. We most especially loved their callos, among others in the menu.

After Ilustrado, Señor treated us for merienda in Cioccolata at The Bayleaf Intramuros. It was superb fun, all the staff are nice, the food was great. I really enjoyed my time there as well as our kiddos and even senor too! Kudos to all the staff of Ciocollata! Before we went home, Señor drove us around the Walled City of Intramuros. It is our favorite place in Manila because this is where everything that is Filipino started. As my hubby always say, Intramuros is the heart and soul of Filipinas. No wonder why nationalist writers like the late Nick Joaquín (RIP) love this place. It is no wonder too why Señor Gómez as well as my hubby Pepe and our friend Arnaldo (who is now based in Singapore) keep coming back here. All Filipino writers, especially those who love their country very much, are encouraged to visit Intramuros because our history and our national identity began inside its walls.

Thank you Señor Gómez for your Intramuros treat for my family! Thank you for that wonderful Ilustrado lunch and your Mother's Day treat for me at Cioccolata. Thank you most especially to my family who greeted me too and spending time with me the whole day. And to all my family and friends who greeted me that day, thank you! I am so touched!

Oh, and a friendly advise: whenever you visit Ilustrado Restaurant, make it a point to utter a short prayer. Or at least make a sign of the cross. Because the place is still holy ground.

Top left photo is at Baluarte de San Andrés near Calle Real del Palacio. The rest of the photos were taken where the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes used to stand. The site is now occupied by Ilustrado Restaurant and Silahis Arts and Crafts.

Ilustrado. 

¡Callos! Pepe told us that this is one of Nick Joaquín's favorite dishes.

Left: Some ruins of Lourdes Church included was the old door where Junífera Clarita is headed. Right: Daddy Pepe examines the carved wooden cherub faces which once adorned the now extinct Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Merienda time at Cioccolata!

Cioccolata.

Calle Muralla.

2. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES (Ermita, Manila)

HOCUS is on focus this year.

We Visited “HOCUS: The Hofileña & Custodio Paintings” last May 23 upon the invitation of our dear friend (and Junífera Clarita's fairy godmother), 1964 Miss International and culture heroine Gemma Cruz de Araneta. Gemma is the guest curator of the National Museum of the Philippines' "National Museum of Fine Arts". The HOCUS exhibit began last April and will run through October of this year.

There was actually a lecture on that date at the museum's Roxas Hall which was hosted by Gemma. We arrived an hour late because of the traffic, but we still got to listen to the speaker, Atty. Saúl Hofileña, Jr, as he explains the secrets of the HOCUS paintings. Aside from being a lawyer, Mr. Hofileña is also a writer and an avid historian. He conveyed his thoughts on Filipino History through painter and art restoration specialist Guy Custodio. HOCUS, therefore, is a portmanteau of their last names. He explained each of the paintings on the screen and Since my kids, especially Jefe and Juanito, are into art, I told them to listen carefully to the speaker because they might learn something from him.

Junífera Clarita's famous madrina (ninang) giving a talk at the background.

After the lecture, Gemma invited us to check out the HOCUS paintings on the third floor of the building. The National Museum of Fine Arts is known for its collection of precious paintings. Even the building's structure is historical. It is one of our favorite heritage sites not only because of its precious paintings and its beautiful architecture but within its walls lies the legendary painting of Juan Luna: the Spoliarium. Both Jefe and Juanito (who love to scribble and paint on our walls and floors) are in the opinion that it is more superior compared to Félix Resurrección Hidalgo's "El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante y Su Hijo" (The Assassination of Governor-General Bustamante and His Son) which lies across Luna's famous work.

With Juan Luna's masterpiece behind us.

¡Muchas gracias por la invitación, comadre Gemma! =)

3. VILLA ESCUDERO (San Pablo, La Laguna / Tiáong, Tayabas)

It was our second time here (and my hubby's third; his first was when he was still a kid). Our first visit was when Gemma brought us there in late 2015. It was super unforgettable for us because Krystal learned how to ride a bike here plus the fact that the place is so beautiful, filled with Filipino culture everywhere, and the people who work there are incredibly nice and courteous. Gemma even introduced us to one of the owners, Rosalie Escudero-Blume, who is a dear friend of hers. Rosalie herself is so nice and genuinely friendly despite her status. Daddy Pepe, who is an AlDub fan, was delighted to find out that Rosalie too is a fellow fan, haha!

We arrived a few minutes before nine in the morning. The atmosphere was already festive!

Gemma brought us there again last Sunday for us to experience the Feast Of The Ascencion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We didn't know that such a fiesta there existed. And it existed only within the premises of the 800-hectare hacienda-resort. Daddy Pepe also asked Gemma if she knew other place in the country that celebrates this feast day, but she couldn't recall knowing any. My husband learned from another friend of his who was at the event that the Escudero family has been celebrating this one-of-a-kind fiesta for fifteen years already. It's a hybrid thing, remarked my husband, but it's something that all Filipinos fiestas should be in the first place. Today, all fiestas have been modernized beyond recognition. That's why we are so happy to have experienced this kind of fiesta that we now only read in books and hear from our elders.

The event began with a High Mass at the hacienda's Chapel of the Ascension which was celebrated by the Most Reverend Buenaventura Famadico, Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo. Heavenly live music was provided by the University of Santo Tomás Symphony Orchestra and Singers. All in attendance were in Filipiniana attire (we noticed that many of them are from the country's high society). After the Mass was the procession towards the river. A fluvial procession will then begin from there. The image of the Risen Christ, the focal point of the procession, was proudly adorned with native flowers. The dirt roads were adorned with banderitas and colorful flags. There was also a marching band. There were even Gigantes (paper-mâché giants) which were popularized in the lake shore town of Añgono in Rizal Province. And fireworks filled the air. This fiesta is indeed the most Filipino-themed fiesta we have ever attended!

High Mass at Villa Escudero. Since this was our first time to attend this fiesta, Gemma informed us beforehand that during the Consecration, the national anthem was always played by a marching band outside the church. It has been a tradition in that fiesta. According to her, Don Conrado "Adò" Escudero (the owner) had the intention of offering our country to God.

It's a very festive procession! All Filipino fiestas should remain this way!

The star of this fiesta. This image of the Risen Christ has been with the Escudero family since the Spanish times.

Clockwise from top left: the "Grand Dame of Filipino Fashion" Patís Tesoro, Junífera Clarita, Mommy Yeyette, Daddy Pepe, Gemma Cruz de Araneta, and Antonio Aquino, director of the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values.

Don Adò thanks everyone in attendance. Seated to his left is Jaime Laya (former Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports, Central Bank Governor, and head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts).

After the reception held at the Wedding Center, my family got to enjoy the resort's newly renovated swimming pools. We spent the whole afternoon swimming!

Summer's not yet over!

Thank you so much for bringing us back to Villa Escudero, comadre Gemma!

Exposing our kids to arts and heritage sites is one of the best educational gifts that we as parents could give to them. We believe that this will make them appreciate our heritage, both tangible and intangible, all the more. Me and Daddy Pepe are hoping that we would be able to bring them to more heritage sites and expose them to more heritage events in the country. When our children know more about our country's past and existing heritage, they would appreciate more their national identity. We cannot go on to our future without appreciating our past.

Please don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! And click on the headings/subtitles above to view all of our photos of our Heritage Month adventure.

Happy National Heritage Month 2017! 😀

—Yeyette—

Remembering the Battle for Manila

This year we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle For Manila. Today, actually, is the culmination of the month-long commemoration.

The official name should be Battle for Manila, not Battle of Manila. The image and text come from Malacañang Palace. So there.

While this, of course, does not call for any celebration, it is only fitting that we commemorate what was one of the bloodiest battles in World War II. It is often said that Manila wasn't able to recover from that war, and I have to agree. So many mayors have come and gone, yet all of them couldn't come close to putting back the old glory that was the Perla del Mar de Oriente. Even Malacañang Palace which sits on the site of the battle ground seems or has been rendered inutile to all this. I also dare say that Manila was more devastated than Warsaw, Poland because only a handful of buildings were left standing (including our country's first church and the Rizal monument in Bagumbayan), and thousands upon thousands of lives lost.

"Memorare - Manila 1945", inaugurated on 18 February,1995, commemorates the lives lost during the Battle for Manila (February 3 - March 3, 1945). It was sculpted by Pedro de Guzmán with a dedicatory inscription written by Nick Joaquín, National Artist for Literature. This monument is located at the "Plazuela de Santa Isabel" at the corner of Calle Real del Palacio and Calle Simón de Anda in Intramuros, Manila (photo taken during our family's Intramuros visit last 23 October 2013).

We have seen efforts of many cultural and heritage activists, travel bloggers, and tourism advocates in putting Manila back on the tourism map, but the task has been daunting as evidenced by many heritage crimes we've been hearing in the news lately. But still, we should not lose hope. While there is life, there is hope.

Left: Jefe sitting beside the small dedicatory monument at the center of the "Sala de Profundis" (now known as the "Cripta") inside the San Agustín Church and Museum. This monument is dedicated to the memory of the 141 prisoners of war who were mercilessly executed by the Japanese Imperial Army during the last few days of the Battle for Manila. Right: a list of friars who were among those executed (photo taken last January 11).

Manila was destroyed, leveled to the ground, pummeled and bloodied beyond recognition. But it still survived. Even in the midst of all the dirt and garbage and shanties we see in every dank alley and main road and heritage site, Manila is still there, merely waiting for people like us to lift her off her feet. Manila is only down  but not dead. Let us continue supporting Manila by visiting her together with our families. Let us continue patronizing her and enjoy what little beauty is left in her. Manila needs to be cheered up. Let us not forsake her. Manila is still worth saving!

In front of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, considered as our country's "Mother Church" (photo taken last January 16 right after the Papal Mass).

Before this day ends, let us all utter a short prayer to all the innocent lives, most especially to the families, lost during the Battle for Manila. May they all rest in peace. And may this senseless mayhem no longer happen in any part of the world.

Amen.

Our Papal Mass experience outside the Manila Cathedral!

Image from the official website of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Novaliches.

So excited were we for Pope Francisco's arrival that we decided to join his first Holy Mass in the country even if it was exclusively meant for bishops, priests, and religious men and women (seminarians and nuns) at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros last January 16. And it was OK if we had to wait outside the church — it's a Papal Mass, for crying out loud! We're not even sure if we'd ever get the chance to attend another one.

We left home early in the morning and was delighted with the easy flow of traffic. Our bus reached Taft Avenue corner Gil Puyat in less than an hour, but we had to alight near the Gil Puyat LRT station because much of Taft was already closed to vehicular traffic, and only a handful of public vehicles were doing their roadly rounds. We were lucky, though, to catch hold of an enterprising jeepney which was instantly filled to the brim with several pilgrims eager to go to either Intramuros or the routes which the Pope will pass through.

The driver snaked through lesser known streets, virtually those that were out of his usual route, to get to as near as Intramuros, avoiding Taft Avenue as much as possible because of heavy security. We alighted near UN Avenue and had to walk all the way to Intramuros. Our kids didn't mind because it's what they love to do  anyway — traveling on foot (hello again, Glenn!).

Upon reaching Ayala Boulevard, just past Santa Isabel College, we saw a huge crowd already piling up the sidewalks; Pope Francisco was in Malacañán at that moment (enduring some immature speech). We were fortunate to have found a tricycle which brought us to the Walled City, and unfortunate because the driver was charging us ₱150.00! Indeed, it was a perfect time to take advantage of people, but we were in a hurry to argue. Yeyette nonetheless was able to haggle for a ₱30 discount.

From Ayala Boulevard, we reached Calle Aduana in Intramuros in about five minutes, and this is what greeted us: a huge mass for the Papal Mass!

Calle Aduana is blocked with eager souls waiting for the arrival of Saint Peter the Apostle's successor. The orange-colored Palacio del Gobernador is already in view.

My irrepressible wife really wanted all of us to see the Pope as near as possible. But the crowd was huge! Almost everybody was stationary because it was so difficult to move about. But Yeyette was like Moses: she was able to push her way through the sea of people, and me and the kids simply followed  her (with me at the rear). The multitude gave way, rather grudgingly. But they still gave way nonetheless because they took pity at our kids, especially at Junífera Clarita who was being carried by her mom. Amid the jeers of from the people being pushed back from their original spot and their concern over our kids, we were able to reach the edge of Plaza de Roma, the plaza fronting the Cathedral. But that was the nearest we could get. The place was already cordoned off to the crowd. And those in front of the cordon won't budge even if Yeyette pleaded for the sake of our children. Of course it was their right not to; they've been there waiting since the night before.

This is the closest we could get to the Cathedral.

To stay in the middle of that crowd was not a good idea. Irritatingly, many were telling us to leave. But they were right because once the Pope arrives, everybody will surely scream in delight. Not good for a five-month-old baby. Besides, our kids couldn't see anything but waistlines.

Yeyette noticed an elevated spot from a building nearby. It turned out to be Casa de Rocha building. So again, we "waded" through the thick crowd, the thickest I have ever experienced in my whole life. It took us almost half an hour to reach the place which was only a few feet away!

There were people on that building's ATM station already. But Yeyette, ever resourceful, found us a way in.

There's just no way we could get near the Cathedral. We were forced to shelter ourselves from the humongous crowd inside an ATM station at the Casa de Rocha building.

At first, these old ladies got a bit irate at Yeyette for intruding their spot. But in the end, it's Junífera Clarita's magic that made them nice. Only Yeyette, Clarita, and Juanito were allowed at this elevated area of the ATM station; the rest of us (me, Krystal,  Mómay, and Jefe) stayed below.

Thankfully, it wasn't a rowdy crowd. I observed that most were from the middle class. Some families even brought mats which they spread on many parts of Calle Aduana so that they could sit down. Thankfully, the sun was hidden by grayish clouds. But that did not prevent some people from fainting because of human congestion.

We were receiving updates on the Pope's whereabouts through Yeyette's my|phone which has a built-in TV. Once she got news that the Pope's convoy had left Malacañán Palace, she started announcing it to everyone in the area, causing an aura of excitement. Everybody prepared their digital cameras, iPhones, and other gadgets to capture the moment. Many careened their necks and raised their gadgets with their arms as high as possible, and high enough to block my view. Since I was the one tasked to take a video of the Pope, there appears no way for me to record it clearly even from our elevated area. So I asked Krystal to do it for me, but with her sitting on my shoulders. She was reluctant with the idea at first, but she thought it was a good idea too in order for her to get a much better view compared to the rest of the people from that far spot we were in.

When the screaming began, I immediately hoisted her up on my shoulders with her holding the camera. Mómay and Jefe were beside me, but there was no way I could carry them anymore. Krystal was very heavy; she was no longer a girl but a young lady, and every second that she sat upon my shoulders was pure pain not only because she was heavy but because I've been feeling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for the past few years.

A few minutes past 11 AM, the crowd erupted with cheers: Pope Francisco has arrived! Yes! And he's on this video clip where we are! ¡La Familia Viajera está en este mismo vídeo con Papa Francisco!

The loud cheers frightened me because I was concerned for Clarita. Once the Pope had arrived on the steps of the Cathedral, I lowered myself to the ground for Krystal to get off me. I checked out Clarita, but she was there with her mother: calm and playing with her fingers.

Only Yeyette, Clarita, and Krystal saw the Pope. Juanito did, too, because hé was balancing himself on top of the elevated ATM station's guardrail. Mómay, Jefe, and myself weren't able to see him. But at least, Krystal was able to film a fleeting glimpse of the Pope and included all of us in the family on that very same video clip.

Inside the Manila Cathedral, Pope Francisco began his homily with a quote from John 21:15-17 in which our Lord and Savior Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love me?" But the crowd outside mistook this as a literal question, so they all answered with an enthusiastic "YES!" Amused, Pope Francisco gamely responded with a "Thank you very much!" And we all laughed along with him!

Pope Francisco delivering his homily.

Somebody fainted! Philippine Red Cross to the rescue! Yeyette has become a big fan of this highly efficient team because they were instrumental to her life-threatening delivery last year.

After the more than one-hour Papal Mass, I readied myself to photograph his departure since we already have a video clip of his arrival. Minutes passed already, but still no Pope. All of us from that distance were wondering what was taking him so long. People were probably taking selfies with him. The wide screen that was nearest to us wasn't very helpful because a meandering tree trunk, some flag, and a sign post were blocking it. So we just had to wait for the people to start screaming again as our signal that he'll pass by near our spot once more.

After another half an hour of waiting, a young man behind us, apparently with a good eyesight, suddenly said that he could see the Pope from the wide video screen. Other people agreed with him. Pope Francisco appeared outside the Cathedral and was about to leave! The people got excited again. But instead of taking his jeepney inspired Popemobile, he took a van instead.

As the Pope's convoy was leaving the Walled City, we noticed that he was no longer riding the popemobile (left). Many people say that he took the van (right).

The moment His Holiness' convoy had left the Walled City, the gray skies finally gave in: it rained, but softly. And it was very brief.

This is where we got stuck: in an ATM station in Casa Rocha (see photo below)...

...and it turned out that we were underneath a Spanish greeting for the Pope!

At Plaza de Roma, the plaza mayor of Manila.

Even after Pope Francisco had left, the faithful throng still trooped towards the Cathedral to at least share a moment with the edifice where the pontiff just moments ago officiated Holy Mass. The church was overflowing with people. So we went to lunch first before going back.

At the steps going to the Cathedral's entrance.

When we got back, the Cathedral was already closed. Good thing we found a side entrance in Calle Cabildo. Yeyette pleaded with the guard to let us in even for just a few minutes. Yeyette's power of conviction worked, and so we had the Cathedral all to ourselves!

Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Manila. This holy temple is considered as the Mother of all Filipino Churches.

Caritas in dilectione was the motto of Rufino Cardinal Santos (1908-1973), and this is actually his burial ground. Cardinal Santos was our first Filipino cardinal.

This is where Papa Francisco delivered his homily just a few hours earlier!

After touring my family inside the historic Cathedral, it was time to go home. We walked at the rear side of the church, in Calle Beaterio.

Upon reaching Calle Real del Palacio, we saw a throng in front of a low building parallel to the Cathedral. A couple of media people from GMA News TV were there, piquing Yeyette's interest. So we went there. The building turned out to be an orphanage: Tulay Ng Kabataan Foundation, Inc. (TNK). We saw a GMA reporter clad in Filipiniana attire and her crew interviewing somebody from that building. I guess I was too tired already that I didn't even bother to ask what the excitement was all about. I just took photos, and that's it.

With foreign journalist Carlo Lavanga. Yeyette was astounded with her multiple ID cards hanging around his neck!

It was the following they when we found out that Pope Francisco visited the orphans there at TNK! It was actually a surprise visit. So that's why media people were there, and that also explains why it took him long to leave the Cathedral. He completely broke protocol by making a surprise visit to the orphans to cheer them up and to bless them! Touching, indeed!

Yeyette carrying today's youngest traveler along Calle Real del Palacio, that ancient royal road of Gobernadores Generales and Arzobispos! Behind them is our favorite church: Iglesia de San Agustín, the oldest stone church in Filipinas!

We had a blast that day! A very fulfilling and blessed event! Click here for the complete photo album!

A few days later, we heard from the news that the Pope might come back to the country next year! Sana ñgâ. Because me and two of my boys weren't able to see him (Yeyette is so blessed because Pope Francisco was the second Pope he saw; the first was Pope John Paul II who is now a saint). But if he does not return... I guess we all have to go to Vatican City ourselves! And we will!

Till next time, folks. ¡Hasta la vista!

*NOTE: You may notice that we don't refer to our dear Pope as "Pope Francis". This is because we are a Hispanic people, just like the Argentinians from where the Pope comes from. There is really no need to translate the Pope's Hispanic name into English even if this blogpost is written in that language.

We saw Papa Francisco in Intramuros!

Just recently, it was reported that Pope Francisco's Mass this afternoon at the Rizal Park was the largest papal event in history! Too bad we were not able to participate in that holy, historic, and joyful event because of the stormy weather (our kids, especially Junífera Clarita, cannot endure the torrential rains). But that's OK coz we were able to attend the pontiff's first Mass in the country two days ago, and it was held in equally historic Manila Cathedral!

The Mass inside the Cathedral on the morning of January 16 was exclusively meant for bishops, priests, nuns, and religious persons, and due to the limited space of the venue, only 2,000 of them were allowed to enter. But tents and widescreens had been set up outside for the public. The throng was so huge it was impossible to move about. Good thing we were able to push our way to an elevated area: on an ATM station at the Casa de Rocha building, right in front of Plaza Roma and the Manila Cathedral. 

From there, we had a fairly good view of Pope Francisco's convoy that was to enter Calle Aduana from where once stood the Anda Circle.

Calle Aduana, coming from Anda Circle which was right outside the walls of Intramuros.

Finally, after a long wait, a waving Pope Francisco arrived, standing energetically on his jeepney inspired popemobile — yes, Krystal (who was propped on my shoulders) was able to take a video of him passing by! Please click here to view our video of Pope Francisco's arrival at the Manila Cathedral!

Taken after the Papal Mass. It drizzled right after the Pope's exit from the Walled City.

Stay tuned for our next blogpost for the complete story. ¡Hasta luego!