Exploring Igorot Stone Kingdom

Baguio City

August 25 - 27

It was another long weekend and I decide to see the summer capital of the Philippines. It's been a while since my last visit to the city of Pines.

Igorot Stone Kingdom

August 25: Travel from Manila to Baguio

Took a daytrip from Sampaloc bus terminal to Baguio. Instead of a usual night trip, I decided to take a day trip for a change.

Had several stop-over at Urdaneta and sision in Pangasinan to rest and for refreshments before finally proceeding to Baguio via La Union.

We reached Baguio City with a very gloomy sky, foggy road and cold weather. There was a storm near the area at that time and so there was no clearing.

The plan is to fly Kronos at the tourist spots whenever possible. This is still a continuation of the break-in period for the new Drone.

Reached Baguip bus terminal at 6PM and headed towards my accommodation at CV Bed and Bath Transient House.

After checking in, the rain started to pour and the place was dark and cold.

I decided to walk from my accommodation via Session Rd to the mall. This was my first destination in the City.

August 26: Cathedral, Igorot Stone Kingdom, Tam-awan

On the second day, I decided to walk along Session Rd and visit the cathedral. It was still raining heavily, sky was dark and cold. Had a good time moving around the church and taking some few shots.

From the cathedral, I took a Grab car and headed towards the Igorot Stone Kingdom. This site is the newest in Baguio.

The Igorot Stone Kingdom is a man-made park. It showcases the Igorot rock-laying skills, their creativity as well as their indigenous culture, values, way of life, and tradition.

 

Igorot Stone Kingdom founder Pio Velasco said that the foundation had been existing for more than a year now and it was able to extend various assistance to indigent residents of the Cordillera, who had been assessed to be in dire need of help.

I spent sometime moving around the area and taking shots. I wasn't able to fly Kronos since it was drizzling all the time.

From the Igorot Stone Kingdom, I moved by foot to the nearby Tam-awan Village. It is a reconstructed Cordillera village with traditional huts, cultural information, art & a cafe. From Tam-awan, took a Grab car and moved back to the mall for dinner.

 

August 27: Travel back to Manila

Travelled back to Manila the following day. Due to the bad weather, I decided to limit my tour in Baguio within the city limits.

10000 Roses Cafe at Night

10000 Roses Cafe
Brgy. Day-as, Cordova, Cebu
21 March 2017

Dr. Norway and I drove from Bellavista Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City to Brgy. Day-as in the municipality of Cordova in Cebu to see the 10,000 Roses Cafe at night. 

Brgy. Day-as is approximately 10.6KM away from our location. We left at 2100H and was at the parking lot in Brgy Day-as at 2128H. 

I was surprised to see local and foreign tourists visiting the place even at dark night. From the parking lot, we walked on a pavement towards the area where the Cafe is located. 

The site is a reclamation area with mangroves covering a portion of the shore. When I first heard the news about the Cafe, I thought it was a wide farm of LED powered artificial flowers. 

According to the authorities onsite, the establishment is managed by Miguel Cho, Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho's stepson. The establishment opened last Feb. 6, 2017 and since then, local tourists have been visiting the area to photograph the artificial flowers. 

Furthermore, the property was developed through a public-private partnership, according to Cordova Tourism office.

We paid an environmental fee of P20. A stone throw away from the 10000 Roses Cafe is the famous Lantaw Floating Restaurant.

We left the place at 2202H.

Location: Cordova Tourism Center, Day-As, Cordova

Entrance fee: P20 per person

Parking fee: Free as of this writing

 

 

 

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Exploring Temple of Leah at Night

Temple of Leah
Brgy. Busay, Cebu City
27 February 2017

In 1632, the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra, to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal was built out of Love.

In the same manner,  in the year 2012, Teodorico Adarna, father of actress Ellen Adarna constructed a huge Roman inspired edifice called "Temple of Leah" atop a mountain in Brgy. Busay, Cebu City in loving memory of his wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.

Temple of Leah was also built out of Love and to some tourists, it is the "Taj Mahal" of the Philippines.

I was excited to see the temple for the first time. Many thanks to Dr. Norway for driving me all the way to Brgy. Busay from Mandaue City to see this marvelous structure.

At 2000H, we traveled north to Brgy. Busay. The place is generally mountainous and is approximately 14KM away from the City of Mandaue. We came near Marcelo Fernan bridge.  We took the Cebu Transcentral Highway and braved the winding road at night towards the Temple of Leah.

From Transcentral highway, we turned left at Roosevelt St. towards the Temple. There were several constructions along the road at that time.

From afar, as we moved closer to the temple, I had a glimpse of the warmly lit massive structure. The pillars are quite similar to those of Parthenon in Greece though, the whole structure looked very similar to those in Rome.

At 0838H, we were are the main gate of the temple. After paying the entrance fee of P50, we walked towards the temple and there I marveled at the full grandeur of the structure.

The warmth of the place made me felt as if I was in Rome again marveling at Roman ancient structures that stood the tests of time.

In front of the Temple is a wide open plaza that reminded me of my favorite "Piazza Navona" in Italy. At the plaza, I enjoyed the spectacular view of the City at night.

This new attraction is perfect for those who would want to appreciate the structure at day or night time. I would love to check the art gallery and museum at day time. 

This is also a perfect venue for special occasions like weddings and concerts. Further more, this place also is perfect for photo shoots of any kind.

As I approached the temple, I was in awe of the gigantic gold lions at each side of the stairs leading to the entrance.

As I entered the doors of the building, the grand staircase left me speechless. A life size bronze statue of Leah sits on a marble altar at the middle of the staircase.

On the golden plaque was inscribed the dedication of Teodorico Adarna to his wife Leah that reads as follows:

“BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER

LEAH V. ALBINO-ADARNA was chosen Matron Queen of her Alma Mater the University of Southern Philippines. This nine-foot bronze statue portrays her composure and regal bearing when she was crowned. May the beholder discern her innate beauty, poise and gentleness.

TEODORO SORIANO ADARNA

Born December 13, 1938”

 

I should very much like to see this place at day time.

Location: Roosevelt St., Brgy. Busay Cebu City

Visiting hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Entrance fee: P50 per person

Parking fee: P100 inside the premises

Contact number: (032) 233-5032

We left the temple at 2112H and headed back to Mandaue. Along the way, we decided to see a popular French Winery at Lahug and tried a bottle of red wine.

La Vie Parisienne

 

 

We left the winery at 2246H.

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Photo Exhibit: 7107 Reasons to Visit the Philippines

7107 Reasons to Visit the Philippines

A Photo exhibit in Barcelona, Spain - organized by Louie Simbe
01 May 2013

My photo collections have reached Spain for an exhibit!

Dios ti Agngina! (thank you) brother Louie for considering my photo collections in your exhibit. More power to you!

I'm not a professional photographer and I don't photograph for a living. I would rather call myself a Traveler, Explorer, Hiker or maybe an Adventurous person who is always on the go to see and experience the magnificence of things - from Cultural and Heritage sites to beautiful Landscapes, Forests and Mountains.

In fact, when I started going out to see things around me several years ago, I never had a camera with me. My friends would always call it "Picture in Memory" whenever I share my travel experience with them.

After a while, I finally decided to get a camera that I can bring with me and hang it on my shoulder so I looked like a real photographer on a field work.

I never thought that these photos that I made from my travels in the Philippines would be framed and get displayed in an exhibit that promotes Philippine tourism in Barcelona, Spain.

I can agree by just looking at the photos and remembering my mixed feelings of excitement with pride as I explored and discovered these gems that indeed, there are so many reasons to visit the Philippines. 

We are blessed with both natural and cultural wealth that we can be proud of to anyone in the world.

Though these photos were made on merely "point-and-shoot" technique, I hope that they will be able to justify the actual magnificence, beauty and historical importance of these subjects to the eyes of those who will see them.

It's more fun in the Philippines!

Photo entries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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