74. MABUHAY!
This road trip started in Manila and ended there a week later.
I covered some rural and pretty rough terrain but the contrast in weather, its peoples and way of life was quite wonderful.
These places are still untouched in many areas and I had a glimpse of how their forefathers lived and worked.
They may refer to themselves as a nearly 100% Catholic country due to their been colonised by the Spanish but they practice that with strong tribal influences in which a medium goes into a trance...their version of the virgin Mary or the baby Jesus has black faces - I asked 'how come?' they shrugged...can it be they or at least 'Jesus' was Indian or Middle Eastern with a darker skin tone? Not 'white' as portrayed by the Europeans
Outriggers ply as taxis on Lake Taal. Taal Volcano in the background is active
To prepare for my walkabout of Manila and Northern Luzon, I started with a foot massage...Ouch!
St Augustin Church
Intramuros is a lovely place for walkabouts and discovery of picturesque cobblestone streets, old churches and even older buildings.
On one of our explorations through the streets of Manila, we stumbled across the Ayala Museum, another treasure trove of artifacts, paintings and collectibles of wealthy families. We spent at least 3 hours in this place - there was so much to discover.
Fort Santiago
cobblestone streets
Intramuros - one of Manila's oldest fortifications, built in 1571 on a site of a native settlement of Rajah Soliman, a local hero.
Like a phoenix from the ashes, it was destroyed, rebuilt and reinforced at least 5 times.
It has its share of bad vibrations as many hundreds of civilians and guerillas were imprisoned, executed and tortured during WW2.
The Filipinos, which comprise many Muslim fighters, have not had it easy, fighting for their freedom and their lands. They fought their colonial Spanish masters, they fought the Japanese, even the Americans in some areas where they were supposed to have moved in to liberate them.
Manila Cathedral (above) is another phoenix from the ashes- from 1581-1958, it was destroyed and rebuilt 6 times - brought down by a fire, a typhoon, 2 earthquakes and the Battle of Manila.
Northern Luzon has a large indigenous population comprising many different tribes. Like tribal peoples elsewhere, they craft beautiful fabrics, wood products, native jewelry, bronze and brassware.
Today's Filipinos are a creative lot, they are good artists and artisans, many work in Singapore in media, IT and advertising.
They have a strong service culture and I've had the pleasure of being served by them in our cafes and restaurants, in stores and our hospitals and on board our cruise ships
The Summer Palace of their Presidents in Baguio
Baguio's up in the hills, it's cool, clean and leisurely. The rich and famous have their getaways here, whilst their fellow countrymen and women - mere mortals - slog it out overseas to pay for their cottage to house their clan.
The drive North cut through some really treacherous mountain roads - narrow stony paths with potholes and water running down the sides of the mountains - 70% of the roads was like this. As a travel destination, Northern Luzon has much going for it but it looks like the authorities are an inpotent lot.
Sagada's a picturesque little town. It's best known for their Hanging Coffins..
.....where tribal peoples have placed coffins in some hard to reach places which are out of bounds to curious people like me.
The Hanging Coffins, Sagada. These are at least 100 years old, I'm told. They're chiselled from stone - several were in this cave...several were suspended to this cliff face below - I could only view them from a distance
The Bontoc Museum is a treasure trove of information about the 14 tribes who lived in North Luzon for generations. Living off the land, they were chiefly hunters and gatherers and rice farmers. They were generally peaceful people who lived in close communion with Mother Nature until Western missionaries saw fit to change that...
This is a rich country, self sufficient in rice, fruits and vegetables. With its huge youthful English speaking population, good service culture, creative and innovative people, its got a lot going for it - if only its govenment was more dynamic and come out of its siesta....and its officials don't sleep around so much...
Ifugao, Banaue, is home to a thriving ancient culture. Some rice terraces here are 2000 years old and are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Baguio was pleasantly cool, Banaue was cold, Sagada was freezing at night, with most of its mornings shrouded in mist
Last but not least, Yours Truly signs off with a mug shot making a statement with that guerilla scarf...........
Outriggers ply as taxis on Lake Taal. Taal Volcano in the background is active
To prepare for my walkabout of Manila and Northern Luzon, I started with a foot massage...Ouch!
St Augustin Church
Intramuros is a lovely place for walkabouts and discovery of picturesque cobblestone streets, old churches and even older buildings.
On one of our explorations through the streets of Manila, we stumbled across the Ayala Museum, another treasure trove of artifacts, paintings and collectibles of wealthy families. We spent at least 3 hours in this place - there was so much to discover.
Fort Santiago
cobblestone streets
Intramuros - one of Manila's oldest fortifications, built in 1571 on a site of a native settlement of Rajah Soliman, a local hero.
Like a phoenix from the ashes, it was destroyed, rebuilt and reinforced at least 5 times.
It has its share of bad vibrations as many hundreds of civilians and guerillas were imprisoned, executed and tortured during WW2.
The Filipinos, which comprise many Muslim fighters, have not had it easy, fighting for their freedom and their lands. They fought their colonial Spanish masters, they fought the Japanese, even the Americans in some areas where they were supposed to have moved in to liberate them.
Manila Cathedral (above) is another phoenix from the ashes- from 1581-1958, it was destroyed and rebuilt 6 times - brought down by a fire, a typhoon, 2 earthquakes and the Battle of Manila.
Northern Luzon has a large indigenous population comprising many different tribes. Like tribal peoples elsewhere, they craft beautiful fabrics, wood products, native jewelry, bronze and brassware.
Today's Filipinos are a creative lot, they are good artists and artisans, many work in Singapore in media, IT and advertising.
They have a strong service culture and I've had the pleasure of being served by them in our cafes and restaurants, in stores and our hospitals and on board our cruise ships
The Summer Palace of their Presidents in Baguio
Baguio's up in the hills, it's cool, clean and leisurely. The rich and famous have their getaways here, whilst their fellow countrymen and women - mere mortals - slog it out overseas to pay for their cottage to house their clan.
The drive North cut through some really treacherous mountain roads - narrow stony paths with potholes and water running down the sides of the mountains - 70% of the roads was like this. As a travel destination, Northern Luzon has much going for it but it looks like the authorities are an inpotent lot.
Sagada's a picturesque little town. It's best known for their Hanging Coffins..
.....where tribal peoples have placed coffins in some hard to reach places which are out of bounds to curious people like me.
The Hanging Coffins, Sagada. These are at least 100 years old, I'm told. They're chiselled from stone - several were in this cave...several were suspended to this cliff face below - I could only view them from a distance
The Bontoc Museum is a treasure trove of information about the 14 tribes who lived in North Luzon for generations. Living off the land, they were chiefly hunters and gatherers and rice farmers. They were generally peaceful people who lived in close communion with Mother Nature until Western missionaries saw fit to change that...
This is a rich country, self sufficient in rice, fruits and vegetables. With its huge youthful English speaking population, good service culture, creative and innovative people, its got a lot going for it - if only its govenment was more dynamic and come out of its siesta....and its officials don't sleep around so much...
Ifugao, Banaue, is home to a thriving ancient culture. Some rice terraces here are 2000 years old and are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Baguio was pleasantly cool, Banaue was cold, Sagada was freezing at night, with most of its mornings shrouded in mist
posted by shirley @ 10:38 am
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