St. Bartolomew Parish Church in Nagcarlan Laguna

This church is one of the oldest church we have in the country. It was done in Baroque-style which is created by the Franciscans in the year 1500-1700. The famous T.V series “Kampanerang Kuba”  used this place as one of their main setting/location. It was reconstructed last 1845 after the massive fire that partly destroyed its facade last 1781. The church is well maintained and many devoted can be seen here every Sunday. It also have a mini park and comfort rooms for men and women to use. It is just right after Nagcarlan Market where fresh and low price vegetables and fruits can be brought.

*I always visit the church every month because my dentist’s clinic is located near the place.

New coral species discovered

A Filipino marine scientist cite the discovery of at least four new species of coral in the Philippines.

Dr. Edgardo Gomez, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) professor emeritus, said the continuous survey of coral reefs conducted in Philippine waters showed “about four to five new records of coral reef.”

“The total number of species of corals is increasing. Particularly, more coral diversity is being discovered,” Gomez said during a press conference on the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Manila in Quezon City yesterday.

He also cited the discovery of a new species of coral called Leptoseris kalayaanensis, which was discovered by marine biologist Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan in the waters off Kalayaan islands in Spratlys a few years ago.

Gomez, who is currently the coordinator of the Center of Excellence for the Philippines and Southeast Asia under the Global Environment Facility/World Bank Coral Reef Targeted Research Program, where he also serves as co-chair of the Restoration and Remediation Working Group, noted there are about two to five metric tons per square kilometer of coral reef damaged annually.

American zoologist Dr. Kent Carpenter said corals are damaged usually because of sedimentation, poor land use, overfishing, and dynamite fishing.
However, Gomez said that with the protection and conservation of remaining coral reefs, about 25 to 30 metric tons per square kilometer of coral reefs yearly will reach its excellent condition.

Kennon Road in Baguio

“Kennon Road was ordered built by American governor general William Cameron Forbes in 1901. Although originally called Benguet Road, it was named after U.S. Army Colonel Lyman N. Kennon who was its final builder. With the labor of Igorots and some foreign workers, the road was completed in 1903 and has since become a major route to Baguio City.”

This is another pride of the city and the heritage of American soldiers who came the city. kennon Road is also one of the amazing place in the country. Every time someone is passing by this beautiful road, the reflection of history plays back how many decades ago.

“According to records, between 2,300 to 4,000 workers were employed in the building of the road, all of different nationalities— American, Hawaiian, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, German, Irish, English, Swedish, French, Japanese and, of course, Filipino. Colonel Kennon is thus credited for employing the first overseas contract workers to the Philippines. A breakdown of the figures showed that 49 percent of the workers were Filipinos, 22.5 percent were Japanese, 17.5 percent were Americans and Europeans, 11 percent were Chinese, and the remaining 11 percent were from Latin America and other countries.”

The history shows that Filipinos have great contribution during the making of the road. It shows also the unity of the different races towards one thing. We can’t name them but we can see them by appreciating their work. The work that may last for century or even forever. Kennon Road symbolizes the richness of the Philippines in terms of historical places.

 

Source : http://www.readablog.com/feed23745.aspx

Amanpulo in Palawan

      

Amanpulo is an escape from the markings of mankind and is a dive into island life where nature has been unashamedly boastful. The island is secluded, being private, and offers a variety of sea, sand and tropical island-retreat–pleasures, in exclusive comfort and in traditionally styled accommodation. Amanpulo or, 

‘peaceful island’, honours its island host, respecting the natural elements with a profoundly ‘South Seas’ interpretation. The 40 Beach, Hillside and Treetop Casitas are modelled on authentic bahay kubo dwellings, each with its own golf cart for island exploration.

This romantically remote island caters for those who wish to ‘hammock’ and beach comb their days in paradise, and for those who 

seek an active agenda, involving a myriad of maritime adventures as well as tennis, a high-tec air-conditioned gym, and taking languid lengths in the resort’s 30m serene pool. The open-air Garden and Beach Salas are discreetly secluded for pleasurable holistic body treatments.    

Source :  http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpulo/resort.aspx

I was really amazed when I saw the pictures of this island resort. A family friend introduced this site and place to me. Beautiful isn’t it?

Barong Tagalog

Q. What is a Barong?

A. Barong is actually short for Barong Tagalog, which describes the formal men’s wear of the Philippines. It is properly referred to as the ‘Baro ng Tagalog’ (dress of the Tagalog). Contracting the first two words

Barong Tagalog sa Pilipinas

produces ‘Barong,’ which literally means ‘dress of.’ So, if we want to be correct, we wouldn’t say just ‘Barong.’ But, the slang way of referring to one of the beautiful formal shirts is simply Barong. Yes, the Barong Tagalog is a dress, a garment, a coat in itself. It is not merely a ‘shirt’. If it were, then it would need a coat or a jacket over it to qualify as formal wear and would have to be worn tucked inside the trousers.

‘Baro’ = Word for ‘dress’ in the Philippines, Tagalog dialect
‘Baro ng Tagalog’ = ‘dress of the Tagalog’ describes the formal ‘dress’ or upper garment for men in the Philippines
‘Barong Tagalog’ = contracted form of the above
‘Barong’ = literally means ‘dress of’ – but commonly used to refer to the formal men’s wear in the Philippines

Q. How the Barong Tagalog Evolved In History?

A. As the Philippines’ national dress, the Barong Tagalog enjoys a distinction all its own. Its fine needlework or hand-painted designs in cool cotton or handwoven pina or jusi have given it a flair that has won international recognition and acceptance.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who has worn the Barong Tagalog with such impeccable grace and searing devotion, underscored its prestige when he issued in 1975 a decree proclaiming Barong Tagalog Week (June 5-11) and more significantly, officially designating the Barong Tagalog as “the national attire”. The presidential act was meant to focus nation-wide attention on the Filipino national dress to wider use and enhance its export potential. As it is, both the wide use and export potential of the Barong Tagalog have been explored , its full impact just a matter of time.

What deserves another look is the manner the Filipino national costume has evolved and grown, picking up and shedding features fashion-related or otherwise in its journey from pre-Hispanic native wear to national dress. But first, a few things have to be straightened out. Barong Tagalog is properly referred to as the “Baro ng Tagalog” (dress of the Tagalog) and it cannot be contracted to simply “Barong” since that would be equivalent in English to saying “He is wearing a dress of”. The word “Barong”, one realizes, means “dress of”. If one wishes to shorten the phrase, then it would be “Baro” or “dress”. Yes, the Barong Tagalog is a dress, a garment, a coat in itself. It is not a “shirt”. If it were, then it would need a coat or a jacket over it to qualify as formal wear and would have to be worn tucked inside the trousers. The Earliest Baro The earliest known fact on the “Baro ng Tagalog” discloses that the natives of Ma-I (the Philippines as it was called before the Spaniards re-discovered the archipelago), and in particular, the Tagalogs, who lived in the island of Luzon, wore baro.