Staycation at Ramada Manila Central

Chinese New Year is fast approaching, and even though I'm not really a Chinese, I'm so in love with their culture that is just so rich and colorful. That's why if you are looking for a nice place to stay in Manila to catch the celebration of our fellow Filipino-Chinese, well, I recommend that you come and stay at Ramada Manila Central.

The newest and latest addition to the evolving town of Binondo, Ramada Manila Central was our home a few days back when I, and my superfriends, decided, to have this "staycation".

Just on the side of Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz or popularly known as Binondo Church, Ramada Manila Central is really not that hard to find and actually safe to locate. With an ambiance for luxurious travelers and deep-pocketed backpackers, this hotel offered me and my friends a relaxing and enjoyable stay that we would love to experience again and again.

Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo 2013: Viva Santo Nino!

From Kalibo to Cebu, from Pandacan to Tondo, I guess, there's really no reason to doubt how many people believe and keep their faith to the young Jesus brought by Spaniards centuries ago. And this year, as I celebrate the Feast of Sto. Nino in my hometown once again, Tondo - after that memorable and wonderful experience I had last year in Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan, I guess, there's still no place like home! Happy fiesta, Sto. Nino de Tondo!

Compared to the provinces from the south, Sto. Nino here in Manila has completely changed its image, but despite of that, the devotion given to the holy child was very evident to the number of people flock to its churches to celebrate his festivity.

And yesterday, together with my aunts who are devotees too of the Sto. Nino, I visited once again the first district of Tondo to see how the celebration was kept alive and how the people of Tondo show their unique way of thanking the miraculous image that started Catholicism in the country.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013: The The Love, The Devotion and the Cosplay

If the celebration last year left we with questions as to how come the number of devotees of the Black Nazarene keeps growing and do all of these devotees really know what they are doing, I guess this year, as I brave myself again in facing the challenges of capturing some bits and pieces of one of the most celebrated feast in the country, the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013 leave with simple joy and amazement as to how miraculously every thing goes in its right place.

Compared to last year, this year's procession took a little less shorter. From the longest 22-hour procession, this year, the procession only lasted for 18 hours, so by 1:30 in the morning of January 10, the replica of the Black Nazarene was finally back, safe and sound, to its place inside the Basilica of the the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

Having a family who's a devotee of the said patron, it s a tradition for us to visit the church  see the procession even if we all hail from the neighboring district, Tondo. It was my father who's very active to this kind of stuff back then, so don't ask me to whom I get the habit. But then again, more than a habit, seeing and praying on to the Nazarene on this festive day is actually an eye-opener.

Historical Memory Lane at the Aguinaldo Shrine

I cannot honestly remember when was the last time I've been here, and if it's not for the buzz created by the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "El Presidente", I, and probably most of us, wouldn't heard anything about this historic house in Cavite again that had and will always be a witness to the sovereignty of our country - the Aguinaldo Shrine.

When was the last time you visited the Aguinaldo Shrine?

Last week, as the first week of 2013 welcomed us in a really peaceful manner, I was invited to check out the house built by the former president General Emilio Famy Aguinldo for his family. Who would've known that this simple house built for his wife Hilaria del Rosario and their children Carmen, Emilio, Jr, Maria, Cristina and Suntay will be a historic landmark not only in their town in Kawit, Cavite, but also in the entire country?

I can't barely recall any memory of my first visit here, so it was actually like a first-time visit again for me last week. The whole place looked so taken cared of - thanks to National Historical Commission of the Philippines, because it made me feel that I've been the original house that didn't suffer during the colonization of Spaniards and Americans.

NUVALI Welcomes 2013 with Light Up!

Another year has ended, and just like the the previous years, we should keep positivism on our side and keep hoping that the coming year will be as prosperous and as positive as we want it. And here in NUVALI, the thriving city in the heart of Laguna, they welcomed the promising 2013 with high hopes and brighter perspective through the first  Light Up - A Sky Lantern Parade!

I was one of the lucky 400 online people who got to receive a free lantern for this festival, and with the 399 remaining people, the Evoliving Center, which was the venue of the said event, was flocked by more almost a thousand of people who wish to see this amazing display of lanterns light and fill the air with wonderful wishes.

These lanterns have been a symbol of hopes and wishes to other Asian countries. They've been the sender of wishes of many of our Asian fellows, and as they make popularity here in our country, NUVALI promises not only fun lighting up but also a safe one for those who wish to have their dreams come true.