Hubby has been planning about this short vacation to Gensan since he went home for his father’s funeral last month. He was enthralled by the pristine beaches in Gensan. One particular beach resort that hubby and his siblings visited was playing some local instrumental music. He’s not sure whether it was eb horn that produces the good sound all he remembers was that the music was apt to the occasion.
The historic Rizal Park today is a lot different from the Rizal Park I used to know when I was a kid. One improvement, for example, is the development of dancing fountains located at the Luneta lagoon. Hundreds or even millions of people have already visited the spectacle.
People who flock to the park to welcome the New Year were amazed at the dancing fountains that change colors to the music beat.
Apart from the light display, there are areas in the park that I would like my kids to be familiar with particularly the very place where National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was executed by firing squad in 1896. A Diorama of Rizal’s Martyrdom sits on the same spot where the execution took place.
Another attraction of the Rizal Park is the Quirino Grandstand where a lot of political, cultural and religious events took place including the declaration of independence from the US government in 1946 and the Philippine Centennial Celebration in 1998.
For the health buff, Quirino Grandstand meant a lot like fast weight loss pills. Here they hold group exercises, jogging, dancing and walking to keep fit. The park as a whole can be a source of relaxation for everyone.
Going to the park is a nice treat for the young ones so I told my kids about the light display and promised to visit the park one of these days.
Information from Wikipedia
Image credit: Tuomas_Lehtinen – FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Many foreigners enjoy visiting the Philippines, so much so that quite a few of them decide to stay for long stretches and even marry a Filipino. You can enjoy a visit to the Philippines for little more than the savings you get from using Groupon Coupons. There is no denying that the country has much to offer to tourists, not the least of which is the beaches and the friendly people. However, it would be advisable to know what to expect when traveling in the Philippines.
Heat and humidity
The Philippines is both hot and humid. While many foreigners think that 40 degrees Celsius is not so bad, they are discounting the fact that the humidity levels are very high, especially at the height of summer. This means copious sweating, which is incompatible for anything but the lightest of materials. Cotton is good because it absorbs well; polyester not so much. It is normal to wear jeans and slacks, so you don’t necessarily have to live in shorts. Hardly anyone wears a hat in the cities, although caps are; an umbrella would be more common.
Sunburn and mosquitoes
The glare of the sun is quite strong, so make sure to bring a lot of sun block and wear it at all times. Even if you are visiting the cooler cities in the mountain provinces, you can still get a serious case of sunburn. Mosquitoes are also plentiful, so an effective mosquito repellent is your best friend at night.
Some dangers
Filipinos are friendly, but there are certain areas you really have to avoid if you are a foreigner. Dissidents and insurgents target foreigners that wander into their territory. The latest warnings are for the Sulu Archipelago and most areas in Mindanao. Some areas in Luzon are also danger zones for foreigners. If you must travel outside Metro Manila and other recognized tourist spots, consult your embassy for advice first. Arrange for a reliable guide as well.
As a final note, the municipal water in the Philippines is not potable. Do no drink directly from the tap. It would be advisable to drink only bottled water while you are here. It would also be advisable to avoid eating the street food unless a reliable guide says it is okay.