Death March KM00

The kilometer zero (KM00) in Poblacion of Mariveles marks the starting point of the death march in 1942 when the Japanese forced thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war to march from their point of capture to prison camps.

These markers stand every kilometer along the road that runs on the east coast of the Bataan peninsula.

Trinoma Christmas Ladies

Hanging Christmas decors at Trinoma 
in Quezon City

They are not trees, but they are Christmas decors shaped like ladies. So I call them Christmas ladies. All Ayala malls have these shimmering splendid and beautiful distinctly elegantly Ayala holiday decorations.

In the Philippines, we have a very long, if not the longest in the world, Christmas celebration. It is believed particularly by the Catholics that Christmas ends on epiphany, the day after the Twelve Days of Christmas, which is why most Christmas trees and other decors are not taken down after January 7.  That is also after the day when the three wise men came to pay homage to Jesus Christ.

The Tallest Flagpole

Have you ever wondered where the tallest Philippine flagpole is located?

It is along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, across Kilometer Zero right in front of Jose Rizal's monument in Luneta. It is called the Independence Flagpole which was erected in commemoration of the Philippine independence from the United States on July 4, 1946. Yes, that's the date when the country finally became politically independent.

It is interesting to note that this pole is included among the few notable flagstaffs around the country under a law where in the national flag shall be hoisted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also, it should be illuminated at night, as evident in this blurry night photo.

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I will try to take a better picture of this during the daytime soon. :)

It's calamares in the Philippines

Fried squid or calamari is better known as calamares in the Philippines. This is due to the close affinity of Filipino to the Spanish language.

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Luneta rides: US-inspired Carruaje

US-inspired carruaje going around Luneta

The Philippines is not under the US rule anymore, but the Americano presence is still apparently found around the corners of this country. This is evident in this carruaje ride in Manila. Well, among others.

Some would say it's colonial mentality, but I do not dare challenge that topic in this blog. It's a trait etched in the culture and most likely it cannot be shaken off even by the most patriotic citizens from this generation to the next.

But today, cuatro de julio, just for fun, I think it's a seasonally-appropriate time to take this US-flag inspired carriage and go around the park.

Loaf Bread of Life

Danes Bread

The history of bread can go back to thousands of years, but Danes Bakeshop will definitely play a big part of  any written bread-related articles in the Cordillera region, particularly in Benguet.

Regardless of its taste and how it looks like, Danes proved to be very popular among ordinary people mainly because of its consistency -- it's availability in the market, it's freshness, and it's price. It's cheap because it is locally-made.

The bread aisle of supermarkets is usually jam-packed with cleverly labeled brands. Some sound healthy and expensive and some are just there to fill in the space. But the stacks of Danes outdo all other brands apparently.

For an ordinary Baguio resident, this loaf bread, along with some other basic staples in the pantry, is a must to be in stock. Otherwise, it's time for grocery shopping

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Sungka with Pearls

This carved piece of heavy wood at the Mother's Garden Panorama Restaurant in  Baguio caught my attention. It is called Sungka. The sight of it reminds of me childhood and the terms such as sunog, bahay, bawal-bilang!, touch move, etc.

Yeah, I played this as a kid.

Sungka is a traditional board game in the Philippines often played by children and even adults during siesta time.

A Flashback to Childhood: Iced Gem Biscuits

I loved this as a kid, but I only eat the colourful icing. I remember I never finish a pack because I usually stop eating it when all the biscuits have gone bald. It must be the color and the sugar.

One of my friends brought a bag of this in the office today. I've never seen nor tasted it after years, or decades even. I thought this thing do not exist in the supermarket any more.

I will include this in my grocery list next week. :D

Glorias Espanolas

At the center of the Mactan Shrine in Cebu where the historical Mactan battle took place in 1521 sits a century-old obelisk that honors Ferdinand Magellan. He was a Portuguese circumnavigator, also known as Fernando de Magallanes in Spanish, who was commissioned by the royalty of Spain to an expedition in this part of the world. They conquered the islands and introduced Christianity. History books state that he died in a tragic battle against the troop of Datu Lapu-lapu, a local chieftain who resisted the conquistadores and to convert to Christianity. The spot where the structure is standing is believed to be where Magelllan got killed.

The obelisk is really beautiful at night especially with golden yellow light. It is the first structure you see upon entering the plaza. Although very old, the words and names inscripted on each face of this landmark are still readable: A Hernando De Magallanes, Siendo Gobernador Don Miguel Creus, 1866 Reinando Ysabel II, and Glorias Espanolas.   

While noted as a conqueror who tried to politically dominate the islands -- interestingly in the present day - there are several memorials around the Philippines named after Magellan.