The special day of the year for me is every June 21st. It’s one special day that I feel the world is mine.
Now that I have a family, I want to devote my day to my kids. This year I felt so proud being a Filipino. I even had a Philippine flag nail art polish before the Independence Day.
We started the celebration by having lunch at Shakey’s Centris-Quezon Avenue. Then we went to our National Park – Luneta. We rode on Calesa (Mamang Kuchero brought us to Intramuros), we took pictures, play and ran like kids, walked around and a simple snack.
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located at the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.
Located along Manila Bay, Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The park was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 as well as the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution that deposed Marcos ending his dictatorial government. (excerpt from Wikipedia)
After few days, as we continued being Historical and Nationalistic, we went to Barasoain Church located at Malolos, Bulacan.
It is also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. It is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630. The church recorded some of the important events occurred in the country. While it has been a temporary residence of General Aguinaldo, three major events in Philippine History happened in this church: the convening of the First Philippine Congress (September 15, 1898), the drafting of the Malolos Constitution (September 29, 1898 to January 21, 1899), and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899). By Presidential Decree No. 260, the church was proclaimed as a National Shrine by President Ferdinand Marcos on August 1, 1973. Unusual for newly elected presidents in the Philippines, the church has been a venue in an inaugural affairs. General Emilio Aguinaldo and former president Joseph Estrada were the only two who have been inaugurated in the place. (excerpt from Wikipedia)
We took pictures inside and outside the church. Of course we prayed together as a family. These are our captured moments.
On our way home I saw afar off, I took a picture of Manila Hotel.
The Manila Hotel is a 570-room, five-star hotel in Manila, Philippines, located in the heart of the Manila Bay area. The Manila Hotel is the oldest premiere hotel in the Philippines, built in 1909 to rival Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines, and opened in 1912. It was built on an area of 35,000 square metres (380,000 sq ft) along Roxas Boulevard. It was the residence of General Douglas MacArthur from 1935 to 1941.
Way back my college graduation we celebrated over dinner at Manila Hotel. One of the 3 restaurants is Cafe Ilang-Ilang. The new Café Ilang-Ilang is a renaissance of chic casual dining which brings together a vast array of cuisines from across all continents. Designed artfully to satisfy the distinguishing palate, the spacious restaurant features an extensive selection of buffet delights with a fresh spin on its various open kitchens and a delectable desserts space that highlights its tradition of unique and excellent dining. Its eight live cooking stations offer Asian, Mediterranean, European, and Western dishes. Café Ilang-Ilang also has a stunning open Pan-Asian kitchen, Churrasco station, decadent dessert station, and an Italian kitchen with a wood fired pizza oven for a truly unique gastronomic adventure. A la carte dishes are also available. (from Manila Hotel Official Site)
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Philippine Flag Inspired Nail Art
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Souvenir Shop in Luneta
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Giant Flower Clock
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Aduana (Customs House, Central Administration House and Treasury)
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During Spanish Regime, poor Spaniards lived there
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Post Office Building – Manila
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Carriage in Intramuros
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Souvenir Shops in Intramuros
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Palacio de Gobernador
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Manila Cathedral temporarily closed
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University of Santo Tomas originally located in Intramuros
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Felipe Il Rey de Espana
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Memorare – Manila 1945 (Dedicated to all those innocent victims of War)
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Parked Carriage just took a snap
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Colegio de Santa Isabel – Intramuros
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Along Intramuros
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Kalesa in Motion
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Guardia Civil
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Currently Restaurants in Intramuros
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Carriage (Horse) that ran through Intramuros
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My Family (Rizal Monument behind us)
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Manila Cathedral
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Palacio de Gobernador – farther view
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Palacio de Gobernador
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Ate Cheska while in the train, she rang the bell
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Dove/Birds Cage
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Carriage within Luneta Park
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Japanese Garden
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Train tripping around the portion of the park behind Rizal Monument
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Fourth loitering around
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Fourth running on the grass fields of Luneta
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La Madre Filipina, a relic from pre-war Philippines. This statue was created by master sculptor Martinez.
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Ate Cheska watching the Fountain
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Fountain in Luneta (Fountain Show has not started yet, could have been lively with lights on it)
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Dancing Rings
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Filipino Artwork Inspired by the Element of Fire (Luneta)
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Filipino Artwork Inspired by the Element of Water (Luneta)
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Arch of Malolos
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Front view of Barasoain Church
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Infront of Barasoain Church
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History Plate of Barasoain Church
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Entrance towards the Aisle
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Confession Room
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Fourth, Ate and Mommy
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Barasoain Church Altar
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Barasoain Church Ceiling
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Fourth walking around the church
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Station of the Cross
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Patron Saint
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Function Area can be a Reception Area for Weddings
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Door Leading to Convento
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Beside Barasoain Church – Function Area
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Patron (Mary)
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Our Angel Cheska
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Fourth Holding the Bars beside the Church
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Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Carriage Full View
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Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Carriage
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Side View of Barasoain Church
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Entrance to Adoration Chapel
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Adoration Chapel
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Emilio Aguinaldo established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province.
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Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo – First Philippine President
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Binakod is one of the Barangays of Paombong, Bulacan
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The Kakarong de Sili Shrine, located in Pandi, Bulacan, Philippines, is a popular Historical tourist attraction.
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In Memory of the Children Killed through Abortion
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Phil Flag style button
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Manila Hotel from afar – I celebrated my graduation here way back 2003 over dinner
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Cafe Ilang-Ilang – Manila Hotel
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Main Lobby – Manila Hotel