Churches in the Manila

The churches I visited in Manila. There's still more churches to visit but these churches are just amazingly beautiful!

Church of Malate

St. Agustin Church

Manila Cathedral

Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

More churches to go!

'Cocina Filipino' by Chef Bruce Lim @ Diamond Hotel

As I was on my way to the hotel at Malate, I came across a billboard outside Diamond Hotel, introducing Chef Bruce's 'Cocina Filipino'. The hotel was just down the road from mine. It had been a long while since I last met with Chef Bruce, so I decided to give him a buzz and he invited me over for a dinner Corniche where he was for 'Cocina Filipino'.

Initially I wanted to have a quick meet up with him but since I had my plans cancelled last minute, I sat down for a wonderful indulgence of his creations!

There was a spread of delicious dishes across the restaurant and I spent a good two hours, taking my time, tasting every dishes from Chef Bruce and enjoyed the night with food.

the spread on the buffet line

the food I indulged for the night

and not forgetting the desserts

It was definitely a wonderful feast by Chef Bruce!

After working with him a couple of years ago, this is the first time ever I tasted Chef Bruce's cookings!

It was great meeting you again, Chef Bruce and it was a sumptuous dinner!

The Philippines Vacation...Corregidor Island

16th May 2013

Booked and paid P2300 for a weekday tour with Sun Cruises to a very historical island in the Philippines called Corregidor Island. Was supposed to stay a night but Rio couldn't make it to Manila with me, so I had to cancel the plan (don't want to stay in a WW2 island on my own!).

The trip started as early as 8am. Took a ferry ride to the island from Manila Bay. Upon arrival, I find my allocated bus and hopped on it and the tour started. We were guided by our tour guide, Stella. She's awesome! She took us around the island, telling us the war stories that happened here and it was just amazing to step foot in such an eventful place with everything in place as it was.

I'm just going to let the pictures tell the story.

...the clear waters and beautiful corals by the island...

...the Japanese Garden of Peace...

...the machine gun that was used during the war...

...Corregidor Lighthouse, the highest point in the island...

...topside barracks...

...the Disappearing Gun...

...Pacific War Memorial...

...a similar sculpture like this can be found in America...

...a very very long artillery...

(don't remember the name of this gun)

...entrance to the Malinta Tunnel for the 'Light and Sound' show...

...inside the Malinta Tunnel...

...one of the tunnels that we bombed and collapsed...

...the other end of the Malinta tunnel...

...Battery Way...

...Filipino Heroes Memorial...

The trip won't be complete without pictures of myself in it!

(all self taken without a tripod)

It was an experience coming to Corregidor Island. There's still so much to explore, so much to see and so much to experience. Will definitely be back for an overnight stay to see the sunset, sunrise and hikes during the night into Malinta Tunnel.

A historical walk to remember!