My best friend got married here. I thought he proposed too early but I guess I just acted like a…read morejealous friend. I didn't want the fun times to end, not when I was still single and "out there". He and I would always surf together and the reality was it was not going to be like that any longer. Marriages destroy friendships because it's supposed to, especially if the friendship is between a man and a woman. So on the day of his wedding, I made my way to Paco Church and watched as their union came to be and in an instant, my negativity turned into pure happiness for the two. There was something about the church - the trees, the cobblestone steps, the mossy walls, the aged pathways, it somehow had an effect on me and by the time I had left the church, I was already imagining being a ninang to their future child and the 4 of us surfing together in our homebreak.

This is a perfect place for budding photographers who want to explore their creativity. This old…read morecemetery where Dr. Jose Rizal was once buried has a lot of good spots for portrait photography. Some photographers actually use this vintage place for prenuptial photography. If you are a photographer and you consider this place for your next location for your client, make sure to have the right permit for your purpose. The permit can be requested at their office that can be found near the entrance. I cannot remember how much is the permit to do pictorial there right now. However if you're only taking photos of your friends and anything that is not profitable, you only need to pay for the minimum entrance fee.

Last time I was surrounded by a huge volume of people was back in 2014 during the big game parade…read morein downtown Seattle for the Seahawks. Rizal Park wasn't as crowded as that event but it sure felt like it. We visited on a Sunday. We started at the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom (Lapu-Lapu monument), stopped by the José Rizal monument, then walked to the Kilometer 0 Landmark. I liked seeing the Philippine National Flagpole. It was very powerful watching the flag waving in the light wind. This is a nice park with plenty of historical markers. It's definitely worth visiting if you want to know more about Filipino history. I'm glad it's free for the public as well. As a visitor, it was a mistake coming on a Sunday. We didn't know there was an event going on in the Burnham Green area. For an open space it was extremely crowded. It was difficult getting picked up by rideshare too because of the heavy traffic. We didn't get to experience the entirety of the park since we came in the afternoon and the heat was unbearable. If I were to return in the future, I'd plan it out better. I would go early in the morning on a weekday while kids are in school and people are at work. I'd definitely bring a portable fan, a full water bottle, and a UV umbrella too.

Very big and beautiful park. Enjoyed walking through it with very spacious road and plenty of…read moregreen and shade. This park is connected to a lot of places for tourist to visit (short cut) if decided to walk instead. At night time, it is well lit up, especially during the holidays.

A long time ago, there was a plot of land beside the Manila City Hall where old trees proliferated…read more Known as the Mehan Garden, it was a park where city dwellers could commune with nature. Over the decades, little by little, Mehan Garden gave way to various construction projects. Today, only a small portion of the original garden remains. Still, the trees which are more than a century old are still thriving. The remnants of the Mehan Garden has not been kept properly by the city government, but the trees are still alive and well. Although there isn't much grass, the place still invites couples and families to lounge and relax, read books, listen to music, or just chat the hours away. Hopefully, the current or the next administration for the city will take better care of the site. Incidentally, on the other side of the back road is a small forested area which has more lush greenery. This was a project of former Mayor Fred Lim. Thankfully, the administration of Mayor Erap Estrada has allowed the forest park to survive.

This is a fort in Manila Philippines although I have been there multiple times I have never been…read morehere. Disclaimer here, I have a long and semi obsessive history with well history. I loved this, we didn't have a tour guide (if they even have any) we went all over and then finally went into this museum which does have a charge to enter. You can't wear any hats inside as a sign of respect. Also if you are over 6 ft (183 cm) be prepared to squat, twist bump most parts of your body as this was built for Philippinoes a long time ago ie: short. If you can take this part of it then you will definitely enjoy it or at least learn something new. Well I would say try it and learn from history. Enjoy.

Nice and a unique historical site to visit and learn. Quite big and on the river front with couple…read morebuildings. Cost for entrance are cheap but long line to get it. Short distance to the plaza de Roma and other attraction places.

The Marian quadrangle was a big DLSU hangout spot some 3 years ago. It was basically, well, like…read moreany other quadrangle with its large concrete steps and stage in the middle. Why, you ask, is it no longer a big hangout spot in DLSU now? Well, a few years ago, a building called Henry Sy Sr. Hall was built smack dab in the middle of campus, and brought with its lobby on the ground floor multiple things that Marian Quadrangle always lacked. Sockets to plug chargers in, strong Wi-Fi signal, and a very strong breeze for days when it's hot out. However, to all DLSU novices, I implore you to take a second look at the Marian Quad. Not only has Henry Sy become an insanely noisy home of insanity in recent months, but the "breeze" has turned into a mini hurricane. Literally, try to put a piece of paper or half-empty bottle on the ground and it will almost definitely be swept away by the wind. Marian Quad still remains one of my personal hangout spots, at least when my laptop is on max battery life.

Historic Park and Landmark in Manila, Philippines…read more Rizal Park but still widely known as 'Luneta' (at least that's what I remembered until I left the Philippines in 1976) is an iconic and a significant landmark park in Manila. The weather was in the low 80's but the humidly was not enjoyable and was hot. Still I reminisced as we walked through the park to get to the Jose Rizal monument I remember my parents taking us here for a picnic. It was New Year's Day and the park was packed. The park is open to the public, free admission. Food vendors selling fried kamote (sweet potato), sorbetes (dirty ice cream), green mangos (w/ bagoong)... ahhh yes, street food! I love it! We reached the Rizal Monument, a 150-ft flagpole flying the Philippine flag in front of it, guarded by two sentries in full uniform. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, was executed here in Rizal Park in 1896 and his remains are buried inside the monument. Review #3288

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta National Park or simply Luneta, is a historical urban park in the…read morePhilippines. Located along Roxas Boulevard, Manila, adjacent to the old walled city of Intramuros, it is one of the largest urban parks in Asia. By Manila Bay, it is an important site in Philippine history. The execution of national hero José Rizal on December 30, 1896 started the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spain. The area was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the United States was held here on July 4, 1946. Very conveniently located near the US Embassy, across the famed Manila Hotel and Bay View Hotels...you can not miss the oversized flag. It's a must to see. Hangout and wait for the changing of the guards which happens around mid-afternoon.

There's just something about this place that makes it so relaxing to hang out in. Maybe it's the…read moreambiance, maybe it's the fact that I've always liked the aesthetic of a Chinese palace. Hanging out here always made me feel like I was in one of those historical kung fu movies. See, here's my usual thing: get some lunch, head over to the chinese garden, unpack lunch and eat while sitting on one of the ledges on the side of the covered walkway. There's plenty of plants, isn't too warm and is plenty relaxing. I've always considered it a great place to chill after a long day. But the garden is hardly anything but isolated. This is probably one of the more popular places for people to hang out: picnickers, students looking for somewhere to practice routines and (of course) couples. So if you like people watching and don't mind sharing room with people, this isn't such a bad place to kill some time. While you won't be alone, there aren't enough people to consider it crowded which is a good thing. If you're not like me and would rather sit at a bench while you eat, they have benches and tables too. (Just be careful and don't feed the wandering geese... or ducks. Trust me on this one.)

With a pedestrian lane on Roxas Boulevard which appears to span the length of Plaza Rajah Sulayman,…read moreI think it is impossible for a commuter like me not to notice the plaza. And, there's the big fountain in the middle, nice and colorful to watch at night. There is also of course the statue of Rajah Sulayman, the hero who fought against Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's troops, whom the plaza is named after. But what makes this plaza interesting is also what surrounds it - there's the beautiful Malate church that can be seen behind the fountain, and of course, the Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard. Then, there are restaurants serving Pinoy food around the plaza, most noteworthy and historical of which is the first branch of Aristocrat (It's open 24 hours, so you can go here any time you feel hungry). There is also Max's and Mang Inasal, among others. It is also nice to just sit by the fountain and take in your surroundings, which I did once.