For anyone from Metro Manila, passing by Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo whether while at EDSA or White Plains Avenue isn't uncommon at all. Most passers-by are still clueless to what's inside camp though. Probably the most visible for Metro Rail Transit (MRT) riders is the golf course, but there's a lot more inside. Camp Aguinaldo was actually once a stomping ground of mine. The Armed Forces' oval was nice for late jogs after work. For those who don't know, the camp houses the Department of National Defense (DND) executive proper, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Headquarters (GHQ), the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the Office of Civil Defense, and most relevant to us all, the office of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). My brothers were also once part of a swim club that held practices in one of the Camp's pools. In Camp Aguinaldo also is Daza Park; it has little cottages and ponds that seem to be a hit for pre-nuptial pictorials. read more

Yes, I know that this is a military base, but what a lot of people don't know is how Camp Aguinaldo is used for a variety of functions, not to mention school commencement ceremonies and graduation rites. The grounds are huge, and it's surrounded by a big oval track, where most people run during the weekends (especially filled during Sunday mornings). My uncle and aunt's gym buddies usually get together here to exercise every Sunday morning, until they thought about doing a mini-triathlon relay. Each group would have three members, and one athlete (yes, amateur athletes are still considered athletes) would be assigned to complete either a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride or a 5 km run (half the standard triathlon). I got involved because they knew I could swim, and thanks to them, they introduced to me a new place where I could work out. Aside from the availability of the swimming pool from 6AM to 9PM (the entrance is only P70!), there are also tennis courts, and even a café for that after workout protein craving. read more