THIS is the most awesome statue of Andres Bonifacio in existence. Not the one in Monumento (A…read moretravesty, really), and not the one in front of the National Post Office. THIS. I am totally in love with the raw energy, the fierceness, the drama of this monument. Not content to showcase Bonifacio standing, they show him charging into action, ready to fight, ready to sacrifice his life for the country as he actually did (Though not at the hands of the enemy, but this is not the time for that discussion). If you angle your shot at just the right spot, you can actually depict Bonifacio attacking Manila City Hall. It's an incredible shot that may or may not be representative of whatever.

The City of Manila and Manilenos love Andres Bonifacio, placing him on a pedestal practically at…read morepar with National Hero Jose P. Rizal. This is with good reason. Bonifacio was founder of the movement known as the Katipunan, which waged a revolution against Spain in the 1890s. It is one of Philippine history's greatest tragedies that Bonifacio became a victim of the very revolution he started, being assassinated by the men of Emilio Aguinaldo after the revolutionary forces split into two factions. Today, the nationalist and Leftist movements consider Bonifacio a national hero. He is their symbol as well as rallying point in their modern day war against oppression. Bonifacio Day is celebrated as a national holiday and the most important shrine to the revolutionary from Tondo is the Kartilya ng Katipunan shrine in Liwasang Bonifacio. No less than National Artist Ed Castrillo created this metal and wood sculpture. The plaza in front is often used for different events, from political rallies to city fairs. Above it all stands the mighty Bonifacio, wielding his bolo and rallying his men to fight the better equipped Spaniards.

Looking at the artifacts left behind by Gregoria de Jesus, the "Lakhambini" or First Lady of the…read moreKatipunan, as well as the paintings here, I am swept into a world of fierce love and courage, and the extraordinary strength of this woman. I already knew then that Gregoria de Jesus, or Oryang, as she is more fondly called, is one of the most courageous women in Philippine history. But a glimpse of her life in this old house where she once lived made my respect for her soar and made her all the real to me. It was here that I learned of some of her bad-ass moves, like how she and other women smartly fooled Spaniards while Katipuneros were having meetings. She knew how to shoot, but she also tended to the wounded. She even has some teachings of her own posted at Bahay Nakpil-Bautista ("Sampung Aral ni Oryang"), some of them bad-ass too. I also got a warm feeling reading about her love story - how she was both unabashedly her own person and at the same time wife to Andres Bonifacio. When he died, Julio Nakpil, a general and the musical composer of Katipunan, took care of her protection and fell in love with her. The two married, and thus, Oryang lived in the beautiful stone and wood house of Bahay Nakpil.

The Bahay Bautista Nakpil is a former residence of the illustrious Nakpil family who have turned…read moreit into a museum-cum-workshop. The place has kept the old world charm of late 19th century Manila. Of special interest to art collectors are the wood carved santos created by master craftsmen and artisans at the site itself. The wooden carvings are not cheap. A bust or a head of a saint goes for P2,000 and is the most affordable of the sculpted works. The larger pieces go for anywhere from a low of P25,000 to a high of P100,000. It goes without saying that churches all over the country are among the favored clients of the sculptors, who unfortunately will never be known to the owners. Skilled as they are, they will never be known as artists like Castrillo or Orlina. This is a shame, but that's how the business side of art works. Still, the life-sized wooden santos are a joy to behold, and to own for those who can afford them.

Made famous by the movie Rescue At Dawn. This is the memorial dedicated for those that participated…read morein the most successful rescue operations during WWII. US Rangers accompanied by filipino guerrillas forces conducted the raid that rescued 516 POW's from sure death under the Japanese. If you ever find yourself in this part of the Philippines. Take time to visit this memorial. It could use a little TLC but whomever designed it definitely captures the significance of that raid that took place in the dawn hours of that faithful day. The rooftop memorial has an hour by hour breakdown of the events that took place surrounding a sundial design. Take a glimpse from the satellite view. This Ninja marks this historical sight as a must see!

I noticed that a lot of the monuments here in Metro Manila tend to be placed in the weirdest of…read moreplaces. Some of them are located in places where people are unlikely to pass by. They might be visible, but that would make it difficult for people to walk up to them and see what they're like. Anyway, Gabriela Silang's monument is one of those monuments that has a sort of awkward position. It's located along the corners of Ayala and Makati Ave. It's a bit hard to get up close and personal with the lady who serves as the symbol of the country's feminist movement, but it's worth it. The only real issue that I have with this particular monument is poor maintenance. Anyone who musters the effort to get up close and personal with Gabriela will be a little bit dissapointed since the plate at the base of her monument giving info. about her has started to fade, and little to no attention has been given to it.

The rallying point of the famed "Gabriela" party (also named after the hero for which the monument…read moretakes its image), Gabriela Silang, wife of Diego Silang, and the more famous of the two for their rebellion against the Spanish is often toted as one of the female heroes of Philippine history, and the symbol of feminists everywhere (aside from, you know, Cory Aquino, the first female president in Asia, who was a Filipina). While scholars may argue about the historical accuracy of her depiction in the monument, which shows her on horseback, leading a charge with a large bolo in hand as she rallies forth into battle (and some historians would insist that she never wielded a blade nor rode a horse), her monument in the corner of the Ayala Triangle Park overlooks the areas near the grand shopping centers of Makati and an intersection where very memorable events in recent history have caused hordes of women (and men) to come together near this statue to oppose questionable actions against women in the Philippines. While the Philippines arguably enjoys more rights for its female population than other conservative Asian countries, such as in the case of how Filipinas can hold high positions in businesses and government without much incident, while in more "developed" countries like Japan, a woman, regardless of rank in the company, will always be the one charged with serving tea, the Philippines also has much to do in the way of improving the state for all women, impoverished or not. And this monument, historical accuracy or not, still serves as the place where we all come to remember the importance of women in our lives.

Ii do not understand the logic to charge Foreigners more than locals…read more Americans walked alongside Filipinos suffered like they did died and were executed the same way by the Japanese It cost is more to visit as usual it the foreign tax in Ph I went throughout Asia only does this fee exist in PH. I was blessed and felt honoured to visit this memorable site that is a important part of US military history along with Filipino history. The museum has important part of the WW 2 that covers some of the attocities commited by the Japanese that led to war crimes being charged against them. I learned a lot that caused me to go to the Capas momument and also look at movies and do research on the Bataan Death March. I definitly recommend visiting this moument.

Found atop the mountain of the 20th kilometer mark of the Bataan Death March is a large cross…read moremarking this National Historic Monument. This was the site of one the most vicious battles during the last days the American and Philippine forces attempt to hold off the Japanese invaders. I spent the day touring the lower peninsula of Bataan. I envisioned the area as one great battlefield, similar to that of Gettysburg. Battles upon battles were won and lost which eventually led to the full surrender of the American and Philippine forces as they found themselves trapped in Bataan peninsula surrounded by the Japanese. Today sits a monument describing some of the battles and providing a glimpse of the significance of that loss. It marked the beginning of Japanese occupation and the end of American presence in the south Pacific. There's a museum that shows a history of the war in the Pacific. It does not filter the atrocities that took place during the war. I highly recommend if you ever have the opportunity to make it this far. Spend extra time in the museum and absorb everything it has to offer. This place holds a great significance in my family history. Having a Grand Father that was the first Americans stationed in the Philippines under T. Roosevelt 1st Cavalry. A father who was part of the American Forces fighting side by side with the Filipino guerrillas and an uncle, a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I was struck with awe at the sight of this place. Seeing firsthand and combining that with the stories I had heard of the war growing up from the very people that lived it. It was enough to bring me to tears.

Hours, Mon - Sun: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm…read more Grandad (Philippine Scouts) survived the 111+ KM Death March from Mariveles Bataan to Capa's Camp O'Donnel POW camp. He died here with thousands of American and Filipino POWs. Today, in the same location is this very peaceful place. Each tree was planted for each soldier who died here. The Capas National Shrine in Barangay Navy, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines was built by the Philippine government as a memorial to Allied soldiers who died at Camp O'Donnell at the end of the Bataan Death March during the Second World War. The site is a focus for commemorations on Valour Day, an annual observance held on 9 April--the anniversary of the surrender of US and Philippine forces to the Imperial Japan in 1942. There is also a memorial to the Czechs who died fighting alongside the Filipinos and US soldiers. The area where the Bataan Death March ended was proclaimed as "Capas National Shrine" by President Corazon Aquino on 7 December 1991. On 9 April 2003, a 70-metre obelisk and new memorial wall were unveiled on the grounds of the former interment camp. The obelisk is surrounded by a three-segmented, black marble wall engraved with the names of the Filipinos known to have died during the Death March. There are also statistics about the total numbers of prisoners and deaths, together with poems for peace. Nearby, there are three smaller memorials to the countries whose nationals died at the camp: the Philippines, the United States, and the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia). A few hundred meters from the Obelisk is a garden separated from the rest of the shrine by a creek that can be crossed via a hanging bridge. The relics of an old train and railings are also located in the shrine complex.

I don't know whether to give this building one star or five stars. In the years that I worked in a…read morebuilding in Intramuros, I would often look at the El Hogar Building across the Pasig River. What a sight it must have been in its heyday. Today, you can only imagine what it must have looked like before whoever owns it allowed it to deteriorate to its present state. This is another historic landmark that begs to be restored, not torn down and replaced with some fancy condominium, as what has happened with other old buildings in the Binondo district of Manila. It's a sad reflection on us as a people that there is insufficient appreciation of the architecture around us. I am hoping against hope that somehow, this old structure will be restored. Its premiere location alone makes it a must see. There's no reason why it can't be restored by the present owners, then rented out to any of the country's top 1,000 corporations, any one of which should be proud to be based at such a site. I'll give it five stars and keep my fingers crossed.

One of the best views in Baler!…read more There are souvenir shops on the other side of the bridge so make sure to bring some cash. If you're used to haggling, use your skills there. It's free to go across but they do have a donation box and I'm assuming it's for the maintenance of the bridge. The water was so clear and I was amazed at how beautiful the view was and how the Hanging Bridge was actually shaky. I was walking with my grandma and I'd scare her here and there by rocking the bridge haha :P We had a great time and I'd love to visit HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Well, it' near ou house. Sometimes, me and my friend hanging around here and taking pictures. The…read moreview was beautiful

The Philippines has no lack of religious and spiritual attractions, and Tagaytay is one of them. It…read morealso has a lot of meditation centers, shrines, and churches where you can find peace and solace. The tranquil Catholic church is the best church of them. It is the best paradise for prayers and reflection. Our Lady of Manaoag, Tierra de Maria, is a gorgeous shrine that epitomizes the aura of serenity and peace. It is a red/brown statue of Mother Mary standing 50 ft. tall, something which can't be missed. The walls decked with dried flowers and vivid images genuinely add to the beauty of the chapel, and the exquisite surroundings of the church add up to its grace and appeal. Our Lady of Manaoag is also known to be an ideal place of healing, relaxation, and meditation. One can easily miss this place as it is on a busy road with only on street parking available. It is a small chapel right across the DAP complex. It has a small chapel with a huge image of Our Lady of Manaoag in the exterior Inside the chapel there are images of the many variants of Virgin Mary, like in Lourdes, as Mother of Perpetual Help, Carmel and Guadalupe. The chapel is quiet and solemn and is a place for meditation. The small store in front should have been enough for the place and the ambulant vendors in the side are not really needed