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.

Having transformed several times over the past few years, Baywalk is once again in the midst of…read morechange. This time around, the plan seems to be to add a small road nearly in the middle, big enough to fit a car. This does, needless to say, look like it will definitely be far from attractive when all the work is done. Some things, however, have stayed the same. There are still numerous people hanging out (although the number of fishermen seems to have decreased significantly; perhaps they migrated to the area beside Harbor Square). The various stalls selling a plethora of items to eat, drink and wear are still present. The ubiquitous dogs are also still very much around as are the many cats (a personal favorite) that seem to make their home in the area beside the Manila Yacht Club. Come at the right time of day (early morning or late afternoon, to be precise) and you'll encounter swarms of joggers and dog walkers. Their presence is testimony of the area's appeal for those ambulant by choice. Be warned, the smell of Manila Bay varies in intensity but never really goes away.

My girlfriend will hate me for this, since she prefers the UP Academic Oval (Isko at heart, what…read morecan I say) but this is my favorite jogging route. All throughout college, I jogged from the Taft entrance of Luneta, all the way to Kilometer Zero, hard left to Roxas Boulevard and straight to CCP. 80% of this route is along Baywalk, and when done at the right time, it offers the most gorgeous views. I've lived by the sea all my life, and I find sitting on the breakwater with the sea breeze in my face relaxes me. Try not to get too much of the sea spray on you though. That's Manila Bay. You can get a third eye or an extra arm if you swim in that muck.

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.

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.