Finally we don’t need to go to Singapore to only view under water creatures. After long wait and plan to visit the newly constructed Manila ocean Park, we have finally visit the said park.

I, my wife and my in laws really enjoy the recent visit to Manila Ocean Park. Here I have seen under sea creatures that I never seen before. I say the place is big and well organized, during our visit there are so many tourist visiting the ocean park.

Here I saw shark very near and other tourist have the chance to hold them.

Going there is not that hard because it is situated behind the famous Quirino Grand Stand in Luneta Park in Manila.

Here are some pictures I got, sorry for the quality of the pictures, I can’t used high quality cameras during our visit because they don’t allow camera with flash, I only use my CP to take some picture. I have no pictures from dark rooms.

As I promised on my last post. Here is the continuation of the Mt. Samat related post I made last night. I want to show you how beautiful the place is. Mt. Samat is declared as National Park under the supervision of Department of National Defense with a minimal entrance, for as low 20 pesos per person, this includes the ticket that you will use as passes at the Mt. Samat Museum where you can see the equipments being used during the world war II, but take note you are not allowed to take picture inside the Museum.

If you want to go inside the Dambana ng Kagitingan you need to pay 10 pesos, the money being collected here is being used to pay for the electricity used by the elevator.

Here are the pictures…

This historic place is located at Diwa, Pilar, Bataan , Philippines. According to the Philippines History and World War II history. Mt Samat have a big rule in the history of world war II, and played significant rule during the invasion of Japanese Army in Pacific.
That’s all for now I have more pictures to show , so watch out for my next entry as I feel sleepy now

You will see at my next post the biggest gun in Mt. Samat , how the cross like inside it.

Mt. Samat is used by Filipino and American Forces to defend and delayed the invasion of Japanese Army. Because of this historic place, the time table of Japanese Army to occupy the entire Pacific was destroyed , this is the reason why they have not invade Australia.

Every 9th of April Philippine Government declare as national day, which commemorate the bravery of those Filipino And American Soldiers who fought to defend the country.

On 1968, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos , who serve the army during the World War II as Army Lieutenant of the combine force of Philippine Army and American Army. He is also known as one of the Bataan Defender and hero during the “Fall of Bataan”. Raised the monument of Dambana Ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) , to perpetuate for all time the heroism of the Filipino race.

Mt. Samat is a must seen place when you’re visiting Bataan. The national park is open to public. At the top of Mt Samat you will see the Dambana of Kagitingan.

Here are some pictures I have get during my last visit to the place….

This picture was taken on our way to Mt. Samat more or less 8 km from the samat cross

Here is how the dambana of kagitingan look like, showing a great sculpture.

The most popular spiritual destination in the Philippines is Manaog Church. Last week my mother ask me to drive for her because she want to visit the said church and pray. Actually my second time to visit the said church.

According to devotees of our lady of Manaoag is miraculous , there are so many stories how miraculous the our lady of Manaog. This is the reason why there are many devotees from different part of the Philippines going to Manaog church.

How to get there (Our Lady of Manaoag)?

If you’re from Metro Manila or south part of Luzon there is two entry point if you will take the national highway. First you can take the Urdaneta - Manaog road or Binalonan to Manaoag road. If you’re from north luzon you can take the Puzorobio - Manaoag road.

If you’re from south and plan to commute, you can ride any bus that bound to Urdaneta, Baguio city, Ilocos, Abra, Laog, and Vigan all these buses will pass the entry point I have mentioned. I suggest you will take the Binalonan entry point. Tell to the bus conductor that you’re going to Manaog church. Most of them knew the best place for you. From the bus at Binalonan you will ride jeep or tri-cycle bound to Our Lady of Manaog church.

Here are some pictures I got when we visit the church

I was amaze with this scalpture which was found in the  dead acasia tree.

Buy your religious materials and souvenir from the stores around the church.

One of the best place to watch sunset is Fort Ilocandia’s beach resort. If you love watching the sun while slowly hiding, then this is the best place to do the sunset watching.

Here are some pictures I got while watching the sunset at Fort Ilocandia Hotel and resort.

Some pictures I have got during the sunset viewing at the fort ilocandia beach.

The beach resort of Fort Ilocandia Hotel

More pictures that I have taken from Fort Ilocandia Hotel and resort. So that you can see how the place look like. My apology because some of the pictures are dark because I am not prepared during the visit to the place I don’t have with me my digital cam.

This is the boating place of Fort Ilocandia, your kids will enjoy it.

The billiard room of fort ilocandia hotel and resort.

The shopping arcade of Fort Ilocandia Hotel and resort. You can enjoy shopping inside the resort.

If you decided to stay at Fort Ilocandia Hotel and resort, I am sure you will enjoy it. No one paid me to write a review or entry of the said resort to my blog. I just want to share to everyone my experience to the hotel.

If you’re inside the resort, you don’t wish to go out and find other recreation because they are all inside the resort.

If you want to go to casino, they have Casino Filipino. You love shopping? No problem because they have their own duty free mall. Feel hungry , that is not a problem because they have restaurant serving nice foods. Mini zoo is also available inside the resort, check their collection of wild animals.

Billiard room is also available for those who love to play billiard.  You love night life no problem because they have all that also.

You want outdoor sports? Then try their Gulf course, shooting range, horse back riding,  AVG riding at the mountain desert like sand of the resort. Boating is also available for children, lovers , or family.

Well to many to mentioned, also big swimming pools are available for all hotel guess. If you like swimming at the beach then it’s also available.

Here are some more pictures.

These are pictures of the beautiful and big swimming pool of the hotel. They have 3 size of swimming pool for kids, Olympics size swimming pool, and deep pool.

While staying at the hotel, try to play golf at the resort golf course.

I have been in many places in different part of the Philippines but Fort Ilocandia is the best place I have seen so far.

The funny thing is that I have reached Fort Ilocandia with out any plan to visit the place. It so happened that when I and my wife take our vacation at Cabugao beach resort, my sister SMS me and told me why not try to visit Fort Ilocandia in Laoag which take 30 minutes drive from the the resort of cabugao.

I came from Ilocos region where Fort Ilocandia is located but I have never heard it before. I never new that there is a hidden heaven in the North. According to the story I heard during our visit to the place, Fort Ilocandia was build during the late President Ferdinand Marcos regime. And mainly owned by Marcos and Fariñas family, I am not 100% sure with this information, but after seeing all the picture frames in the wall of the pavilion I guess the place is mostly owned by Marcoses.

Here are some pictures I have taken during our visit…

The Fort Ilocandia Hotel have very big garden where their guess can stay during night to smell fresh air.  I am sure you will enjoy staying in this place no doubt.

While you’re in the pavilion of the hotel you can watch fish that are freely swimming at the clean water of the hotel pavilion.

During night time, you will enjoy this fountain of the hotel. The fountain is very colorful and it’s really beautiful, your kids will love it when they see it.

One of the famous destination of local tourist in the Baguio is the strawberry farm located at La Trinidad Benguet. When you go to Baguio you must not forgot to visit the strawberry farm. There you can see actual plantation of strawberries, experience how to harvest this fruit.

If you don’t have your own car, you can ride a taxi at ask the driver to bring you to the strawberry farm at La Trinidad. If no traffic it will take only 20 - 30 minutes.

Here are some pictures I got during our visit last April 8.

Fresh strawberry fruit direct from the strawberry farm of La Trinidad Beguet.

You can even experience harvesting strawberry fruits from the farm.

This is the plantation of strawberry of La Trinidad Benguet.

Paoay Church of Paoay Ilocos Norte is been famous in the Philippines. When visiting Ilocos Norte Paoay church must be part of your itinerary or destination.

Visit the Paoay church and  see why UNESCO listed it as one of Philippines Heritage site.

Construction of the church started in 1704 and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo.

It is probably the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses.

 Most recent Picture I have taken while visiting the place on April 9, 2008