Travelling Manila: First stop is Intramuros

Here's the Map of Intramuros

My friend Anton and I decided to roam around the metro. I already thought that travelling Metro Manila in a broad day light because summer heat could reach up to 37 degrees Celsius. So, I already set my mind that it wouldn’t be that much fun.

We decided to explore the said city of Manila because I don’t want to be ignorant in the nearby cities where I worked. I know I wanted to explore the said city because this is the very first city to be developed way back Spanish Era in the Philippine History.

Anton told me that it would be best to visit the famous Intramuros because there are a lot historical spots. Intramuros is a Spanish term which means inside a wall. This was built by the Spaniards to basically to protect them from their detractors like British and Chinese pirates.

Photo taken in google images.

This is the Baluarte de San Diego
Photo taken in google images.

Inside Intramuros is Manila’s oldest churches or schools built during the Spanish Regime in the country. In my opinion this place was built not only for protection but also to separate the middle class Filipinos and the dignitaries and the Spanish Aritocrats.


So to start our travel we first visited The Manila Cathedral. When we went there it is under repair. It is formally known as Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica or Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception but it is locally known as Manila Cathedral.

It was my first time to visit the said place and honestly I am amazed because some of the buildings are still in their old Spanish Era architectural design.

I am basically amazed by the structure of the church. It was beautifully and artistically built. Preserving this kind of structure in its original color and architectural design is not that easy but it is worthy and priceless because the color and the façade of the church tell a story of a rich cultural heritage of the Filipinos. Looking at it somehow tells me the story of the old Manila.

After visiting the Manila Cathedral we stop by another famous church. It is the San Agustin Church. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The exterior is amazingly beautiful. This church also has a museum to have a better understanding as to what the church has gone through and its most important dignitaries. This church is very popular as a wedding venue and I am not surprised because it captures a

Inside the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
This photo was taken from google image

This is the facade of San Agustin Church
Photo taken from google image.

I would say that this magnificent church is something that we could compare from basilicas and churches abroad. I feel blessed that I was able to see this church. I was mesmerized and enthralled with such excitement when I see the ceiling of this majestic church.


Transportation Option:


By taxi


The easiest way to get into Intramuros is by Taxi. Taxi drivers are anywhere the metro is very much familiar with Intramuros as they are well versed on this location as they are used in bringing tourist in this place. This type of transportation is highly recommended for those visitors who don’t mind shelling out a little extra of their budget more so when you are caught on a heavy so called rush hour traffic jam. Currently the flagdown rate is PHP 40.00 and fare goes up every Php 3.50 for every 300 meters.


By train


Visitors who would like to experience how it is like to work and live in Manila, I would advise you to take the train. So, you should go to an LRT station and then buy a ticket up to Central Terminal. Central Terminal Station is the nearest to the eastern wall of Intramuros it’s a pretty long walk to the most tourist destination within Intramuros so I would advise to take their Kalesa that can tour you around. Of course nothing beats walking in getting around the place.

Kalesa: the earliest land transportation during the Spanish Era
Photo taken at google images

Of course our trip would never be successful if we don't pose infront of our camera. Here's our pictorials from our Intramuros Trip.


Below is my friends pictures in Intramuros and Manila Cathedral:

Inside a man-made tunnel in Intramuros

This is the door of the Manila Cathedral.

Here are some of my pictures:

A Mother’s Day Message

It is hard to understand of being a parent if you were never been a parent. It is also difficult to understand a mother if you are not yet a mother. People would say it is difficult to become a parent as well as difficult to become a mother. There are a lot of heroic stories of being a mother.



My friend once told me as she remembers his Lola Tonia gave up her meal for him in times where there’s no food on the table or not enough for all of them. Sometimes, she would separate a bowl of soup just for him. When she is telling me this story I suddenly remember my childhood and my college days.

It is somehow similar, because my lola would cook our favorite boiled ripe camote (sweet potato) or cook a glutinous rice with peanut and corn and my lolo would butcher his chicken or duck or turkey when we arrive from school during summer breaks or semestral break.



During my elementary days as well, I remember my mom hiking mountain ridges, crossing rivers and hitching on a truck loaded with sand and gravel, hollow blocks, or vegetable just for her and her co-teachers reach their destination. I also see her doing hair cut not only for us but also for her students in the barrio. Being a mother of three or four is already difficult I suppose but being a mother to most of her student would be a challenge.

This time I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest greeting to my Mom who had sacrificed in order for us (her children) to go to school. To my Lola for her unending love and care and to my aunts and cousins who were supportive enough for my endeavor. To Lola Tonia as well for being such a great grandma to anyone who knocks on her door. To all of you Happy Mother’s Day!



Being a mother is such an inspiration. It inspires their children to do good deeds. They are teachers of love and affection to other people. They are teachers who teach their children to become a better individual. They are inspiration and a mirror to look up on. If they fail, for sure the children will and that’s a huge responsibility they have that on this special day a simple message from their message is worth everything.

A Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Another time has come to commemorate on the greatness of our mother. Over the week, I am fascinated by my friends who were thinking of how they could at least or somehow give something to their beloved mothers.


Here are some of my tips on what to give to your mom this special day.

Flowers: Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into. ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858. I think most mothers would prefer to receive a flower from their loved ones. So why not give them a bunch of flowers. Photo taken in this site:

Also, I am fascinated in the paper products of Papemelroti. They have wide variety of gift items that we could select from various occasions.


I think a hand craft greeting card is more attractive and gives more impact. If you have more time I think that you would be a better option. However though, Papemelrotti has this simple yet very attractive Mother’s Day Greeting Card. Photo taken in this site:

Aside from that I also spotted a beautiful scrap book. It is a gift for your mom to be more creative. It could be a stress relieving activity. Photo taken in this site:

Another option is a Photo Frame from Kultura Filipino. It is beautiful made from capiz shells. It gives a cultural feel yet extravagantly beautiful. Photo taken in this site:

A wall clock as well for her bedroom can be another option this mother’s day. The design, the look and feel makes this wall clock more attractive. Photo taken in this site:

To top it all, an inexpensive clutch bag and or a hand bag wraps it all.
Photo taken in this site:

MY Zalora Wish List

Five years ago, I made a big leap of my career from being a teacher/ online teacher and tutor to corporate jobs. I came from a beautiful and cold place of Baguio City to busy and very warm streets of Metro Manila. Of course, I still have the fashion statement that I carried from my far away hometown. It’s hard to discard from what you are used for.

I got the hard time actually adopting to the fashion statements here in Manila. I would say there has something to do with my cultural background and training way back home. That is why when I choose something else for myself its either over the top or something just below from what is expected.

Few months ago, I got the need to change my wardrobe and fashion style and or statement. I felt I was out of fashion. I also got the need to have proper corporate attire for me to at least be presentable. I am not saying that I am not presentable though but I decided to step up the level of my fashion statement.

While I was deciding as to what kind of fashion genre I wanted to adopt, Kessa encourage me to join the My Zalora Wish List contest. While I was browsing Zalora’s website I listed or should I say downloaded many pictures of my desired products. To my surprise I was able to pick more or less 50 items from men’s clothing to accessories. I later then streamed down to 25 then to 5.

Here’s what I like even more about Zalora that made me sign up with them.

• Very wide range of products to choose from. I can basically shop in one sitting and not need to jump from one store to the other or worst from one mall to the next.
• Shipping fee is waived anywhere in the Philippines. What are best here are online shoppers within the Metro Manila area can get their orders the same day or should I say 3 hours upon ordering.
• Customer support availability is also a good one. It gives security to shoppers. At least there’s someone whom they could run to if they have questions regarding their order.
• The website also provides the intensive information for shoppers.
• Their payment method as well is so convenient. They accept credit card (Visa/Mastercard), PayPal, G-Cash, online banking (BDO/BPI/ChinaBank) and to top it all it shoppers who doesn’t have credit card could still purchase because they offer COD (Cash On Delivery) my favorite method I feel more secured on that mode of payment.

My Zalora Corporate Look:

My Zalora Casual Look:

So guys what are you waiting for start shopping now… they currently have ongoing sales on selected items.

As for me I am now looking forward to start buying my top 50 items on my list one at a time.

My Wish List for Zalora!:

101 New York 3/4 chekered dress shirt:

101 New York Chinos with striped waistband:

Wade Semi square toe slip on Dress Shoes:

Wade Men's round toe lace espadrilles with garter:

Europak Berlin Laptop BP:

ZALORA Philippines surely is committed in giving their customer the best possible online shopping experience.