Magellan's Cross in Cebu City

Magellan's Cross was planted on April 14, 1521 to mark a spot in Cebu City. It is also a symbol of the birth of Christianism in Philippines after the baptismal of Rajah Humabon, his wife Queen Juana and 800 natives of Cebu. The oldest cross in the Philippines is now housed in a small chapel near to the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in Magallanes Street in front of Cebu City Hall.

The encrypted sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased in the Tindalo wood cross displayed on the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from the people who wants to chipped some part of it as souvenir or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous power. Some people believe that the cross seen inside the kiosk is just a replica, that  the original was already destroyed or lost.

Magellan's cross is one of the tourist attractions in Cebu and one of the oldest memento from the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Magellan's Cross inside the Kiosk in Magellan St, Cebu City Philippines

The description of Magellan's cross encrypted on stone

The chapel where Magellan's Cross was kept

Magellan's Cross description

The Historic Town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur

The town of Vigan is a World Heritage Site that represents Asian building design and construction with Europian colonial architecture, and a preserved example of European trading town in South-east Asia.

Vigan was a coastal trading post before the Spaniards arrived. Chinese trades goods from other  Asian Kingdoms for the gold, beeswax and other mountain products to the native of Cordilleras region. The term Vigan was derived from Chinese word "Bee Gan" which means "Beautiful Shore" and later change to Vigan when the Spaniards arrived.

During the time of Spanish colonialism in 16th century, conquistador Juan de Salcedo named the town as "Villa Fernadina de Vigan" in honor of King Philip II's son , Prince Ferdinand. The town was intended as trading center and not as fortress. The town became the center of trades in the North Luzon between Ilocanos, Filipinos, Chinese, Spanish from 16th-19th century and North Americans in 20th century.

The building materials used in Vigan buildings are terracotta, wood, shell, stone and lime as seen in the houses and buildings in Mena Crisologo Street with influence of Chinese and Spanish Architecture. These buildings are typically stone built in the lower storey, timber framed in the upper storey, a steeply pitched tiled roof and window panels are made with kapis shells.

Today Vigan is a tourists destination in Ilocos Sur with many interesting historical locations:

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Vigan Cathedral/St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral - the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. Burial place of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino. It also houses the replica of the Miraculous Santo Cristo Milagroso (the original being in Sinait, Ilocos Sur)

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Mena Crisologo Street - what Vigan City is known for--a street lined with Spanish Era houses and cobble-stoned streets, which led to Vigan's inscription in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tourists can buy souvenirs or even ride a calesa (horse-drawn buggy)

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The Crisologo Museum serves as the repository of the memorabilia of both, Congressman Floro Crisologo and Governor Carmeling Pichay Crisologo

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Pagburnayan - a barrio in Vigan where tourists can see how the famous Vigan jars (burnay) are made. The traditional Jar Making industry in Vigan is believed to have been introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th century

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Baluarte - a mini-zoo located in Salindeg where visitors can see a variety of animals (including tigers and ostriches). Not just a zoo, Baluarte is an interactive wildlife sanctuary and facility, with the breathtaking view of its dominating scenic boulders amidst trees and greens.

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Fil-Spanic Friendship Park and Buridek Museum.This destination is considered as the lung of the city. Trees are abundant in this place where visitors can relax and savor fresh air. It has a swimming pool, an open amphitheater and an added attraction-the Buridek Children’s Museum

Image SourceHidden Garden - Located in Bulala (a barrio known for its making of bricks, pots, and other objects made of clay), it is a wonderland of greenery, with a mini-snack bar nestled somewhere in the middle

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Simbaan a Bassit which means small church is actually a cemetery chapel located in Quezon Avenue,Liberation Blvd. The only one in the region to have an "espadaña hung with bells.” A statue of the crucified Christ is found behind the main altar or the Apo Lakay of the City.

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Plaza Salcedo - dedicated to the memory of the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo. Located in front of the Vigan Cathedral.

Image SourcePlaza Burgos - dedicated to the memory of Father Jose Burgos. Located beside the Vigan Cathedral.

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Syquia Mansion - the Vigan residence of Elpidio Quirino, 6th President of the Philippines.

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Father Jose Burgos' Residence - Located almost behind the Provincial Capitol. The birthplace of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred Filipino priests at Bagumbayan (GOMBURZA)

Archbishop's Residence - Located next to the Vigan Cathedral, it is the only Archbishop's Residence still in use that was built during the Spanish Era

Quema House - the residence of the Quema family, considered by sociologist Fernando Zialcita as most representative of 18th-century Philippine architectural style

Vigan Empanadaan - a reserved location where visitors can sample Vigan's famous empanada; as well as sinanglao (traditional hotpot made of beef innards). Located at the eastern part of Plaza Burgos

The Luxurious Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort is one of the best destinations in Davao which is located in the beautiful Samal Island. The beach is just 45 minutes travel by boat from Davao Marina Wharf. The name was derived from the name of place “pearl farm” where oysters are cultivated for pearl production before it develops into luxury beach resort. 

The place has luxury suites, villas and cottages perfectly designed to match the natural views of Samal Island. They offer wind surfing, water polo, jet skiing, scuba diving, banana boat rides, sea kayaks, hobie cats, wave runners and tennis for sports enthusiasts. The place also has 2 outdoor swimming pools, shops, and restaurant. The Pearl Farm Resort also offers good place for meetings, conferences and team building activities.

nice view in Pearl Farm Beach Resort

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view of Pearl Farm Beach Resort

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view of Samal Suites in Pearl Farm Beach Resort

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a distant view of Pearl Farm Beach Resort

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sun bathing in Pearl Farm Beach Resort

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view of Pearl Farm at evening

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Pearl Farm at night

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View of Samal Suites at Pearl Farm

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Pearl Farm in Samal Island, Davao

Swimming with Whale Shark "Butanding" in Donsol, Sorsogon

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus), locally known in Philippines as "Butanding"is considered as the largest fish in the world measuring from 18 to 35 feet and weighing about 20 tons. Butanding is a tourist attraction in Donsol, Sorsogon. It is classified as vulnerable by IUCN( (http://www.redlist.org). The Philippine government has declared Butanding as endangered species , thereby protecting this species from any exploitation. Also, The Department of Tourism is promoting an eco-tourism to protect the whale sharks. Tourist are allowed to interact with the whale shark in swimming within 4 meters with tour guides. This whale shark migrates to the waters of Donsol, Sorsogon from November to May. Butanding is typically inhabits in tropical seas near the equator.

Butanding is not dangerous to human even their size is too big. They are classified as filter feeder that eats small organisms such as macro-algae and plankton. They swallow a moutful of water and expels the water through its five pairs of gills, trapping anything from 2 to 3 mm in diameter in its mouth. They are easily recognized by a gray checkerboard-like skin on the back with pale yellow dots and stripes, white belly and broad flat head. Butanding swims at an average of 5kph, thereby, humans can swim together with them. 

Butanding was discovered as ovoviviparous after the catchment of a female in 1996, this means that the female produces live offspring from eggs hatched in uterus. In 2009, marine scientists in Philippines discovered that the whale shark is not just feeding in Philippine waters but also giving birth after the discovery of small whale shark about 38cm in length in the beach in Pilar, Philippines.

Before the documentation of Butanding in 1998, an estimated of 100 were killed in area of  Donsol by fisherman to supply the high demand of meat and by-products in Asia  specially in Taiwan.

Internationally,  Butanding  is popular in the name of whale shark. In French they are known as Requin-baleine, Tiburon ballena in Spain, Tofu shark in China, Ebisuzame in Japan, Kitovye akul in Russia, Ca Ong in Vietnam, Pez Dama or Domino in Mexico and Latin America, Papa shillingi in Kenya, Marokintana in Madagascar,and Kikaki in Madurese.

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Comparison of human with fully grown whale shark

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Whale shark at Georgia Aquarium

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Big mouth and  broad flat head of whale shark

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Whale Shark at Osaka Aquarium in Japan

Butanding at close look

Butanding in Sorsogon

Interaction with whale shark

Interaction with Butanding

Swimming with whaleshark

Swimming with Butanding

Visit San Agustin Church in Manila

San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila was designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO under classification of "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" together with Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo. In 1976, it was named as National Historical Landmark by the Philippine Government.

San Agustin Church was the oldest church in the Philippines, construction started in 1586 and completely finished in 1607. The structure was built using adobe stones quarried from Meycauayan, Binangonan and San Mateo. It has an elliptical foundation that keep it strong during earthquakes. San Agustin Church design was derived from churches built by Augustinians in Mexico. The facade is very simple but inside the church has notable baroque architecture. The interior is in the form of Latin cross with ceiling painted in 1875 by Italian artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella. There is a hand-carved 17th-century seats of molave in the choir loft. The church conatains the tomb of Spanish conquistadors Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Juan de Salcedo and Martin de Goiti and some early Spanish Governors-General and archbishops. Juan Luna, Pedro A. Paterno and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera are among the hundreds whose remains are housed within the church.

The British forces occupied the church 1762 during "Seven Years War". In 1854, it was renovated by architect Lucino Oliver and added two bell towers. It was hit by eartquake in 1880 that makes crack on the left bell tower and eventually it was removed same as it appears in the present. In 1898, the church serve as a place where the Spain prepared the terms of surrender of Manila to the United States following the Spanish-American War. In World War II, the church served as camp for prisoners and during the Battle of Manila, it is the only church inside Intramuros remain standing but the monastery adjascent to the church was totally destroyed. The monastery rebuilt in 1970s by architect Angel Nakpil.

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San Agustin Church at Present

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San Agustin Church Facade

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Damage on the left bell tower after 1880 earthquake

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Damaged San Agustin Church during World War 2

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Inside San Agustin Church

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Inside San Agustin Church

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Inside San Agustin Church

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Near to Altar inside San Agustin Church

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Wedding in San Agustin Church

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San Agustin Church Hallway

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Wedding Ceremony in San Agustin Church

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The ornately carved main door of San Agustin Church