Skip to main content

FEATURE STORY

Starbucks Domicillo Design Hotel

"A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent." While there's a lot of Starbucks out there each offering the same coffee, as far as location and view are concerned, no one offers a view so panoramic, heavenly, dreamy and divine that is Starbucks Domicillo Hotel. Imagine sipping your favorite Chocolate Cream Chip Frappucino overlooking the ethereal Taal Volcano, how dope must that be? Today me and my friend decided to have a quick one-day-only getaway to escape stress in the nearby Tagaytay City. Adulting can be very tiring so we both needed to replenish before we get consumed by exhaustion. A friend of mine recommended this new Starbucks and upon seeing pictures online, I died. The superb view is something poets would draw inspiration! The exterior looks so mundane and quite appalling at some point. Inside is just another Starbucks with tables and chairs and couches and as go further, Taal is already waving at you and i...
Post a Comment

Paco Park | Rediscovering Manila

       More than 2 kilometers away from the famous Luneta Park, there's a park in Paco, Manila that may be underrated but is worth a visit. The name is Paco Park, a quaint, 44,291.3 sq ft recreational garden and was once Manila’s municipal cemetery built by the Dominicans during the Spanish colonial period. It is located on General Luna St. and at the east end of Padre Faura Street in Paco, Manila, Philippines.

Main Entrance

         With those moss-covered walls that can be dated back in 1822, this park is similar to Intramuros. It is circular in shape. The area is so tranquil, perfect if you want a break away from the hustle of the city. According to an on-site inscription, an order for the construction of a cemetery in Bagumbayan was issued in 1807, due to the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in Manila. Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz developed a plan for the Paco Cemetery, while Don Jose Coll served as supervisor of the construction work.

        In 1859, Governor Fernando de Norzagaray proposed the extension of the cemetery to approximately 4,500 square yards, enclosing the original plan with another circular outer wall.
St. Pancratius Chapel
        This dome and oval chapel had an altar that was originally white and gold. On each side of the altar are the repositories for the remains of governors and bishops.

Elevated walkway
       There's an elevated walkway around the park so you can have a better view. You can walk around the whole park in this walkway in few minutes.

Osario
       At the back of the chapel, there's a  cemetery for the stillborn. The park was primarily designed as a municipal cemetery for the affluent and established aristocratic Spanish families who resided in the old Manila, or the city within the walls of Intramuros during the Spanish colonial era. It was on April 22, 1822 when the cemetery was officially inaugurated, although it had been in use for two years prior to its completion.

Marker
       Then I found this marker that has an inscription which reads:

MUTE WITNESSES TO THE BURIAL OF THE NATIONAL HERO
If these acacia trees (Samanea saman) could only talk,
they could tell how some grave diggers secretly buried
on this hallowed spot the body of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
after his execution on the early morning of
December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan.

His remains were dug up August 17, 1898 and kept
by the family in an urn, and finally
enshrined December 30, 1912 on the
spot in Luneta over which now stands
the monument erected in his honor.

       This is one of the greatest discovery of my whole life. I didn't know any of these. It's amazing that this park is not just a place to unwind, but a place to learn too.

Mute witness
       This is one of the several century-old acacia trees in the park. They are mute witnesses to our history. If only they can talk, we really can learn a lot of things from it about what exactly happen in this place a hundred years ago.

Memorare
The mortal remains of the three martyred priests,
Father's Jose A. Burgos, Mariano C. Gomes, and Jacinto R. Zamora,
were buried in this hallowed ground after their
execution on 17 February 1872 for complicity in
the Cavite mutiny.

The marker was unveiled by his excellency
Fidel V. Ramos, President, Republic
of the Philippines, February 17, 1998
on the occasion of the martyrdom of
the three priests.

       Another discovery for me! I've learned a lot of things in this park. Entrance fee to the park is PHP10 and they are open daily from 7:00AM-5:00PM. The park is  favorite spot for photoshoots and weddings.

How to get there?


       The nearest LRT1 station is the UN Avenue station. From there, take the General Luna St. straight ahead, the park is few minutes walk or you can take a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at Paco Park. (I walked so I don't know the fare)

       By jeepney, whether you're from south or north of Taft Avenue, ride a jeepney going to the opposite direction and drop off at Padre Faura St (landmark is Supreme Court). Paco Park is few minutes walk from there. And again, you can always take a cab if its more convenient for you.

       If you're into history, then this place is for you. And if you're just looking for a serene place to relax and unwind, you can try to explore what this park can offer. It is one of Manila's gem. Paco Park is aesthetically, culturally and historically significant. -Jon-
Mga etiketa:

Comments

Post a Comment

What Others are Reading

Diwata Imacoto Beach | Rediscovering Oas, Albay

      Summer has got to be my favorite time of the year. It means a lot of torrid sunlight, a lot of sweating and dehydration at some point, but there are so many ways to beat it and the open sea is the key. Behind the lush mountains of my hometown Oas in Albay province lies a haven many would think doesn't exist, even an Oas native like me. Up above its coastal areas, a paradise is waiting to be rediscovered. There I found the Diwata Imacoto Beach in the barangay of Cagmanaba. Its name was derived from the owners surname. With its crystal clear waters, white sand, and tranquil atmosphere, everyone will find it a perfect place to unwind without having to spend that much. The place is under-developed and I must say it is whole lot better that way.    A Paradise in the West Coast Albay, where skies are bluer!        There are many good beaches in Albay and  I'm just glad that my hometown had a good share of it. People f...
6 comments
Read more

Bambusetum | Kawa-Kawa Hills | Ligao City, Albay

       On the slopes of Kawa-Kawa Hills in Tuburan, Ligao City, Albay lies another attraction that has been drawing thousands of visitors since it opened in 2014. The place is called Bambusetum. From the name itself, it is quite easy to guess what it is about. It's a one hectare sanctuary for a variety of the mighty grass we all know, the bamboo. It adds a generous amount of green to the already lush and verdant fields of the hill. It is made possible thru the DENR, the City Government of Ligao and Cong. Fernando Gonzales.        I so loved green and everybody knows that, but what's fascinating about this bambusetum is that it serves a gene bamboo bank and plantation to propagate the said grass and therefore ultimately creating a bamboo forest, and bingo, a tourist attraction.        The bambusetum houses local species such as Anos (Schizostachyum lima), Bayog (Bambusa merrilliana), Bikal (Schizostachyu...
7 comments
Read more

Rediscovering Oas, Albay: Barangay Cagmanaba

       Oas is a first class municipality in Albay province. I was born and had grew up there. Most of my fondest childhood memories were here. Up above its coastal areas, a paradise is waiting to be rediscovered. It's the barangay  of Cagmanaba. With its crystal clear waters, fine white sand, and islets, it could be the next top tourist attraction of the province. We're lucky to saw it in its still virgin state. Where is Oas?       Oas is in the Bicol peninsula, southeast of Luzon. From Manila, you can take a bus from the terminals in Cubao or Pasay and embark on a 10-hour journey to the south. Or, to make life easy, get on a plane to Legazpi City, hail a bus at Legazpi’s terminal and after an hour on the road, hop off at the public market of Oas. Well-traveled men and hobbits, when asked of places to see in Albay, would perhaps not mention this town. Their list, most likely, will include the regulars: the world-fam...
5 comments
Read more

Rediscovering Manila: Chinese Garden at Rizal Park

       Inside the Luneta Park, lies this garden built by Chinese community as an additional attraction. The serene atmosphere at this garden is perfect for picnic and relaxation. Families frequented the place as the area is just small thus making their bonding intimate. With a touch of nature and Chinese ambiance, one will surely find this place relaxing. Main Entrance        There is entrance fee of PHP10. The main entrance is like a Chinatown arch where in Chinese characters and letters are inscribed. Statue of Confucius        Confucius was an influential Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure known for his popular aphorisms and for his models of social interaction.       Kong Qui, better known as Confucius, was born in 551 B.C. in the Lu state of China (near present-day Qufu). His teachings, preserved in the Analects, focused on creating ethical models of family and public inte...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Waterfall, Dubai Mall

       Dubai Mall is more than just the largest mall in the world by total space. Aside from home to the world's most luxurious brands, a massive aquarium, it also features unique concepts and design that the world has never seen. One thing that surely caught mall-goers eye is The Waterfall. This massive waterfall runs through the four levels of the mall and features art sculptures of human divers made of fiberglass creating the illusion as if they really are diving from the top to bottom.        Dubai Mall being so vast, the Waterfall is a very good meeting point for families and friends. Coffee shops and retail outlets overlooks the waterfall. Some palm trees were also set up to to make the ambiance of a desert oasis.        With expansions going on, we can only expect that Dubai Mall will be adding more attractions to keep up with the interests of the growing visitors of the mall. How to get there? ...
13 comments
Read more

Burj Park: A Patch of Green in Downtown Dubai

       With all the massive and high-rise buildings spread all over the city, it's a breath of fresh air to find a green spot in the middle of the city where you can simply lie down in the grass under the shade of few trees while marveling at the ever changing skyline of Dubai. Just around the Burj Khalifa you'll find this tiny park called Burj Park.        There are bicycles in the area that are up for rent. The place is also a venue for mini concerts and events. At the time I went here, there is a stage being set up for an event. The place is also ideal for yoga or zumba classes and provides a resting place for joggers around the area. Dubai Opera        Just beside the park is the newly opened Dubai Opera, a state-of-the-art venue for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film, sports events, and seasonal programmes in Downtown Dubai's Opera District. The stunning architecture adds to the alr...
2 comments
Read more

Ligñon Hill Nature Park | Rediscovering Legazpi City

       Legazpi City is the capital of Albay province. It is often called as the City of Fun and Adventure. Why? First, the city  is a land of happy people. Tourists can say how warm and welcoming the locals are. The city is also blessed with natural tourist spots which drew thousands of local and foreign visitors. Mayon Volcano is definitely the Hall of Famer when it comes  to the top destination the tourists want to see  but in recent years, a lot of tourism projects and developments were done hence boosting the growth of the city. One of the places you should  visit whenever visiting the city is the Ligñon Hill Nature Park in Bogtong, Legazpi City.            For years, the hill had become one of the most visited landmark in he city. The summit rises to about 512 feet (156 meters). It offers a 360 degree panoramic view of the Mayon Volcano, the downtown Legazpi City and neighboring towns, and the Albay gulf...
2 comments
Read more