Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

April 6, 2012. We woke up at around 5:00 in the morning and geared up for the second leg of our Ilocos Tour. We left Arzaga's house at 5:45 and headed to Laoag McDonalds for breakfast. After half an hour or so, we began our journey to Burgos, Ilocos Norte. 

Our first destination was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, commonly called Burgos Lighthouse. We reached the place at around 7:30 in the morning. Many people were there at that time since it was Holy Week. We got off the van and walked up to the area.

At first glance, Cape Bojeador looked abandoned and forlorn. But when you get nearer, a beautiful Spanish colonial structure unfolds. The whole building is made up of red bricks embellished with iron grills and woodcarvings. 





It has three levels: the lowest contains the courtyard and service buildings; the second which is about three meters above the courtyard holds the main pavilion; the octagonal-shaped tower, which constitutes the highest level, is located at the rear, five meters above the pavilion. Although the lighthouse is in a dilapidated condition, it still remains beautiful. 




Adding splendor to this lighthouse is its location. Cape Bojeador stands on top of the Vigia de Nagparitan Hill overlooking the South China Sea. The view from the veranda is just breathtaking. On one end, you can see the fantastic view of the blue ocean; on the other, the greenery view of the hills. The soft gust of the wind gives a relaxing and refreshing feeling. The place is very cinematic, such a kind that would be perfect for a romantic film.



What's more fascinating about this lighthouse is that after 100 years, it is still functioning and serving its purpose. It was initially designed and constructed by Magin Pers and Pers in 1887 and was subsequently reconfigured and finished by Guillermo Brockman. It was first lit on March 30, 1892 to guide the seafaring Spanish Galleons. In 1990, the tower was damaged by a strong earthquake. The original lighting apparatus was replaced by a solar powered electric lamp. 


I think Cape Bojeador is my most favorite place in Ilocos :)

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My First Fish Spa Experience



Fish Spa
On November 29, 2009, Mhe-Anne invited me to meet Ha Ngo, a Vietnamese friend of our mission mate Darin. As Ha was set to fly back home to Ho Chi Minh City on November 30 after a 3-year stint in a non-governmental organization in Las Pinas City, Mhe-anne thought of inviting her out for fun. She asked me to join her as it has also been awhile since we hang out together. Mhe-anne fetched me along Buendia Avenue and we headed to the Ocean Park.


We met Ha at the park. We first ate lunch at Inasal Resto and then we proceeded to the Ocean Park. The Fish Spa is located at the topmost floor of the Ocean Park. We have visited the Oceanarium before so we went straight to the spa. 


We took pictures while finding our way to the fish spa.





Upon reaching the place, we paid the P120 entrance and we were each given a small blue towel to wipe our feet with after. There are two pools - one with smaller fish and one with bigger fish. We chose the latter. Mhe-ann and Ha immediately took of their footwear and dipped their feet in the pool. I also took off my slippers and sat on the poolside. Mhe-Anne and Ha started laughing.  Infected by their gaiety, I too began laughing at the thought of how ticklish it would be.


I could not plunge my feet in the water because I could feel the tingling feeling. It was a quite awhile before I finally decided to try. I did squeal embarrassingly loudly when I first dipped my feet in. The fishes began to swarm around my feet. As they began to nibble, I burst into laughter while shifting and lifting my feet around and out the water. We were continuously laughing and giggling for about ten minutes because it was so ticklish! 


After a while, the tingling sensation subsided and we enjoyed the fish nibbling.  The nibbling does not hurt at all. It is just a bit of "pins and needles" feeling. When our 20-minute time was up, we felt a clean, smooth and light-feeling soles and feet. 



According to the posters at the Fish Spa, this fish species are found in the river basins of China, Turkey, and the Middle East. Back in 1917, an unknown shepherd soaked his wounded leg into the river. These little fishes measuring a little less than four inches nibbled off the dead skin. The wound quickly healed and the story of the healing waters spread. 

Visit Doctor fish and be treated to a unique and truly fun experience. Relaxing and addictive, the Fish Spa is really something you should experience at least once. 


Fish Spa Admission: 
P120.00 per head
2 feet and below free of charge

Monday and Tuesday
10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Last selling of tickets at 6:30 PM

Wednesday to Friday
10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Last selling of tickets at 8:00 PM

Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Last selling of tickets at 8:00 PM

Location:
Manila Ocean Park
Behind the Quirino Grandstand
Luneta, Manila, Philippines

Reservations and Bookings
Tel. No. 567-7777 local 118 and 119
reservations@manilaoceanpark.com
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Lapu-lapu Shrine and Magellan Marker


The Lapu-Lapu shrine is located in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines. A 20-meter bronze statue was erected in this site to honor Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain who defeated the Spanish invaders headed by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on 1521. 

Lapu-lapu Shrine 
Encouraged by the success of Christianizing the people of Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the faith. Before he reached the shores, he was killed by the chieftain of the island, Lapulapu and his men during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspite of the offer to trade jewelries and spices for the dead body.

The area where the battle might have taken place

 A painting depicting the Battle of Mactan.
This is the Magellan Marker. This was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died. 

Near the shrine are vendors selling assorted souvenirs. We bought two 
ukeleles from this store for P820.00. Tip: Compare prices before buying.


VISITING HOURS
Anytime. Entrance to the shrine is free.

GETTING THERE 
To get to the shrine, ride on a multicab with the sign board "Engaño" along the Cebu City Hi-way. Fare is P15.00 



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Top Cebu


After visiting the Taoist Temple, my mother and I proceeded to take an 8km uphill climb on board a taxi to Top. Situated 2,000 feet above sea level on the cool hills of Busay, Top offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Entrance to the site is P100.00.



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Killing Fields Cambodia



A commemorative stupa filled with skulls of the victims
From April 1975 to January 1979, the ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge regime ( the Red Khmer or KR), headed by Saloth Sar (known as Pol Pot), controlled the whole Cambodia. During their reign, between 1 and 2 1/2 million Cambodians were killed, others died from disease, malnutrition and mistreatment. The victims were transported and dumped in one of the dozen "killing fields" scattered across the country


Entrance to the Killing Fields

This particular killing field (Choeung Ek Genocidal Center) is the site of the brutal execution of more than 17,000 men, women and children who had first suffered through interrogation, torture and deprivation in S-21 Prison (now the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum). 

skulls of the victims

To save ammunition, the executions were often carried out using hammers, axe handles, spades or sharpened bamboo sticks. The victims were then buried in mass graves. Some victims were required to dig their own graves.

clothes of some victims
site of the former chemical storage room
one of the mass graves

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Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

This complex was formerly the Chao Ponhea Yat High School. After the Khmer Rouge came to power, it was converted into a prison and interrogation center and was renamed "Security Prison 21" (S-21). From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 17,000 people were imprisoned and tortured in these buildings, less than a dozen of whom survived.






When prisoners were first brought to Tuol Sleng, they were made aware of ten rules that they were to follow during their incarceration. The Ten Security Regulations is posted today at the Tuol Sleng Museum: 
1. You must answer accordingly to my question. Don’t turn them away.
2. Don’t try to hide the facts by making pretexts this and that, you are strictly prohibited to contest me.
3. Don’t be a fool for you are a chap who dare to thwart the revolution.
4. You must immediately answer my questions without wasting time to reflect.
5. Don’t tell me either about your immoralities or the essence of the revolution.
6. While getting lashes or electrification you must not cry at all.
7. Do nothing, sit still and wait for my orders. If there is no order, keep quiet. When I ask you to do something, you must do it right away without protesting.
8. Don’t make pretext about Kampuchea Krom in order to hide your secret or traitor.
9. If you don’t follow all the above rules, you shall get many lashes of electric wire.
10. If you disobey any point of my regulations you shall get either ten lashes or five shocks of electric discharge.

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