Remembering Heroes at the Manila American Cemetery

Since we have no dead relatives to visit on All Saints Day (November 1, 2008) in Metro Manila, Ruby, Jennifer, Rose and I decided to go to Manila American Cemetery. On board a taxi, we tracked the way to Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila and traveled back to history.

The Manila American Cemetery is the largest of the 24 cemeteries built and administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission. It spans 152 acres and contains 17,206 graves of military men (16,636 Americans and 570 Filipinos) who died in operation in New Guinea and Philippines during the World War II. The marble headstones (quarried from Lasa or Carrara, Italy and Roblon, Philippines) are aligned in 11 plots forming a circular pattern. A bronze Rosette marks the names of those subsequently found. 3,660 headstones mark the graves of 3,774 "unknowns".

A tall memorial chapel with sculpture in front and religious mosaic inside stands near the center of the cemetery. 

Fronting the chapel are two large hemicycles which contain the "Walls of the Missing". On the Walls of the Missing are inscribed the names of 32,520 Americans and 3762 Filipinos whose remains were never recovered or not identified.

Carved in the floors are the seals of the American states and its territories. 

At the end of the hemicycle are map rooms which contain 25 mosaic maps depicting the achievements of the American armed forces in the Pacific, China, India and Burma.

Just inside the main gate is the Visitor's Building which contain the Superintendent's office, toilet facilities and a furnished room where visitors may obtain information, sign the register and relax.

Some fun memories:

Visiting the Manila American Cemetery is a sobering experience. I am glad for the chance to see the resting place of those persons who died in protecting the freedom I am now enjoying. Just as the inscription in the memorial states:

LET US HERE RESOLVE THAT

THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY DIED SHALL LIVE

Visiting Hours:

9 am to 5 pm daily except December 25 and January 1

How to Get There

Manila American Cemetery is located in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. You can reach the place by taxi via EDSA to McKinley Road then to McKinley Parkway inside the Global City. (GPS Coordinates: N14 32.483 E121 03.008)

Read More

Saigon: City of Motorbikes

The first thing I observed in Saigon when we went to tour the city on the of morning March 18, 2010 was their means of transportation. The city is swamped with motorbikes. 

There are cars but they are not as numerous as the motorbikes. I heard that there are about 6 million motorbikes in Saigon. Each year, an estimated 300,000 to 350,000 new motorcycles are licensed in the city. 

Even the house where we stayed is packed with motorbikes. The first floor which is supposed to be a dining room is used as a garage.

The motorbikes run anywhere, even on the pavement! At one time, our bus was sandwiched by the two herds of motorbikes coming from the opposite direction. I was really amused and amazed. Scooters rule the place.

Read More

Ice Skating Adventure

I have always wanted to try ice skating. So when Mhe-anne gave me 20 free tickets to the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink, I excitedly told my friends about it. Everyone reserved one ticket but only Ruby, Ann and I confirmed at the last minute. Determined to skate, the three of us met at the Mall of Asia on December 2007. We found out, however, that tickets were only good for an hour. As surely we would not fully enjoy it, we bought unlimited tickets for P380.00 each. We got our skates and deposited our things. We then proceeded to the rink and started our ice skating adventure.

Ruby has tried ice skating before so she never had a hard time finding her way to the ice floor. Ann is good at roller blading. She too easily learned to adjust on the floor. 

I have tried roller blading during my college days but ice skating is different. The floor is very slippery and the skates are very heavy. The thought that I will get hurt of it added to my trepidation. I almost slipped on my third step on the floor. Thanks to Ann who immediately hold me. Not long, I learned the way to do it. I was able to glide a short distance away. But only at the side where I can easily grab a hold. Before lunch, I fairly skated on my own.

We took lunch at the nearby food court. We rested for a while and then we headed back to the rink.

I managed to skate farther and faster through the coaching of Ann and Ruby. I still remember Ruby's cheer, "Kaya mo yan, Ate Arlene!" We glide individually and hand in hand around the rink. I like it best when Ann and I would skate together. At times when I would lost my balance, her grip would take me back into control. Did I fall? Sure I did, but it was part of the fun. 


Ruby left us at 3:00 in the afternoon as she had some appointment. Ann and I stayed through the rest of the afternoon. We went out of the rink at 6:00 in the evening tired and with heavy legs and feet. But the fun and enjoyment we had was all worthwhile. The glide, the feel of the air passing through you and the sight of the distance you have made to skate brings some kind of satisfaction and achievement. You will love it!

Surely you have watched ice skating on TV, movie or at the skating rink in the mall. Why just watch it? EXPERIENCE IT! Dare to skate and have fun with your family and friends. Skate at the olympic-size ice rink of the SM Mall of Asia.

Rates:

Unlimited Weekdays: P300.00

Unlimited Weekends/Holidays: P390.00

SM Advantage Card: P200.00/hour

Locker: P30.00

For more details, visit: http://www.smiceskating.com

Reminders:

1. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and layer it with a sweatshirt or jacket. You can bring shawl if you want. It's cold out there!

2. Combine your shirt with a comfortable pants or jeans

2. Bring a pair of socks and gloves

How to tie your ice skates:

by Writetown

You might be tempted to tie your ice skates as tightly as possible, all of the way from the bottom to the top of the skate. You shouldn't do this... because it will just make your feet hurt and make it much more difficult to skate. It is best to tie your skates fairly loosely at the bottom part. The laces should be snug but not too tight from the toe of the skate to the ankle. In the middle part of the skate, at the ankle, it's a good idea to pull the laces tight. This will give your ankles the support they need to hold you up while you are skating. Above the ankle, it is best to tie the laces loosely again. Actually, the very top part of the skate should be the loosest part. This way, it will be much easier for you to bend your knees... and that is very important in ice skating.

Read More