My Alma Mater : PLM

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Last year , I was able to accompany my daughter to her enrollment for the second semester at my very own alma mater , PLM , Ang Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. the first institution of higher learning in the country and perhaps in Asia to offer tuition-free tertiary education, the first university funded solely by a city government and  the first institution of higher learning in the country to have its official name in Filipino. The campus is situated along General Luna and Muralla Streets in Manila's historical Intramuros district.

There’s nothing like walking down memory lane … remembering the roots of my education, four years of non stop learning and  trying hard for academic excellence ( which is the PLM’s vision) and our goal for maintaining the scholarship we are very privileged of having. We were proudly called “Mga Iskolar ng Bayan!”

PLM has changed a lot since I graduated several years ago.

When I was a student here, the monument of General Douglas McArthur was once situated at the main gate.  It has been changed to the Flame monument, which has become of  one of the PLM's iconography... It symbolizes many things - love of country, nationalism, patriotism, enlightened liberalism, and of course, academic excellence.

Gen. Douglas McArthur’s monument is now located at the southern banks of the Pasig River (near the Philpost Office and directly opposite of the district of Binondo). I wonder if he would again said “I shall Return” to PLM ?

The PLM grounds, and very memorable sheds . Those waiting sheds  have  been  witness to our laughters and tears...as well as to many secrets…

The PLM Grandstand (Tanghalang Bayan) and Open Field.

The Chapel

It’s great to know that the management of PLM has invested so much in infrastructure, faculty and student development.  There were a lot of new buildings, I heard they were fully airconditioned. ), but it’s also nice to know that some  buildings inside the campus still  possess a 19th century or Hispanic architectural design.

This year, PLM has celebrated it's 46th Foundation Day.    I have heard that the Torch of  Flame and Excellence in the front  has been transfer inside the  school and has been replaced by monument of our country hero Jose Rizal.

How time flies !  It’s indeed great to remember that once upon a time I was here, in this  place called "The Pamantasan."

One Fine Day !

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One beautiful Sunday morning , I woke up feeling energetic and wanting to get out and walk around somewhere. So I decided to get on my running, er,  walking shoes and what a better way to spend morning than a stroll at the Manila bay. We used to have our Sunday, or Saturday walks here months before.

With my husband and daughter , we started our walk when ,the morning  still is fairly quite and cool. First is at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex where there were many health buffs walking and jogging, with their families, or friends, or jogging buddies, some with their pet dogs.

Then we reached up to the Harbor Square ( as we always do, as this place is very memorable to us, one of our favorites). Harbor Square is situated near CCP.

It’s a nice place to hang out.There  are many restaurants and bars to choose from. There are also tiangge where clothings and other stuffs are sold in much cheaper price. You can also spend the afternoon here viewing the famous Manila Bay sunset. 

People of different age enjoys strolling around here. There are many other activities you can join in. There are people playing badminton. If you feel energetic, you can always join in the many aerobic classes or Tai Chi classes that are on going from one end of the baywalk along Roxas Boulevard to the other. Of course, we did join in. Or you can also just sit and simply chill.

Manila Yacht Club is also nearby. I enjoy the sights of the yachts, and the view of the whole place. I always bring my camera as I always want to capture every beautiful sight. I feel at peace whenever I see cool stuffs like these, simple it may be , anything under the sun, the bay, boats, the whole site actually!  I’m sharing here some of my shots. Hope you like it ! 

Everything Flies ! Hot Air Balloons at Pampanga

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I always remember happy trips and exciting festivals i experience to witness.

Last year, 2010, I went to 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was held in Clark Freeport, Pampanga from February 11 to 14, 2010. It is an annual event that features not just hottest balloons but also different aerial exhibitions such as sky diving , aircraft flight demonstration , Aerobic Airshow, Kite Flying competition, and many more .

Me and my husband were able to attend the last day which is Feb. 14, our Valentine’s day date actually. We left Manila in the evening of Feb 13, arrived at Clark before midnight. All hotels were fully booked! So we just strolled around Clark , stay in McDonald’s until 2 am.

We were at the venue around 4:30 AM. The queue to the parking area, as well as the main entrance of the show area was very long. But you can see the excitement from the people.

 It was amazing to witness how hot air balloons unfolded from the trucks ,get inflated ,  burst with fire and finally fly up up away to the sky !

 At around 6 am  the Philppine National anthem was played with a sky jumper carrying a Philippine Flag.

 Moments later , the beautiful sky was filled with different shapes and varied colors of flying balloons !

It was also a great venue for photo enthusiasts, amateur and professionals, with their cp cameras, digicams, videocams, high end cameras and even webcam from their laptops ! 

 

 

It was a fun-filled weekend , full of surprises, filled with everything that flies ! I always hope to be back  !!! 

Caleruega Church Nasugbu Batangas– Close to Nature, Close to God

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I enjoyed celebration of my nth birthday by fulfilling my wish to go to a very peaceful place , a church so beautiful and serene. I felt I’m near to heaven, near to God,  one of the  blessed places in  the world – the Caleruega Church.  Located in Nasugbu, Batangas,  in a little bit off to Tagaytay City.

Just entering the place, you can see a colorful place of pathways with rows of flowers and a wonderful green hills and landscape, in many directions are breathtaking sceneries.  The chapel, is in the top of the hill, it ‘s not so big , but the whole place ,you’ll really feel close to nature, closer to God, in a peaceful beautiful paradise! It’s is a good place to be peace and quite for better meditation. It is a “home amidst the beauty of nature where pilgrims are open to prayer, to creative transformation, to Gospel values.”

Throughout the years, the place was known for religious purposes. It is a perfect hideaway for retreats and  recollections. It has been a venue for many activities,  leadership seminars and trainings , prayers and renewal workshops, youth camps, research,  family / religious  encounters.

And at present, it is also the favorite for weddings and most exciting moments for the wedding photoshoot!

There is a reception area in the entrance . Caleruega has many conference rooms;  Reflectory Hall;  Transfiguration Chapel;   a 180-capacity dining hall; the Tuktok Snacks Bar and the Plaza de Aza,  that is a roof deck which can be used as big-group gatherings ; dormitories called Catalina Hall and Tomasino Hall;   Pahingalayan and Fra Angelico family rooms and hermitage cottages ; Gazekubo, for a wedding reception and  a campsite called Kampo Arriba.  

What a wonderful day !!! 

The travel is only 2 hours from Manila and entrance to the vicinity costs Php 30.00.