RainTravelsPH

When you're in Manila, consider a visit to the sprawling Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. It is located at Old Lawton Avenue at the Bonifacio Global City (Fort Bonifacio) in Taguig, Philippines. Upon entering its gates, I was immediately struck by the tranquility and sublime beauty of the place. The pristine plaza with its circular fountain, the long central mall leading to the memorial, the lush greenery, and the distinct chapel were simply breathtaking. Truly, its architect, Mr. Gardener Dailey, left no stone unturned to create a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives during the war. For me, the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii, which I had the opportunity of visiting a few years ago, paled in comparison to this memorial. The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is not only the resting place ... read more

"Charming, sweet and refined" is how I would describe the city of Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Like a genteel lady, Bacolod unwittingly seduces its visitors with attractions that evoke charm, good taste and generosity. It's no surprise then that it has won the hearts of those who have visited it (including mine). Pride of Heritage Foremost among Bacolod's charms is its colorful history and heritage. "The City that Sugar Built" was home to many men and women of privilege - individuals who were generously rewarded by the production and supply of sugar across the Philippine Islands. Well-preserved ancestral homes reflect both opulence and propriety as well as the ostentatiousness and vanity of the sugar barons and their families. Thus, visitors to Bacolod get to see period style houses that will pique the interest not only ... read more