Jaro Cathedral: Iloilo’s Iconic Roman Catholic Landmark

The Jaro Cathedral is located in the Jaro District, Iloilo. It is another example of the country's historical church with baroque architecture. Built in 1864, the cathedral was erected by order of Mariano Cuartero, the first bishop of Jaro. In 1948, this structure was destroyed by an earthquake and was restored in 1956 by the order of the first archbishop, Jose Ma. Cuenco. The famous orator Graciano Lopez Jaena was baptized in this church. In 1976, the National Historical Institute proclaimed this church a Historical Landmark.

Sulu Museum: Discover the Rich Culture and History of Sulu

The Sulu Museum is a two-story building that houses the relics, documents, paintings, and other historical memorabilia of Sulu. Previously, this building housed the Library of Sulu. What's interesting inside are the Chinese wares and documents, such as the 1878 Land Lease Agreement between the Sultanate of Sulu and British North Borneo Chartered Co. The Photo above is some of the works of Abdulmari Asia Imao, a National Artist for Sculpture.

Bangui Windmills: The Iconic Wind Farm of Ilocos Norte

The Bangui Windmills is a place that converts wind energy into electrical energy, yet it is one of the top tourist attractions in Ilocos Norte. This wind farm has 20 units of 70-meter-high wind turbines, stretching along the 99-kilometer shoreline of Bangui Bay and facing the West Philippine Sea, and each of the turbines is 326 meters apart. Read my Ilocos Norte Travel Guide to know how to get here and a list of the nearby tourist spots.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation - a stunning place in Ilocos

The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is another stunning place in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is a limestone formation curved by the pressure of the waves and the acidity of the water; the limestone by the hill was shaped into something artistic. Read my Ilocos Norte Travel Guide to know how to get here and the nearby tourist spots.

Guimbal Church: A Timeless Heritage Landmark in Iloilo

The Guimbal Church is located by the highway of Guimbal, Iloilo, and can easily be recognized because of its unique façade. After I visited Miag-Ao Church, I traveled for around 30 minutes to this church. According to my research, this historical church is also known as the St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church and doesn’t have any record of when it was erected or established. However, it was completed between 1769 and 1774 under Friar Juan Campos. In 1893, it was further enlarged but was later destroyed by fire during the Revolution from 1896 to 1898.

Explore Paco Park in Manila – History, Tips & How to Visit

The Paco Park is a recreational garden area and served as Manila's municipal cemetery during the Spanish colonial period. This structure was built in the 18th century and was completed in 1822. Its original design was to be a municipal cemetery for the influential and aristocratic Spanish families living in Manila and Intramuros, but it also served as a peaceful dwelling place for those victims of the cholera epidemic.

Fort Santiago during World Tourism Day

The Fort Santiago was my first destination as part of Celebrating the World Tourism Day 2017 in Intramuros. Walking beside this gigantic wall is remarkable as it embodies the significance of the past to the present. Just by reading the writings placed by the management in different corners, you can foresee what has transpired inside this wall centuries ago. Also, we can distinguish who the prominent people imprisoned and tortured here, like Jose Rizal. The photos below will give you more excitement.

San Sebastian Church, Manila Travel Guide

The San Sebastian Church or Basilica Minore de San Sebastian is a Minor Basilica in the City of Manila. The very first structure of this church is situated on land donated by Don Bernardino Castillo, a devotee of Saint Sebastian, in 1621. It was made up of wood, but was burned in 1651. So it was then replaced by a structure made of bricks, but it was destroyed again by fire and earthquakes.

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros Travel Guide

The Manila Cathedral, or the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, is situated in the district of Intramuros, Manila. Originally, this church was the "Church of Manila," which was established and under the management of the Diocese of Mexico in 1571, but later in 1579, it became a separate diocese.

San Agustin Church, Manila Travel Guide

The San Agustin Church is a historic site in Intramuros, Manila. Also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin, it is considered the oldest church in the Philippines, recognized by the NCCA and a UNESCO Heritage Site. Like the other old churches, it faced several natural disasters, like earthquakes, and was burned several times. The very first structure was built in 1571, made of nipa and bamboo, but was destroyed by fire during the invasion of Limahong, a Chinese pirate, in 1574. In the same spot, a new structure was built and was made of wood. In 1586, a new structure made of adobe stone was constructed, led by the Augustinians.