SIRANG LENTE

Sunday, 10 May 2020

Galleries inside the National Museum of Fine Arts

A few days after my solo backpacking at the Museum of the Filipino People, it is the second part of Oktubre ang Buwan ng mga Museo. These two buildings of the National Museum of the Philippines are just a few steps away from each other. Also, they both have historical values in the country and played a huge part in preserving and restoring the ancient and modern artifacts of the Philippines.

Important Details About Marikina Shoe Museum

The Marikina Shoe Museum was conceived in 1998 under Mayor Bayani F. Fernando on the assumption that the City, being the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, can be a significant venue for nurturing the historical and cultural values of its shoe industry. It was opened on February 16, 2001, and was initially called the Footwear Museum of Marikina. Information courtesy: Marikina City Website

Saturday, 9 May 2020

Boracay Island, Backpacking and Commuting Tips

This article focuses on how to get to Boracay. From the NAIA International Airport, take a flight bound for Kalibo International Airport; the travel time is about an hour. Besides Kalibo International Airport, there are different modes of transportation that you can choose to go to Boracay Island via the Jetty Port. Instead of booking private transport, I asked the guards or sales ladies at the airport about the public utility vehicles to the Jetty Port. As instructed, I rode in a van bound for Jetty Port for 200 pesos, and the travel time is about 2 hours. On the other hand, another option is via Batangas Port, where you can board with 2Go Ferry to Caticlan, travel time is within 7-9 hours.

The Powerful Sound of Las Piñas Bamboo Organ

If I am not mistaken, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ was our topic when I was in grade four in Sibika at Kultura. The subject was interesting, so the history of the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ remains fresh in my memory, even with the long name of the man who created this majestic organ. Fray Diego Cera Dela Vergin del Carmen was a Spanish missionary born on July 26, 1762, and was the first parish priest in Las Piñas during the Spanish era. He is the man behind this national treasure - Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. He actually came from Graus, now Huesca, a town in Spain, but still, his heart loves the Philippines. F. Diego Cera is also a man of titles; he is a Musician, Architect, Organ Builder, Botanist, Physician, Painter and Geologist.

Fort San Pedro, Cebu

About Fort San Pedro

Fort San Pedro is a military defense structure in Cebu City built by the Spanish under Miguel López de Legazpi in 1738. Considered the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the Philippines, it is now a museum and historical park showcasing Cebu’s colonial past.

Sunday, 3 May 2020

Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu

About Casa Gorordo Museum

Casa Gorordo Museum is a beautifully preserved Spanish-era house located in the Parian district of Cebu City. It showcases traditional Filipino-Spanish architecture and offers a glimpse into Cebu’s colonial past. Originally owned by the Gorordo family, it has been transformed into a cultural museum featuring furniture, artwork, and heirlooms.

Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

About Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is one of the oldest surviving residential structures in the Philippines. Built in the late 1600s, this bahay-na-bato reflects a mix of Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino influences. Located in Cebu City's Parian District, it offers visitors a glimpse of life during the Spanish colonial period.

Cebu Cathedral Museum

About Cebu Cathedral Museum

The Cebu Cathedral Museum is a treasure trove of religious heritage, showcasing centuries-old artifacts, sacred relics, and ecclesiastical architecture that highlight Cebu’s rich Catholic history. Located near the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, this museum offers visitors a glimpse into the deep spiritual traditions and artistry that shaped the province’s cultural identity.

Rajah Humabon Monument, Cebu

Statue of Rajah Humabon in Cebu City near Cebu Cathedral

Who Was Rajah Humabon?

Rajah Humabon, also known as Hamabar, was the ruler of Cebu when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521. He was one of the most powerful native leaders in the Visayas, known for his influence in politics and trade, especially with other regions like Borneo and Siam. As a descendant of the Sri Lumay dynasty, he ruled over a prosperous settlement in the heart of Cebu Island.