Destination

Attractions you must see when visiting Manila

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Manila is an interesting place to say the least. But so are an many other cities throughout the world.

So, why should tourists use the time and resources to visit the Philippine Capital?

Personally I feel Manila has a lot of depth. It is a city which can be enjoyed on many different levels. The city is filled with many classic entertainment options such as bars, theme parks, amazing malls amongst many other things.

For tourists who want to dig a little deeper, Manila is filled with cultural relics hinting at the rich history of the city which has made it what it is today.

So now lets have a look at some of Manilas tourist hot spots as well as some lesser known attractions in Metro Manila.

Fort Santiago

Situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, the scenic Fort Santiago is one of the premier attractions of the walled city of Intramuros.

Fort Santiago began its life as the headquarters for the Spanish military. It was a part of  a larger collection of Spanish infrastructure which collectively made up the walled city of Intramuros.

This spanish base was established due to Miguel López de Legazpi who was a prominent Spanish explorer. He was was working to re-establish Manila as the centre the Spanish empire in the east.

After the ousting of the Spanish imperialists, Fort Santiago was home to the massacre of thousands of POWs during WWII. This violence during the Japanese occupation was shortlived after their hold on the city was removed during the Battle of Manila.

Today Fort Santiago is a much more peacefulplace. It features beautifully manicured gardens, plazas and water features, which perfectly compliment the dated stone features of the structure.

Amongst the beauty you can see hits of the colourful, but violent past of the strucutre. From the odd bullet hole, to the dugeons below in which the Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held. There is a lot to be discovered within the walls of Fort Santiago.

The Binondo China town arch marks the entrance to the Binondo district of Manila.

Binondo

On the surface the Binondo district of Manila can easily be brushed off just another Chinatown. But reality is, this district of Metro Manila highlights the rich history of relations between Chinese natives and the Philippines.

Dating back as far as the early Spanish Colonial period, Binondo is commonly known as the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was once a vibrant hub of commerce and trade, but has now descended into the all too familiar urban decay seen across Manila.

Modern day Binondo is still very much the centre f the Filipino – Chinese community. To this day you will still hear various Chinese dialects and see various stores advertising their goods with Chinese signage.

Any visitor to the Binondo district must experience some of the local cuisine. You can find cuisines from various regions across China, as well as a mix of local Filipino foods. There are many tours which will take you through some of the famous eateries within the area.

Binondo also continues to be a centre for commerce, as it is home to a wide array of consumer goods. During the Chinese new year the area comes alive as many of the stores offer bargains which attracts many savy shoppers.

With the delicious food, Chinese New Year and celebrations, and the historical architecture of the Colonial buildings and temples, there is a lot to be experienced within the Binondo district of Manila.

Cubao Expo

In our world of mass produced goods, pockets of individuality where quality is valued over quantity are becoming scarce. Thankfully Manila maintains a community of like minded individuals who still see the appeal in offering unique, quirky goods.

This community found in Cubao Expo – a small complex developed in 1972, formerly known as Marikina Shoe Expo. The complex, found alon Gen. Romulo St. in Araneta Center, was originally used to showcase the wares of Marikina Shoemakers.

This lasted until 1997 when the complex closed down, but this turned out to only be a short hiatus. In the early 2000’s the thriving DIY and art scene began to take hold of the quarters and transform it into what it ias today.

Eve4n though over the years, different stores have come and gone, the theme of the complex remains the same. It is a melting pot of quirky vintage goods, and wares from the music and art scene.

You can find merch from local bands, dig through stacks of local and international vinyl, experience the local art through paintings and art books. Cubao Expo has a lot to offer those who love to indulge the arty side of life. 

Manila Baywalk

Now for a personal favourite, Manila Baywalk. In fast paced environments like Manila, getting away from the hustle of city life and enjoying nature can be quite theraputic.

I think this is why I find myself strolling down Manila Baywalk so often. Its really at its best in the late evening, taking in the beautiful sunset across the ocean and the cool sea breeze. 

The Baywalk is basically in full operation from early in the morning to all through the night. It generally begins with health conscious locals who walk and cycle up and down the promenade throughout the morning. 

The 2km stretch of land running along Roxas Boulevard joins some of Manilas tourist hot spots which adds to the popularity of the Baywalk. At one end you have the infamous Rizal Park, US Embassy, and Manila Ocean Park.

As you travel down the baywalk you will pass by many bars, restaurants, cafes and much more. Eventually you’ll come to the other end situated by the Manila Yacht Club, also a short trip away is one of the largest malls in Asia – SM Mall of Asia.

Thriving gardens and beautiful architecture is found throughout the Greenbelt complex.

Greenbelt Mall

I’m aware that the love of mall culture in the Philippines has been pointed out ad nauseam, but I feel like I can not pass on highlighting this staple of mall culture in the Philippines.

When it comes to shopping, dining, and entertainment in the Philippines Ayala Malls are one of the biggest players in these industries. The brand is known for going above and beyond when it comes to customer experience – the Greenbelt Mall complex is no exception.

I have found Greenbelts appeal comes its ability to excel where a lot of other malls in the area fail.  In one case malls in Manila tend to be very chaotic and fast paced, you are basically only there to spend money.

The Greenbelt complex has a completely different atmosphere, the vibrant open air architecture, and lush gardens throughout the area create a relaxed feeling.

Another uncommon feature amongst other malls in the area are the small plazas found throughout the area, where patrons can sit, unwind in areas often adorned with gardens, water features, art work and sculptures.

Greenbelt malls offer a host of common and uncommon shopping outlets, a wide array of restaurant and cafe options as well as many different entertainment options. I think visiting Greenbelt is a must for anyone spending time in Manila.

Culture

Surprising Filipino inventions and discoveries

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As I’m sure you all know FIlipinos love to sing. This national obsession has lead to many talented Filipinos leaving their mark on the music industry. In fact, many Filipinos seem to excel at creative pursuits in general.

The country is home to a thriving movie industry, the local production houses regularly are regularly producing international quality films, using local talent.

When it comes to Filipino talent, it is not just limited to the Arts.

Did you know that Filipino scientists and innovators are actually behind some of the world’s greatest inventions too?

But, before we begin, I want to cover the use of the word “invention”. Most inventions in modern times can be better described as innovation. These are products or concepts built on top of a series of other innovations.

But by keeping to a strict definition of “invention” we would not be able to recognise the creativity and hard work of some special Filipinos.

We still want to recognise these innovations.

So…

From medicine to technology, farming and board games, here are just some of the best Filipino inventions!

Karaoke!

Karaoke is very popular across the world, especially in South-East Asia. But, do you know where it originated from?

That’s right, it also is a Filipino invention. More accurately, it was first patented by a Filipino.

In 1974, president of Trebel Music Corporation Roberto del Rosario invented a clever system that displayed lyrics while the instrumentals of a song were playing. The result? A great way to sing along to your favourite song alone, or in a group setting.

It’s important to know the first karaoke machines were actually developed by the Japanese – specifically the Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in 1971.

The problem was Inoue did not patent his original system. Which left Robert del Rosario free to create his own.

Roberto del Rosario does own the patent for the concept. To this day, it is probably the Filipino invention that has seen the most international success.

The Single Chip Graphical User Interface Accelerator

This one is a mouthful. The single-chip graphical user interface (GUI) accelerator is a chip device that helped make operating computers a lot easier.

The technology helped move PC operating systems from the era of the text based command systems, such as MS-DOS to the kind of operating systems we experience today.

Its inventor, Philippines-born Diosdao Banato wanted to create a device that would make computers operate faster, and more efficiently. Which he certainly delivered on this goal!

The technology behind Banato’s chip is still used to this date in personal computers and heavier devices, where it still functions to make our technology more efficient.

Fe Del Mundo was impacted by her exposure to various medical condition affecting children in the provinces. This led her to choose paediatrics as her specialisation while in medical school.

The Bamboo Incubator

Dr. Fe Del Mundo was not only the first woman recognised as a “National Scientist” in the Philippines, she also established a famous paediatric hospital, and pioneered the world’s first bamboo incubator.

Due to a lack of electricity at the time, the traditional incubator was not practical to use in rural communities within the provinces of the Philippines.

To address this issue, Dr. Fe Del Mundo developed a bamboo incubator which was heated by a cushion of hot water bottles lining a bamboo basket, covered by a hood which fed a supply of oxygen into the incubator.

With her bamboo incubator, Dr Fe del Mundo created a great alternative that could be mass-produced—and helped to keep thousands of babies alive!

The Fluorescent Light Tube – It’s a Myth!

When you turn on the light in a classroom or conference room, you may not be paying much attention to the lightbulb you are using. But if it is a fluorescent light tube, one of the most popular types of bulbs in community spaces, then you are staring straight at a Filipino invention!

Or at least a lot of people think this. But, truth is, this is just a myth.

It is quite common to see this included on lists of Filipino inventions, and it is even said to be found in Filipino textbooks, but the fact is it is simply not true.

The concept of the Fluorescent Light was theorised decades before the supposed inventor Agapito Flores was even born. In addition, when the patent for the first prototype was issued, Flores was only 4 years old.

Quink Ink

Before ball-point pens became popular, people used to write largely with fountain pens. Although they were beautiful and elegant, there were also a couple of serious problems with them…

For example, the ink took a long time to dry which meant it would spread out or smudge. Overtime, it would clog the pen opening, meaning you had to regularly clean the tip. The ink was also known to fade so much you couldn’t see the writing after only a few years.

All of that was of course before a Filipino inventor by the name of Francisco Quisumbing came along and invented the perfect alternative to traditional ink – Quink Ink.

His project developed with Parker Pens, dried quickly, didn’t clog pens, did not fade or smudge, and it was even water-resistant! If you are still using a fountain pen to this day and are not experiencing any problems with it, chances are that the technology behind the ink you’re using was inspired by this brilliant Filipino invention. Pretty cool!

The Lunar Rover

Sure, Americans were the first to set foot on the moon. But what did they use to explore the surface of it? The Moon Buggy, a lunar rover partially invented by Eduardo San Juan, a mechanical engineer who studied at Mapua Institute of Technology.

His work even won him a nomination as one of the Ten Outstanding Men awards, in the field of science and technology. To this date, the articulated wheel system that he devised is recognized world-wide and is still used to navigate surfaces with heavy crevices. Another win for the Filipino team!

Rescue 72

The Philippines are sadly prone to floods and other natural disasters. Due to this persistent threat they have some of the best technology in order to deal with it.

Danvic Briones, who invented a kit of life-saving tools for natural emergencies is a Filipino scientist who was inspired by the disaster brought by. As statistics at the time indicated, it could take up to 72 hours for victims of natural disasters to be rescued.

With that in mind, Briones invented a kit containing water, first aid material, snacks and other essential items that was meant to keep a person alive for 72 hours. We thank him for many lives saved with the Rescue 72.

The Videophone

Before we FaceTimed our loved ones, there was… the video phone. This technology worked a lot like a telephone, but included a camera which allowed the person you were talking to could see your face, operating in the same vein as the modern day web camera.

Its amazing to think of how the videophone was invented as early as 1955!

The phone operated using similar technology used to broadcast live TV streams at the time. Its inventor, Gregorio Zara from Lipa City, referred to it as the “Photophone”. Needless to say, he would be glad to see how well his invention has travelled so far, and become common practice throughout the world.

Conversion of plastic waste to fuel

Plastic waste has become an extremely hot topic over recent years. Our modern lives have become so over reliant on plastics, with the majority of consumer products using it in some manner. This has led to the issue of what to do with these plastics once they have left the hands of the consumer.

One Filipino inventor from Bacolod, Jayme Navarro believes he has the answer.

His innovative idea came from his work on turning plastic waste back into its original form. He uses a process called “pyrolysis” in which the material is heated until it begins to boil. The vapours are captured and then distilled down into their different forms.

This liquid that is captured is identical to fuel. Navarro believes the value comes from the low production cost, as plastic trash is readily available, and the processing of the material is quite simple. 

Filipinos may not be the best-known for their innovative science…but they were actually the brains behind some inventions and products we couldn’t imagine our worlds without! From music to medicine to mechanical engineering, there is a lot to be proud of when it comes to Filipino inventions, and we are sure this trend is nowhere near the end, so expect the list to keep on growing over the coming years.

Click here to find out more about the vibrant culture of the Philippines!

Destination

Is Cebu safe? Tips and tricks for a comfortable stay in Cebu

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Cebu is one of the more popular islands in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a popular destination for many international visitors due to the vibrant culture and natural beauty that can be found around the island. Its many waterfalls such as Kawasan Falls, the whale sharks of Oslob. Also, the many beautiful islands surrounding the province such as Malapascua and Kalanggaman Island.

Due to many highly publicised murder cases being covered by the media through out the Philippines, a lot of tourists are now beginning to question how safe it is to be a tourist travelling through places like Cebu?

The legitimate dangers within Cebu

I’ll try and assess the question by drawing from my personal experience. I have spent quite a lot of time travelling all across the island. So, I now feel I have a few experiences to draw from.

My assumption would be the biggest concern for tourists is the high profile murders across the Philippines. For me this should be the least of your concerns. A lot of the murders are targeted killings, such as rival gang members, political opponents, business opposition. It is rare for a foreign national to be involved in such incidents.

This is not to say it doesn’t happen. Although it is rare, but foreign nationals have been killed in the Philippines. The common factor in these cases are tourists venturing into known danger zones. This is seen in several high profile cases involving foreign nationals venturing through the southern region of the Philippines. This region is known to be full of bandits looking to hold foreigners for ransom.

For this reason, tourists are strongly advised to avoid the southern region of Mindanao if possible. For Cebu, this is a non-issue, kidnappings of tourists is almost unheard of.

So what should I look out for?

Due to being perceived as being much wealthier than locals. Tourists may face legitimate issues such as being a target of scams, harassment and excessive begging.

Tourists are often scammed when using taxis to tour the city. This can be due to the meter being tampered with, or the driver setting a significantly inflated fixed price.

Pandanon Island is just one of many smaller islands found surrounding Cebu.

 

Here are some helpful tips to avoid being scammed while using public transport.

  • Know roughly what the fare should be. These rates can be found on the LTFRB website.
  • Note the details of the taxi, including the plate number and the details of the driver, which should be on display in the car.
  • Try to use ride sharing services such as Grab, this offers you a fixed price for your journey, which means the drivers can not negotiate the price with you. You can then tip the driver if you feel it is appropriate at the end of the journey.
  • Be ready to say no to drivers if they seem too pushy or generally suspicious, there are plenty of other taxis in Cebu.
Dealing with beggars can also be an issue for tourists.

Cebu has a large homeless population, almost everywhere you go in the city, you will see the less fortunate sleeping out on the street. This often comes with a lot of begging, especially if you stand out as a tourist.

Although it is not a nice sight to see the children out begging on the street, it can be an issue if you decide to give them money. If you are seen doing this by other children, you’ll attract more beggars, who will not take no for an answer. You can quickly have groups of children following you around the streets, persistently asking you for money.

This is why the best course of action is to simply refuse and ignore them, or if you must give money try to do it in a fast and discreet manner.

What about riding the infamous Jeepney?

Throughout my time visiting Cebu, I have spent a lot of time in Jeepneys and have had very few issues with them. They are a popular, cheap means to travel around Cebu City.

My only issue with them relates to comfort, as they can be quite small and cramped when they are full of passengers. On top of this, it can be quite hot inside, as well as smelly due to the passenger area being exposed to the fumes from other vehicles.

Although it is tempting for tourists to ride the iconic means of transport, I would prioritize using other means such as ride-sharing services over Jeepneys. I have heard stories of phones and jewelry being snatched from passengers, as a tourist you may become more of a target, so riding a Jeepney may not be worth the risk.

If you must use the Jeepneys, avoid drawing attention to yourself with flashy clothing and jewelry. Also avoid using devices such as your phone out in the open as these are common targets for thieves who will snatch it directly from your hands.

Cebu has beautiful hidden attractions found throughout the island, such as historical landmarks, hidden beaches and stunning waterfalls.

Unpredictable weather in the Philippines

Another issue often overlooked is the weather in the Philippines. More often than not, the weather is hot, and humid. This may become an issue for tourists walking through Cebu’s famous sites such as the Basilica del Santo Niño or Colon street.

This is why it is important to pack for the climate. Prioritize light, comfortable clothing. As you will be spending a significant amount of time out in hot, humid weather. Water isn’t so much of an issue because it is widely available at tourist attractions across the island.

Cebu is also subject to typhoons between June to November, although typhoons do occur outside of these months. The heavy downpours during this season can bring about another set of risks.

As a lot of the infrastructure around Cebu City is not well maintained, it can be quite dangerous in wet weather. So take caution when walking downstairs, and along footpaths in the wet weather. Also, some of the malls have a tendency to use gloss tiles on their footpaths – which do look nice – but are extremely slippery when they are wet.

So, what are my final thoughts on visiting Cebu?

Cebu is a very beautiful island, which I would not hesitate to recommend tourists to visit. Although, I feel people should be aware that the island does have the potential to be dangerous, though it is nowhere near as dangerous as some other areas of the Visayas.

Tourists should always exercise caution when they are commuting around the island, and be aware of their surroundings and the people they are dealing with.

I know a lot of people like to “stray off the beaten path” when it comes to seeing different cultures. But when it comes to places like Cebu, you can’t go wrong just sticking with visiting the popular tourist spots. The popular spots are generally very safe, enjoyable, and easy to commute to, and from.

History

What You Need To Know About The Hukbalahap

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The Hukbalahap were a Filipino guerrilla group, fighting against the Philippine government and their Japanese oppressors of the time. The roots of the rebellion began in the year 1942, when Japanese troops first invaded the Philippines. The Huks had a continued presence during the reign of President Manuel Roxas. It finally came to an end in the year 1954 when President Ramon Magsaysay was the head of state and government.

During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the Hukbalahap came up with a formidable resistance army that was primarily composed of peasant farmers. Their primary objective being to fight against Japanese soldiers in Central Luzon. The insurgents made use of guerrilla warfare tactics to fight against Japanese forces in villages. The Huks greatly protected Central Luzon during that period of fighting; Huk justice was the supreme power.

The Hukbalahap Rebellion led to chaos and anarchy. The United States encouraged the government of the Philippines to disarm and also apprehend rebelling Huks on allegations of communism. Constant mistreatment and harassment against small-time activists became widespread as the Philippine Constabulary as well as the United States Army Forces in the Far East went after these peasant activists.

A significant number of civilians were either maimed or killed, and as a result, the Huks opted to move into mountainous regions and back to their guerrilla way of life.

Social change before the war

Towards the end of 19th Century and at the beginning of 20th Century, the market in the Philippines opened up to North Americans as a result of American’s victory against Spain and Philippines in the years 1898 and 1902 (in that order).

The grand arrival of foreigners from the United States was undoubtedly marked by the rapid spread of capitalism that had already been introduced by Spaniards. The result was significant increase in trade volumes between the two nations- US and Philippines. Owners of land opted to grow sugar cane, tobacco, and other cash crops instead of the conventional cereals- and they would subsequently export them to the United States.

Emergence of peasant organizations

A majority of poor people were turned into beggars, while many others started stealing from government warehouses because of two main reasons:

1. Many peasants had lost their jobs;

2. A majority of landowners had uprooted staple food crops and replaced them with cash crops.

During this difficult period, there was widespread despair in the area. Consequently, several peasant organizations came up in the early 1930s. They included: Samahang Magsasaka, KPMP (National- Council- of- Peasants- in the Philippines), Kabisang Tales and Sakdai, among others.

The primary objective was to help go back to the conventional tenancy system. However, they started using different techniques of protesting such as strikes, contesting for local leadership positions, filing of petitions against the president and other senior government officials and filing lawsuits against errant landlords as well.

Hukbalahap Rebellion – Japan

Towards the end of 1941, Japanese soldiers marched into Philippine territory. The latter sought help from the United States under the umbrella of United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) to help defend its territory, since its military capacity was inferior to that of the Japanese. In spite of limited capacity, peasants living in Central Luzon still managed to fight against the enemies.

Peasant organizations set up in the 1930s dictated the conditions for resistance. During the invasion by Japanese forces, the organizations transformed into a formidable underground political government- complete with a working military that consisted of more than 60 squadrons.

Hukbalahap Rebellion against the government of the Philippines

The Huks generally expected that life would return to the normal conditions that existed before the 2nd World War. However, that did not happen.

A majority of owners of large tracts of land collaborated with invaders during the infamous Japanese invasion. For that reason, they had already lost interest in the once popular tenancy farming. In addition to that, a good number of landowners had relocated to Manila while the war was still going on.

Economic instability was not the only challenge that Huks had to overcome. Soldiers attached to USAFFE, landlords as well as Philippine Constabulary repressed and became extremely hostile to the Huks, and these actions made their hardships even worse.



Independent Philippines

Another insurgency against the government of President Roxas was mounted by Huks just a few days after the grisly murder of Feleos, and soon after Philippine had gained independence.

Once again, the rebels moved into mountainous regions to preserve their lives and consequently adopted the name Hukbong- Magpapalaya- ng- Bayan. When loosely translated to English, the name means Liberation Army of the People. Hukbalahap Rebellion further worsened due to enhanced campaigns by the Philippine government.

In a concerted effort to stop the resurgence, President Roxas applied an elaborate Mailed Fist Policy, hoping that the objective would be achieved within two months. Philippine Constabulary also intensified operations against them. The president felt that the rebels had transformed into communists and therefore needed to be suppressed.

Alleged involvement of the Soviet Union

Stephen Morris- a professor at Harvard University- carried out a scientific study on the relationship that existed between the communist organization in the Philippines and the then powerful Soviet Union. He discovered that there was absolutely no evidence to prove that the SU ever supported Huk rebels by providing weapons. However, the professor found evidence that suggested the Soviet Union provided them with propaganda.

It is important to note that before the infamous Sino- Soviet separation, the United- Soviet- Socialist- Republic gave China liberty to support communists in East Asia. As a result, the USSR provided support to the Philippines communism- based political parties that practiced no violence.

Resolution of Hukbalahap Rebellion

Negotiations between the government and Huk rebels started in earnest, but they collapsed in mid-August 1948. Immediately after the collapse of the negotiations, insurgents led by the infamous Luis Taruc went back to the mountainous region of Sierra Madre to hide.

However, the uprising started losing steam in the middle of 20th Century. There are two major reasons that led to decline of Hukbalahap Rebellion:

First, the people had fought for several years and as a result, they had become tired. Many high-flying leaders of the Huk people could not fight well because of age-related complications, and many others had died. The army was in hot pursuit of Luis Taruc and other few rebel leaders who could still fight. Eventually, villagers became tired of providing support to the Huks.

The second reason is that President Quirino had moved the anti-Huk crusades from the interior and local Government department to the National Defense department. Under the leadership of the tenacious Ramon Magsaysay, inefficient officials were bundled out of the army, and corruption became minimal.

The rebellion was eventually crushed by Ramon Magsaysay through multiple military victories as well as reforms. The rebel leader, Luis Taruc, surrendered to authorities in May 1954 and accepted to serve a prison term of 15 years. Magsaysay later became the country’s president.

History

“Hello Garci” A story of Presidential transgression

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The Hello Garci Scandal is a political and electoral fraud allegation that points to former Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the main culprit. It began during the country’s 2005 elections, where wiretapped conversations discussing vote-rigging were obtained with one of the participants suspected to be President Arroyo. She was apparently making these plans together with the previous Comelec Commissioner, Mr Virgilio Garcillano.

In the recording, a woman with Arroyo’s voice can be heard whispering ‘Yung , ’ which translates to ‘The addition, the addition’ in English, thus implying that the speaker wanted her ballot figures to be changed in one way or another. The conversations also provided evidence that Garcillano was susceptible to manipulation candidates, with one anonymous Comelec official further stating in an interview that Garcillano was the chief electoral fraud plotter and overall supervisor, working in of the incumbent administration.

The “mother of all tapes”

The recorded tapes were released by Igancio Bunye, who claimed that the conversations had taken place on June 6th 2005. A short while later, another round of wiretapped conversations between the two senior officials was also produced by Sam Ong, who was Philippines’ former NBI Deputy Director. He called his findings the ‘mother of all tapes’, which then prompted the country’s House and Senate to launch investigations to ascertain the truth behind all these rigging allegations.

There were also calls made for President Arroyo to step down, though she adherently denied the tapes and refused to do so. In her defense, she admitted to have held brief discussions with an Elections official during the campaigning period, but that it had nothing to do with rigging. Arroyo claimed it was a ‘lapse in judgment’ and apologized to anyone who might have been offended by the leaked tapes. She further mentioned that the conversations happened after vote-counting and therefore didn’t affect the outcome in any way, though she refused to give the name of the Comelec official heard in the recording.

On his part, Virgilio Garcillano went undercover as soon as the Hello Garci CDs were released, and rumours started spreading around the country that he had actually sneaked out. However, after around 5 months the pressure became too much to handle and he decided to resurface, admitting that indeed they held talks with Arroyo but after the votes had already been counted. Garcillano further appeared before House hearings regarding the wiretapping scandal, where he corroborated his claims that the president didn’t command him in any way to scam in 2004 elections.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo received charges of corruption and election rigging, as well as being involved in many other controversies. This lead to dissatisfaction amongst Filipinos.

Impeachment attempt vs. Arroyo

Following the Hello Garci Controversy, an impeachment case was filed against President Arroyo by a human-rights attorney called Oliver Lozano. He claimed the president had betrayed public trust and was therefore not fit to continue serving the country in that position. The complaint was accompanied by another one filed about 10 minutes later by a private Filipino citizen called Jose Rizaldo P. Lopez.

Voting day was set on August 23rd, where the House of Representatives was to decide whether to remove Arroyo from office or not. However, on the material day the justice committee tarried the impeachment voting process, instead choosing to cast ballot on procedures. Ultimately, a report was made by the House called Report 1012, which suggested that office removal proceedings against Arroyo should stop forthwith.

The next year, lawyer Lozano tried to re-file another impeachment motion against the president in January 16th. This was met with stiff opposition from Arroyo’s minority party loyalists in the house. The House Minority Leader, Francis Escudero, even threatened Lozano with a legal suit in the Integrated Bar, which is the official body that regulates the conduct of attorneys in . The opposition claimed that Lozano’s attempt to remove President Arroyo from office was ‘illegal and unethical’. Particularly considering that the minority party in the House didn’t agree to the impeachment motion in the first place.

Following the Hello Garci Scandal and consequent impeachment trial

Though all attempts to remove Arroyo from office failed following the Hello Garci Controversy. Some members of the public didn’t give up and instead arranged peaceful protests throughout the country for several days. A couple of big names also joined in the demonstrations, including former president of the Philippines Corazon Aquino as well as retired vice president Teofisto Guingona.

However, the campaigns weren’t effective in changing the Congress’ outcome, partly because conventional protesting sites such as EDSA and Mendiola had been cordoned off by the government, and hence there weren’t many people attending the protests to cause any real concern.

Nevertheless, Arroyo eventually responded to the protests by instituting certain reforms in her government, though totally unrelated to the election fraud case. For instance, she introduced new taxes to plug the gap in her administration’s fiscal deficit. This helped the economy to stay strong and resilient throughout her tenure, but despite the healthy economy the root cause of Hello Garci Scandal was still not solved.

In her presidency, Arroyo failed to address issues touching on election fraud propagated by candidates during voting time, unreliable electoral systems and an Elections Commission that’s open to manipulation. Consequently, the public lost confidence in her leadership with her popularity ratings declining significantly based on polls taken by different institutions. For instance, a Pulse Asia research released on July 10th by the Philippine news showed that 57pct of the citizens wanted President Arroyo out of office before completing her full term. Another poll conducted by CNN/Time also gave roughly the same results at 57.5pct.

While the cancellation of impeachment attempts against Arroyo provided a temporary victory for her regime, it still demonstrated that her government had powers to use incumbency privileges to save the presidency from going under.

Until former President Arroyo willingly presents herself before trial, undergoing the full process of determining whether she was guilty of election fraud or not, it would be difficult for her to regain back the public trust and prove the sanctity of government in election matters. So far, there hasn’t been any new legal prosecutions brought up against Arroyo or former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, and their case is still open. 

History

Manila Film Center Deaths: When Art Becomes Catastrophe

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The lead up to the completion of the awaited Manila Film Center was both exciting and scandalous in equal measure. As the first of the time in Asia, many believed it would change the face of Asian culture forever.

While the project was applauded by the general population, the bulk of its planning lay in the hands of the first lady, who endured months of pressure, critique, and scrutiny in the months leading up to the Centre’s construction.

Due to this pressure, the project was aggressively pushed by the First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. Imelda had been working on the first Manila International Film Festival, she had promised a spectacle unmatched by any other festival in the industry. She invited hundreds of high profile international guests, so there was now a demand to meet their expectations.

Marcos marking the beginning of the Manila INternational Film Festival.

In fact, many believed the International Film Festival was an expensive idea, and couldn’t be afforded by struggling population of the time. Some suggest, in the face of the horror that later occurred, that the project was cursed from the start.

At the crux of the Manila Film Festival was the palatial Manila Film Center’s construction. The building was initiated and managed by government in just 170 days. While the Marcos’, who ruled the Philippines at the time, prided themselves on the amount of manpower and funds that would be released to unearth this historical building, skeptics arose all over the Philippines. Nothing about the super swift completion of an 8-story building screamed safe; in fact, the practical carnage that followed as the roof collapsed during construction was possibly to be expected.

But what would this be suggesting about the festival? Is the magnificent film center truly built on the bones of builders forgone? Does the true number of deaths vastly surpass the official figures? Can supernatural occurrences be expected to occur as the rich and glamorous celebrate cinematography in the tomb of lost workers?

This article will attempt to answer some of the questions mentioned above. It is, however, important to note that in the matters of catastrophes and sudden tragic deaths, the truth can often be much more complex than imagined. For this reason, all readers must pay keen attention to the use of the word “alleged”, as relevant rumours are mentioned.

The Manila Film Center: A grand project turned tragedy.

The Manila Film Center, a national building designed by acclaimed architect Froilan Hong, was built to accommodate the expected huge turnout for the first Manila Film Festival. The building had its edifice upheld on over 900 piles, reaching deep into the earth, to the bedrock 120 feet below the surface.

When first lady Imelda Marcos called for the construction of the $25 million building August of 1981, the Philippines did not officially have a film archive. With the help of Betty Benitez, Deputy MHS Minister Jose Conrado Benitez’s wife, Imelda Marcos founded a group to oversee the project and raise the necessary funds. The project was conceptualized by Ramon M. Ignacio, a Senior Technology Officer at the Technology Resource Center.

On November 17th, 1981, during construction, the scaffolding collapsed and over 150 workers fell and were buried alive in quick-drying wet cement. To this day, the official figures (7 dead) are disputed by the general population. The workers present on site claim to have removed over a hundred bodies from the rubble.

Controversy

The most mystifying part of the tragedy remains the administration of the time’s desire to prepare an official statement prior to the rescuers being allowed on site. According to official reports, rescuers were allowed inside the accident site 9 hours after the roof collapse.

Many believe the tragedy was a direct result of the administration’s insistence the project be finished in an unrealistic period of time. Experts in the field (architects and engineers) claim it is against “most industrial building state legislation” to demand the completion of a construction of this scale in such a time frame.

The project, which originally relied on a $5 million subsidy intended for the film festival, saw its funding severed in the aftermath of the tragic deaths. Local and international newspapers widely reported the irresponsibility of the government of the time, blaming the scale of the catastrophe on their ineptitude dealing with the accident appropriately.

Stuck midway through a project none wished to be involved in further, Imelda Marcos was forced to create a contingency plan to generate the funds necessary for the festival. Due to her influence in the presidential palace, she was able to negotiate the passing of a Presidential Decree (P.D. 1986), which required the immediate creation of a board of review for “motion pictures and television”. The MTRCB or “Movie and Television Review and Classification Board” alleviated censorship laws around the festival, allowing Soft Porn movies to be on show throughout the festival. This earned the Manila Film Center project the additional funding it required for its completion, which ultimately occurred in 1982.

Rumors & Myths

A couple years after the notorious accident, a group of psychics, with Tony Perez of Ateneo de Manila University attempted to come in contact with “spirits” that had seen their demise during the construction of the center. Perez and his group claimed they could sense the presence of over 100 spirits, however, failed to come into direct contact with them.

Dr. Froilan Hong, however, the architect in charge of the project, publicly unveiled the plans of the site and claimed he believed that over 150 workers had been buried alive in the concrete, but due to the strict time frame of the construction, their bodies were never retrieved. Regarding the official declaration that only 7 lost their lives on that fateful day, Dr. Hong claims “there is no truth to such stories”.

Since the accident over 3 decades ago, many have claimed to have sensed a “Strange presence” upon their visit to the center. In fact, local Folklore suggests the existence of “haunting spirits” on site, who “seek revenge over their unjust, violent demise.”

While the latter remains difficult to prove, it is clear that the bleak history of the Manila Film Center has made for an eternity of controversy surrounding the Manila Film Festival. It is indeed certain that though the alleged 150 deaths were an undeniable tragedy, the glorious batisse of culture and local history sprouting from lost workers’ bones and sweat, will continue to fascinate the masses for decades to come.

Destination

The Grand Mosque of Cotabato

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Cotabato City is a destination with a rich history dating back to the 15th century when Arab missionaries introduced Islam to the native tribal groups. The faith became a cornerstone in the development of the region. Eventually, this lead to the Sultanate of Maguindanao being established, this rulership covered the province in which Cotabato resides.

During the 17th century, the region stepped into its golden age. During this time, Cotabato City began on its path to becoming a significant destination within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. To this day, the region’s population consists of 80% Muslims. The rest of the population is mostly made up of Christians, specifically Roman Catholics.

The Grand Mosque in modern-day Mindanao

As somewhat of a homage to the regions Islamic roots, the second largest mosque in Southeast Asia known as the Grand Mosque was built in Cotabato. This giant mosque, on Tamontaka Bubong Road, is the largest of its kind in the Philippines. This structure occupies an area of 5,000 square meters and is built on a 5-hectare plot of land. The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, also known as the Grand Mosque or Golden Mosque also features gold-plated domes with minarets which are over 40 meters high.

The Sultan of Brunei, to whom the Grand Mosque was named after personally funded the construction of the mosque. The Sultan had an interest in developing the emerging Muslim community in the Southern Philippines. Through the efforts of former Congressman Didagen Dilangalen, the Sultans investment of Php300 million in the region took place.

Interestingly the project, which was completed in 2011 was designed by Christian architect, Felino Palafox. The mosque also houses many guards who hold the Christian faith, this reflects the harmonious relationship between the different faiths of the region hold.

Cotabato is a relatively practical destination for tourists to visit, as the countries, major airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have daily flights to the city.

 

History

The North Borneo Dispute – A History of Tension

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Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo, occupying the northern half of the island of Borneo has long been at the centre of bilateral relation between Malaysia and the Philippines. Even though the Philippines claim has lasted since the early 1960s, Sabah is still under the sovereignty of Malaysia today.

The claim has recently resurfaced following the Philippines administration proposal of shifting to a federal system government. In drafting the proposal, one of the members of the executive committee included Sabah to be part of Philippines which activated the North Borneo dispute.

The Philippines allegations of being the landlord of North Borneo is based on the past territorial claims by the Sultans of Sulu. In response to the recent claims by the Philippines, an official from the Malaysian government dismissed the allegations and issued a warning that such statements could affect diplomatic relations between the two states. The official further reiterated that Malaysia does not recognize any claims by any party to Sabah. In order to understand the nature of the claims better, it is essential to look into the history of the dispute. So, let’s look at the origin of contention.

History of The Territorial Claims To Sabah

The origin of the dispute dates back to an agreement signed by the Sultan – who was in control of Sabah then – and the British North Borneo Co. The contract allowed the British company to settle in the eastern half of Sabah for the unforeseeable future as long as they continued paying rent to the Sultanate. Originally, there were two main sultanates in the area; Brunei and Sulu. In 1658, the Sultanate of Sulu was given Sabah in appreciation of the help by his troops to Brunei in suppressing an uprising.

In 1761, the Sultanate of Sulu went into a contract allowing the British East India Company to develop a trading center in Balenkong Island. This was later followed by another agreement in 1878 by the Sultans to lease his territories in Northern Borneo for compensation in form of rent from the British North Borneo Co. As the WW2 ended in 1945, Sabah was passed over to the British government and was made a colony. After 1946, the British passed the annual payment of lease to the Malaysian government, and till today, the payment still continues with respect to the agreement. Sabah later gained independence in 1963 through a referendum with many votes in favour of the move to join the Federation of Malaysia.



However, the Philippines have maintained their claim on the basis that the agreement signed in 1878 constituted a lease and not a sale of land as regarded by Malaysia and the British. Upon transfer of Sabah from the North Borneo Chartered Company to the Crown following the 1946 North Borneo Cession Order, Francis Burton Harrison , the ex US Governor General who held the position of a foreign adviser to the newly constituted Philippines Republic termed the transfer as illegal on the grounds that other interested parties where not included in the agreement. In 1963, Diosdado Macapagal, the then Philippines President declined to acknowledge the Federation of Malaysia as a result of the inclusion of Sabah.

The dispute was followed by the Manila Accord, a negotiation that included the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia signed on 31 July 1963 to settle the Philippines claims to Sabah peacefully. However, the Philippines still insist that their claim and other negotiations, in particular, the Manila accord established and preserved its right to pursue the claim regardless of the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia. The Sulu Sultanate as used Manila Accord several times in a bid to push the Filipino government to proclaim ownership of the northern part of Sabah since the Sultanate still greatly influences the Sulu residents. As a matter of fact, even president Duterte himself promised to pursue the claim during his presidential campaign in 2016 that won him massive political support from the residents.

Return of Tension

The issue of Sabah has resurfaced yet again this time marked by violent standoff featuring the Malaysian troops and followers of the sultan of Sulu in Tanduao village in the district of Lahad Datu. Similar encounters where also witnessed in Simunul village in Semporna. The conflict has raised worries that the violence could spread to other regions of Northern Borneo. Speculations have been raised that the standoff was caused by the parties who are against the Malaysian-brokered peace agreement between the Moro Islamic liberation and the Filipino government due to the timing involved in staging the drama. In a bid to boost their nationalist credentials, some candidates vying for senatorial posts in the Philippines government are using the incident to influence Manila to revive its claims on Sabah. But, following Malaysia’s participation in the peace agreement with the MLF, the Aquino government might not pursue the demands with great enthusiasm.

Impacts of the Claims on Diplomatic Relations

The developments of the dispute are likely to strain bilateral relations between the Philippines and Malaysia, just like in the past. For instance, during the 1960s, the two countries cut their diplomatic ties twice due to this disagreement. This makes the issue a potential international crisis in the sense that if the Malaysian government decides to initiate a crackdown and ignite the unrest from Filipino locals in Sabah, then a domestic crisis could be created in Mindanao if it is seen that the Duterte administration is conceding or weakening its position.

In this post-colonial era, the people’s right to self-determination ought to be made a priority in such land disputes affecting a large percentage of the population. In this case, the residents of Sabah for many years have established themselves under the Malaysian government and changing their citizenship overnight is most likely negatively impact their spirit of patriotism.

On the other hand, the Philippine has the right to defend its claim to Sabah in a peaceful manner that could result in the issue being tabled in the International Court of Justice. If this happens, the relations between these two countries is bound to deteriorate further.

It’s in hope that wisdom and diplomacy will prevail with the Philippines and Malaysia both ending in a peaceful negotiation without going through any fights.

Destination

The purple crabs of Palawan – The Insulamon genus

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This stunning species of tiny, colourful crustacean has only been found in the Philippines, exclusively in the Palawan island group. Previously, only one species within the Insulamon genus was known. A study released in 2012 by Hendrik Freitag of the Senckenberg Museum of Zoology in Dresden, Germany has described four new species in the Insulamon Genus.

The four species discovered in 2012 range between about an inch or 2.5 centimetres to 2 inches or 5.3 centimetres wide and feature a striking purple colour on their shell.

Extensive investigations into the freshwater crabs in the area began back in the late 1980’s. At this time one species within the Insulamon genus was found – the Insulamon Unicorn. This means there’s now a total of five known species within the Insulamon genus found in the Palawan island group.

The biggest of the four new species Is the Insulamon Magnum followed by the Insulamon Palawenese and the Insulamon Johannchristiani. Then the smallest of the species is the Insulamon Porculum.

The Insulamon features and habitat

The species feature a distinct purple shell with red tips on its legs and claws. There are many theories as to why the crabs have developed the vibrant purple colour on its shell.

First, there is the possibility that it serves no purpose at all, it may have just evolved by chance. Another theory is that it serves as a visual signal for the crabs to recognise their own species. It is known that crabs can recognise and react to colour. This does add to the credibility of the shell colour having a signal function.

This theory could help explain colour variations between the Insulamon species. The large males within the species generally appear more reddish as opposed to the immature males and females who appear in a more violet tone.



The Insulamon species seems to be endemic to the Palawan island group. They are mostly found in small, lowland-forest ecosystems. The discovery of this species adds to the Philippines standing as one of 17 countries which are home to most of the earths animal life.

The Insulamon are semi-aquatic, they burrow along the banks of streams, as well as usually being found under boulders and roots. The crabs emerge at nights, entering the water to forage. They feed on dead plants, fruit and small animals.

The Insulamon face many threats to their existence. They are prey to reptiles, birds and other mammals, as well as local populations in remote areas of Palawan collecting them for food. The Insulamon also face threats to their habitat. This is due to deforestation relating to farming, mining and the construction of housing. They also face water pollution due to heavy industry operating on the island.

Culture

Cockfighting in the Philippines: The billion dollar industry and national obsession

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The spectacle of fighting animals has long been a part of human history. From bullfighting all the way down to cockfighting, the fighting has existed across many cultures in some form. In many countries, however, animal fighting, particularly cockfighting has been banned due to its violent and cruel nature. Despite this controversial standing, for many, it’s still seen as a competition just like any other

In the Philippines, cockfighting has climbed to a whole new level. Cockfighting in the Philippines is a booming Billion-Dollar Industry that has not only captured the heart of the entire nation, but also the world at large.

Popularly known as Sabong, cockfighting isn’t just legal in the Philippines (yes, that’s right, cockfighting in the Philippines is totally legal), it’s also a national obsession. The popular cockfighting competition takes place in approximately 2500 dedicated stadiums across the country where an estimated 30 million roosters are killed each year. Much to the dismay of animal rights organizations in the country, who continue to oppose the practice.

But this has not dampened the spirits of the fans. Watching the sport is more or else seen in a similar vein as watching football during the weekend. But who can blame them? Watching things/people fight has a certain gravity to it.

Sabong – A 6000 year old tradition

Sabong is more than just entertainment. The sport is considered as a very important culture to the Philippines people. Cockfighting in the country dates back 6000-years ago, which could have a played a big role in its legalization. In fact, the sport is considered to be the country’s national sport, second to basketball.



Cockfighting is a billion-dollar industry in the Philippines

Sounds too hard to believe, right? Well, beyond the cultural and other traditional aspects, cockfighting has become a lucrative sport. As of now, cockfighting in the Philippines is estimated to be worth billions of dollars. It’s an industry that generates astonishingly massive revenue.

There is a lot of money to be made on bets. In other countries like America and Europe, bets are made on football games, horse races, car races, and even soccer games. In the Philippines, the majority of bets are made on cockfights. The only difference is bets are made by word of mouth and through precise hand signals—there are no betting counters or any tickets sold.

Bets usually range from 10 to 100 dollars for the spectators sitting in the cheap seats and from 1000 to 10000 dollars to the VIP bleachers seated next to the ring. Betting is an integral part of the process, many Filipinos regularly bet on fights hoping to attain an extra income.

Besides the betting, selling gamecocks is a multimillion business. Americans travel all the way to the Philippines to sell their fighting roosters. It’s quite a lucrative business since, according to The United Gamefowl Breeders in the US, a good number of its members raise hundreds of gamecocks where they make around 1000 dollars or up to 2500 dollars for a single rooster.

Clearly, it’s a game that has attracted loads and loads of investors, which has, in turn, contributed to a boost in the country’s economy.

The roosters’ eligibility for participation

To participate in the competition, the cocks must be properly trained by their owners. The training usually involves teaching the rooster proper fighting skills. The owner must also feed the roosters with a strong, healthy diet, especially one that contains vitamins, and supplements. Vaccines and antibiotics are incorporated as part of the roosters’ growth life.

After a fight, the owners often slip cayenne pepper up the roosters’ anuses in a bid to revive them. However, most cock owners are resorting to faster and more effective methods of reviving their birds like steroids and other energy enhancing drugs.

The World Slasher Cup Cockfighting Super Bowl

The World Slasher Cup is the cockfighting Super Bowl, which is basically a 5-7 day series of about 648 cockfighting matches that are held in downtown Quezon City, Manila. Famed as the coliseum where Joe Frazier battled it out with Muhammad Ali, the 20,000-seat arena now hosts thousands of cockfighting fanatics.

The stadium features several screens which broadcast the fight. Inside the ring are two referees with the fighting cocks. As the game continues, thousands of spectators become increasingly immersed in the spectacle.

The fighting roosters are extremely aggressive. Each fighter is brought inside the ring and “touches gloves” with the opponent. They are then taken to the corners of the ring. The first whistle blow by the referee signals the start of the first round. As the spectators cheer on, the roosters jump on each other with their sharp claws, this is soon followed by clouds of feathers flying through the air.

Bringing excitement to the cockpit

To make the fights much faster and more aggressive, the roosters are fitted with sharp 3-inch blades that are generally attached to their left legs. The main purpose of the sharp blades is to strike the opponent and then finish the job with their beaks. The trainers often train their birds to attack with their legs and feet first before making the final, killer blow. Besides making the fights faster and aggressive, the blades are attached to make the matches “more interesting and fun for the trainers/owners and gamblers.”

To make the bird even more aggressive before the fight, the trainers often spit on the cock’s head in order to anger it before going into the fight. During the fight, the more powerful and aggressive bird will forcefully rip away some of its opponent’s features. If the blade doesn’t do extensive damage on the opponent, the opponent will live to fight another round.

Right before the second round, the fighters only get a 15 seconds recovery period. The short recovery time is often given to leave no chance for the injured birds to regain their strength. If one bird is severely injured, it will only take a few blows to kill them during the subsequent round, making the fights even faster and more fun.

When the fight comes to an end, bets are exchanged as the spectators cheer on. Most fights take approximately 15 minutes. The fast-paced matches are accompanied by noise from the spectators, which can be deafening.

The wrap-up

While some consider cockfighting as a “disgusting and outdated practice”, it’s a popular sport and past-time fun activity for the people of the Philippines. Considering cockfighting is a billion-dollar industry, most have hailed it as a great source of revenue for the country. Watching the game can be disturbing for some, it still maintains massive support from a large sector of the population.

Click here to read more about the vibrant culture of the Philippines

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