My First Tour At Manila Hotel

“Hmmn, is there anything unique and interesting to view at Manila Hotel?”

That was the first question that came across my imagination when I learned  the promotion of Manila Hotel luring fans on its Facebook Fan Page. The mechanics were so simple: DM complete name, email address, and mobile number to the admin of the fan page. The first 25 to do so would win and be contacted for tour scheduling. I joined out of curiosity and to discover if there’s truly something there that could attract tourist.

Me and my wife were very lucky enough to be on the lists of early birds to comply with the requirements. We were promptly called through our mobile numbers and confirmed our participation  via our email addresses. We were scheduled to have our  #MyManilaHotel Tour on January 24, 2014.

4 o’clock in the afternoon of the appointed date, we were led to a machine scanning of our bags upon our entry at the main door of the Manila Hotel then we gathered in Roma Salon at the left wing of the lobby. We were served with their signature juice while being briefed with the history and vision of the hotel. Ms. Denise Tambuatco, Manila Hotel Senior Vice President for Marketing and Kristine Facto, Manila Hotel AVP for Public Relations & Corporate Communications were the two speakers who delighted us with an orientation especially on how the hotel served with prestige and all the staff/crews attended with a caring heart its customers through the 102 years that it existed (the oldest surviving in the country, as a matter of fact).

After a short question and answer portion with the speakers, all of us tour participants were then divided into two groups each handled by a Guest Service Officer. My group was guided to the first tour destination at the Champagne Room showcasing the elegance of fine dining in a French-Mediterranean style. I was so impressed with the furniture, arrangements, and designs that I believe any first timer tourist would be mesmerized beyond doubt.

The next stop was the Mabuhay Palace, a well known fine dining Chinese restaurant of the Manila Hotel. One would surely savor with gusto every Cantonese menu being served while gazing at the lavish handcrafted wall decorations particularly the big panel epitomizing the life of the famous philosopher Confucius. The restaurant surely offer an ideal venue for accommodating guests on private occasions like birthday celebrations, baptismal and wedding receptions, family reunions, or any other kind of events.  

Our tour escort then led us to an elevator ride going to the most significant of all the spots in Manila Hotel: the historical MacArthur Suite  at the 5^th floor. The suite was named after the late General Douglas MacArthur who lived and held office there while in the Philippines during World War II.  The entire 5^th floor was occupied exclusively by Gen. MacArthur and his family. It was his own version of the Malacanang Palace where he could officiate, delegate, and make a military command.

The tour guide was altruistic in giving a brief but informative account of the suite. The living room was so elegant leaving each one spellbounded. Everyone was so curious and couldn’t wait enough for a pose to have picture takings. The dining room was even more plushy with appurtenant displays. The  magnificent paintings hanging on the walls could hook anyone’s attention. We were told that the paintings were done by no less than the Filipino National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

At the adjacent room was the office where original chairs still on its position. I was privileged to experience sitting on the chair of the commanding general. I also had a sleek view of the Master’s bedroom complete with its own living room, dressing room, shower/bathroom and restroom.  I was so happy to have seen and experienced walking inside the room imagining myself a special guest standing side by side with the General during his tenure.

The group proceeded to have a glimpse of the luxurious Honeymoon Suite costing $800 for an overnight stay offering newly-wed couples a romantic setting with an awesome sunrise view of the famous Rizal Park. It has its own living room area that can accommodate a camaraderie of group visitors.

With alternative suites within a friendly budget, some with unobstructed Manila Bay sunrise/sunset view, the Manila Hotel  certainly provide each tourist’s stay a moment to remember for a lifetime. 

 After our group tour of the suites, we went down to have a closer look at the Mabuhay Palace’s different dining areas and buffet stations displaying a vast array of cuisines from various countries of the world. The chefs even courteously demonstrated how they cook a certain dish during a light encounter with them. We passed by the café just before stepping outside on our way to the Manila Hotel Spa.

A swimming pool and a fitness area (both facilities free and exclusive for  hotel guests) were delightful views as we went to the MH Health Club. A receptionist guided us in going upstairs for a short tour of the spa’s different rooms and facilities. I was treated later with a free back massage (first time in my life) which I truly enjoyed as my tired and aching muscles were relaxed.

The #MyManilaHotel Tour ended with a snack served at a sunset view deck near the poolside where tour participants had an acquaintance with each other while viewing the sun setting down below the horizon at the Manila Bay.

The  tour was like a trek to the glorious past of Philippine history. It made me realize that the Philippines is truly rich and colorful in history with many hidden attractions still waiting to be discovered. It changed my whole perspective about a tour which I thought could happen only on the road, beautiful parks, historical monuments/landmarks, white beaches, majestic mountains, extreme adventures, fiesta celebrations, and similar events. And I dreamt to travel Wego, discover more!

Rediscovering Northern Ilocos Sur

It had been my long dream to go back and visit the place where I grew up and spent the first one-third of my life. Oftentimes I asked myself, “Will there ever be a chance for me to travel to Ilocos Sur, my considered home province?

On the 19^th of February 2014, Wednesday at around 10:30 PM, I was rushing to a bus terminal in Manila City. I finally found the right time which suddenly made me decide to go to Sinait, Ilocos Sur because my tutees’ school was on a foundation week celebration. Yes, I’m a tutor (a private home service Math Tutor) and I have become too busy even at weekends and holidays for simultaneously I also offer photography service on special occasions as a sideline.

   

I was very lucky enough to board a Farinas bus bound for Laoag City departing at exactly 11:00 PM as a chance passenger due many passenger reservations. The bus had exactly the facilities I wanted for long distance traveling: air-con, comfortable chair, wifi connection, two flat screen monitors for film showing, and a built-in comfort room. The conductor was very courteous in serving the passengers while the driver obviously drove safely as the bus traveled smoothly passing by San Fernando, La Union at 3:20 AM and Candon, Ilocos Sur at 4:30 AM.

          While on board the bus, sporadic memories of my childhood and adolescent days crept into my mind. I grew up with my grandmother in Barangay Calanutian, Sinait, Ilocos Sur. My childhood life with friends was full of adventurous activities especially weekend hill/mountain hiking and river/sea swimming. I left the place in 1977 upon high school graduation to pursue my tertiary education in Manila but eventually obtained my Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree at CSA-Bacolod when my elder half-sister supporting me was reassigned for work in Bacolod City. I worked and got married in Negros Occidental. Then in 2006, due laid off from my job and difficulty in life, my family decided to take a risk by selling our house and lot transferring residency to Metro Manila. During that time I went to Sinait but only to attend a wake of my aunt who suddenly died and I never really had the chance to go around for bonding with my childhood friends and classmates.

          My flashback of old memories came to a halt when the bus had its first and only stop over for a meal at The Sisters in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. I bought a pack each of the famous Ilocano delicacies Royal Bibingka and tupig (a baked glutinous rice in a bamboo).   

          The bus resumed its journey and reached Sinait at around 6:10 AM. The town was still silent when I got off the bus as it stopped just in front of the Santo Cristo Milagroso Church per my instruction. I went directly inside the church and heard a morning Mass.

          How I miss the church where I used to attend Mass! I toured myself around the area, had some self-picture taking, and ate breakfast of rice, empanada, and the famous Ilocano pinakbet in a nearby carinderia.                        
                         

  I waited for the Sinait Municipal Hall to open. The main reason why I hankered  going back to Ilocos Sur was to process the documents of a lot inherited from my grandmother which I already intend to sell but didn’t have the lot number basically required for a transfer of title to my name. Fortunately I have high ranking employee-classmates there who readily assisted me.  I immediately got my lot number but was referred to the CENRO Office in Vigan City for the lot’s cadastral map. After a short bonding  with my former classmates, I took a local bus ride to Vigan City.

       I ate lunch in a city roadside carinderia after a smooth processing of the documents I needed. With nothing more to do, I instantly thought of touring the attractions that the place had to offer and so I hired a tricycle then asked the driver to bring me first to the famous Banaoang Bridge. I was thrilled to see breathtaking sceneries of the historical bridge in the province with the new Ilocos Sur Adventure as added attraction.  Then the driver brought me to the famous Bell Tower in Bantay where I got an awesome panoramic view of Vigan City and the surrounding towns. The renovated church of St. Augustine housing the image of Nuestra Senora de Caridad was also a magnificent view to behold. The next destinations The Heritage in Vigan upheld an image of the Spanish era in the city and the Baluarte amazed me especially with its free entrance to the public. Burnayan presented an overview of the dexterous Ilocano hands in molding artistic pots. The Plaza Salcedo was such a relaxing sight with its dancing fountain. The Vigan Cathedral captivated me for its classic architectural designs adorned with various religious figures. Going north to San Ildefonso town, a Basi Revolt waiting shed and an airplane grounded along the highway were instant attractions. My tour ended at Magsingal Museum where the mementos of Ilocano past cultures were religiously preserved.

  

                               

                         

       
                                                           

                                       
                                       

     

                         

                         

   
              The unplanned tour fascinated me tremendously in rediscovering what I have not appreciated much about Northern Ilocos Sur during high school educational field trips. It suddenly changed my outlook about trips and ignited in me a passion to travel for more and be patriotic to discover the hidden natural beauty especially the pristine beaches, historical places/landmarks, and the different cultures of the  entire country.  

        I slept overnight in the house of my aunt in Barangay Calanutian. I had tittle-tattle bonding with childhood friends the following day and after lunch went back to Metro Manila with a new dream and a promise to explore more of Ilocos Region via flight to Laoag City with Cebu Pacific Air and Wego Philippines once I win in this blogging contest but it will surely be more interesting and fun if done with my whole family.