Quezon Memorial

Manuel Quezon is the president of the common wealth of the Philippines (1935 - 1944). Pres. Quezon was of humble origins, his father, a retired Spanish soldier and his mother a teacher. A shrine is built to symbolize his greatness,located  in the elliptical road in Quezon city. A museum is housed within the structure itself and  with lots of memorabilia from Pres. Quezon and his wife Dona Aurora.

Around the vicinity there are lots of restaurants to enjoy, Tropical hut, Max's etc.. Truly one of the most visited parks in Quezon City.

Here are some of the interesting memorabilias  displayed in the museum

Luggage used by the first family

The flag that draped the Presidents coffin

The Presidents Diploma

Presented by the staff of  KZRH on his 63rd bday

The matrimonial bed

The first lady's nail kit

The executive table

The Presidents Transcript of record

Add caption

The restored vehicle

The First Lady's memo pad

Tomb of the unknown soldier ( libingan ng mga bayani)

''Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?''

Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?

Where have all the graveyards gone?

Gone to flowers, everyone.

Oh, when will they ever learn?

Oh, when will they ever learn?

Libingan ng mga bayani is a national shrine for fallen war heroes of world war II. Established in 1947, it pays tribute to brave and gallant Filipino soldiers who defended our freedom. As I went to the cemetery and saw an unknown grave, I cant help but ponder?. Here lies the remain of an unsung hero who we will never  exactly know  how great is his contribution in defending our motherland.

Unmarked grave of a Filipino soldier

The bravery and courage of our soldiers is immortalized in the three pillars representing Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.It has the inscription '' Here lies a Filipino soldier who's name is only known to God'.

           Most of the Bataan defenders are buried here, past presidents, national artists and AFP soldiers. 

The great Levi Celerio

Maximo Soliven

Pres. Diosdado Macapal

Carlos P Romulo

Angelo Reyes is also buried here???

    According to the AFP Regulations, there are 10 categories of deceased persons who are entitled to be interred at Heroes' Cemetery:

1. Medal of Valor awardees
2. The president of the Philippines as the commander-in-chief of AFP
3. The secretary of National Defense
4. The chief of staff of AFP
5. General/flag officers of the AFP
6. Active and retired military personnel of the AFP
7. Former AFP members who laterally entered/joined the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard
8. Veterans of Philippine Revolution of 1896, First World War, and World War II, as well as recognized guerrillas
9. Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artists and other deceased persons whose interment or re-interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress, or the secretary of National Defense.
10. Former presidents, former secretaries of National Defense, widows of former presidents, and former chiefs of staff.

Disqualifications:

• Personnel who were dishonorably separated, reverted, and/or discharged from the service
• Authorized personnel who were convicted by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude
• Corrupt officials

There is a move that the remains of the late Pres. Marcos be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani? He has not been tried or convicted in any court of law? but there are claims of oppression during his years of dictatorship. Let history be the judge? 

References
http://www.ivanlakwatsero.com 
Wikepedia 

Jogging at Marikina sport center

Don't have the time to wake up in the morning to exercise? try jogging at Marikina sports center. Many people come here to jog at night after work, Located in the heart of Marikina City. Is open daily, except when it is used exclusively for other purposes. It has a basketball court, a tennis court,gym , badminton court and an Olympic size pool. Entrance fee is very affordable at Php 10.00/per head

Parking is not a problem

Gym

Timberland C6 / Mt Maarat ( trail running)

Try trail running at C6 and explore Mt. Maarat in San Mateo Rizal. Its just 30 mins from Quezon City. And get to experience the scenic views over looking Quezon City and on clear horizons,catch a glimpse of Mt. Arayat. To get here from Quezon City, is to take Batasan road, then turn left at Gen. Luna st. (going to Montalban) . And take E delos Santos street, C6 road  is 1 km away from from the intersection of Gen Luna and E delos Santos st.

Intersection between Gen luna and E delos Santos st.

Bikers prepare at the start of C6 road

The C6 road is quite challenging for newbie runners and bikers, is because of a gradual uphill with steep slopes going to Mt. Maarat ( Timberland). Make sure to stay hydrated , Many stores can be found along C6 roads that caters to bikers/ runners needs.  

C6 road going to Mt. Maarat

The view before the ascent

Columbary of the Divine Mercy

Entrance to Timberland

Marc's Viewing deck cycling lounge

A view from Marc's view deck

La Mesa watershed 

Difficulty - 7/10
View        - 7/10

Filipino Calamares

It is a popular street food, Pulutan ( finger food). the spicy fried squid or Calamares, Has been an all time favorite for Filipino's.It's juicy, spicy taste will make you beg for more. It's easy to prepare!

Dip squid rings in beaten egg

Drop into flour, make sure each piece is well coated

Fry squid rings in hot oil a few pieces at a time until they turn golden yellow

Serve hot with spiced vinegar

SJMISF celebrates 24th anniversary foundation

Saint Joseph Montessori Integrated School Foundation celebrates it's 24th year in providing quality education to the people of San Mateo Rizal by hosting '' Run for your Lives 2012'' on February  25 2012,a 3k and 5k run/walk marathon. SJMISF was founded by Mrs. Rosita V. Torres in 1988, from it's humble beginnings and has now grown to be one of the pillars in education.

The event was spearheaded by Mr. Joselito Torres (board of trustee) through the help of  the faculty of SJMISF. According to Mr. Torres " this is the first time that we held an event like this, and I'm glad that the parents and students gave their full support''. The run was highlighted by Mr. Robert Gascon  aka ''Rio'' from Fitness Republic gym and by Mrs. Anne Divino ( Academic chairman SJMISF).  

Mr. Robert Gascon ( Fitness Republic) gave the runners instructions on  warming up before running 

the trail going to Timberland

Mr Lito Torres (in yellow shirt) with runners and parents

The event closed with the awarding of the top 10 runners and with the inspirational talk from Mrs. Rosita V. Torres . Students, parents and faculties, will be looking forward next year for an event like this to be held.  SJMISF has provided an activity for families,faculties and students to bond and as a means to promote a healthy lifestyle. But more importantly, to be one ''JOSEPHIAN'' family...

Silog, a Filipino favorite

A typical Filipino favorite breakfast consist of combining these three items, 1) Sinangag- Which is the garlic rice 2) Itlog - fried egg  3) Tapa - beef. However as long as you have the sinangag and the egg you will always have SILOG, you can either combine other foods with SILOG. One favorite, is combining it with Hotdog , you have HOTSILOG. Combine it with TAPA, you get TAPSILOG, the variations are endless as long as you have  SILOG. The name TAPSILOG came about in the early 80's from a sitcom and it always have been a comfort food for Filipinos.

This is a typical combination with silog

Hotsilog

     

Tapsilog

Longsilog

For me there is this one favorite food joint to get Silog no other than Kitchen King, not the fancy type of restaurant. But it always reminds me of home cooked meals. Owned and manged by a close friend , the place were the ''Barkadas'' meet almost everyday after work and relax.  Do you have a place that you always hangout with friends? 

  

Bangungut a mystery?

I can still remember when I was still a freshman in the college of medicine at Our lady of Fatima University. When I heard that Rico Yan died of bangungut? I tried to search it in my medical books and even asked my professor about it. There are few articles to be found, Sudden and unexpected death syndrome (SUDS) as medical books called it. More popular in our local language as '' bangungut'' meaning bangun ( wake up) and ungul (moan). It is said that victims moan in his sleep before dying. Folk belief says  that if you go to bed hungry, the spirit will leave the body and search for food  in the kitchen and most often the spirit gets trapped inside pots and pan. This was first studied in 1948 by Dr. Alvin Majoska, a hawaiian coroner, noted that healthy filipino men simply died in their sleep.        

Autopsy concluded that Yan had died of cardiac arrest caused by acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis(bangungot in Tagalog) while asleep. He was 27.

Different theories have traced the cause of bangungut to the following

1) Diet - Filipino food when digested causes autointoxication that affects the heart and pancreas main suspect ( Patis) or fish sauce

2) Heart problem - banungut merely a heart attack

3) A heavy meal before sleeping- The stomach excerts pressure to the heart

In the Philippines , most cases can be linked to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, Seen during autopsy. Others say that bangungut is no longer specific to filipino men. Other asian men have died in a similar way (Laos and Thailand) It will still remain a mystery until medical science   can fully explain this phenomenon.