Yesterday, Nina and I went to Pier 15 to checkout MV Doulos Floating library. Carrying 330 volunteers from 50 countries, MV Doulos crews don’t just sell books, they also reach out to prisoners and orphans by conducting short educational programs and providing hope and inspirations to each country they visit.

All of the volunteers on the ship receive no compensation, they even paid USD400 in the spirit of volunteerism. I love doing volunteer jobs, It feels good to help and it’s certainly priceless.  It was so humid yesterday but our visit was truly memorable, we were lucky since we did not wait too long to board the ship.

Floating Bookstore in Manila

This is the 7th consecutive year that the Floating Bookstore visited the Philippines and sad to say but this will be the last. MV Doulos and it’s ambassadors of goodwill will bid farewell next year as the 93 year old ship is scheduled to retire next year. Read the full story

It was my day off when I visited the Manila Post office last week to pick up the package I bought from Ebay. It took almost two weeks for them to send me the notice that my package has arrived, Oh well, at least it didn’t get lost.

Since most of my travel gears, travel books, camera lenses, cook books and other travel stuff are purchased from eBay, It had to go to the Manila Post Office for Customs and duties purposes. I’m not complaining, I actually enjoy walking around this part of Manila since its near Quiapo, Binondo, Intramuros, SM Manila and Luneta.

Manila Central Post Office Facade

The Manila Post office Building is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the Philippines. Located in the district of Intramuros, at the bank of the Pasig River. The front of the building faces the Liwasang Bonifacio plaza (now known as Plaza Lawton). Read the full story

It’s not clean unlike the streets of Madrid and it’s definitely not as colorful as the City of Beijing. This is Manila and I call it my “Hometown”.  Whenever I need to tour around a friend in Manila, there’s only one place I always have in mind… It’s Quiapo.

It’s new year and I promised my self that I will explore, take photos and blog about Manila. I just love Manila, walking around this City may not provide a pleasant adventure to every street walker but believe it or not, It will help you discover Manila’s inner beauty which is most often invisible to the eye.

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene

Quiapo is a district of Manila, the “old downtown” and once became a center for trade and commerce but is now known for cheap electronics, fresh flowers and vegetables, bicycle parts and native handicrafts for balikbayans. Read the full story

The feast of the Black Nazarine is an intense, day-long festival in Quiapo Manila. The Black Nazarene festival is considered the largest religious festival in Asia.

Every 9th of January, thousands of devotees from all walks of life come to the church of Quiapoto take part in the procession as a way of strengthening their faith or fulfilling their “panata” (vow) to Lord.

Black Nazarene Procession

The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of Quiapo Manila. The statue is a life size replica of Christ that was brought to Manila by a Spanish priest in 1606. Since then, miraculous things have been reported to those who touch the image. Read the full story

Metro Manila will glitter with lights and sounds when the Department of Tourism (DOT), through its National Capital Region (NCR) office, mounts a traditional lantern-making and display competition as a Yuletide season project for the public.

Dubbed as “Paskong-Pasko Sa Metro Manila 2008,” the project is organized by the DOT-NCR office as part of promotional efforts of attracting more tourists during this festive season.

Now on its second year, the event is set to be held Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Kilometer 0 in Rizal Park, Manila.

The event will highlight a series of activities showcasing the best Filipino Christmas traditions of NCR’s local government units (LGUs) such as Christmas lantern- making and display competition, Christmas lantern street dance competition, and the recently concluded Christmas choral group competition held at the Clamshell Intramuros. Read the full story

Watch Choral concerts and various artistic performances in the weeklong celebration of 3rd Pipe Organ Festival in Manila Cathedral Basilica.

“With a good pipe organ, majestic melodies become a staple in our liturgical menu, and we envision the Manila Cathedral-Basilica to be the source and symbol of such sounds of wonderful splendor in the local Church,” Cerbo said in an article on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.

“The 3rd Manila Cathedral-Basilica Pipe Organ Festival is a historical event in the making for this will bring to light the 50th anniversary of the Post-War Manila Cathedral and the Pipe Organ,” he said. Read the full story

Senator Richard J. Gordon today lauded the revival of Intramuros as the country’s history town, showcasing historical events and cultures from the different regions in the country.

Wow Philippines Intramuros

Gordon, chairman of the Senate tourism panel, made the commendation as the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) revived Wow Philippines program featuring Intramuros as the country’s history town.

“We are happy that the government has pushed through with the re-opening of Intramuros History Town in time for the Christmas season. The Walled City used to be known throughout the world as one of the best cities in Asia,” he said.

“Today, we see the continuation of our efforts to revive Intramuros by making it a central showcase of our country’s rich culture and heritage,” he added. Read the full story

If old spanish houses designed with capiz (mother-of-pearl) windows, floral arches and huge doorways facinates you, then you should visit San Nicolas – Binondo’s largest district.

Walking Tour – Binondo

It was a gloomy afternoon when a small group of travel and food bloggers decided to go on a walking tour with a blogger / historian Bernard Arellano III. In just a short walk from Binondo Church, you will come accross facinating and marvelous vintage houses in this old Manila district. Read the full story

I usually ride kalesa whenever Im having a hard time flagging down a cab or when some areas in Manila are flooded. Last Friday, I went to SM Manila to get my business cards printed out and to have a late lunch. Since the sky was gloomy I decided to go home after running my errand but it was too late, the rain started to pour and all the commuters scattered as they frantically tried to catch an available cab. Kalesa has always been my lifesaver specially during times when I’m rushing home since most taxi’s are busy choosing their passengers or demanding for additional fee before rendering their service.

Kalesa in SM Manila

While traversing the busy streets of Manila, Manong Angelo – the kutsero shared that Its really hard to get a passenger nowadays since streets of Manila are dominated by Jeepneys and Pedicabs. Read the full story