Escolta, Manila

Last December 29, 2025 (Monday) was declared a holiday for government employees to allow them to travel for the New Year holidays.  So off we went to stroll, explore and experience Escolta, Sta. Cruz area and Chinatown in Binondo, Manila. It has been a while since we were there, together.

Original plan was to take the Pasig Ferry from Guadalupe all the way to Escolta, the station nearest to Binondo. But unfortunately, the ferry schedule is quite erratic. So we drove and parked at one of the paid parking slots on Quentin Paredes street and walked. 

First, we made our way all the way towards Jones Bridge in Escolta which used to be the main business district of Manila until the late 1960s when it slowly lost its prime spot. My late parents worked in Escolta area for many years and told us of its beautiful buildings and their historical significance.

It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane to see these now old buildings of business establishments (some of them still thriving). They continue to serve as architectural wonders because they were designed by famous Filipino architecture masters of the 20th century.

Calvo Building was erected in 1938 by Fernando Ocampo & Thomas Arguelles.
It was owned by real estate businesswoman Dona Emiliana Calvo

Regina Building was designed by architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, 
the son of Juan Luna, the painter of the Spoliarium, anong others.

Syvel's department store is where I used to buy shoes during the 1980s. 
Their main branch is now abandoned and condemned.

The Land Management Bureau is where my late father in law worked for many years.
The building has been condemned and abandoned.

The original Savory Restaurant is now closed permanently after it caught fire.

Perez Samanillo building was designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro in 1928

At the end of the road, you will reach the Sta. Cruz area where the Our Lady of the Pillar Church (Sta. Cruz Church) holds fort. We were told that when we were toddlers, we used to hear Mass in this Spanish baroque style place of worship that was erected in 1619 by the Jesuits to minister to the growing Chinese population in Binondo. It was reconstructed in 1957 and is now run by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. In 2018, Cardinal Tagle declared it as an Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament.

Carriedo Fountain (1882) is the oldest fountain in the Philippines

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, HK

Today, exactly a year ago (January 24, 2025), sister dearest and I discovered this park that is walking distance from her residence. It is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in the Sai Ying Pun district. Easily accessible from the Hong Kong - Macau ferry terminal in Sheung Wan with a scenic path which leads all the way to Sai Ying Pun.

The park is named after the historic Chinese figure and it spans an area of 4.2 hectares. Its facilities include a playground, a soccer pitch, two basketball courts, a public swimming pool with changing rooms as well as a sports center with squash courts.

It was my go to place when I needed to clear my head and heal my broken heart. After lunch, I would walk about 5 minutes to the park and sit on one of the numerous benches. Watch people jogging, families playing soccer, see the HK - Macau ferries sail by, while enjoying the cold winter breeze. I would pray incessantly and sometimes even cried my heart out. It was a really miserable period in my life. So much anguish, self doubt, very low self esteem, weighing my options, questioning my life decisions. I still cherish those really precious moments at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park because I was able to reflect and contemplate in peace.

The Lake Hotel, Tagaytay

It was a spur of the moment decision to head to Tagaytay for sister dearest's birthday, last October 2025.

So we booked an affordable yet conveniently located on the main ridge hotel.

Now it has to be told that this hotel was featured in the news in 2024 because three guests were murdered in their room by a disgruntled former employee who robbed them of their belongings.

It was a gruesome crime in a city that is known for tourism and a low crime rate. 

Nevertheless, we enjoyed their small but tasty buffet spread breakfast, the friendly hospitality of the staff, the room itself was basically clean with a large shower area. The parking area was big and spacious. The view of Taal volcano and lake was instagrammable.   

We had a lovely time. =)

On our last day before heading back home, we had lunch at RSM Restaurant which is one of our faves for their tasty food and the lovely scenery.

Pink Sisters Convent, Tagaytay

The Pink Sisters Convent is one of our must visit places in Tagaytay. Located in a tree lined hilly environment, it is a very serene and ideal place for reflection. You can write your prayer intentions on a piece of paper (naturally I prayed for my marriage!!!) and the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters will pray for you. Known for their rose colored (pink) tunics/habits and perpetual adoration, the cloistered nuns are also called the Pink Sisters.

The order was founded by Arnold Janssen (founder of the Divine Word Missionaries) to provide spiritual support through prayer for missionaries. Officially known as the Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy, it was established in 1991 by seven nuns, evacuees from Baguio who came to Tagaytay to create a foundation as thanksgiving for surviving the devastating 1991 earthquake in the city of Pines, Baguio.

A slight but short drizzle made the visit more contemplative as it added a misty vibe amidst such tranquility.