Rizal Shrine Museum, Fort Santiago

The last time I visited this museum was nine years ago. We are newly wed and  the hubby was my tour guide because he teaches "The Life and Works of Rizal" and can probably teach it with his eyes closed.

This time he served as the tour guide with running commentary to his niece and her fiance who were curious to learn more about our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.  

The museum seems smaller as certain sections were being renovated but it was still a nice (re)visit as it was cooler inside the air conditioned premises. A welcome break from the scorching sun and uncomfortable humidity, outside.

As I was reading the tableaux with the information about Rizal's life, this middle aged woman came near me and was talking loudly to her companion and told her 'ito Tita mga anak ni Rizal, marami siya mga anak'.  

I was aghast and couldn't control myself I had to say something to correct this misinformation. I told her 'hindi po mga anak ni Rizal mga yan, marami po siyang mga kapatid hindi mga anak'. She goes 'ah ganoon ba? Ohh Tita mga kapatid pala niya ito hindi mga anak'

I don't know if she was ignorant or perhaps wasn't listening to her teachers when she was in school but misinformation is like fake news and it shouldn't be tolerated, condoned nor justified, at all.

Intramuros: Fort Santiago

I believe it is imperative for a citizen of any country to know about their rich historical past. As well as the heroes (both men and women) who fought valiantly (either through the power of the pen or the mighty sword) for them to enjoy their rights as a freedom loving population of a democratic nation.

One of my favorite things to do is to visit museums so I can get a broader sense of its history and how it has evolved through the years to its current state.

So I was really glad when Dong's nieces suggested we visit Intramuros (the Walled City) because it proves they too are keen on acquainting themselves with our glorious and significant past.

Manila Cathedral

It was early Sunday morning but the sun was already blazing. The high humidity level sent beads of sweat rolling down my haggard face and my back as we explored on foot. Entrance fee to Fort Santiago is 75 pesos/ adults.

Fort Santiago Entrance

The Rizal Shrine Museum inside Fort Santiago deserves a separate post ... so to be continued ... also it is time for me to exercise. =)

Pico De Loro, Nasugbu Batangas

Three hectic weeks went by and now my sister-in-law and her family are back in the US. It was fun filled as we showed them around Metro Manila which according to them has changed a lot naturally since they have been away for 20+ years.

On November 15 after a quick lunch at Tagaytay, we proceeded to Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas. We were billeted at the Pico Sands Hotel just for an overnight stay but we had so much fun.  =)

Based on a true story

So we normally hear the 10:30 A.M  Sunday mass at a chapel within the comfort of a mall. It is a small place so we get there early so we can find good seats. This past Sunday we found ourselves seated between two families with young kids. 

The three year old boy sitting at my right side starts pointing at the other smaller boy whose family was seated at the left side of D. 3 year old boy shouts "kid ... kid"  gesturing at the other kid.

His mom speaking in English tells him go say hello to the kid. Her child was being really loud and perhaps to silence him she thought it was a good idea for him to go make friends.  Now the other kid was smaller and he wasn't really in a sociable mood but was facing the 3 year old kid in a shy, I.don't.know.you.manner.but.sure.I.will.look.at.you and he steps forward as if to acknowledge the fact that 3 year old boy was 'trying to be friendly' albeit in an obnoxious way.

By the way, the whole incident happened before the start of the mass so D and I had no choice but to be captive audience to what I thought was just two small kids being playful and friendly.  

Suddenly, the older kid then starts aggressively pulling on the collar of the shy smaller kid ... perhaps for him, he was being playful or I don't know what. His mother was telling him to be nice and don't pull the smaller kid. Yet he continues to be an annoying bully. In fairness, the smaller boy didn't cry, he just turned his back on the bully but was still withing touching distance of the older boy. 

But what shocked me more was how his mother reacted to her son's unfriendly behavior. She told her son "oh look now he is mad at you, he is not facing you anymore".   

Omg!  

Why would you put the blame on the smaller kid when it was your bully of a son who was being really loud, aggressive and acted in a manner that deserves to be punished for his bad behavior?

If he was my son, I would reprimand him and tell him to be sorry for his actions. But thinking of it, if he was my son .. he would not act in this manner because he would be taught at an early stage to be polite and respectful of other human beings regardless of their age, size or race.

Over lunch, D and I had a long discussion about the proper way of raising a child and offered many 'ways' we would have dealt with such an inappropriate action displayed by the young boy.  I, in particular have been much appalled by how rude and impolite kids are nowadays as I am a very observant person and I do notice such bad behavior in children. But I do believe it is mostly the parents' faults if a kid doesn't act properly in public. They do not know any better so they need to be guided accordingly by more mature and responsible adults.

This is just my observation and I know that I am the last person to give pieces of advice as I am not a parent but I think that common sense and proper decorum dictates that an individual should be polite and respectful at all times.

Enuff said!

I'm back

A week ago, we returned from our two week vacay in the land of dimsum and dumplings. 

Those 2 weeks were filled with days of really hot and humid weather. I probably lost my equivalent in weight of sweat just by walking to the nearest convenience store to buy bread. 

The humidity was the toughest one to bear as not only did it make you sweat buckets but it also was difficult to breathe, sometimes. 

I was most worried about my mom as she has weak lungs and can be breathless in just a few minutes. But she was a trooper and at 80 years young I am amazed by her tenacity and her determination.

Well her milestone birthday was the reason we were there and my very generous sister made sure we had a glorious food fest. We ate at most of our regular restaurants as well as tried new ones. It was delicious, we all had a great time and truly cherished the momentous occasion.