WHY - WHAT - HOW: 2014

The first time I came to the Philippines was when I was a little kid. I remember I was surprised thinking how similar the country was to Indonesia. The infrastructure, the people, the weather and even the language sounds similar even though they meant entirely different - well not quite - for example I learn that there are similarities in the words such as 'dog' in both Javanese and Tagalog is called "asu", 'pig' is "baboy" (in Indonesian is "babi"), and 'chicken' is "manuk" in Tagalog which could also mean 'bird' in Javanese. I also remember of learning how to skate on the ice skating rink for the first time at one of the malls there. This time I get the opportunity to visit the country once again during election (rumor has it there was ever going to be a riot on the D day), so my dad brought me with him on his business trip to stay away from the riot as well. However I didn't bring my professional camera with me cause it was just a short trip and was too lazy to carry those extra weight around the city - so I just took all the pictures using my iPhone (sorry for the quality).

Makati 2014/07/21 - 2014/07/23

what Ninoy Aquino airport looks like

Notice (☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

Filipino becak

Save More grocery store reminds me of Jakarta's Citraland mall

Roadside trader（*＾＾）/~~~~~~~~~~◎

Just like in Indonesia (／_^)／　

Traffic in Manila

School service

Train

Fairmont Hotel - the hotel we stayed at

It is the newest five-star luxury hotel in Makati City

Fairmont Makati was recognized as “Best New Hotel” and “Best New Family-Friendly Hotel” by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler.

Apart from holding consistent high ranking in Trip Advisor, the hotel was honored with Travelers' Choice awards in the Luxury, Top Hotel and Exceptional Service categories.

8th floor (top floor) hallway

Entrance to our room

I suppose this is the guests room?

Our room（⌒▽⌒）

Working table area

Painting

Wardrobe area

It's so neat and cozy (ノ＞▽＜。)ノ

Glorietta Mall

The mall is divided into five sections (named Glorietta 1–5) and contains many shops and restaurants, as well as cinemas, a gym, arcades and a large central activity center, often used to stage special events.

Night scene

High end stores

The Greenbelt Park at night

Greenbelt is a shopping mall located at Ayala Center, Makati City, which is just near Glorietta

Gerry’s Grill the restaurant we were heading to for dinner is a group of restaurants based in the Philippines. It is also among the largest restaurant chains in the country, having 47 stores (44 in the Philippines and 3 in the United States).

The Greenbelt mall offers a mix of high-end retail shops, restaurants, amenities, leisure and entertainment in the Philippines.

Gerry's Grill was opened on Valentines Day in 1997. Since then, the restaurant business rapidly expanded.

Bagoong is a Philippine condiment made of partially or completely fermented fish or shrimp and salt. In Indonesian is also called 'terasi'.

The restaurant was really crowded.

The menu (*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

So hungry（＞ｙ＜）

Ripe mango shake & fruit tea (＾-＾)＿日

Local beer (*^◇^)_旦

This is called "Crispy Pata" which is crispy pork knuckle

Crispy pata is a Filipino dish consisting of deep fried pig trotters or knuckles served with a soy-vinegar dip. It's soooo delicious!!! ( ´･ω･`)

Delicious morning glory veggie

Sour fish soup tasted a bit like Tom Yam

Their best selling dish : Sisig. In the culinary capital of Pampanga, they turn the pork’s cheeks, head and liver into this sizzling dish called Sisig. Sisig refers to a method of preparing fish and meat, especially pork, which is marinated in a sour liquid such as lemon juice or vinegar, then seasoned with salt, pepper and other spices. The texture is crunchy and chewy and it's so yummy!!

A really good situation here.

The tuna belly was amazing!! (＃´ー´)

30 minutes after (*^◇^)

Halo-Halo is the famous Filipino dessert made of sweets like jellies, shaved ice and taro ice cream on top of it. Best described as Filipino es campur. ლ(´ڡ`ლ)

Hermes store

Walking back to our hotel - crossing the non crossing zone street area ʅ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡(Ɵ۝Ө)ʃ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡

Security guard & security dog ▼o・ェ・o▼

On our way to the Gold Lounge

at the 7th floor

the luxuriously designed Fairmont Gold Lounge

A nice place to relax and chill

The lounge bar

Cap the night with a sweet ending to our day as Golden Lullaby treats us to a variety of sinful pastries and desserts

Refreshments

A selection of complimentary spirits and liquors

The pool view by night

The night city view from the lounge window.

Beautiful and grand (^_−)☆

The very spacious toilet

Sweet tooth (－ｏ⌒)

Pretty little eclairs (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

Sugar highing with the daddy o (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Chocolate jars

Diabetening myself up that night

The elevator

Back to our room

The beautiful bathroom

bathtub ＼(^▽^＠)ノ

Washbowls & mirror

The toilet

Just realized they gave us 2 complimentary mangoes ヽ( ★ω★)ノ

The view from my room in the morning

The breakfast bar at the Gold Lounge

The colors of the yoghurt

Pastry & bread assortments

Cereals

Fish & sausages

My brekkie o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

Zooming in (๑>ᴗ<๑)

One of these (of which I can't remember which) is called (if I'm not wrong) "The Filipino Muesli" which was amazing!!!

My egg *✲ﾟ*｡✧٩(･ิᴗ･ิ๑)۶*✲ﾟ*｡✧

The Fitness Center is adjacent to the spa offering Technogym fitness machines and other state-of-the-art equipment, occupying 283 square meters of space dedicated to wellness and showcasing a panoramic view of the Makati cityscape.

The pool area - there was a drizzle that morning

4th floor where all the facilities are at

My dad had a business meeting and he left me at the hotel alone, so I planned on strolling around the city by myself and before that I did my little 'selfie' ritual on the mirror.

This is called the jeepney which is the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture and art.

Walking down to the Greenbelt

Greenbelt Park, located in and around the Greenbelt Mall, used to be a belt of “green” right smack in the middle of this two city block long area. In the 1970s the south area already had a lagoon surrounded by gardens, a chapel and an aviary.

I visited the Ayala Museum which was envisioned by Fernando Zobel, one of the founders of Ayala Foundation and himself an abstract painter, way back in the 1950s.

The museum started out as a venue for celebrating Philippine history and iconography but gradually evolved into a museum showcasing Philippine fine arts and history.

The gradual transformation of the museum into a venue where “Re-collecting the past, Re-presenting the future” is evident in its display.

The second floor gallery (where we are allowed to take pictures at) is a favorite among grade-schoolers as it is home to Philippine history in diorama. Aptly named the Diorama Experience, it showcases 60 pieces of beautifully and accurately made dioramas depicting the highlights and major events in Philippine history starting from pre-historic time up to the mid 1980s. The time travel culminates in a multimedia
presentation of the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 not excluding the turbulent 1950s and the violent and rebellious Martial law years. Also in the gallery are miniatures of Philippine maritime vessel.

Possibly the earliest evidence of the presence of ancestral humans in the Philippines was found in the Cagayan Valley on the northern island of Luzon where two stone flake tools were recovered in association with the remains of elephas an ancient relative of the elephant.

Palawan Tabon Caves

Palawan Burial Caves

Pottery making in Bicol

The height of Aetas. They're pretty short aren't they?

Trade with the Chinese - Early records indicate that Chinese traders arrived in junks bearing ceramics, tea, and silk in exchange for local forest products, wax, pearls, arecanuts, and tortoise shell.

The first books.

Introduction of Islam - The earliest Islamic presence in Manila dates to about 1175 AD by 1450, Hashim Abubakar had establish the Sulu sultanate among the Tausug and the Sama.

The first mass in the Philippines was celebrated by Father Pedro de Valderrama, who arrived with Ferdinand Magelian in 1521. Intensive Christianization of the islands followed beginning in 1565 with the arrival of the Legazpi expedition.

When Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in 1565, he sought to establish friendly relations by engaging in a blood compact with Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol.

Cannon making.

Beautiful ships ヽ(*⌒∇⌒*)ﾉ

More than 23,000 Chinese perished in the massacre of 1603, the first of several massacres from the 17th to the 19th century. The Spaniards were supported by a large number of Tagalog and Pampango volunteers.

The height of Spanish Conquistador.

Assassination of Governor Bustamante.

Francisco Dagohoy a cabeza de barangay of Bohol, revolted against colonial rule when the Jesuit parish priest, Father Gaspar Morales, refused to give Dagohoy's brother a Christian burial.

The height of Chinese Mestizo

Escolta Scene - The Escolta, inwide street north of the Pasig River spans the Manila districts of Binondo, Santa Cruz, and Quiapo, and surprassed the Parian as 19th century Manila's commercial hub.

The new governor general, Carlos Maria de la Torre, hosted a reception in Malacañan Palace to celebrate the Spanish Revolution of 1868. Among the Filipinos who attended were Jose Burgos, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Pedro Paterno, and Jacobo Zobel.

Introduction of the Tranvia.

The height of Jose Rizal.

The Revolution against Spain begins - At Bario Pugadlawin near Balintawak. Andres Bonifacio urged his men to tear up their cedula personal (tax certificate) as a symbolic gesture signifying the end of their servitude to Spain. They did so amidst cried of "Long live the Philippines! Long live the Katipunan!"

The Execution of Jose Rizal.

The heights of Emilio Aguinaldo & Andres Bonifacio

Proclamation of Independence from Spain - Emilio Aguinaldo returned from exile in Hong Kong aboard an American warship. His returned to Cavite had had a galvanizing effect on the revolutionary movement, which culminated in the declaration of Philippine in dependence from Spain. On June 12, 1898, the Philippine national flag was formally unfurled and Philippine independence proclaimed at the Aguinaldo residence in Kawit, Cavite.

The height of Manuel Quezon.

American Reprisals in Samar.

Inauguration of Quezon

Japanese forces occupy Manila.

The height of American soldier.

The Death March - After three months of resisting Japanese offensives, the Filipino American forces finally surrendered on April 9, 1942. Instead of being transported by truck, more than 70,000 prisoners of war were forced to walk from Mariveles, Bataan to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. In the scorching heat, many dropped dead along the way. Those who faltered or tried to drink from a spring or creek were savagely beaten or killed.

Recognition of Philippine Independence by the United States.

or you'll get murdered (✖╭╮✖)

The ground floor gallery serves as venue for contemporary Philippine arts exhibits and for local shows in partnership with international institutions.

Located at the ground floor gallery were the works of Jana Benitez, a contemporary Filipino visual artist.

The beautiful paintings ヾ(＠^∇^＠)ノ

ヽ(*≧ω≦)ﾉ

ヽ(=^･ω･^=)丿

Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ

(((＼（＠v＠）／)))

☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆

words on the wall o(≧∇≦o)

(๑>ᴗ<๑)

Strolling around Greenbelt Mall after the museum by myself

Currently, the mall has five sections, two are indoor buildings and the other two buildings are open-air shopping. The most recent addition, Greenbelt 5, opened in 2007.

Heading towards Greenbelt 5

The famous Greenbelt chapel

Walking up the bridge crossing the street

My dad recommended me to have my lunch at Jollibee cause he believes the chicken is better and crispier than KFCs. We used to have this in Jakarta, at Citraland precisely but it has closed down. So here I am now at Landmark food court ordering my lunch at Jollibee. Jollibee Foods Corporation abbreviated as JFC and popularly known as Jollibee is a Philippine multinational chain of fast food restaurants headquartered in Pasig City, Philippines. JFC is the parent company of Jollibee, the country's answer to McDonald's in the fast food burger business.
With its success, the company bought out their competitors in the fast food business like Chowking, Greenwich Pizza, Red Ribbon bakeshop, Mang Inasal and Burger King Philippines. In 2011, JFC had a total of 2,510 stores worldwide with a system wide retail sales totaling to 82.1 billion pesos for the fiscal year 2011.

I had Sirsa softdrink, chicken & spaghetti for lunch. ٩(^ᴗ^)۶

Red Ribbon Bakeshop is a popular fast-food chain and bakery in the Philippines and the United States, offering a wide range of cakes and pastries.

Belong to the same group as Jollibee. The shop is located just next to it as well.

Goldilocks Bakeshop is a bakeshop chain based in the Philippines famous for their polvorón.

Back to my hotel

A polvorón (From polvo, the Spanish word for powder, or dust; Cebuano: polboron; Tagalog: pulburón) is a type of heavy, soft and very crumbly Spanish shortbread made of flour, sugar, milk, and nuts. I remember I used to eat these snack when I was a kid in Jakarta, parents got it every time we have done our English church mass in Atmajaya, but couldn't find a good one now in Jakarta. So I bought these babies for my sister and I from Goldilocks and it comes in many flavors such as taro, pinipig (some sort of rice crispies), and cookies & cream.

Back at the hotel and taking more selfies σ(≧ε≦ｏ)

˚‧*♡ॢ˃̶̤̀◡˂̶̤́♡ॢ*‧˚

o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

ヾ(。◕ฺ∀◕ฺ)ノ

The afternoon tea cakes at the gold lounge

Fruits

my beautiful plate ٩(●˙▿˙●)۶…⋆ฺ

Enjoying my cakes with earl grey tea ヽ(^。^)丿

Sandwiches

Having my afternoon tea by myself #foreveralone ＼（Ｔ∇Ｔ）／

Giant chairs

Wearing the bathrobe 〜(^∇^〜）

After shower waiting for my dad to come back home ｡◕‿◕｡

My dad got me BALUT!! (-^〇^-)

How to eat it is by first cracking the tip of the egg open, sprinkle it with a bit of salt and vinegar then sip the juice out of it. The juice tasted like a yummy chicken soup, the fetus tasted somewhat like liver but with a bit of chunks of the bones, beak & claws in it & you can also taste the fur as well but they're edible. The yellow egg tasted just like normal yellow egg (it was the best part), then the white egg was really hard but chewy. It felt like you're chewing on the car tire with the taste of an egg white.

In case you don't know what balut is, it's a boiled 17-day-old duck embryo.（・θ・）

No trip to the Philippines would be complete without sampling its famous balut. ( ⋂‿⋂’)

Loving this exotic food (〜￣▽￣)〜

You can see the nerves on the egg shell - Looks just like an alien egg doesn't it?

Walking down the street to the masseuse with my dad we saw more Jeepneys

Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.

The word jeepney is a portmanteau of the words "jeep" and "jitney", a franchised small bus that carries passengers on a regular route with flexible schedule.