Bloggapalooza...er...

This is a late post. I dunno…. Maybe I still think that blogging is more of a diary, a web log than something like a TV commercial. Maybe because I don’t have the feel of promoting hotels, food, establishments - but what the heck. Times have changed.

Ok, it was almost 7PM when me and my friends arrived on SM Aura @ Bonifacio Global in Taguig so I guess the fun was almost over. No more loot bags hahaha! Most of the early birds have already grabbed them by that time.

Manila Chinese Cemetery... It's not just a cemetery, its history. (Part 3)

Maybe you're wondering why the Chinese placed those colored paper and those delicious foods on the grave of their departed - Oh come on, that's not just about decorations and it's not just about being festive.

When we were there last week, I already saw a lot of Chinese families placing food and colored papers on top of the tombs. According to their customs, traditions and beliefs - the colored paper represents roof tiles. They believe that the tomb is a metaphor of a house and the tombstones are the doorways.

Manila Chinese Cemetery... It's not just a cemetery, its history. (Part 2)

Looking at these different Chinese graves and mausoleum, one can just marvel on the different architectural structures, from this old “turtle shape grave,” to some classical pagodas, art decos and some modern ones.

Speaking of these turtle shape graves (AKA Turtle-back tombs or turtle shell tombs), the main purpose of the horseshoe-shaped shaped ridge surrounding the tomb is to substitute for a range of a hill ridge which, according to the principles of Feng Shui, needs to protect the grave from the "noxious winds" from the three.  Also, turtles are known to have long life, therefore a turtle-shaped grave brings long life to the surviving dependents. Turtles also symbolize the universe in Chinese mythology.

Manila Chinese Cemetery... It's not just a cemetery, its history. (Part 1)

Last week I got to tour 3 of the famous cemeteries here in Manila: The Manila Chinese Cemetery, Manila North Cemetery and La Loma Catholic Cemetery. [ A special thanks to Mr. Rence Chan and his Walk With Chan's Spooktacular Tour. ]

Ok... so I begin with the Manila Chinese Cemetery. 

Chinese cemetery, Now maybe you're wondering why a separate cemetery for the Chinese? 

The 54-hectare cemetery was created in 1879 as a burial site for Chinese citizens that were denied burial on cemeteries run by the Roman Catholics during the Spanish period. If you will remember your Noli Mi Tángere, there was this scene where Father Damaso ordered Don Rafael Ibarra's corpse be moved to the Chinese cemetery, Right?

Los Banos Blues

Last October 12, I accompanied my friend to Los Banos, Laguna to see a garden show. Ok, now to tell you the truth, this is my first time I visited UP Los Banos, so I guess I was a little bit excited about the trip, and second... last time that I went to Cavinti, Laguna, I wasn't able to buy a box of Laguna's famous buko pie, so I was thinking that since I'm already here in Laguna, maybe I can buy one.

Speaking of buko pie, a lot of people seem to wonder why the sudden rise of price? It was only P160.00 per box, but now it is almost P200.00. Wow!

Anyway...

Manila by Night

Manila by night.

AgriLink 2014 - The event for your agri needs.

They say that this event is one of those who really fill up the whole World Trade Center here in Manila, and by the looks of it – that might be true.  Last October 9,  I went to see what’s happening in AgriLink 2014.

AgriLink is an agricultural fair, which focuses on what’s new in the agriculture, fish and food industry. It showcases the newest and what’s trending in animal breeding, machinery and equipment, animal health and nutrition, aquaculture, grains, organic farming, horticulture, among others.

AgriLink is organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage & Development, annually in October. From its first show in 1994, it is quickly bacame the Philippine's largest annual international agribusiness event, attracting hundreds of exhibitors and the highest number of visitors. A good number of foreign or international companies from France, China, Korea, USA, Germany, Thailand, Netherlands and other Asian countries were among the exhibitors.

For more pictures of the event...