My My My My Manila!

January 10, 2024

We had two stints in Manila.  First, when we touched down in the capital city after our Cebu experience for the Christmas holidays and again after we returned from our time up north in Segada.  

During both stints we got to enjoy time with Francesca's relatives on both sides of the family.  Her father and his wife Karen were still with us and he father's brother, Uncle Chris and his wife Aunt Susan were in town as well for the year end Holidays.  We had went to a Christmas party at the beautiful home of XX and counted down the new years with Hector's relatives at the Grand Hyatt Resort. 

We also met with Francesca's cousins on her mom's side, first for dinner and drinks with just the kids (who are all now adults) and then at her Uncle Boyette's lovely home where we enjoyed a delicious meal and some karaoke with 3 generations of Limons (Francesca's mom's maiden name). After we returned from Segada we met up again at the food court in a nearby mall for dinner and drinks and to say "goodbye". 

Speaking of malls, Manila is the King of Malls!  If you've been following along on our trip you may recall I was singing the praises of the malls in Bangkok as well, but Manila really takes the cake.  And they do love their malls here.  They come in all shapes and sizes and income levels.  

The two nearest to us during our first stint in Manila when we were staying at the Hotel 101, were Market Market and the upscale SM Aura Premier.  During our second stint at the Uptown Resdidence we were right across the street from the Uptown Mall. 

We did manage to fit in some fun and cultural things to including a day trip to the super interesting Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila which is one of the most important landmarks in all of the Philippines. It was built in 1571 by the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and served as a military defense structure during the Spanish colonial period.

Some interesting facts about the fort:

• Originally a Muslim settlement led by Rajah Sulayman, the Spanish repurposed the site to strengthen their control over Manila.

• Over the centuries, the fort was used by Spanish, British, American, and Japanese forces.

• Dr. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was imprisoned in Fort Santiago before his execution in 1896. His prison cell and final footsteps leading to Luneta (Rizal Park) are preserved as a tribute.

• During World War II, the fort became a prison and execution site under Japanese occupation. Thousands of Filipino and American soldiers died here, especially in the dungeons, which were used for torture and execution.

I also took Ryan and Finley to the super fun Mind Museum.