Anawangin Cove

ANAWANGIN COVE

The province of Zambales has been blessed with untouched forests, mountain ranges and 107 miles of pure beach, making it one of the top travel destinations in the island of Luzon.   One of the province’s pride is the Anawangin Cove—a long stretch of almost white volcanic sand that is set in a unique and picturesque landscape.  

 Anawangin is derived from the Ilocano word Nuang which means carabao, since there is an abundance of it in the mountainous section of the area. It is part of the town of San Antonio which is at the southern part of Zambales. Over the years, Anawangin Cove has been a favorite spot for adventure seekers, especially those who are fond of camping out.   

There are two ways to get to Anawangin Cove. First option is to hire a boat from Pundaquit Beach (jump-off point) that will directly bring you to Anawangin Cove in 30 minutes (prices of renting a boat depends on your ability to negotiate with the bangkero).

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The Aquino Center Museum

THE AQUINO CENTER MUSEUM

The Aquino Museum is housed in a spartan modern structure inside the Hacienda Luisita complex. The center is not government owned nor government run, as was made clear to us before the tour started. Funding from it comes from the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation.

 The Aquino Center and Museum in TarlacIt would be better to visit the museum by dropping one’s political leanings first. Well of course, that would be hard, especially for Marcos loyalists and Pnoy haters. Because yes, here at the Aquino Museum, the yellow ribbon surely rules. 

But this museum really isn’t about the current Pnoy administration nor Kris Aquino (although you can see glimpses of them, when they were still cute LOL) throughout the museum. But this is about Ninoy and Cory. Two of the most memorable figures in recent Philippine history.

The exhibit hall is divided into two parts, that of Ninoy’s and those of Cory’s. Both are arranged by era, starting with Ninoy’s young stint as a journalist covering the Korean War, his exceptional rise to politics, and up to his execution at the Manila International Airport.

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Dinosaurs Island

DINOSAURS ISLAND

With over 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs roaring while you follow the Dino Trail, don’t be surprised if you see some kids crying and screaming out of fear.

If you want an even closer encounter, hop on the Jurassic Safari Ride to experience what it’s like to have dinosaurs popping their heads inside your tramcar.

Aside from the animatronic dinosaurs, they also have a Fossils Museum where you’ll find dinosaur skeletons and other types of exhibits to give you a preview of life in the Mesozoic Era.

Entrance fee costs Php 350 per person.

We all have been awed with the history of the dinosaurs that is why scientists keep on studying how these first inhabitants of our planet ruled the earth. How they lived and why they came into extinction.. 

Now, thanks to DINOSAURS ISLAND at CLARK, PAMPANGA, we will be able learn more about the amazing dinos! The Dino Amusement Theme Park has been designed for us to understand better the dinosaurs and what transpired in the Mesozoic Era as we emerge into the forest with them. It will make us go back in time and relive how it was living with the Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Spirosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Iritator, Raptors, Rhinoceros, Iguanodon, and many more!

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Church of Barasoain

CHURCH OF BARASOIN

Barely an hour’s ride from Manila, the Barasoain Church stands on a wide imposing patio. The church became the sanctuary of the Philippine Republic that was born out of shattered battleflags and bloody battlefields.

Almost a decade after the founding of Manila, a settlement was made by the Augustinian missionaries in Barasoain and a church of nipa and bamboo was constructed near the river between Maluslos (Malolos) and Barasoain, in front of the Casa Tribunal (Presidencia) commonly called “Casa Real“. A big fire in the 17th century destroyed the new church.

Another church was constructed on a new site, at its present location—corner of Paseo del Congreso and Republica streets. The church constructed under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Francisco Royo, O.S.A., was also made of light materials. In 1884, during the celebration of the Feast of the Lady of Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen), Patroness of the Parish, the temporary church was burned.

The following year, Rev. Fr. Juan Giron, O.S.A., supervised the reconstruction of the now famous Church of Barasoain, with a certain Magpayo, the contractor and builder of the church.

Like any other church built during the Spanish era, the edifice was of the church-convento style, a typical portrayal of the Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines and in Spanish-America. At its right is a bell tower, just a few meters higher than the main building.

Symmetry is the predominant theme of the architectural structure of the facade, with balanced formation of arched windows on the sides and two small doors beside the main entrance. To suggest movement, ribbed vaulting had been done in the doors, arched windows and rose window at the middle.

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Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

BATAAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Another thing that can be found in Morong is the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. The plant was completed in 1984 but was never fuelled and until this day remains unoperational. The government is making the most of this white elephant, however, by turning it into a tourist spot. Folks can now take a tour of the controversial plant without worrying about the effects of fallout.

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant, completed but never fueled, on Bataan Peninsula, 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Manila in the Philippines. It is located on a 3.57 square kilometre government reservation at Napot Point in Morong, Bataan. It was the Philippines' only attempt at building a nuclear power plant.

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