Manila, Manila, I keep coming back in Manila! ( repost from multiply)
Assisted by our dedicated school staff Beverly, we left Tektite at around 9:30 am and arrived at the National Museum in Manila at around 11:30. As part of the baptism of fire, my student Jeff had to ride the MRT and took the jeepney at Taft going to Manila. The heavy polluted air and the crowded trains were the ice breakers of the so called cultural immersion.
Our first stop was at the National Museum housing the painting of Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo. Looking at the majestic and popular painting Spolarium was enchanting and inspiring.
We finished looking at the painting at the National Museum by 1 pm then we went out to have our lunch. We went to SM Manila which was the nearest and safest place we could eat. There, we asked our student to choose among the mouth-watering Filipino cuisine at Kamay Kainan. He chose pansit, barbecue, and binagoongan. On the side, I ordered sinigang na baboy. After an hour, we left SM Manila and headed to the second building of the museum.
Ignoring the smoldering heat of the sun, we tooked the underpass. Then on the other side of the road, we waited a taxi. Sadly, the taxi driver of the tax we got was at the height of his insanity! Imagine, we were already inside the taxi when he turned berserk shouting that we should have walked going to the National Museum because it’s near. He was really pissed off and his words were so traumatizing. In the end, he dropped us in the middle of the road and we had no choice but to get out of the near-death situation. Ending, we walked under the heat of the sun with no sun protection or any umbrella!
Then we arrived at the National Museum. The experience was worth it. It was really magnificent and amazing because obviously the museum it is well funded and organized. There are lights and sounds that added to the appreciation of the richness of our Filipino culture and heritage.
The museum is divided in 8 different galleries sponsored and maintained by different multinational companies: The San Diego 1, The Five Centuries of Maritime Trade before the arrival of the West, the San Diego II, the San Diego III, The Origin (Pinagmulan), The Archaeological Treasures (Kaban ng Lahi), The Fillipinos Today (Kinahinatnan), and the Clothe Traditions: Philippines.
After exploring the wonders of our history, we went to a Calesa Ride at the ever-famous and tourist hub Intramuros. For a price of 250 per head and a tour guide, we were transported back to the Spanish times.
After finishing the so called a joy ride to the past, my student requested to us to visit Luneta Park where our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was persecuted and in that time was called as Bagumbayan. At the Park, as the sun bid farewell, we watched history unfold. It was defnitely a heart-touching experience to not only learn about history but fully understand our identity as Filipinos. Actually, I was ecstatic to be in Luneta because it was my first time to be there. Thus, the immersion activity did not only immersed my student Jeff in getting a glimpse of our history, but also, yours truly! Isn’t that nice!
Capping the day with a tired body but with new understanding, I appreciated Manila more! The last words I said before leaving, I will surely come back in Manila!
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