The Statue of Philippines' National Hero Jose Rizal in Luneta Park.  I was still a toddler when I visited this monument with my parents.  How time flies!

I didn't realize that right behind the Rizal Monument, there was a statue of Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino native who valiantly fought and won over Ferdinand Magellan, prior to the conquest of the Philippine Islands by Spain in the 1500s.  I like the statue a lot!  How brave and fierce he looked.!

The map of the Philippines in a big pond right behind the Statue of Lapu Lapu.  This is really better viewed from the air.  An aerial view will give you a precise image of the Philippine Islands in miniature as it is presented here.

The National Museum

The Office of the Department of Tourism right across the National Museum

You will notice that the buildings of the National Museum and the Office of the Department of Tourism look very similar.  That's because they were constucted at the same time based on the popular American architecture of the time.

The Manila Hotel

I just had to see the Manila Hotel for myself.  This used to be THE hotel to see and be seen back in the 70's and 80's in the Philippines.  It was just so grand.  We also wanted to visit Gen Douglas MacArthur's Suite but unfortunately it wasn't available for viewing that day.  I wish they would refurbish this hotel as it has so much history.  It can easily rival the Raffles of Singapore or the Oriental of Bangkok.

The huge Capiz chandeliers in the foyer of the Manila Hotel.  Aren't they grand?

The Manila Hotel lobby.

A partial view of the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel

The historic Manila Cathedral.  Per my understanding, this cathedral was heavily bombed and completely destroyed during the Second World War.  The building now is a reconstruction and restoration.

Inside the Manila Cathedral

I haven't really visited many churches in Manila.  However, of the few that I have seen, there are a lot more beautiful churches and cathedrals than the Manila Cathderal.  The San Agustin Church in Intramuros and the Binondo Church in Chinatown are my favorites.

San Agustin Church inside Intramuros

My personal favorite among churches I have visited in Manila to date

Inside San Agustin Church and Museum

This exhibit blew me away.  I found it to be very imposing and impressive.  I was immediately reminded of Spain.  Well, the Philippines was their colony for nearly 400 years.  How I wish we had more museums like this in Manila.  I also hope the Philippine Government does its best in preserving this gem of a place for future generations.

I was glad to visit this gallery last December 2010.  I saw pictures of it from Interior Design books published in the US.  I couldn't believe we had a place like this in Manila.

A statue of the Sto. Nino inside a glass case.  When I left Manila ages ago, I took a little statue of the child Jesus with me and I always make it a point to take him with me everywhere and anywhere I go in the the world for safety and protection.

A small altar in a corner inside San Agustin Church

The church courtyard

Mass being celebrated inside San Agustin Church at the time of our visit

San Agustin Church's Museum building

Right across the San Agustin Church and Museum, one will find houses built during the Spanish colonial period and which have been preserved to house restaurants and stores now.  They are worth a visit for they remind you of the old days when the Spanish influence in the Philippines was very, very strongand everyone spoke Spanish.

Here I am in the courtyard of one of the Spanish style houses inside Intramuros.  I have seen pictures of this place as it was used for wedding receptions and other social gatherings.