Hong Kong: Experiencing Disney magic at HongKong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel

A few weeks ago, we made another family trip to HongKong Disneyland. The park is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. In previous trips, we'd usually stay outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. But this time around, we got to experience Disney magic to its fullest with a stay at one of the Disney hotels.

From the Hong Kong International Airport, unless you are alone, the cheapest way to get to Hong Kong Disneyland is by cab (approximately HK$120). By MTR, it would cost HK$60 per head to get to Tsing Yi, then you have to transfer lines to get to Sunny Bay, then transfer trains to get to Hong Kong Disneyland. From there, you have to take the free shuttle to your hotel. With the cab, we were ferried directly to Disney's Hollywood Hotel where we were billeted for the next two nights.



Disney's Hollywood Hotel is a grand Art Deco building which mimics the character, glitz and glamor of Hollywood Boulevard in California. Although you can check-in as soon as you arrive, if the hotel is full as it usually is, rooms won't be available until 3 p.m. So if you arrive early, you can leave your bags at the concierge so that you can explore the theme park or have lunch while waiting.


Lunch was at the Crystal Lotus at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. So we had to take the shuttle to get to the other hotel next door. For lunch, we had the Disney character dimsum. Almost everything served had something shaped in the famous Mickey silhouette.






It was a seven-course meal which included Sesamed Rice Pasta Salad with Chicken, Disney Dimsum (Little Pig Barbecue Pork Bun, Little Green Men Pork and Vegetable Bun and Mickey's Seafood Glutinous Pancake), Double-boiled Chicken and Conpoy Soup in Petite Coconut, Wok-fried Shrimps and Disney Root Vegetables, Red-braised Pork Loin stuffed in Whole Chinese Pear, Fried-rice with Tasmanian Crabmeat stuffed in Whole Crab Shell, plus desserts (Chilled Mickey's Red Bean Honey Pudding and Duffy Steamed Lotus Red Bean Puree Bun).

After lunch, we proceeded to the theme park and returned to Disney's Hollywood Hotel right after dinner and the Tinker Bell Castle Illuminations. Please read related post for more on the parade and evening events: Celebration in the Air marks HongKong Disneyland's fifth anniversary.




The next day, we went back to HongKong Disneyland Hotel for a meet-and-greet breakfast with Disney characters at Enchanted Garden. In fact, during every meal, the Disney characters welcome everyone and visit every table for pictures, the highlight of dining at Enchanted Garden.


But the breakfast buffet spread itself was impressive with a wide selection of Western, Chinese, Japanese and Indian food among many others. If only my stomach didn't have any limits, I would have wanted to try out more.


After breakfast, we checked out the hedge maze in the sprawling garden behind the hotel. The back of the hotel actually faces the sea creating a picture-perfect setting. After walking around, we proceeded again to the theme park for more fun.


We got back at Disney's Hollywood Hotel that night, we saw Chip and Dale near the elevator posing for photos with guests.

During our last day, breakfast was at Chef Mickey at Disney's Hollywood Hotel. We weren't able to enjoy the buffet much since we had to rush to the airport right after the quick breakfast. But I'm glad we got to experience more of the Disney magic during our visit to the HongKong Disneyland Resort. There's definitely a big difference if you choose to stay at a Disney hotel and you might want to consider it especially if you are traveling with kids.

Part 2: Celebration in the Air marks HongKong Disneyland's fifth anniversary

Cebu: Edge Coaster at the Sky Adventure Experience

Despite visiting Cebu quite often, it was only last month that I got to try the Edge Coaster at the Sky Adventure Experience of Crown Regency Hotel Cebu. We paid Php750 for the buffet dinner and one ride at the Sky Adventure Experience. The buffet had a lot of dishes to choose from which was quite good. For the rest of the rates, visit the Sky Adventure Experience website.


The Edge Coaster goes around the edge of the 38th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel, 130.84 meters above street level. What makes the ride thrilling is that you can let your seat tilt at an angle of up to 55 degrees. A few meters from the start of the ride, it automatically tilts 50 degrees. If that's too much for you, you can choose to lower the angle a bit.

Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed. So I couldn't take photos of the view. But they have photographers who will take your photo and you can have copies printed.

Sky Adventure Experience
(032) 4188888

Bohol: NHCP decision on Antequera Town Plaza, a victory for historic open spaces!

Several months ago, I received a call for help from concerned residents of Antequera, Bohol. The mayor was planning to build a multi-purpose hall in their historic town plaza. While this has been happening across the country, in violation of land use, and now, heritage laws, no one has actually raised a major howl until now. All those multi-purpose halls in town plazas are illegal!

The good news is, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) recently released its decision on the Antequera Town Plaza. It's a landmark decision after the passage of R.A. No. 10066 that protects all historic plazas and parks. It's a victory, not only for Antequera, but for all historic open spaces around the country! I hope this decision marks the end of local governments building large structures in public plazas and parks.


Thank you to the NHCP for upholding the rule of law. And congratulations to the people of Antequera for their vigilance! Note that the citizens were not against the construction of a multi-purpose hall, but rather the proposed location. In fact, many of the citizens opposed to the plan have volunteered to donate land for the new structure. I hope the mayor sees the goodwill here.

April 8, 2011

HON. JOSE MARIO PAHANG
Municipal Mayor
Antequera, Bohol

Dear Mayor Pahang:

Greetings from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)!

We receivd a letter from NCCA Executive Director Malou Jacob dated 21 February 2011 informing us of the Proposed Development of the Multi-Purpose Cultural Center building which is to be located at the town plaza of Antequera in Bohol. NCCA also requested to conduct site inspections and to assess your proposed project.

We have sent NHCP technical team to Antequera, and they have conducted site assessment. Per our evaluation, we regret to inform that your proposed development project at the town plaza is not in conformity with the Republic Act 10066 (National Heritage Act of 2009) for the following reasons:

1. Historic towns plazas should remain open and green to serve as breathing space of the town. Its open area should not be diminished, and its land use and zoning category should not be converted nor changed.

2. Town plazas are places where townspeople congregate for various outdoor activities, and therefore, should be regarded as natural environment and spaces that relates the history of the town and the lifestyle of its community.

3. Putting up a huge structure within the plaza will create visual scale and proportion, and will adversely affect the historical ambiance and character of the town.

We suggest that the aforesaid project be situated in potential new development areas.

Looking forward to your favorable response for the preservation of our cultural heritage.

With all good wishes.

Very truly yours,
LUDOVICO D. BADOY
Executive Director III

Note: Photos from the Preserve the Antequera Town Plaza page on Facebook.

Cebu: Kawasan Falls in Badian

I've heard about the beauty of Kawasan Falls in Badian. On a recent trip to Cebu with my fraternity batchmates, we visited the waterfall. It's about 3 hours from Cebu City. And if you plan to rent a van, it's not cheap. On the way there, you get to pass by the picturesque coastline of the western side of Cebu.

The falls is several kilometers past the town proper of Badian. From the jump-off point along the National Highway, there's an easy 15 minute walk to Kawasan Falls. Along the way, you have to pay Php10 per head as entrance fee.


Kawasan Falls has aquamarine blue water making it look like it was a swimming pool. You can rent tables for Php300, or ride a raft that will bring you under the falls, also at Php300 per group.

It's quite refreshing but not as high as other popular waterfalls around the country. But in my opinion, you'd have to spend the whole day there, or explore nearby attractions for the trip or cost of transportation to be worth it.

Visita iglesia routes for Holy Thursday 2011

By now, you might have decided where to go tomorrow for Holy Thursday visita iglesia. But for those who still don't have any plans, here are some ideas for visita iglesia to our heritage churches in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

You could visit churches in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan and Pangasinan.

Bulacan: San Miguel Heritage Town and Biak-na-Bato National Park

San Miguel, Bulacan is a very historic town. The town proper is an outstanding assemblage of colonial-period houses. While the caves of Biak-na-Bato were witness to the birth of the Philippine nation.



We got to visit San Miguel, Bulacan recently as part of Lakbay Norte of the North Philippines Visitors Bureau. First stop was the San Miguel Heritage Town. We were able to stop by the historic San Miguel Church, where some of our nation's heroes are buried including Maximo Viola, a friend of Dr. Jose Rizal who helped finance the publication of Noli Me Tangere.


Unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore the ancestral houses. But we made one round around town.



I got to explore San Miguel when I was still a college student. And obviously, much has changed. It alarms me that the historical fabric of the town is starting to change as well. And safeguards need to be put in place if we are to conserve the historic core of San Miguel.



A few kilometers from the town proper is the Biak-na-Bato National Park, the mountain hideout of the Philippine Revolutionary Forces and birthplace of the Republika ng Biak-na-Bato in 1897. It is said to be the first Philippine republic with its own constitution. But it was short-lived and lasted only a month.


In 1937, President Manuel L. Quezon declared 2,117 hectares in the Biak-na-Bato area as a national park to honor the First Philippine Republic. It's actually a refreshing place with a comfortable cover of green, several streams and waterfalls, and a system of caves which served as hideouts for our revolutionary forces.


A visit to San Miguel, Bulacan is definitely an appointment with Philippine history.

Metro Manila: Las Pinas Bamboo Organ and visita iglesia in Paranaque and Las Pinas

The southern cities of Metro Manila have some interesting heritage churches, particularly Paranaque and Las Pinas which you can visit for visita iglesia.


Who does not know the Bamboo Organ? The Las Pinas Church is home to this National Cultural Treasure. It was in 1810 that Fr. Diego Cera began contruction for the Las Pinas Church which was completed in 1819. The architecture of the church itself is very simply yet sturdy with its massive stone colonades ans stucco Neoclassical altar.


The highlight of any visit to the Las Pinas Church is the Bamboo Organ which Fr. Cera built in 1823. It has a total of 1,031 original bamboo pipes and 129 new metal ones. It fell into disrepair but was restored in 1942 by Carmelo and Jose Loinaz. In 1973, the organ was sent to the Johannes Klais Factory in Bonn, Germany for a full restoration.



In Paranaque, one of the best preserved churches is the San Dionisio Chapel. This small chapel is worth the visit because of its intact wooden altar. But what makes the altar even more famous or infamous is the headless image of San Dionisio or Tatang Dune to the locals.


Paranaque in fact has several other heritage churches including the Paranaque Cathedral, La Huerta Chapel and Redemptorist Church, which you can visit when on visita iglesia.

The Paranaque Cathedral's veneration for the Nuestra Senora del Buen Suceso dates back to 1625. The current church was built from 1638 to 1650.

Bohol: Tsokolate Eh Souffle Cake at Cafe Lawis in Dauis Church

If you happen to pass by the Dauis Church in Bohol, make sure to walk all the way to the convento. Inside and behind it is the charming Cafe Lawis, nestled by the beach under large acacia trees. You'd be surprised that a cafe like that exists in an old church. But being a component of the Dauis Renaissance Program of the Ayala Foundation, standards have definitely been raised.


They actually have a nice selection of meals and snacks. But the pièce de résistance here is the Tsokolate Eh Souffle Cake (Php95) which is served with a rich tsokolate eh syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It takes quite a while to prepare though. So make sure you order it first before exploring the church so that it's ready when you get back.

International Day for Monuments and Sites 2011 celebrates the cultural heritage of water

April 18 is the International Day for Monuments and Sites or World Heritage Day. For 2011, the theme is: The Cultural Heritage of Water.

According to ICOMOS, "Water is one of the key resources required to sustain life. It has led to the development and generation of significant material culture in the form of items, technology and places. How to obtain it, how to store it, how to harness its power and conserve it has motivated human endeavour in a myriad of ways. It has also been the catalyst for the development of significant cultural practices which have generated intangible cultural heritage values. It has inspired poetry, literature, artistic endeavour such as painting, dance and sculpture. It has informed and inspired the development of philosophies and religious practice. The cultural heritage of water, therefore relates not only to the technology and architecture that humankind has developed to manage, utilise and celebrate its life giving properties but also to those intangible values that have shaped our beliefs and practices."

Being an archipelago, the Philippines has a vast inventory of cultural heritage sites and practices related to water. Here are just a few examples of how water has shaped the culture of the Philippines.


On top of the list are the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ifugao have harnessed water from rain and the mountains for thousands of years to create this unique system of farming rice. UNESCO notes "the development of intricate irrigation systems, harvesting water from the forests of the mountain tops, and an elaborate farming system, reflect a mastery of engineering that is appreciated to the present."

Above the terraces are muyong or private forests. More than providing food, wood and medicinal plants to the clans that own them, the muyongs are said to be the source of irrigation water, reduce surface water runoff from rains, prevent soil erosion and thus limit the accumulation dirt in the rice paddies below.


Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Town of Vigan was a very important trading post long before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. According to UNESCO, "there was a small indigenous settlement on what was at that time an island, consisting of wooden or bamboo houses on stilts." Few people know that Vigan was then an island separated from the mainland by three rivers: Abra River, Mestizo River, and Govantes River. Chinese traders brought goods to the Isla de Vigan from other Asian nations to exchange with local goods.

Later in the Spanish colonial period, trade flourished through the rivers. As the UNESCO inscription states, "The Mestizo River was central to the development of the town in the 16th-19th centuries: large sea-going vessels could berth in the delta and small craft communicated with the interior. It is no longer navigable owing to silting, and so the town is no longer an island. As the major commercial centre for the region, Vigan traded directly with China. As a stage in the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade in the Spanish colonial period, it supplied goods for shipping to Mexico, and thence onwards to Europe. This trade resulted in constant exchanges of peoples and cultures between the Ilocanos, Filipinos, Chinese, Spanish, and (in the 20th century) North Americans."

Although part of our natural heritage, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and Tubbataha Reef are also inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.



The Philippine Registry of Cultural Property includes several sites related to the cultural heritage of water. Among our National Cultural Treasures are the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Ilocos Norte, Malagonlong Bridge in Quezon, Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, and the Balangays in the Vicinity of Butuan. The Stone Bridges of Bohol Province (Lila and Dimiao) and the Cape Engano Lighthouse in Sta. Ana, Cagayan are Important Cultural Properties.




Fort Santiago, Intramuros and its Walls, Corregidor Island and the Site of the Battle of Mactan are National Shrines. The Punta de Malabrigo Lighthouse in Batangas, Cape Melville Lighthouse in Palawan, Bagacay Point Lighthouse in Cebu, Punta Cruz Watchtower in Bohol, MacArthur Landing Site in Leyte, Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo Historical Landmark in Ozamiz City and several fortress churches are National Historical Landmarks.



In Batanes are prehistoric fortresses such as the Savidug Ijiang, boat-shaped graves in the Nakamaya Burial Grounds and the Kapayvanuvanua rituals of the Diura Fishing Village. At the Nakamaya site, a wooden sign board explains the significance of the place: "The stone boat-shaped burial grounds shaped in the traditional wooden boat of Batanes called tataya are testimonies to the values of the prehistoric Ivatans who believed in life after death. The general direction of the boat-shaped burial grounds face the sea which, according to an old Ivatan folktale, is the final resting place of man."

Diura is a tiny village of Mahatao facing the Pacific Ocean. The village is most known as a fishing area for mahi-mahi or dolphin fish which is called dorado in Batanes. To signify the start of the fishing season, the fishermen perform the Kapayvanuvanua ritual.



The daily lives of the Manobos of Agusan Marsh and the T'bolis of Lake Sebu revolve around the water environment they have have lived in for generations.

Water has also been a very important element of our local festivals. Every June 24, towns and cities around the country celebrate the feast of San Juan Bautista with water in the streets and a lot of merrymaking. Same is true for the Higantes Festival and feast of San Clemente in Angono where you're sure to get wet. A fluvial procession around Laguna de Bay follows the wet and rowdy procession around town.



Another water festival is the Apo Iro Fluvial Procession in Apalit, Pampanga from June 28 to 30. Other famous fluvial festivals include the Pagoda sa Wawa in Bocaue, Bulacan and the Penafrancia Festival in Naga, Camarines Sur.

What is the cultural heritage of water in your province? Share them by commenting below.

2010: Heritage of Agriculture
2009: Heritage and Science

Ivan Anthony Henares is a member of the ICOMOS Philippines National Committee and expert member of the International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC).