From Rizal Park to Boracay to Bohol - It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

Independence Day is a national holiday in the Philippines that means no work for our "nine-to-five" tax paying heroes.  My BFF is one of them (and I used to be one also) so I had the chance to have bonding time with her on a weekday holiday!

We went to the Mall of Asia (MOA) to register for the 36th Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations.  As usual, MOA never fails to entertain and amused me.  With my countless visits to MOA, be it a quick stop, mall strolling or jogging, I always find something interesting and exciting each visit.
This time the mall is bustling in the aura of the 114th year Philippine Independence Day celebration.

As we passed along one of the arcades, we chanced upon these two huge dioramas cum photo wall themed in two best tourist-attracting descriptions.  They are posted in Spanish era designed lamp posts (also a diorama).  Here’s sharing the subject of these diorama scenes and some quick shots.

Time Travel, More Fun in the Philippines

Travel back in time as you visit the best preserved monuments and buildings from several centuries back.  Step to the house of stones and bricks at Vigan’s heritage houses.  Have a glimpse of Rizal’s infamous life in Intramuros and Luneta Park and reminisce the day that we take pride in waving the Philippine flag at Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit.  These are just few of our historical sites that affirm our identity as Filipinos.

I’m at Rizal Park (Luneta)
  at my back is the Aguinaldo House in Kawit, Cavite

My BFF with the Spanish era designed lamp post where the diorama description is printed.  At her back is the Time Travel Diorama

Vacation in Style, More Fun in the Philippines

The Philippines is home to many fascinating tourist destinations.  From the amazing perfect cone volcano of Mayon, Boracay’s white sand beach, Visayas numerous stunning islands and diving spots, to Palawan’s exotic wildlife and to Davao’s Philippine Eagle.  Whichever you choose, vacations are always in style and more fun in the Philippines.

I’m in Boracay!

I’m with the Tarsier in Bohol!

 

A schedule of Cultural Performances around the mall is also posted.  But since this is supposed to be just a quick stop for us,  we were not able to watch the show.

It is just heart warming how Filipinos, ordinary citizen or huge organizations promote the beauty of the Philippines.  And it is really heart breaking when some people ruined it in an instant.  Just like that American who lived and worked in one of our beautiful island for three and a half years only to publish a video with his twenty negative nonsense. For all the beauty he can find in the Philippines he found his twenty negative nonsense!  Is that the thanks we got for adopting him here for three and a half years?

Anyway he is just one (nonsense) person.  I bet millions are saying that “It’s more fun in the Philippines!”

Logos Hope–The Floating Book Fair and More

Like a pirate, I’ve been chasing this voyage for years and luckily this time, AHOY! I’m aboard!

this is actually a souvenir poster that I photographed

Together with two best colleague friends, we braved the heart of Manila to finally get on board to this traveling book fair that has been evading our schedules for the past several years.  It was on the same day when the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members gathered together for a prayer rally in Luneta Park.  The consequence of  what might be the effect of this rally did not intimidate us because this is the only best time among our schedules that we could go together.

So off we go to our adventure that begun at the first sight of the actual ship and the walk way leading to the ticket booth.

My two excited friends in the photo. It was around 2PM and was freaking hot - 30^oC.

We were greeted at the entrance by a very friendly and accommodating Greek female crew who patiently answered my queries.   I learned from her that :

• “Logos” is a Greek word that means “Word of God”
• “Logos Hope” replaced “MV Doulos”.  GBA Ships who operates the floating book fair sold/retired MV Doulos.
• “Doulos” is also a Greek word that means “faithful servant”.

After paying the surprisingly very cheap entrance fee of PhP20.00, we were handed with a “welcome brochure”.  This same brochure will be my guide as I share our experience aboard the Logos Hope.

WELCOME ABOARD
Once aboard, you will be greeted again by the very accommodating and friendly foreign crews.  You will be invited to sit in the lifeboat theater, where you will learn what it’s like to live in their unique ship.  They will also let you look inside a crew cabin and see an illustrated history of GBA Ships.

BOOK FAIR
Now the main event! The world’s largest floating book fair where you will find over 5,000 titles of books.  The books are priced in units with a poster chart that helps to convert the price to our currency.

Neatly stacked shopping baskets. Price/Chart Converter. Shopping/Souvenir bags @PhP50.00/pc

The ship carries a stock of half a million books with thousand of titles and topics that includes literature, music, science, technology, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, history, and languages.  Majority of the books are for children.  They also carry instructional DVD’s and VCD’s.

more books! (and lots and lots and lots more)

Souvenir sections!

While you enjoy your book shopping, a cheerful voice speaking in the Filipino language with an obvious foreign accent will talk in the PA microphone from time to time, welcoming everyone and encouraging guests to give some donations.  A young male Malaysian crew was in-charge during our visit and he also entertained the guests with some of  his (magic) tricks.

cashing out – Please Donate :)

JOURNEY OF LIFE
A series of wall murals tells the story of the prodigal son’s journey.

We had much fun in this area.  Good thing there were no kids around when we're doing some funny craziness. LOL! 

THEATER
You will never know exactly what you will chance upon but it usually offers an ever-changing glimpse into the works of the ship.  You will learn a lot from the crew members who have a variety of job on the ships. 

INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ
You can enjoy an ice cream cone, a drink, popcorn and other snacks while you relax in the I-Café.  It is here where the crew members connect with the visitors, they share what made their culture unique, encourage the guests to tell their own stories, play with the kids and treat them with face paints and balloons.

HUGE vanilla ice cream cone – definitely made my day

On the way to the exit, you will find  the “Life X-perience” corner where significant issues mostly about youth are being discussed.  Some guests and participants share or leave a note of their experiences and thoughts.

 

The Logos Hope is a community of 400 unpaid volunteers from over 45 different countries who lives and works together for one purpose – to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world.  Most crew members are in their 20s or 30s. The volunteers, who are not paid, include seafarers, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cooks. Sponsorship from friends, family members, and civic organization enables the crew to serve on board. I heard that there at least three Filipinos among the crew volunteers. Apart from being known as the floating book fair, Logos Hope also seeks to provide aid and relief in needy situations and bring long-term change in each port.  The Philippines is one lucky sea to be visited by this worthy voyage.

Come and bring your family and have this beautiful experience aboard the ship that brings knowledge, help and hope.   For more information about Logos Hope/GBA Ships, you can visit their website at www.logoshope.org.


Docking schedules of Logos Hope in Philippine Ports:
Cebu: Jan. 10 – Feb. 14, 2012
Manila: Feb. 16 – March 14, 2012
Subic: March 15 – April 4, 2012
Batangas: June 6 – June 26, 2012

CURRENT LOCATION:
Pier 15, Port Area Manila
(Eva Macapagal Super Terminal – behind Manila Hotel)
Open for Visitors:
Tuesdays - Saturdays:  10AM – 9:30PM
Sundays: 1:30PM – 9:30PM

I hope that you will share back with me your Logos Hope experience.

Now on our misadventure…
We had a great time aboard the Logos Hope.  We have some great finds of books and souvenirs.  As to what happened on our way back home deserves a separate post.  Watch out as I continue to share our (mis)adventures that started when we disembarked from  Logos Hope. A real Balut Manila adventure