A former family resort here has grown into a world-class facility and a landmark in Sarangani’s tourism landscape.

Started as a rest house of the family of businessman Marfenio Tan about 10 years ago, Isla Parilla is now an “AA” class resort.

A resort within a man-made island, Isla Parilla has 24-hour room service, profuse amenities, refreshing and solemn ambiance, and personalized services.

“Here you can find true solemnity of a wedding vow and other private meetings while enjoying fresh air, unique dishes of fresh seafood, or just go fishing at the lake,” manager Wanchin Tan-Delfino said.
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Tourist my flock Bacolod for the highlights of the Masskara Festival this weekend but aside from that Bacolod has many interestinf places to offer than just the festival. So let me help you discover Bacolod and the neighbouring Cities for there are more to it than just Inasal, Piaya, sugar and smiles. Here’s a list for the Off the Beaten Path in Bacolod:

The Ruins in Silay City

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Ever wonder how Rizal’s house look like? Well, when I went to the Manila Orchidarium in Luneta, I saw the replica of the house of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. But unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go inside ‘coz I was in a hurry. Anyways, I’m planning on going there again one of this day to visit and see how it look like inside.

Well, here’s the photo…

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Basilica Minore del Immaculada Concepcion is the official name of Manila Cathedral. The cathedral earned this title by virtue of a Papal bull or decree issued by Pope John Paul II in 1981 when the Pope visited the country. Manila Cathedral is located at Cabildo cor. Beaterio, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines 1002. For more info please visit Manila Cathedral’s Official Website.

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MEMORARE - MANILA 1945

This Monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and MArch 3, 1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy atillery barrage by the American Forces.

The battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific.

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Another place to visit in UST is the Arch of the Centuries in front of the España Street. The Arch of the Centuries has a classic Greek or Roman style design. The details are very good and it has survived and restored many times due to the Waolrd War one when it was bombed and of course due to earthquakes.

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UST Main Building

University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in the Philippines, not only that, it is also the World’s largest Catholic Univeristy. It was founded in the year 1611 by the 3rd Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. with Fr. Domingo de Nieva and Fr. Bernardo de Santa Catalina. The University was first called Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario but later renamed to Colegio de Santo Tomas in the memory of the Dominican Theologian, Saint Tomas Acquinas. Well, the University has a massive and imposing structure which gave it an unpainted, gray and rugged look that was acquired through the test of time. It even withstood many earthquakes and World War2, where the Japanese forces transformed the place into a concentration camp. The main building of UST was designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño who is a priest, as well, as an engineer. Well, at the main building tower you can see a cross that symbolizes the University’s mission to impart knowledge in the sacred and civil sciences.

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Bonifacio Shrine, ever heard of it? I know, most of us Filipino know who Andres Bonifacio is, but we don’t know where the heck is Bonifacio Shrine, right? Well, Bonifacio Shrine is located across Manila City Hall. It showcases the life of Andress Bonifacio as a revolutionary leader of the Philippines. He was one of the founder of the “Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan“, also known as KKK, which aimed to gain independence from the Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century.

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Yesterday, me and a friend decided to rediscover Manila and to be a tourist for the day so we went there armed with our digital camera, extra battery, extra film for thr SLR, shades, sun block and last but not the least money for the entrance fee. OUr first stop was San Agustin Church.

San Agustin Church is the oldest stone Church in the Philippines. It was built in 1587 and was designed by Juan Macias. The Church was completed in 1607 under the supervision of the Augustinian Father namely, Francisco de Bustos, Ildefonso Perez, Diego de Avila and Brother Alonso de Perea. The church has suffered a lot and was able to stand the test of time. It has withstood the bombings of World War II, numerous typhoons and earthquakes that reduced the city to shambles and also it was restored many times.

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At last, after months of planning I actually joined Ivan Man-Dy’s “A FEU Good Men Tour” and see the artistically fabulous Far Eastern University (FEU). We explored all the corners of the campus and it scream ART DECO, from building architecture of geometric patterns, to staircases, doors, doorknobs, gates and windowpanes.

Aside from that, this campus is a big gallery. It houses the works of the well known National Artist like the sculpture of Vincent Manansala (who is a painter by the way, not a sculptor), Murals of Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Antonio Dumlao. And even the gates and the doors are all crafted under the guidance of a National Artist, Pablo Antonio. Aside from our National Artist, the campus also houses the works of Italian sculptor Monti. Well, it was really a fabulous and artistic campus.

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