new Php1.00 Rizal coin

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has released new Php1.00 coins late last year to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal's birth. Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was born in June 19, 1861 and was executed in December 30, 1896 by the Spanish authorities for his subversive writings. His death is one of the many events that sparked the revolution that overthrew the more than three centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

The coin's obverse shows markings such as "150 years," "Republika ng Pilipinas," and "1861-2011." It also bears a portrait of Rizal that is noticeably bigger. He is also not facing sideways this time. The reverse side shows the new BSP seal and "1-Piso" and "2011" etchings. The nickel-plated steel coin however, has the same size (24 millimeter) and weight (5.35 grams) as the current Php1.00 coin in circulation.

birdwatching at candaba, pampanga

At certain times of the year, the Candaba swamps in Pampanga transform into a tropical pitstop for Asian migratory birds. Some of these bird species hail as far as China and Japan, to escape the harsh winter season. They fly southward on an invisible migration highway where the Philippines is a part of. They start arriving as early as October, with their numbers peaking by December or January. They are then gone by March.

The best place in Candaba to view the birds is at the the Candaba Bird Sanctuary in Sitio Doña Simang. This was previously a 72-hectare farm of the Pelayos. All the farming activities were then stopped to have a better sanctuary for the birds. A small Php150.00 fee, which also covers simple refreshments, is collected for the upkeep of the place.

happy birthday LM!

My very good friend, Louis Mark Plaza is celebrating his birthday today. Most of his friends usually look forward to this day either for the theme of his dinner party or his interesting wishlist. He requested us to give him plaid handkerchiefs last year and pairs of colored socks for the year before that. Why he wanted something very specific is beyond me. I guess he just wants to receive something he could use on a daily basis.

This year however, LM wants to have a rather low-key, if at all any, celebration. He said that he likes to have time for himself to clearly discern what God wants him to do for the next phase of his journey. I hope and pray that he gets that, and everything else his heart desires.

san fernando train station

The old San Fernando Train Station, located at a grassy residential area in the province of Pampanga, could be easily be mistaken as an abandoned warehouse, if not for the historical markers installed in its vicinity. This station was inaugurated on February 23, 1892 and was part of the Manila-Dagupan Line of the Manila Railroad Company. It is no longer in use anymore today.

But during the station's heyday, it witnessed two important events that unfolded in Philippine history. It is said that Jose Rizal once alighted this station in 1892, to visit some friends in San Fernando and Bacolor. He wanted to recruit additional members for the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization which he founded that pushed for moderate reforms from Spain. This organization was one of the important dominoes that tumbled many others, including Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan Movement, which then led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

carcar: cebu's heritage and chicharon city

At the center of Carcar in Southern Cebu is a beautiful rotunda which was probably built in the 1920s by the mayor at that time, Mariano Mercado. Two figures are perched on top of the gazebo which is said to signify the United States guiding the Philippines. There are also sculptures around the rotunda representing people from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three major island groups in the country.

This rotunda has served its purposes well ever since. It has been helpful for travelers especially those riding in buses. Some of them may alight here or continue further south to Dalaguete or go westward to Barili. Regardless of their next destination, it signals them that they are finally at Carcar, one of the oldest crossroads in the province of Cebu.