Zamboanga del Norte: Old Town of Dapitan is the first declared Heritage Zone

With the enactment of the R.A. No. 10066 - National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 last year, a new designation for built heritage was created: the Heritage Zone or Historic Center. On May 24, 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared its first Heritage Zone, the Old Town of Dapitan, through Resolution No. 03, s. 2011, in time for the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The NHCP, in its resolution, notes that "Dapitan is one of the oldest settlements in Northern Mindanao inhabited by Subanens" and that "according to Horacio de la Costa, S.J., the Dapitan mission was founded by Pedro Gutierrez, S.J. (in) 1629."


We all know the connection of Rizal with Dapitan. As the resolution states, "Jose Rizal lived in exile in Casa Real, the official residence and administration building of the politico-military governor of the District, from July 1892 to March 1893; and transferred to Talisay, now the Rizal Shrine Dapitan, where he spent a productive life."



The Old Town of Dapitan Heritage Zone includes "the established Heritage Dapitan district, the Rizal Shrine in Talisay and the buffer strip of creek along northern and eastern Heritage Dapitan." It is where "historic sites and structures such as Rizal National Shrine, Rizal's Disembarkation Site, Dapitan Plaza and Rizal Monument, Rizal's Relief Map of Mindanao, Town Hall Building (City Hall), Old Rizal Memorial District Hospital, Ilihan Hill, Parochial School, Casa Real, Gabaldon Building, St. James Church, the Sta. Cruz marker, Gabaldon school building, and old ancestral houses are located."


In fact, the zone is quite significant because the Relief Map of Mindanao and the Dapitan Town Plaza were previously declared as National Cultural Treasure and National Historical Landmark respectively. Dapitan's declaration as a Heritage Zone is indeed a welcome development.

Anyway, we look forward to the declaration of more Heritage Zones or Historic Centers in the near future!

Taiwan: Visit to China Airlines Headquarters in Taoyuan Airport

China Airlines has continuously provided Filipinos one of the best options for air travel options not just to Taiwan, but onwards to the United States, Canada and Europe as well. Founded in 1959, China Airlines has become an airline of choice for many of our countrymen who look for value for money and great service. Today, the airline flies to 98 destinations in 29 countries.

During our visit to Taiwan, we had the chance to visit the newly-inaugurated China Airlines headquarters at the Taoyuan International Airport and tour its maintenance and training facilities.



Our first stop was Base Maintenance, which offers aircraft maintenance services including airframe, components, composites, cabin interior refurbishment, and painting & stripping. Several planes were actually being serviced while we were there.


We then visited China Airlines’ Engine Maintenance, which is actually one of Asia's advanced engine maintenance plants. It offers a comprehensive range of engine maintenance services.


Finally, we were toured around the Training Department which takes “an aggressive yet well-grounded approach to training to meet the requirements of international airline practices and operations.” The pilots and crew get intensive training for various aspects of the flights with state of the art simulators and facilities to help mimic actual flight situations and emergencies, including fires and water landings.

With all that attention to detail, it’s no surprise that China Airlines has strengthened its safety record, receiving the prestigious IATA IOSA Safety Certificate in 2005.

According to China Airlines Country Manager in the Philippines Michael Wu, “China Airlines continuously promotes a Corporate Safety Concept and has implemented a “Safety First” policy as the company core value. To achieve this core company value, China Airlines has implemented a companywide Safety Management System to promote safety and emphasize the safety responsibilities of each employee. Efforts have been made to build a three-dimensional safety net covering China Airlines operations both in the air and on the ground. Pilots and crew are given regular training in safety concepts, threat assessment methods, response techniques and ground safety. A series of regular safety activities have been arranged as a way of raising awareness about core values of safety and quality. China Airlines has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) to become an IOSA certified operator from 2005, and passed the re-certificated audit to get the renewal IOSA certificate in 2011.”


And the great service has not gone unnoticed. In 2007, China Airlines was awarded highest ever rankings in Economy, Business and First Class service by Skytrax. As Mr. Wu shares, “The core value of our cabin service is that we treasure every moment with the passenger. We understand that for China Airlines to grow and remain strong & healthy, we have to focus on maintaining a base of loyal passengers. So passenger satisfaction is always the goal we pursue.”

In the past years, China Airlines marked some major milestones. In 2009, it celebrated its 50th anniversary. Just recently, China Airlines joined the SkyTeam Alliance, which thus firmly strengthened its Asia-Pacific network by welcoming its fifth carrier from the region. China Airlines leads the way as the preferred carrier for Filipinos to Taiwan and beyond.

Entries from Familiarization Tour
Kang Qing Long District in Taipei
Xiaolongbao 鼎泰豐 at Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
Taipei 101 Observatory
2010 Taipei International Flora Expo
Raohe Street Night Market 饒河街觀光夜市 in Taipei
Treasures of the National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院
Taiwanese food at Wan Lin & Chi Chia Chuang Restaurant
Longshan Temple 艋舺龍山寺 & Huaxi Street Night Market 華西街夜市 in Taipei's Wanhua District 萬華區
Around Taipei's Beitou Hot Springs
Danshuei Old Street, Fort Santo Domingo & Danshui River cruise in Tamsui District 淡水區

Note: This familiarization tour of Taipei, Taiwan was organized by China Airlines. Book online at the China Airlines website.

McDonald's drive-thru and delivery for convenience when you travel

Driving has been an integral part of my travel around Luzon. The longest I've driven recently was the North Philippines route from Manila to Ilocos and back to Manila via Cagayan. Part of the trip involved driving at night. And it was a good thing there were 24-hour McDonald's stores open in the north. Twister Fries was part of my staple then when it was available. Too bad it's not available the whole year!


But even without the Twister Fries, I still look forward to my favorite McChicken Sandwich and Chicken McNuggets when I get hungry along the way. It's easy to plan a road trip since I know there are a lot of food options along the way. And for me, Chicken McNuggets is a really good option since it's easy to munch on along the way.


I don't remember how many times I stopped at McDonald's for Twister Fries during that really long road trip, especially when there was one open 24-hours. It was a lot definitely and it literally served as energy food for me along the way. I wonder why they don't keep it as part of the regular menu.

On the way to the airport for my recent trip to North America, we made sure to pass by McDonald's for a quick dinner. My niece always orders the Chicken McDo which is her favorite. At least we know we could manage our time when driving-thru at a McDonald's store.

We all know about the 8-MCDO deliveries in Metro Manila. But in some areas in the provinces, McDonald's delivery is also available. So if you suddenly get hungry and don't want to leave your hotel, you might want to try that option. Here is a list of all McDonald's stores for your conveniece.

Mexico: Bus ride to the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán

The Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán is the UNESCO-inscribed archaeological site closest to Mexico City. The city was probably founded around 150 B.C. Its two main pyramids, the Pirámide del Sol and Pirámide de la Luna, are among the largest built in the pre-Columbian Americas.

From Mexico City, we took a bus from the Potrero Metro Station (another option would be from outside the Autobuses del Norte), which was MX$35 one-way. The bus ride takes about an hour. If you take the bus, make sure the bus stops in front of the Pirámides and not just the town of San Juan Teotihuacán. The bus ride takes about an hour.


There are several entrances. But the buses drop you off close to the Pirámide del Sol. Entrance fee to the zona arqueológica of Teotihuacán is MX$51 which seems to be the standard rate at sites and museums managed by Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).

Since it was getting a bit hot, we decided not to climb the Pirámide del Sol (63 meters high), said to be the second largest in the New World after the one in Chulola. So we walked along the Avenida de los Muertos or Avenue of the Dead, a central street with ceremonial buildings on either side.



At the northern end of the avenue is the Pirámide de la Luna. From the top of the pyramid, we were afforded a grand view of the Avenida de los Muertos and the rest of the city.

Near the southern end of the avenue is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent or Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the third highest structure in Teotihuacán. Although we missed this one, it's arguably the most interesting, with levels decorated with feathered serpent heads alternating with those of Tlaloc, a god of rain, fertility, and water.



Before proceeding back to Mexico City, we had lunch in one of the restaurants right in front of the park gates. We had Carne Asada con Ensalda, Papas, Arroz y Frijoles, Tacos de Barbacua, Quesadillas and Tlacoyos (oval-shaped fried cakes made of masa or corndmeal dough).

Taking the bus back was no problem since they passed by the park entrance at regular intervals. This time, after another hour on the bus, we found ourselves at the Autobuses del Norte. From there, we took the Metro to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For more photos of Teotihuacán, check out the Teotihuacán album in Facebook.

Mexico: Around Mexico City's Centro Historico

Mexico is a country that many get to see only on TV, especially for fans of those Mexican telenovelas. This Central American nation is very rich in cultural heritage. In fact, it's one of the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So Mexico was on top of my list of places to visit.

I told Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks about my summer travel plans late last year. And the next thing I knew, he was on board. Good thing since traveling with others helps bring down the costs. Traveling to Mexico was also made easy since those with valid U.S. visas can enter Mexico visa-free.


We arrived late in the evening on separate flights from the U.S. After getting several warnings about using ordinary taxis in Mexico City, we made sure to take the airport taxi to our hostel in the Centro Historico. It wasn't cheap (MX$205), but it's the price you have to pay for safety. The hostel we were going to was right smack in the Centro Historico, with a grand view of the Catedral Metropolitano. It was a good first impression that didn't last though. Our peace and quiet was shattered in the next few nights since the top floor of the hostel, which was just a floor above us, doubled as a bar or party venue in the evenings.


The next morning, we took it slow. Ciudad de México, México, D.F. or D.F. (pronounced de efe) to the locals, is 2240 meters above sea level. And they say it's best to rest and take it slow during the first day to adjust to the high altitude. The Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, which we would visit a few days later, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So we spent the afternoon walking around the Zocalo and areas around it.



Our first stop was of course the towering Catedral y Sagrario Metropolitano de la Ciudad de México. It's said to be the largest cathedral in the Americas and was built on the ruins of the Templo Mayor of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which the Spanish conquistadores had destroyed to strengthen their rule over the newly-conquered domain. Ruins of the Templo Mayor were discovered right beside the Cathedral in 1978 when an electric company was conducting some diggings in the area. And like in any country which knows the value of heritage, the site was scientifically excavated, studied and preserved.


The Metropolitan Cathedral is actually two churches, the main cathedral and the adjacent sagrario or tabernacle. Needless to say, the interior of the Cathedral is very impressive. Unfortunately, we had a difficult time getting really nice photos of the Cathedral and the Zocalo in front of it since Mexico City's main plaza had been converted into a makeshift camp site. With a presidential election looming in several months, the role of the Zócalo or the Plaza de la Constitución as a political hub and popular place for protests was even more evident with different interest groups erecting tents and banners there.

On the east side of the Zócalo is the Palacio Nacional, built on the site of the palace of Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. Once the palace of Spanish viceroys, a presidential residence and center of government, it now houses offices of the Federal Treasury and the National Archives. The materials used to build the palace were said to come from the palace of Moctezuma II.


The streets to the east of the Zócalo are one big marketplace which is very reminiscent of Divisoria, but amidst grand colonial buildings, especially along Calle Moneda. I could in fact hear the sounds of commerce from the top of my hostel building, vendors calling out to people to buy their wares. And just like in Divisoria, vendors pack up and run like scared rats, once the warning whistle is sounded. It's actually a good place to scout for some souvenirs.


To the west of the Zócalo is a chic pedestrian mall along Calle Madero which reminded me of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, complete with the human statues. It has a lot of cafes, restaurants, book shops, monumental old buildings and exquisite churches, among other structures.


At the opposite end of Madero is the Palacio de Bellas Artes, another grand structure that has become an icon of Mexico City. It's situated next to the Alameda Central Park. The exterior of the building is a mix of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. But the interior will no doubt make any Art Deco enthusiast go loco over Deco!



Since we were hungry, we wanted to look for some Mexican street food. We thought the Alameda was a good candidate. But we found a really interesting taco and torta stall close to the churches of Veracruz and San Juan de Dios opposite the Alameda. The stall was called Carbajal and we had bistec and suadero tacos plus torta with chorizo, hamon and salchicha, thus comprising our initial encounter with real Mexican food! Traditional Mexican Cuisine was inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.


The meats were continuously cooking in their own juices adding flavor to this delightful Mexican snack. Plus you had a choice of various salsas to add to your taco. Note that a good Mexican taco is not complete without the chopped onions, cilantro, limon, salsa rojo and salsa verde as condiments. For more photos, check out the Ivan About Town FB album on Mexico City.