National Museum declares National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties for 2015

Several National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties were declared by the National Museum in May, August and November this year. The Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) has been updated.

The National Museum announces that the following cultural properties have been declared in the course of 2015 as National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties:

Those declared as National Cultural Treasures are:
1. The Alcaiceria de San Fernando Marker of 1762, in the collection of the National Museum, Manila
2. “Maradika”, the Qur’an of Bayang (Lanao del Sur), in the collection of the National Museum, Manila
3. The International Rice Research Institute Series by National Artist Vicente Manansala (two paintings), on loan to the National Museum, Manila
4. Paco Park (Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio) in Paco, Manila
5. The Watchtowers of Ilocos Sur, comprising: the Watchtower of Santiago in Barangay Sabangan; the Watchtower of San Esteban in Barangay Bateria; the Watchtower of Narvacan in Barangay Sulvec; and the Watchtower-Belfry of the Church of San Agustin in Bantay
6. The Watchtowers of Ilocos Norte, comprising: the Watchtower of Badoc in Barangay Lingasy; the North Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Poblacion Uno; the South Watchtower of Currimao in Barangay Torre; the Watchtower-Belfry of the Church (now Cathedral) of San Guillermo Ermitaño in Laoag, the Watchtower of Bacarra in Barangay Natba; and the Watchtower of Pasuquin in Barangay Puyupuyan;
7. The Dampol Bridge in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Vicente Ferrer, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Vicente Ferrer Church Complex and Dampol Bridge of Dupax del Sur (Nueva Vizcaya)
8. The Minor Basilica and Church Complex of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario in Manaoag, Pangasinan, including the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and movable and intangible properties intrinsic to the cultural significance of the property
9. The Sacred Art of the Parish Church of Santiago Apostól in Paete, Laguna (four paintings in situ).
10. The Ruins of Cagsawa Church in Daraga, Albay
11. The Roman Catholic Cemetery (Camposanto) of San Joaquin, Iloilo, as an integral part of the Church Complex of San Joaquin, declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2003, and which henceforth are to be known collectively as the San Joaquin Church Complex and Camposanto of San Joaquin (Iloilo).

Those declared as Important Cultural Properties are:
1. The Building of the Philippine Center for Population and Development by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin in Taguig City
2. The Church Complex of San Bartolome in Malabon City
3. The Cariño House in Candon City, Ilocos Sur
4. The Church Complex of San Nicolas de Tolentino, including the convento (Santa Rosa Academy) and the road-side via crucis structures, in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
5. The Building of the San Nicolas Central School, in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
6. The Municipal Hall of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
7. The Valdez-Lardizabal House in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
8. The Nagrebcan Archaeological Site in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
9. The Callao Cave Complex, Peñablanca, Cagayan
10. The Santa Maria Bridge in Sitio Tanibong, Aritao-Quirino Road, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya
11. The Colegio del Santisimo Rosario (Diplomat Hotel) Ruins, Dominican Hill, Baguio City
12. The Laperal House, Baguio City
13. Peredo’s Lodging House, Baguio City
14. The Church Complex of Santo Rosario, Angeles City, Pampanga
15. The Angel Pantaleon de Miranda House in Angeles City, Pampanga
16. The Patricia Mercado - Gomes Masnou House in Angeles City, Pampanga
17. The Juan Nepomuceno Camalig in Angeles City, Pampanga
18. The Jose Pedro Henson y Leon Santos Deposito in Angeles City, Pampanga
19. The Ciriaco de Miranda House in Angeles City, Pampanga
20. The Mariano Lacson House in Angeles City, Pampanga
21. The Rafael Yutuc, Sr. House in Angeles City, Pampanga
22. The Municipal Hall of Guagua, Pampanga
23. The Church Complex of Inmaculada Concepcion in Guagua, Pampanga
24. The Church Complex of San Bartolome in Magalang, Pampanga
25. The Municipal Hall of Magalang, Pampanga
26. The Municipal Hall of Lubao, Pampanga
27. The Old Municipal Hall (Baliuag Museum and Library) of Baliuag, Bulacan
28. The Barit Bridge in Barangay Santiago, Iriga City, Camarines Sur
29. The Avanceña House (Camiña Balay na Bato) in Arevalo, Iloilo City
30. The Lizares-Gamboa Mansion (Angelicum School) in Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City
31. The Sornito House in Santa Barbara, Iloilo
32. The Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker in Victorias, Negros Occidental

The Apu Santo Cristo image of Lubao, Pampanga was declared a Cultural Property (Category III). Last year, the Sta. Catalina de Alejandra Parish Church in Arayat, Pampanga was also declared a Cultural Property (Category III).

Last December 2014, the Parish Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva in Miagao, Iloilo and the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church Complex, both World Heritage Sites, and the Fortifications of Manila at Intramuros and Fort San Antonio Abad, were declared National Cultural Treasures.

Also this year, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the Apolinario Mabini Monument at the National Library and the Quezon Monument at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City as National Monuments.

An Important Cultural Property is a cultural property that possesses “exceptional cultural, artistic and/or historical significance,” whereas the highest designation of National Cultural Treasure pertains to “a unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation.”

The National Museum is mandated to declare cultural properties of the Philippines as either Important Cultural Properties or National Cultural Treasures, pursuant to several laws, including Republic Act No. 4846 (“The Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act”) as amended by Presidential Decree No. 374, Presidential Decree No. 260, Republic Act No. 8492 (“The National Museum Act of 1998”) and, most recently, Republic Act No. 10066 (“The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”).

These declarations were made as a result of the National Museum’s own research, recommendations from other government agencies or, in the majority of cases in 2015, petitions made by property owners or concerned parties. Nominated properties were, when necessary, evaluated by dedicated panels of external experts convened for the purpose and approved subject to the confirmation of the Director of the National Museum.

The purpose of declaring selected Philippine cultural properties as Important Cultural Properties and National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum is to, first and foremost, highlight their significance to the entire world that they are officially recognized as an intrinsic part of the patrimony of the Filipino people and are central to the legacy that the present generation should take special care to steward for the generations to come. They are an acknowledgment of the best of what we have inherited, in order that we may care for it, enrich it further, and pass it on in turn.

In practical terms, these declarations under the law serve to facilitate, through such agencies as the National Museum, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and others, measures for the protection, preservation and promotion by the national government of these exceptional and outstanding cultural properties, which may be either movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible, in partnership with concerned public, private and civil society stakeholders as well as the local governments and communities.

Pending cultural properties for consideration for declaration as Important Cultural Properties or National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum in 2016 include:
• Quezon Bridge, Manila
• Ayala Bridge, Manila
• The Post Office Building, Manila
• The Customs House, Port of Manila, South Harbor, Manila
• The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila
• The Intendencia Building, Intramuros, Manila
• The Hospicio de San Jose Complex, Isla de Convalescencia, Ermita, Manila
• The Church Complex of San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel, Manila
• The Church Complex of Santo Niño de Tondo, Tondo, Manila
• The Church Complex of Nuestra Señora de Remedios, Malate, Manila
• Fort San Antonio Abad, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila
• Manila City Jail (Cárcel de Bilibid), Manila
• The Tutuban Railway Terminus Building, Manila
• The Paco Railway Station, Manila
• Heritage Railway Stations, Bridges and Tunnels of the Philippines (Luzon, Cebu, Panay)
• The Church Complex of San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City
• The Quezon Institute, Quezon City
• The Balara Filtration Plant Complex, Quezon City
• The Church Complex of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Makati City
• The Church Complex of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Makati City
• The Old Municipal Hall (Museo ng Makati) of Makati City
• The Old Concepcion Mansion (Pasig City Museum), Pasig City
• The Old Rizal Provincial Capitol Ruins, Barangay Santa Rosa, Pasig City
• The Church Complex of San Felipe Neri, Mandaluyong City
• The Church Complex of Sta. Ana, Taguig City
• The National Penitentiary (New Bilibid Prisons), Muntinlupa City
• The Pindangan Church Ruins, San Fernando City, La Union
• The Tabacalera Ruins, Currimao, Ilocos Norte
• The San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral, San Fernando, Pampanga
• The Church Complex of San Pedro Apostol, Apalit, Pampanga
• The Church Complex of San Luis Gonzaga, San Luis, Pampanga
• The Chapel of San Vicente Ferrer in Barangay Pio, Porac, Pampanga
• The Remaining Structures and Sites of Fort San Felipe and Cavite el Puerto, Cavite City
• The Ruins of Corregidor Island, Cavite City, Cavite
• The Cuartel de Santo Domingo Ruins, Santa Rosa, Laguna
• Sabang Bridge, Ibaan-Batangas Road, Ibaan, Batangas
• The Fort of San Diego de Alcala, Gumaca, Quezon
• The Church-Fortress (now Cathedral) of Boac, Marinduque
• Heritage Houses in Boac, Marinduque
• The Church-Fortress of Cuyo, Palawan
• The Ruins of the Fortress of Cagayancillo, Palawan
• The Ruins of the Fortress of Taytay, Palawan
• The Ruins of the Fortress of Linapacan, Palawan
• The Site of Fort Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Fort San Pedro), Iloilo City
• The Customs House, Port of Iloilo, Iloilo City
• The Old City Hall (University of the Philippines - Visayas Main Building), Iloilo City
• Fort San Pedro, Cebu City
• The Customs House (Malacañang sa Sugbu), Port of Cebu, Cebu City
• The Provincial Capitol of Cebu, Cebu City
• Heritage Lighthouses of the Philippines (35 structures under consideration at present)

Game drive at Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok, Kenya is a fantastic place to see African wildlife, being the center of the Great Migration, the annual migration of millions of animals to and from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. In fact, it is estimated that 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 topis, 18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras undertake this annual journey between July and October. The park also has an exceptional population of lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Getting there is a challenge and close to impossible using public transport. Which is why the best way to experience Maasai Mara is by joining a safari tour. You will definitely need a vehicle to explore the park. Walking around the park is not allowed for obvious reasons.

Game drives are the only way to explore the reserve. They usually start early in the morning and end late in the afternoon. So expect an exhausting but exciting day traveling around the highland savannas of the reserve.

We left shortly after an early breakfast to catch nocturnal animals that were about to get some sleep. Almost immediately, we saw impalas, buffalos, hartebeest, zebras, and lions among many others.

In fact, we found a lion pride that was feasting on a buffalo they had just killed most probably the day before. You could smell the stench of death as vans got really close. But this was a rare experience, a few minutes of discomfort and awe.

We also had our first ostrich sightings, and got up close and personal with one. It was amusing watching the ostrich walk. But mind you, they run very fast and can be aggressive when threatened.

Wildebeest are the most common animals in Maasai Mara. I finally got to see a gnu!

The guides are well-trained. Our guide knew the exact species of animals and birds I asked him to identify. And they also knew where to look for the elusive ones. He found a coalition of cheetahs hiding behind bushes!

And there was Pumbaa! Funny too seeing warthogs walk around. You also won't miss the baboons!

And the buffalos!

And the hippos! Cute but deadly! Don't even try to swim when you see hippos. They will slice you in half with their powerful mouths even without provocation. We saw several bloats of hippopotamuses

And sometimes, you won't even notice they are there. So stay clear of the water!

Hippos are not predators. They will kill only as a precaution. But the waters of the reserve has a real predator, Nile crocodiles.

You can also cross the border without passport control! To the left is the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. And to the right is the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

For lunch, we looked for a tree under which the guide laid-out a blanket for a picnic. There was one group that was having lunch near the river. A few meters from their location, we saw a lioness! So watch out where you decide to have lunch. We continued our game drive after the quick picnic lunch.

There are just too many zebras. You'll see a lot of them!

Now this creature is also hard to find. We were lucky to see several hyenas getting some rest under trees, cooling off and escaping the heat of the sun.

We also got our selfies with the giraffes. And we saw even more elephants.

By late afternoon, we were so tired and full of dust. So we made our way back to our tented camp. As soon as we got back to the camp, I went straight for the bed.

The next morning was more of the same. We did another early morning game drive and got to see morning life at the reserve.

Good morning, lion! I think we woke him up! I think this was the same lion we saw on our first day.

Before leaving the tented camp for the long drive to Lake Nakuru, we had photos taken with the local Maasai. Right before this photo was taken, the Maasai man beside me placed his shuka (garment) on me, gave me his rungu (wooden throwing club), and snap, laughed at how I look. Jambo from Kenya!

If you're interested to join safari trips to Kenya next year, e-mail me at ivanhenares@redvinta.com. Also check out my Kenya Safari album.

Part 1: Safari trip to Kenya's Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli

Safari trip to Kenya's Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli

Images of highland savannas and wild animals roaming around were vivid in my mind as we landed in Nairobi, Kenya. Many have asked me what destinations I have not been to. And my ready answer always is, "A lot!" And one of the places I was about to tick off my bucket list was Kenya!

I was about to venture on an African safari in a fantastic country at the center of Africa's great migration. We spent the night in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, which sits 1600 meters above sea level. So despite its location near the equator, Nairobi can get really cold.

Despite getting up really early, we ended up leaving Nairobi late in the morning after having to go through the city's notorious rush hour traffic as we picked up other passengers. 

Our first stop was at one of the many viewpoints for the Great Rift Valley which stretches 6,000 kilometers from the Red Sea to Mozambique.

From there, we continued driving down the valley, passing through wilderness and occasional small towns and villages before we finally made it to Narok. It was several more kilometers through dirt road before we arrived at our tented camp, where we were to spend two nights, our jump-off for game drives at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Tented camps are a cheap but comfortable way to experience Africa's parks. Note that we slept on beds and that each tent had its own toilet. Electricity is available only at certain hours in the evening and morning. But since it gets really cold at night, there's no need for air conditioning.

After tea at the camp, we proceeded to the park. We passed by several Maasai villages. And I like it how locals would wave at us as our van passed by.

At the gates of the park, we were greeted by Maasai ladies selling various souvenirs. The best buys would be shukas (woven blankets used as garments) and beaded necklaces and bracelets. They give the best prices, unlike the many curio shops that try to get as much money from you as they can.

The weather at Maasai Mara was pleasant as we spotted our first impalas, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hippos. The excitement that I felt seeing animals in the wild was worth all the hours spent trying to get here from Manila.

I'll talk more about Maasai Mara in my next post. But if you're interested to join safari trips to Kenya next year, e-mail me at ivanhenares@redvinta.com. Also check out my Kenya Safari album.

Part 2: Game drive at Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve

Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2016 (Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015)

Hunyo 12 by Claude Tayag (1989 Fiestas Serigraph Series)

Next year is one of those years when many holidays fall on a Sunday. Malacanang issued Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2016. Instead of just giving you the same list of holidays of the Republic of the Philippines for 2015, this list will help you plan your trips with confirmed and expected long-weekends:

• January 1 (Fri) - New Year's Day 
• January 2 (Sat) - Special Non-Working Day (five-day long weekend from December 30, 2015 to January 3)
• February 8 (Mon) - Chinese New Year (three-day long weekend from February 6 to 8)
• February 25 (Thu) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary
• March 24 (Thu) - Holy Thursday
• March 25 (Fri) - Good Friday 
• March 26 (Sat) - Black Saturday (four-day long weekend from March 24 to 27)
• April 9 (Sat) - Araw ng Kagitingan
• May 1 (Sun) - Labor Day
• June 12 (Sun) - Independence Day
• July 5 (Tue) - Eid'l Fitr (pending proclamation when date is confirmed)
• August 21 (Sun) - Ninoy Aquino Day
• August 29 (Mon) - National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 27 to 29)
• September 11 (Sun) - Eid'l Adha (pending proclamation when date is confirmed)
• October 31 (Mon) - Special Non-Working Day
• November 1 (Tue) - All Saints Day (four-day long weekend from October 29 to November 1)
• November 30 (Wed) - Bonifacio Day
• December 24 (Sat) - Special Non-Working Day
• December 25 (Sun) - Christmas Day
• December 30 (Fri) - Rizal Day
• December 31 (Sat) - Last Day of the Year (four-day long weekend from December 30 to January 2, 2017)

BPI Credit Card is my travel card!

Travel is a very important part of my lifestyle. That must be the understatement of the year! I always have to plan my trip properly to make sure I make the most of my limited budget. An essential part of my travel is my credit card. Actually, I’ve had only one credit card since I got my own card nearly a decade ago, the BPI SkyMiles MasterCard, which is one of the many BPI Credit Cards available.

Like all BPI Credit Cards, it has the lowest foreign exchange conversion rate of only 1.75% among the top surveyed banks under the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP). Imagine, other banks charge as much as 3.525% for currency conversion. That’s something you have to look into especially if you are a frequent international traveler.

That’s why I prefer to swipe my BPI Credit Card instead of bringing cash for international trips. While cash has its obvious benefits, bringing too much of it also has disadvantages such as bad exchange rates, exchanging too much, or even theft.

My BPI Credit Card was very handy when I rented a car and drove around Europe in 2011. I used it to pay for the car rental, gas, accommodation, meals, souvenirs, and everything I could use the card with. I got a lot of points because of the purchases.

It was the same story for the five-week land trip I made around South America in 2013. You can imagine how many plane, train and bus tickets and hotels I booked using the card all these years, for trips in five continents. That’s because BPI Credit Cards are accepted anywhere in the world! How’s that for a travel companion?

But the biggest travel benefit that all BPI Credit Cards offer is free comprehensive travel insurance when you charge your travel fares to your BPI Credit Card. The BPI Credit Cards are so comprehensive, it covers life, health and other travel inconvenience. BPI Credit Cards give you automatic protection from travel accidents, trip delays, trip cancellations, and other inconveniences. All cards qualified for travel insurance have the following covered at different amounts: from death and permanent disablement, medical reimbursement, lost or delayed baggage, cancelled or delayed flights, personal liability, and even lost passports! It has the widest coverage compared to other credit cards.

No doubt, my BPI Credit Card has been one of my most important travel companions. I’ll never leave home without it.

I received this text a few days ago: Travel NOW on Real 0% Installment w/ your BPI Credit Card! Visit the Travel Madness Expo 4 on July 3-5 at the SMX Halls 1-4, SM MOA Complex to avail of exciting travel deals & huge discounts. Visit bit.ly/tme2015 for details.