Aerospace Museum: Three Forces of Interest.

The Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City was built and dedicated to the “courageous men and women of the Philippine Air Force who made the ultimate sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty in loyal service to their country and the Filipino people.”

Takatak: A Filipino boy dreams to fly and conquer the air... Anon 1968

Dropping by the Museum on a rainy day did not at all dampen the ‘force in the air’ that came down to just one noble structure. The Museum houses not only the history of Philippine Air Force but includes a collection of various jet engines, air ammunitions, relics, gadgets and everything relevant to our aviation history.

The Jet SimulatorProbably the most interesting in the Museum is having the second best experience of the F-86F Sabre Jet in its jet simulator, seated in the jet’s cockpit. A fee of Php 100.00 – Php 150.00 is worth the encounter of this fighting machine.F-86F Sabre Jet Simulator

UAAP Season 72: Opening in High Definition

[Related Post: UAAP Season 72 Primer]

UAAP Season 72 Opening

Season 72 of the UAAP opens at the Araneta Coliseum with the usual pomp and pageantry of an opening ceremony, a Broadway-inspired theme, carefully crafted and delivered by its host, FEU.

Lipa: The San Sebastian Cathedral and the Shrine of Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace.

When in Lipa, you shouldn’t miss going to the San Sebastian Cathedral (also known as Lipa Cathedral) right at the heart of the City:

(More images of the Cathedral in my Flickr)

The Cathedral’s marker reads: ” The Parish of Lipa was administered by the Augustinians from 1605 to the end of 19th century. Lipa, which was located formerly on the shore of Bombon Lake, was destroyed by the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1754 but was reconstructed on the present site. This church was built under the supervision the Rev. Benito Barras, O.S.A., Parish Priest from 1865 to 1894. The Diocese of Lipa was created by Pope Pius X on April 10, 1910. The Augustinians encouraged the extensive cultivation of cacao and cofee.”

(Read more on Lipa Cathedral here.)

Another church to visit is the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church or The Shrine of Our Lady of Mediatrix of all Grace:

It was in August 1948, when the first recorded miracle on happened when the Blessed Mother appeared 19 times to a novice in the Carmelite order in Lipa City, Philippines. Our Lady first appeared to the novice, Teresita Castillo, when she was in her cell. The latest being on January 24, 1991, when rose petals began to fall straight from the sky again at the Carmelite convent in Lipa City. A few days later, six children playing in the garden at the convent saw the statue come to life. (Source). Read more.

How to Eat Pansit!

When I was in Malarayat, we were looking for a place to eat uathentic Lipa cuisine with not much damage to the purse. We were referred to Hapag Filipino, known to be one of the oldest restaurants in Lipa. However, the food is quite costly and the prices in the menu are mostly dependent on “size/weight”. Together with fried Maliputo (topped with lots and lots of toasted garlic!), we ordered one of their better priced noodles known as Pansit Lang-Lang. It was good that we ordered it again for meryenda the next day and ate it together with hot pandesal bought from a nearby bakery:

We tried asking why it’s called pansit lang-lang but no one was able to give us an answer that left me at peace. I was telling myself ,that maybe, because kung ano-ano lang ang nilagay that’s why is called lang-lang! Hope it makes sense.