Victoria Harbor. Avenue of Stars. Space Museum

The "Dukling Boat." Traditional Chinese (wooded) boat. It sails you around the Victoria Harbor. A piece of historical junk.

Victoria Harbor at Night. Usual Sight.

On our third day, we went out later in the afternoon and gave ourselves time to take it easy in the morning! We wanted to go back first, to Kowloon Park and see the nearby Kowloon Mosque, then back to Victoria Harbor for the HKG Space Museum. They are all walking distance from the hotel and passing by the Victoria Harbor instead of the interior streets of Kowloon may be a better idea. By the time we were at the Victoria Harbor, there were already a lot of activities going on at 2:00 PM. We became so engaged that it was already dark when we realized we have not gone to any of the places we wanted to first!

One of several stage performances along Victoria Harbor.

[SEE more pictures of activities going on at the Victoria Harbor in MY FLICKR HERE!]

The Victoria Harbor is the centerpiece of HKG and we were lucky to have a location so near. Almost every time we go out, we always pass by the Harbor. Walking along the Harbor is almost all of HKG. Along the Harbor are the Avenue of Stars, Star Ferry Terminal, Waterfront Promenade, Clock Tower, together with HKG’s Museum of Art, Cultural Center and Space Museum.

Avenue of Stars. Victoria Harbor.

Kowloon Clocktower and HKG Cultural Center. Victoria Harbor.

[SEE more pictures of the Avenue of Stars in MY FLICKR HERE!]

Early in the morning, when the shops are still closed and tourists are still in deep slumber [like my companions back in the Hotel! ], walking along the Harbor is one great experience! It makes you own the place. This is the Harbor that I wanted to see, in it’s most natural and purest form.

Victoria Harbor. In the Raw.

Victoria Harbor. Unassuming.

The HGK Space Museum was suppose to be the second to our last stop. We planned to check out another night market in Mongkok after the Space Museum, but like our second day, we did not have much control of the time.

In the Dome. The HKG Space Museum.

At the Space Museum, there is an “Ecosphere” which I found interesting! It is a piece of collection of a self-sustaining and contained environment sealed since 1991. Closer look reveals that everything inside is alive with no external intervention.

The Ecosphere. Sealed since 1991.

The description reads: “Research on long duration manned missions has led to the development of self-contained ecosystems patterned after the Earth’s own. This ecosphere, containing algae, bacteria and brine shrimp requires no feeding or cleaning and can remain operational for years.”

[SEE more photos of the HKG Space Museum in MY FLICKR HERE!]

It was already past dinner time (as always!) when we’re done with the Space Museum and our Mongkok trip have be wait indefinitely (and have been forgotten later, definitely!).

Fortunately but not, when we went out of the Space Museum, I saw the “Dukling Boat” which I wanted to ride even before coming to HKG. Referred to as  “historic junk,” being a traditional local wooded boat, however, refurbished, and takes tourists around the Harbor. Docked to unload and load passengers, I ran so fast because it might just leave so soon that I may not have the chance to take even just a picture up close, if I cannot ride it!

The "Duckling." Gained an image. Failed to ride.

Jordan wanted to have another UMD for his PSP at Mongkok. However, Amy was able to negotiate for a good deal that we will have dinner instead at a Szechuan restaurant near our Hotel where the food is really great at good a price. The UMD then waited a while, while dinner did not!

Szechuan Spicy Steamed Tofu w/ Ground Beef. Soft, steamy, yummy!

Related Posts:

Read: Tian Tin Buddha. Polin Monastery. Ngong Ping Village

Read: Temple Street Night Market. HKG Science & History Museums

===============================================

Here are other Images along Victoria Harbor and its vicinity:

Wedding Foto'd along Victoria Harbor

Good Location for Foto's. The HKG Cultural Center.

Service stairs of the HKG Cultural Center

Hoi You?!

Bruce Lee. Avenue of Stars. His star does not have his, only a star. He has this iconic piece instead!

The 2-IFC (Int'l. Finance Center) Bldg. Tallest in HKG. Taken from the Ave. of Stars. Captured. Filmrolled.

Jacky Chan's Star. Avenue of Stars.

Local Performer. Avenue of Stars.

Anticipating to perform.

“The Victoria Harbor is all of Hongkong…”

Here are other images of Ngong Ping Village where the Tian Tin Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are located via the Skyrail/Cable Car.

Read ARTICLE here.

Bus Station in Tung Chung opposite the Skyrail/Cable Car going to Ngong Ping.

Way to go up the Skyrail Terminal.

Welcome in various forms. Very Touristy!

On queue to take a car.

On the way to Ngong Ping Village.

From afar. Down below.

Promenade to the Giant Buddha.

Po Lin Monastery. Stairs going up the Giant Buddha to the right.

At the foot of the Stairs.

320 - Steps. Easy!

Up close. Up there.

Deities of the Buddha.

At the Buddha's Podium.

Around Budhha's Podium.

Souvenirs.

More Souvenirs.

Our Souvenir.

Read ARTICLE here.

Museum of History. Science Museum. Symphony of Lights. Temple Street Night Market.

Fascade. Museum of History.

On the second day, the Symphony of Lights most anticipated. The venue being close to our Hotel, we decided to do it later in the night. During the day, we planned to go to Nathan Road for some cheap meals and bargains. However, our feet led us instead to the nearby Science Museum and Museum of History. The child wanted the former, the adults, the later for some culture and history.

Paddles. Science Museum.

During our entire stay in HKG, time was never a priority. It was already over past lunch, 2:00 PM, to be exact, when we’re done with both museums. We still decided to check out Nathan Road for lunch or any local restaurant which we may find along the way, as the need arises, and in case we can no longer reach Nathan Road for lunch. We were not able to reach Nathan Road anymore and landed instead at McDo in Kowloon Park.

Traditional Chinese Lanterns

Before we reached McDo, I saw a local delicacy sold in the street. I have no idea how is it called but I liked it and had it again the day after! It’s like a waffle but thin and crispy, with soft melted cheese inside the “humps!”

Waffles. Thin & Crispy. Yummy

Already tired after lunch, we got back to the Hotel to have some rest in time for the Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbor early in the night. We also wanted to check out the night market at Temple Street being closer to our location than Mongkok.

Blame it maybe to our overrated expectation of the Symphony of Lights show but that’s how it was described in tour books and in the internet. Blame it, maybe to the wrong timing being a Friday night. We were frustrated! All we saw were ordinary laser lights on top of few buildings in HKG Island side. Other than that, it was nothing. We thought it was a spectacle but it was not. We thought at least most of the buildings on the HKG side participate but there were only about 5. It did not deserve a second chance. It was forgettable. All contrary to being the Guiness’  largest permanent sound-and-light show of the world! Good there are a lot to do more after!

MTR. Subway of HKG.

Quite frustrated, we hit the MTR going to Temple Street  for the dinner and bargain. We got off at the next station, incidentally called Jordan, and a short walk brought us to Temple Street. It’s their version of our Divisoria. Temple Street sells local produce during the day and becomes a cheap place to dine and scout for bargain items at night. Most items sold are the same items you may find in 168 Mall! Even then, I got 2 small items for posterity, both symbolic of my zodiac sign. Shopping was never an intention. More than the bargain items on sale, the night dining was really good at cheap prices. So good and cheap that we had to go back one more night!

Night Market at Temple Street

For the second straight night, we came back to the Hotel late and have to go to bed past midnight. By then, we were already getting used to the MTR and walking around HKG. At this point, I realized, however, that I should have brought (more) extra socks, even foot powder for obvious reasons!

Salted Duck. Temple Street.

See more pictures of Temple Street Night Market, Science & History Museums in MY FLICKR HERE!

Read: Po Lin Buddha/Monastery in Ngong Ping.

Read: Victoria Harbor. Avenue of Stars. Etc.

Ngong Ping Village. Tian Tin Buddha. Po Lin Monastery. Skyrail.

Octopus Lane. Central Ferry Terminal.

Arriving at the Hongkong Int’l Airport was irate free, except for the very long queue in the Immigration which took us an hour, even with 6-counters open. It was long enough that our luggage carousel had already another set when we’re done. It took us another hour to have lunch, make some calls back home, deposited our luggage at the Airport and purchased an Octopus Card, Hongkong’s (“HKG“) prepaid and refundable card used for public transport (the MTR and Bus) stores, groceries and fast foods. It’s a must if you go around HKG by foot and public transport, just like we did. It’s convenient, reliable and very efficient!

HKG International Airport

Upon arrival, went direct to Ngong Ping Village where the Tian Tin Buddha (also known “Po Lin Buddha”) and Po Lin Monastery are located. From the airport, we took the Bus going to Tung Chung and started swiping our Octopus card. Opposite the bus station in Tung Chung is the Skyrail, the station of the cable cars going straight to the Po Lin Buddha, all under HGK’s tourism project called Ngong Ping 360. Thanks to a stewardess of Cathay Pacific who was with us in the bus and gave us all the necessary directions. Unfortunately, I forgot her name but she was of big help.

Skyrail Terminal. Tung Chung.

The Skyrail underwent recent maintenance and just (re)opened for operation to the public several days before we arrived. They have a new attraction called the “crystal cabin” with transparent floor but we did not take it because aside from additional fee, we thought the ordinary cabin should be as good [see cabin fees here]. The cabins can accommodate up to 7-passengers and for a long 25-minutes ride overlooking Ngong Ping’s terrain, I came to realize why it’s called Ngong Ping 360. There are several ride packages but we took the one-way because we wanted to experience the bus on our return.

Cable Cars. Breathtaking.

The ride is good. Cables are connected to towers like huge clothes line. At the middle,  the ride is steady but when it goes up to the connecting towers, it becomes significantly slower which may make you worry especially on its first ascent because you may think there’s something wrong, then becomes considerably faster on its descent. It’s suppose to be like when I realized there is such a thing as the law of gravity! After indulging the 360 view of Ngong Ping, taking pictures, changing seating positions and making up stories of the passengers of the cars on the opposite cable, we realized we were near our destination when we caught a sight of the Buddha. So Big. So huge. So peacefully seated and so imposing in such high elevation.

Tian Tin Buddha. View from the Top.

From where we got off, a leisure walk in the promenade and along several shops led us to the foot going up to the Buddha. We then started our ascent to the 320-steps of marble and concrete, and started to me amazed on how huge and magnificent the Buddha is, considered as the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha!

The Buddha. Peaceful. Enlightening.

After going around the several podiums of the Buddha taking pictures countless times, it was time to go down. We took the bus going back to Tung Chung and it was a long 45-minute ride on zig-zagging road which I did not enjoy because of motion sickness. Too bad. I should have imposed on a two-way ticket in the cable car! When we got off the bus, we rested (that’s what I wanted to think but in reality, the reason is for me to get settled!) at the nearby shopping mall, the Citigate Outlet.

It was already dark when we got back to the airport to take our luggage. To the hotel, we took the Airport Express, a service train of the airport for a separate fee, unlike the train that services only the Airport and got off at Kowloon Station in no time! Exhaustion setting in, we took a taxi to our hotel and ended paying HK$70, inclusive of the charge for “location” whatever that means. It should have been on HK$40, we were informed later. Our driver did nothing but to talk his tongue over his phone in his loudest all the time! Had we known better earlier, we should have taken the MTR instead, afterall we already had the Octopus card.

While in the taxi, we tried looking around for some signs of the Symphony of Lights show because it was already 8:00 PM. It is about that time that the show goes on. We have seen some ordinary moving neon and laser lights in some buildings, but it was so ordinary that we thought it was not the Symphony of Lights, well maybe not just yet.

First Night Shot. Downtown Kowloon.

Finally, we reached our hotel, Regal Kowloon in Mody Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui. After check-in and finally disembarking our load in the room, we went down to scout some place to dine. Thanks for a good hotel location, everything we wanted appears to have come so easy. Just across the park (Centennial Park) in front of the Hotel was a restaurant called Nara Thai. It was almost SRO so we took our queue from there that the food must really be good – and so it was!

Pad Thai. Narra Thai.

After dinner to went back to the hotel. In HKG, Pinoy’s are everywhere. The entertainers in the hotel lobby restaurant are Pinoy’s. There should be no worries traveling HKG, most often, there’s a Pinoy somewhere. If there are none, there’s a lot westerners or the local Police who are always visible and working in stores and establishments who speak English, but not the true-blue Honkee’s, most often they do not know English.

At the Buddha's Podium

See more pictures in MY FLICKR HERE! And HERE.

Read: Temple Street Night Market, Science & History Museums

Read: Victoria Harbor. Avenue of Stars. Etc.

Postcript: Before we left Manila, there are (other) Airport Fees to be paid. Not being part of an organized tour, sharing it may be of good help. In Manila, each passenger have to pay a Travel Tax of P1,750, less 50% for children with the corresponding (Rebate) Certificate from the Dep’t. of Foreign Affairs which must be secured before travel. In addition, a Terminal Fee of P600 per passenger, children or adult must also be paid. Upon return from HKG, you need not pay anything, hence no worries possible fees to be paid because the Fess should already be included in your return ticket.

Here’s the latest promotional video by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with MTV Asia, featuring proud Pinoy Apl. de. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

With hip-hop artist Apl. de. Ap and MTV behind the project, this is meant to tap the MTV generation tourists to visit the Philippines. Hereunder is the lyrics of the song:

I’ll take you to the Philippines (Whoa)

I’ll take you to the Philippines (Hey)

I’ll take you to the Philippines

(Take it back, Take it back, Take it back)

(We can go there… We can go there)

Jump on a plane, pro’ly jump on a train

Just you and me yeah just you and me

I can take you where I come from right

Where the water’s so warm with the sunlight

Shine all day, Really shine all night

Ma I like you, Yeah I like you

She shine al day all night too

I could be your boyfriend, I could wife you

Let me take you to the place where I come from

Take you to my hometown cause i wantcha

Where it rains all day no thunda

Let me take to my land Pampanga

I’ll take you to the Philippines

I’ll take you to the Philippines

I’ll take you to the Philippines

(Take it back, Take it back, Take it back)

(We can go there… We can go there)

From the hut to the villa

We can get illa’, In Manila

Straight to the island

Water so warm, You can just dive in

Take you all the places I’ve been

Jeepney roller, You can just ride in

Everybody’s workin’, They survivin’

They want peace, No more fightin’

Wanna see the world

Don’t be surprised when…

I’ll take you to the Philippines I’ll take you to the Philippines

I’ll take you to the Philippines

(Take it back, Take it back, Take it back)

(We can go there… We can go there)

You may download the video here.

[Posted: 08 October 2009]

Game 3 for Ateneo Blue Eagles and this Season’s Men’s Senior (and Juniors, by the way) Basketball Champions!

Ateneo never relinquished the lead all throughout. It never cede its desire to get back on UE. It did not desert its title from last season and instead went bact-to-back since 1988! They had a chance in 2004 but failed. Five-years since, now it can be said that Ateneo, since the introduction of the final four format, joins FEU, UST and La Salle in having back-to-back titles.

Ateneo Blue Eagles: UAAP Season 72 Men's Basketball (Senior's & Junior's) Champions!

Quarter Results:

First: ADMU (21) – UE (17)

In the first quarter, it was almost all Rabeh who was responsible for almost half of Ateneo’s points. Towards the end, Paul Lee of UE made quite a chase to cut down the lead of Ateneo but was not enough to take the lead or to make it even.

Second: ADMU (40) – UE (25)

The bench of Ateneo which included Salamat, Buenafe and Long proved their worth having a 11-0 run at 2:46 remaining. It could have been more were it not for some fancy yet unsuccessful shots of Long.

Third: ADMU (57) – UE (41)

This is the break-away quarter for Ateneo. While UE made adjustments in moving and sharing the ball better, it was not enough to match the combination of Jai Reyes and Rabeh Al-Husaini to increase their lead more. At this point, Pari Llagas of UE is still zero in the field, except for some converted free throws. Paul Lee (UE) made some points but remained inconsistent. If at all, it was only Elmer Espiritu (UE) who was making UE alive in the game.

Fourth: ADMU (71) – UE (58)
Ateneo continued its great defense and brought its lead to 20-points, the highest, at the 3:30 mark. While some good plays came from UE, it was not even close to a serious threat to grab the lead or the win. At the dying minutes of the game, Ateneo was already assured of its back-to-back title and just run some plays waiting for the official time to end.

Below is a video of the last few minutes of Game 3:

=====================================================

[Posted: 04 October 2009]

Game 2 for UE. 88-68.

UE forces a rubber match against Ateneo on Thursday. From the start until the end, it was a convincing Game-2 victory by UE. They may have been definitely outnumbered in Araneta but they definitely dominated the board! At the end of Game-2, UE’s yearning for a title after 24-years was more evident than Ateneo’s desire for back-to-back!

MVP for UAAP Season 72: Dylan Ababou (UST)

Quarter Results:

First Quarter: UE (18) – ADMU (15)

UE took the first and the last basket of what was a relatively low-scoring quarter.

Second Quarter: ADMU (38) – UE (37)

Comparatively a better quarter than the first, and a better half than the first game. No team had a major run with Jai Reyes responsible with the lone point lead of Ateneo at the end of the quarter.

Third Quarter: UE (63) – ADMU (53)

UE owned it with its lead increased to 10-points at the end of the quarter and from there on, it never looked back. Ateneo started to get frustrated with unsuccessful baskets and unnecessary fouls being committed.

Fourth Quarter: UE (88) – ADMU (68)

UE took care of its lead and increased even more to the disappointment of Ateneo that reflected in their game. The latter’s defense continued to collapse and three-point attempts not converted. Compared to the other quarters, this was a walk it the park for UE that sealed its Game-2 victory!

Game II Sidelights: UAAP Men’s Senior Basketball Awards

I. Rookie of the Year – Jeric Teng (UST)

II. Mythical Five
1. Paul Lee (UE)
2. Dylan Ababou (UST)
3. Aldrech Ramos (FEU)
4. Elmer Espiritu (UE)
5. Rabeh Al-Husaini (ADMU)

Videos of the last 2-minutes of Game 2 (2-parts):

[Postscript: videos being uploaded]

===============================================

[Posted: 01 October 2009]

Game I for Ateneo. Final Score: 78-71.

Ateneo is determined to go back-to-back! UE is inspired to end 24-years of title drought! At the end of the first game, it was Ateneo who wanted to have a better start in the finals series.

Al-Husaini: Best Player of Game I. 28-points, 14-rebounds, 2-assists.

Quarter Results:

First: 24 (ADMU) – 11 (UE)

At the starting minutes of the first quarter, it looked like how a championship game should be played, with consecutives baskets and good play from both ends. In the last minutes, however, a 15-2 run for Ateneo after the last time-out somehow took out UE of the game. Paul Lee, the season’s most improved player and the hero for UE in the play-offs against FEU apparently was not able to deliver.

Second: 35 (UE) – 34 (ADMU)

In the second quarter, tables have turned, UE have finally warmed-up and Ateneo got a dose of its own medicine. Finally, Paul Lee started to get baskets after 15-minutes of play. UE had a 19-2 run to snatch the lead by a point from a 17-points deficit. Three-point shooting, great zone defense and good ball hustle finally showed why UE deserves to be in the Finals.

Third: 57 (ADMU) – 53 (UE)

Third Quarter was more even, in complete contrast to the first two quarters, but Ateneo regained the lead by 4-points. Almost everyone from both teams contributed to their respective scores but it was Jai Reyes who made most points for Ateneo.

Fourth: 78 (ADMU) – 71 (UE)

Ateneo came out stronger on perimeter points. Jai Reyes continued to shoot well and the championship experience of Rabah Al-Husaini sealed Ateneo’s first win in the finals!

Last Two-Minutes Videos of Game I in 3-parts:

Part I

Part II

Part III

I Sidelights [ Special Awards]:

[* - with two special awards]

1. Maaasahan Player of the Year – *Erik Salamat (ADMU)

2. Most Improved Player of the Year – Paul Lee (UE)

3. Sixth Man of the Year – Nico Salva (ADMU)

4. Best Defensive Player of the Year – *Elmer Espiritu (UE)

5. Doubles Dou of the Year – Rabah Al-Husaini (ADMU) & *Eric Salamat (ADMU)

6. Lead Scorer of the Year – Dylan Ababou (UST)

7. Three Point Shooter of the Year – Jeric Fortuna (UST)

8. Highlight Player of the Year – *Elmer Espiritu

[Photo herein modified is from goateneo.com]

Fact: Typhoon Ondoy (International Name: Ketsana) brought us the worst on 26 September 2009, Milenyo wrought havoc 28 September 2006. Fact: Milenyo was terrible at 130 Kph, Ondoy even at only 85 Kph handed me in a nicely wrapped waist-deep floodwater, my worst present in my 23 years of stay in Manila, and to all others the worst flood ever in the National Capital Region in 4-decades!

My Garage. 4:06 PM. 26 September 2009

Earlier in the day, I went out for some errands before lunch. Before going back home, I decided to drop by my friend’s house a block away where I live. Rain was relentless even from the night before but maybe because of the absence of strong winds, no one can anticipate of any impending disaster! At about 1:00 PM, flood was coming in my friend’s driveway and in 30-minutes flood started to come inside. Much as I would like to go home and check my place, the flood in the street was already deep. Aside from that, I was thinking that water may possibly get inside my garage but based on my experience for 23 years in Manila living in the same area, the worst flood that I have experienced was only about 6-inches high. I was thinking that even if my car is somehow flooded, 6-inches would be bearable. Aside from that, you take a 4-step stairs going inside my house which made me more complacent. Malacanang area was never flooded with such an alarming high water – that was what I knew, and I should have known better!

Inside my Place. Unspeakable.

At about 4:oo PM, I decided to brave the high waters even if it was rising to check my place. Walking through the flood from hips to the waist is difficult- with slippers. I have to take them out and walk bare feet. It’s like walking in a swimming pool sans the unexplainable sensation of brushing and passing garbage through your feet, short of raking them through your toes! Terrible! You can not walk as fast as you would like to because you have to be cautious of anything that you step on which may make things worst.

Malacanang Palace was not spared. Stinky.

JP Laurel going to Malacanang. Mediocre

Buencamino Street near Malacanang

Lamentable but common sight. Malacanang area.

I cannot do so much inside my house except to secure my dog and save whatever I can. I decided to stay out for the night because the flood was still rising.

At about 6:oo AM the next day, I went back and the flood have barely subsided. I started by taking out my wet belongings and started cleaning. I don’t know when I am finally done with the aftermath of Ondoy. There is still rain up to now. In Milenyo, the the sun was already up the next day, unlike Ondoy.

My Street. 6:07 AM. Next day.

My Garage. Next day. Unchanged.

After this post, I’m going back to clean whatever is there to be cleaned and there are a lot! Ay Ondoy, you may have been so dreadful but this 175 Pounds of pure meat is coming to clean your mess!

At this time, it will not be nice to point our fingers to anyone for blame. Instead, let’s just continue to help in any way we can. This will come to pass. We’ll be better citizens!

As a photo enthusiast, being acknowledged for uploaded images is good. As a blogger, being invited to write for a travel magazine is flattering.

Northbound Magazine: Issue 3

[You may DOWNLOAD HERE a free copy of the magazine and please find time to read my article ("Exploring Callao Cave")on Pages 27-30.]

Sometime July, I received an e-mail from a certain Robby Torres asking if I was interested to write an article for Northbound Magazine on Callao Cave of Cagayan Valley. I did not ask why and how it came to be me. My intuition was telling me, however, that he might have read my Blog, and that was enough for me not to ask any further. Inspired, I wrote the article with interest and pleasure. Unfortunately, my archive of images of the Cave is not suited for a glossy magazine spread. While I supplied some borrowed images, apparently, they provided their own.

It was only after submitting the article that I became curious about the magazine. I later found out that the Robby Torres who was earlier communicating with me is the Associate Editor and with Ivan Henares as the Editor.

Hereunder are the first two issues of Northbound Magazine:

Issue 2 DOWNLOAD HERE.

Issue 1 DOWNLOAD HERE.

Northbound Magazine is a publication of North Philippines Visitors Bureau especially dedicated to the four northern provinces which are Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordilleras and Central Luzon.

Having written an article for Northbound Magazine, dedicated to the Province(s) up North is my privilege. Afterall, it is what most of my Blog is all about. 

Dios ti Agngina, Northbound!

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

The Philippine Air Force had over 60 of the Sabre Jet in the 1950’s that made the Philippines a regional power in Souteast Asia. They were also used by the Americans in the Korean War and by our Air Force during the Muslim uprising the south in 1955-1969.

The “Cali Super Pinto”

The proposed first Philippine fighting jet named “Cali Super Pinto” is likewise interesting. It is named after a Philippine bird under the eagle family. Its flight characteristics symbolizes the flight qualities of the first indigenous jet trainer and light attack aircraft of the Philippines.

Cali: Proposed First Philippine Fighter Jet

The Philippine Air Force is extending an invite to the private sector to take part in the development and manufacture of this first Philippine Jet.

The Command Car

The Command Car may have the best historical value. It serves as the official car of the Commander-in-Chief in any official review of colors by the Armed Forces usually after every President’s inauguration to office.

Command Car

Visitors are not allowed to have their pictures taken inside the car as a sign of respect to past Presidents.

The Museum is very accessible, parking is not a problem and with an entrance fee of Php 20.00, not bad to see the country’s aviation history.

See more pictures of Aerospace Museum in MY FLICKR.

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.

UAAP Season 72 Ceremonial Toss with Amb. Cristy Kenny

Aside from opening the TV coverage in high definition TV, the president of the UAAP Board, Anton Montinola, likewise defined highly and addressed the problem of scalping saying that UAAP does not exist for a select few but is suppose to be enjoyed by everyone who wish to see the games live, referring among others, to the finals between Ateneo and La Salle last season where P500 tickets were taken from scalpers for as high as P10,000.

UAAP Board President Mr. Anton Montinola

the otherhand, newly appointed UAAP Commissioner Joe Lipa also defined that UAAP Games this Season are suppose to be decided by the Coaches and their Players and not by unnecessary and irrelevant whistles of Referees.

UAAP Season 72 Opening

The Opening Games:

In the first game of the opening, UST survived a scare from Adamson. From first until the last quarter, the baskets came gracious for both with UST eventually winning their first outing by only a point. Final score: 76-75.

Mirza of UST Growling Tigers: Player of the Game (23 Pts.)

In the second game between La Salle and UE, it was the latter that emerged the better team, being more veteran team and despite of a rookie coach. La Salle being a more rookie team started shaky and cannot complete most of its play. They may have given UE some good challenge at some point but the latter was in control most of the game. The former coach of the winning team, now joining his brother as his assistant did not appear to have done the defining difference. Final score: 65-46.

Parillagas of UE Red Warriors: Player of the Game (15 Pts.)