Day 6 Wed Dec 24
PHILIPPINES – EAST VISAYAS (Tacloban, Samar)
Flight. DVO to CEB @02:50-03:55 // CEB to TAC @07:30-08:20
There was no luggage storage at the airport, so I brought both bags with me and hired a motorcyclist to take me to the three sites in Tacloban. It was a good deal for both of us.
TACLOBAN
Airports: Tacloban (TAC)
Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum (Imelda Marcos Museum) was formerly owned by the Marcos family and now houses a museum. It was built from 1979 to 1981 by then-First Lady and wife of President Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcosa and was among the 20 presidential palaces built during the Martial law era. The property was sequestered by the Philippine government as part of a campaign to recover the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth. It is a lovely 2-story buildiing with white verandas. A fountain outside had the Nino. The former residential building was converted to a museum and features the collection of Imelda Marcos, as well as artifacts related to the Santo Niño, the city’s patron saint. 150 P
Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño Parish Church. A great church painted white with a central tower and 2 bell towers. Inside it must be one of the widest churches in the world with 10 sets of pews across two very wide side naves. The altar is gold with a gold pulpit and font. The stained glass are lovely round windows.
MacArthur Landing Memorial Park. On the ocean, this nice monuments celebrates the October 20, 1944 swift drive against the Japanese. MacArthur was accompanied by members of the government in exile to reorganize, restore and administer the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Along with MacArthur are six figures, some soliders and government officials. Near the street is a small monument dedicted to the Fallen Soldiers with Psalm 59.1 on the side and a soldier on top.
We were finished by 10 am, and I spent all day in an outdoor “lounge” reading and catching up on my sleep.
Flight. TAC to Manila @16:15-17:35
GO TO CENTRAL LUZON (Manila).
Tentative WHS
Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension) (16/05/2006)
