Author Archives: admin

Whatever happened to the samurai? The samurai were a preeminent class defending Japan for centuries. But as the Tokugawa shogunate ushered in an era of stability, the need for them faded, forcing these warriors to find a new way of … Continue reading →

IS THERE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM  Theologians, historians and astronomers have debated the Biblical story for centuries. “The Adoration of the Magi” by Guiseppe Chiari (1654-1727). The Virgin Mary, seated on the left and turned to the … Continue reading →

THE POPULIST REVOLT AGAINST COGNITIVE ELITES  The problem with fixating on inequality, oligarchy, and other abstractions By Joseph Heath December 15, 2025, THE ATLANTIC  One of the great mysteries about the rise of populism, in both the United States and Europe, … Continue reading →

GENERAL  MINDANAO EAST VISAYAS GREATER MANILA  LUZON CENTRAL & LUZON 

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 … Continue reading →

PHILIPPINES – MINDANAO NORTH and WEST (Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan) Tentative WHS Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary Butuan Archeological Sites (16/05/2006) Kitanglad and Kalatungan Mountain Ranges: Sacred Sites of Bukidnon Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (16/05/2006) Airports: Butuan (BXU), Cagayan … Continue reading →

December 2025 xe.com 1 US$ = 59.3 PHP (PESO) 1 CA$ = 42.85 PHP Intangible Cultural Heritage Aklan piña handloom weaving. Piña is a textile made from pineapple leaf fibres and woven using a handloom. Farmers harvest the leaves of … Continue reading →

PHILIPPINES – LUZON – CENTRAL (Batangas, Tarlac, San Carlos) Day 11 Sun Dec 28 Car rental Avis. Cost 22,000 including a 10,000P deposit that is returned minus tolls. Grab to the Avis Car Garage out in SE Manila (454P+118 toll). … Continue reading →

PHILIPPINES – LUZON – GREATER MANILA BAROQUE CHURCHES of the PHILIPPINES WHS COLONIAL URBAN PLAN and FORTIFICATIONS of the WALLED CITY of MANILA Tentative WHS Day 7 Wed Dec 24 Flight. Tacloban to Manila Philippines Air @18:30- 17:30. I took … Continue reading →

PHILIPPINES – MINDANAO SOUTH, CENTRAL (Davao, Koronadal) The Philippines requires you to register at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours. The form goes on and on. Flights. 41 hours flying and layovers. Wed Dec 17. Lion Air, AMQ to Makassar (UPG) @13:55-14:15. … Continue reading →