Meet-Up with the Travelling Clatt

It was a hot sunny sunday afternoon past 1:00pm when i arrived at the historic Luneta Park to meet a youtuber and traveler. I have subscribed to his channel last year and when he decided to have a short Luneta meet-up, I decided to meet and learn a few information about his stay in the country.

His had been travelling around the world for the past 3 years and He had been in the country since late November 2017.

He had traveled several provinces and islands. During the meet-up/ eyeball there were about 20 people who came from different parts of Metro Manila.

Chinese garden 

We toured the Chinese garden and parts of the Rizal Park , after the short video taping. PAG-ASA had announce thru their social media accounts that the summer season had officially begun.  There was a lantern festival exhibit at the Chinese garden.

Japanese garden

This was also a nice opportunity to visit these places since they waived the entrance fees.

National Museum of Natural History ( used to be called Department of Tourism building from 1973 to early 2010 and Agriculture Building from the late 1930’s to early 1970’s) soon to be open to the general public by April 2018. 

We also toured the National Museum of Anthropology ( housed at the former Finance building)  and took the respite from the blazing afternoon sun and heat. It was a good idea, since the museum was air-conditioned and some of the participants first time to the visit the place.

 travelling clatt interviews some of the participants

The national museum complex used to charge an entrance fee for the general public before 2016 except during sundays ( it was free).  Since few people would visit the place ( except on field trip or mandatory school assignments ).

There was a survey few years ago by a popular survey firm that there were more people who would visit malls amusement parks than visiting museums all over the country.  The museum board of directors decided to waive the entrance fees so that more people can enjoy the country’s rich history , heritage and culture.

This is quite alarming, with a lot of museums and exhibition places in the country that the general public must visit to learn more about their country’s history and heritage.

Unlike some Asian countries which would charge a higher entrance fees to foreigners and expats, All the museums in the country would charge flat rates.

We end the meet-up with group photo, a short video of the participants with travelling clatt and he even treated some of the participants to a refreshing buko ( coconut juice) . Try to watch and subscribe to his youtube channel and know his travel around the world.

As a postcard collector/ postcrosser , i took time to let them write their names at a piece of postcard which features Manila cityhall and will be mailing them with the latest stamps issued by PHLPOST.

If you like to have a postcards with signed autograph by travelling clatt and the participants, just send me an email with your home address or office address. However i only have few postcards.

 

 

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Opening Highlights of the Flores De Mayo Exhibit at the Orchidarium

Flores de Mayo 2017 exhibit was in partnership between Department of Tourism , National Parks Development Committee in cooperation with League of Conservationists of the Philippines ( LOCPHIL) opened to the general public the  plant exhibition and trade bazaar at the Orchidarium ( Beside the National Museum of Anthropology ) within Rizal Park , Manila.

Since it was ” Mother’s Day ” all the parks entrance fees like Orchidarium , Chinese Garden , Children Garden , Japanese Garden and Paco Park were waived .

Among the prominent guests of honor includes Ms. Penelope D. Belmonte ( Executive Director-National Parks Development Committee ) Honorable Fema Duterte,Dr. Joan Lagunda of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office ASec. Astravel Pimentel-Naik, PCUP, Dr. Elba S. Cruz ( Development Academy of the Philippines ) ,  Mr. Rolando T. Mamaradlo ( NPDC -Chief Administration officer) , Mr. Niel Maceda ( LOCPHIL- President )

League of Orchid Conservationists of the Philippines officers and members

The Orchidarium used to be a parking lot about 8,000 square meters allotted to the employees of the Department of Finance and was later converted into a garden and sanctuary around 1994 . This is also a repository for rare and native orchid species found in the country.

Unfortunately, We only saw a handful of native orchids growing on trees, a lot of the native orchids such are sanggumay ( Dendrobium anosmum ) , dainty sanggumay ( Dendrobium aphyllum ) are not found.

Judging also commenced before the ribbon cutting ceremonies by the special guests of honor which includes Ms. Fema Duterte and officials from National Parks Development Committee.

Cymbidium finalysonianum specimen orchid spotted near the man-made waterfall blooming .

plant stalls 

There are also stall holders from different parts of the country like Mabuhay Orchids and Ornamental Plants from Cavite, Laguna , Quezon , Negros , Davao and Metro Manila .

Horti Negrense 

#14 exhibit booth , showcased some native orchids , Platycerium coronarium ferns

#7 landscape exhibit booth

#3 Landscape exhibit

#5 Landscape entry

#9 Landscape entry

Landscape Winners

Biona’s Garden won the first place ” Best in Landscape ” award which comes with blue ribbon and Php 75,000 cash reward courtesy of the National Parks Development Committee.

Mhin’s Garden won second place which also come with a cash prize of Php 50,000 plus red ribbon . Mhins Garden is from Calauan , Laguna province ( Contact : 0927-5660350/0921-2835214 )

Davao Susana Garden won third place with Php 35,000 cash and white ribbon. All the winners are members of the Los Baños Horticultural Society Inc.

After all the fanfare , participants, exhibitors were treated to an early lunch hosted by NPDC.

The exhibit will run until May 22, 2017. Photos are all from the author

 

National Parks Development Committee 50th anniversary stamp re-launching ceremonies held at the Rizal Park Visitor’s Center

Rizal Park Visitor’s Center, Rizal Park , Manila-Philippines

L-R Mr. Eric Tagle, Mr. Carlos Luis, Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Architect Elizabeth Espino

glow in the dark stamp finally unveiled

Hon. Ramon Jimenez

Department of Tourism Secretary Mr. Ramon Jimenez  short talk

After the short talk, a framed stamps and first day cover were given to secretary Ramon Jimenez by architect Elizabeth Espino and Mr. Carlos Luis .

invited guests and vips had a chance to let Mr. Ramon Jimenez and Architect Elizabeth Espino signed their First Day Cover as part of the unveiling ceremony.

a late afternoon snacks were serve to the invited guests and media

There were some games and raffle prizes that were given during the event.

Link to the glow in the dark stamp December 9, 2013 article : https://renz15.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/national-parks-50th-anniversary-stamp-first-glow-in-the-dark-stamp-in-the-philippines/

Senior Citizen Garden launched to the Public

Senior Citizen Garden , Luneta Park, Manila -Philippines

Department of Tourism Secretary Mr. Ramon Jimenez, Filipino- Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry board members,  Architect Elizabeth H. Espino

The Department of Tourism ( DOT) and the National Parks Developement Committee (NPDC)  opened to the public the Senior Citizen Garden launched to the public on February 24, 2014 .

 Father Shitol Costa led the opening prayer

senior citizens dressed in traditional Filipinana dress

The Senior Citizen garden , which can be found near the Musical Dancing Fountain. The area was designated for seasoned park visitors as an area which can be used for various activities such as aerobic dance classes , zumba classes, ballroom dances, traditional folk-dances  and get-together .

senior citizen dancing traditional Filipino dance

The senior citizen garden is open for 24 hours . The garden had beautiful landscaped areas, a place for relaxation and a venue area which is ideal to celebrate events and meetings.

Cultural Show at the Mabuhay Restop: A rich tapestry of Filipino culture and social enterprises !

Mabuhay Restop Travel  Cafe and Museum –  Rizal Park  ,South Drive  Area II corner Roxas Boulevard , Manila-Philippines

poster

Mabuhay Restop Travel Cafe and Museum located in Rizal Park is the first venture of Mabuhay Restops, Inc. which aims to promote Philippine Cultural Heritage and love of God and  country  through their cultural tours, food, show, art exhibit, and Kalinga tours.

guests enjoying the buffet meal

Chicken Teriyaki and Sayote with Shrimp

fish fillet with tartar sauce and adobong kangkong

chicken binakol

The guests were treated with an evening of buffet showcasing different regional Philippine dishes from the simple adobong kangkong , fried fish fillet , sayote with shrimps, pancit, chicken binakol soup, chicken teriyaki , halo-halo and many more.

group picture with fellow bloggers

What is nice about the food and products being sold at the place is that it helps the community ( Gawad Kalinga ) the beneficiaries are the ones making the souvenir items  .

Ms. Thea Gloria

Ms. Thea Gloria is the emcee of the Mabuhay Fiesta show, she is a theater artist , singer, dancer . She is the Mabuhay Restop -STAR of the show !

cultural presentation

Wazzup Pilipinas founder Mr. Ross del Rosario and guests

For more then 1 hour , we were treated to a live performance, cultural presentation, historical trivia, tourist spots, food and social entrepreneurship.

gallery

I am encouraging tourist and even fellow Filipino to support this one of a kind tour.

Contact Information:

South Drive, Area II, Rizal Park, Ermita Manila 1000, Philippines
(T.M. Kalaw St. & Roxas Blvd.)
Phone: 02-359-7927, 0917-810-8194
Email: info@mabuhayrestops.com
Website: http://www.mabuhayrestops.com

Website: http://www.mabuhayrestops.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MabuhayRestop