A Taste of Both Worlds

On Our Third Month

Our third month stint as bloggers passed by really fast, we hadn't prepared any special series as opposed to our traditional month-sary celebrations.  It was a slow and a not-so-productive month, as you might had/have noticed, we only did 10 blog posts this month, a 5-part series from purpledal's month-sary presentation and a 5-part series from mine.  The decrease in blog posts is not, necessarily, because of neglect or inattentiveness on our part but, predominantly, because of some technical glitches (my hard disk failed for the nth time and her PC collapsed almost everyday during the month of April) and personal dilemmas (miscommunication, misunderstandings, anger, heartaches and death).

We have no specific goals this coming month, but we are hoping to stand and get back on track.  To a better month, happier days and fruitful hours!  Aye, aye!

Captain, Icebergs Ahead!

After our long mid-afternoon till dawn walk in the park, a hearty or, at least, a heat-douser meal was in order, don't you think?  So, we went to Harbour Square and let my son took his pick, his choice was Icebergs.

I've been to this place many times before to have some halo-halo or fruit shakes or buy a scoop of ice cream or their yummy banana split.  That was the first time that I tried their rice meals, and as the saying goes, "first impressions last"....

Above photo is Ribeye Salpicao, I ordered this for 178php, the beef is very tender, it can slide down my throat without chewing, of course, I did not do that, choking is not required to prove a point *grins*.  This is one heck of a meal, no extras needed.

The Children's Playground is a Happy Place

If there's a place in Rizal Park that I've been to for a couple or more times, it is none other than the Children's Playground.  I remember, back then, my tatay (father) worked as a seaman and their company building was in the Ermita area, so, everytime, he came home, a visit to the then, Paraiso ng Batang Maynila was inevitable.

I don't know when was the name change, but, stepping back to it's realms still felt the same, I felt happy and a smile was plastered on my face.  It's true, isn't it?  That in every adult, an inner child's just waiting to resurface *grins*.  More than that my baby boy was super duper dee happy, we're just one ride away  from the park, but believe it or not, it was my kid's first time.

Disneyland is dubbed as the Happiest Place on Earth, but for those little kids that I saw on the playground that day, the Children's Playground in Rizal Park is the happiest place.

How About a Japanese Garden?

The Japanese Garden was initiated by the National Parks Development Committee together with the Japanese Community.  The 9000 sq.m. garden was (used to be) an authentic Japanese Garden in miniature where you can find bonsai trees and plants but, one can also view local foliage, vines, trees, hedges and other ornamental plants such as camias, camachile and bituin marikit which are endemic to Philippine soil.  The garden not only gives us a glimpse of Japanese culture, but also promotes friendship and mutual understanding between the Japanese and Filipino people.

Just like in the Chinese Garden, an entrance fee of 5php should be paid to be able to take a peak and have a break in the  said garden.

A Chinese Garden in the Park

The Chinese Garden is one of the attractions and one of the most-visited part of Rizal Park.  It was constructed in honor of the Filipino-Chinese Community and in appreciation for the monetary help of Chinese businessmen in the beautification and settlement of the park.  It is, essentially, a part of Luneta but, in order to have access and get in, one should pay an entrance fee - 5php, as opposed to the free-for-all theme of the entire park. 

A marker inside the garden read that the present Philippine president - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proclaimed June 9 of every year as Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day on January 24, 2002.