Royal Postal Heritage Tour : Metropolitan Theater (The MET)

This theater masterpiece, along the Pasig River and in front of the equally classic Manila Post Office, was designed, in the Art Deco style (then a rage in the U.S.A.), by National Artist (for Architecture) Arch. Juan M. Arellano. 

It was one of our cultural gems, a symbol of the country's glorious days in the arts, something we should be proud of. I just hope that it will be restored back to its glorious state. We are the Broadway of Asia for having such great numbers of world-class artists, talents and performers. 

This will be our contribution to the world, not only in the field of art but architecture as well. The art-deco architecture fascinates many engineering, art, architecture students and building enthusiasts.

Inaugurated on December 10, 1931, it seats 1,670 (846 in the orchestra section, 116 in loge and 708 in balcony) and was the biggest in the Far East at that time. During its heyday as the "Grande Dame" of theaters, the Met played host to vaudeville acts, zarzuelas, operas, pageants, Filipino and Spanish plays, and performances by well-known artists such as violinist Maestro Jascha Hefertz and composer/conductor Dr. Herbert Zipper (who conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra).

Stylized Dancer by Monti

The theater's still exuberant and symmetrical exterior, with its tiara-like pediment with stylized minarets, has rectangular stained glass panels (by Kraut Art Glass of Germany), bas-reliefs with curlicues or mask-like chimeras; whimsical rope designs; friezes; colorful ceramic tiles; capiz shell main entrance lamps; intricate grille work at the doors and windows; and is also enhanced by sensuous, exotically-draped female statues, said to be Siamese dancers, done by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti (who lived in Manila from 1930 until his death in 1958). It used to house the Museum of Philippine Costumes and Dolls, a GSIS district office, an LBC branch and a travel agency.

I believe in the saying that "without art there is no culture, without culture there is no progress," I just don't know who exactly said that, but just so true.

Metropolitan Theater have its own series of battles (legal and financial disputes), rise and fall, decay and neglect. It even became a boxing arena, ice cream parlor, gay club etc. after it falls many times, typhoons aggravated the decay.   

Our group consist of art and museum enthusiasts, students and writers

One of the voice of MET is Mr. Rence Chan, advocating heritage conservation and restoration, he tirelessly conducted free educational and historical tour of the place through The Royal Postal Heritage Tour. 

Historyahan with Rence Chan

Inside the dilapidated theater:

Mementos of the past:

Dilapidated ceiling

View from the top of the MET:

The Manila City Hall

Escolta

The Grand Ballroom of the MET:

The Grand Lobby:

God is in the details, movie reels art 

Water and electricity has been cut off. The main entrance is now home to the homeless vagabonds and its arcades are filled with garbage and stinks to the high heavens with urine and excreta. We are teary-eyed seeing the sorry and sad fate of this once cultural and architectural landmark.  

"Such a beautiful Art-Deco masterpiece deserves a much better fate and should not follow the demise of other gems such as the Manila Jai Alai Building and Meralco Building."- Architect Benjie Layug, Travel Writer/Book author

Watching the Beautiful Sunset of Manila Bay

Roxas Boulevard, Manila. I wasn't able to catch the sunset of Manila Bay since I came from another walking tour, due to traffic I wasn't able to see the magic hour, but it was still a sight to behold, serene and relaxing.

Manila Bay is famous for it sunset, but the place is also a sanctuary for vagabonds and other homeless street people, so please take care of your belongings and better come in groups. 

The Manila Yatch Club

Gatber Beach: A New Pride of Santa Cruz, Occ. Mindoro

We just discovered a new place to relax and unwind in Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro, owned by businessman Mr. Norman B. Gatdula, himself hails from Santa Cruz who take pride of his hometown's simple beauty and charm. 

Gatber ( from Gatdula-Bernardo) was recently opened to the public as a summer getaway destination, recreation and simply to get in touch with nature. What we like most is that the owner retain the natural beauty and simplicity of the place, they use indigenous materials such as woods as fence, bahay kubo (nipa hut) accomodation which is eco-friendly and no signs of over-development that could ruin the place, no trees were uprooted and since it was summer we had a taste of fruits in season like the Kasuy or cashew nut fruits.

The food they served are fresh catch from the sea, fruits and vegetables are all fresh pick as well in their farms.

Accomodation:

Bahay Kubo (Nipa hut)

Sing your heart out in the Karaoke Pavilion 

Relaxing Duyan

The Ambiance:

wooden fence gave a more feeling of nature

View from the sea shore

The shoreline of the beach

Some attractions we saw at gatber: 

There are lots of fruit-bearing trees in the area which is good, we saw cashew trees with fruits, wild berries, jackfruit etc. 

The beach is not white sand but a mixed of ground corals and black sand which is very therapeutic, the water is not deep, very clear, clean and refreshing with small waves that is just enough for an added fun.

The cashew nut tree

Fresh-pick cashew nut fruits 

wild blackberries

fine black sand 

beautiful stones adorned the beach

dining tables

The sea escape , serene and filled with nature sound of the waves 

 Watch the beautiful sunset of Santa Cruz in Gatber:

One of the highlights of our stay is the watching the beautiful sunset of Santa Cruz, amazing beauty.

Gatber is also perfect for team building activities, parties, open to local and foreign tourists and other special family and friends occasions. Other tours could be arrange by the owner such as side trips to Mangyan community, Sablayan, Pandan Island and Apo Reef .

for booking and accomodations, contact:  Mr. Norman B. Gatdula (0915-4755632)

Take Batangas City Port Ferry going to Abra De Ilog port then  Sta Cruz town is accesible by public transpo from Abra de Ilog port in occidental Mindoro or better call the management for land arrangement.

My Quezon Adventour: Island Hopping in Lukang Beach and Kwebang Lampas

Angela our videographer enjoying the crystal clear waters

After lunch at Cortijos de Palsabangon, our group went to Pagbilao,  Quezon for an Island tour, there, we are introduced by Ms. Lurhen Cortes of APPSLINE Travel  to Mr. Dapla, previous president of the tourism council of Pagbilao, also former in-charge of  keeping the mangrove forest  of Pagbilao. 

Our group at Pagbilao Pantalan: The savvy traveler Benjie Layug, Ms. Lurhen Cortes of Appsline Travel, Mr. Dapla of tourism council, lifestyle blogger Ronnie Bernardo and the social media darling Prof. Mel Dizon 

We took the boat ride going to South China Sea, good thing it's not low-tide yet, (during low-tide, no boat ride)  feeling excited, I wondered where will this boat ride lead to, I know it will be something  surprising finds and sights to see .

Our boatman Dominic, Angela and Melissa doing selfie with nature and the savvy traveler Benjie 

As we started our boat ride with sights of the mangroves then the scenery changed into limestone-lined coast with lush greens and a PICTURESQUE landscape! Excited with every photo I took as I enjoyed the calm and amazingly beautiful PARADISE!

View of Power Plant

After we reached Lukang White Sand Beach, I was awed by the crystal clear water, all I can think off is jump right into the water! and I did, and everybody follows and everybody happy!

Lukang White Sand Beach
What I like most in the place is, there is no sign of development, a beach in its natural splendor, no structures and just so virginal. In case you want an overnight stay, you may bring or rent a camping tent and food just dispose off your garbage properly.

Prof. Mel, PBB Teen Housemate Maichel and Angela enjoying the waters of Lukang

KWEBANG LAMPAS 

Nature-sculptured cave from one of the limestone-lined rocky coast.

The author, Maichel, Melissa and Angela

Angela and Melissa inside Kwebang Lampas

Savvy Traveler Benjie, PBB Housemate Maichel, Melissa and Angela 

The author  enjoying very relaxing and therapeutic crystal clear water 

Melissa in a meditative bliss enjoying the sea breeze

Next: Dinner at Silangan Nayon

For booking and arrangement:

APPSLINE Travel and Consultancy Services: 

Discover Quezon and learn more about Quezon's Best Educational Tour Packages such as Cultural Tour, Eco-Tour, Religious Tour, Culinary Tour and Customized package Tours. Contact them: (042) 716 0067 Mobile: 0922 633 0363 .