Allan Out of Post

It was Monday at around 2pm when a good friend (Roice) texted me that we will be meeting and visit the national museum to see the famous Juan Luna's painting - the Spolarium. However, I learnt that the museum is closed on a Monday (opens during Tuesdays to Sundays only) thus we have decided to try something different but still to experience a traditonal and cultural - related activity. Join us in our 8-hour pure walkathon tour in the city of Manila! We met at the Rizal park/Luneta park where you can find the world's famous Rizal's sculpture but because of the unhealthy heat of the sun we decided to walk on the shady part of the park until tadaahh - the tour started! Our first stop was still the National Museum, I mean just outside the museum! Haha. The beautiful structure of the building really amazed us and the "Balangay" just in front of the building was nostalgic. Balangay is a wooden boat used by our ancestors long time ago in which the word Barangay...

Pototan, Iloilo's Municipal hall. Pototan is a first class municipality in the Province of Iloilo in the Philippines. It is known nationwide as the Christmas Capital of Visayas and annually celebrates IWAG FESTIVAL which is scheduled every December 16. The Plaza Lagoon. This transforms to a beautiful Christmas Masterpiece every December - IWAG Festival where nightly shows and celebrations happen. IWAG means LIGHT, a celebration of music, lights and Christmas gatherings offered as thanksgiving in welcoming a brighter new year. The Skating Rink. Pototanons, young and old gather here every afternoon for skating fun experiences! Pototan is also known as the Rice Granary of Western Visayas in the Philippines because it became the leading supplier of rice in the region. Many years before, the Municipality also started PARAYAN FESTIVAL (Parayan means Rice fields) to celebrate the bountiful harvest of RICE. However, due to political conflicts and lack of support from th...

Everyday of their lives, they spend most of their time in bus terminals to sell peanuts, boiled quail eggs, fish crackers, bottled water and the like. I bought a plastic of peanut for 10 pesos and a bottled water for 15 pesos. The 25 pesos I gave him meant a lot to him. The extreme heat of the sun is nothing for him.  I  admire these people because they are doing it for a very significant reason. Their little income gives their family joy and hopes to continue life no matter what. Some are raising a family, some are helping their parents, some have no choice but to do so because of lack of education and it is very hard for them to compete in the field of employment. I salute them because of the simple joys they bring to the commuters and travelers. I hope that they will be blessed with a healthier body as they continue their journey in life. :)

A lady cries while the blind man sings a beautiful rendition of a classic Filipino song. In the Philippines, it is not surprising to see people in the streets begging for alms. A sad reality for every Filipinos since not everyone has given the opportunity of a fortunate life. One sunny afternoon in the streets of Taft, Manila, my attention was caught by this emotional scenario. There was this blind man with his guitar, sang classic Filipino songs. He played the instrument very well and his voice gave me goosebumps as he heartily sang the songs. I couldn't imagine why in this present times, classic OPM (Original Pilipino Music) is being left behind. The influences of other races have emerged and dominated the airwaves. On the other hand, just few steps from the singing blind man was this lady who bursted in tears while listening to the music. No one attempted to approach her and she never minded everyone coming around. She was crying hard but the man remained on his powerfu...

I was once fond of buying streetfoods. Turning back time, it was also one of the enjoyed past times I had with my friends. Street foods are ready to eat goodies sold in public places. Often, from a portable food booth, a cart or some in food trucks. According to a study from Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food everyday. Today, people try and purchase street food for some reasons: It is sold for a reasonable price, it is flavorful, to experience an ethnic and authentic cuisines and some for a nostalgic experience. In the Philippines, street foods are very common too. Here are some of Pinoy favorite street foods to choose from: Calamares: deeply fried squid cut as rings covered dipped in egg and flour. Price: P3.00 Boiled banana, banana turon (banana on a lumpia wrapper topped with mascovado sugar) and banana fritters. Price: P10.00 - P15.00 Fried chicken: deeply fried crispy chicken. Best for lunch and an all time favorite for c...

Seeing a kalesa in today's time is like a time machine bringing you to the rich culture of the Philippines' past. It is known as CARITELA/KARITELA which is a horse drawn calash commonly used in the Philippines way back in the 18th century. It was introduced by the Spanish colonizers and initially were reserved for the high-ranking officials and noble individuals during that era. To see such nowadays is an experience worth keeping for because who knows, several years from now it will be "just a part" of Pinoy history. I wonder how these horses stand the heat of the sun everyday. I salute them for a job well done. They traverse the busy roads of Manila and compete with other high-tech mode of transportation present in the Metro. Even in times of bad weather, the horses are still active to bring you an experience beyond compare. If you want to experience a Kalesa ride, come and pass by Malate, Manila in the Philippines. Some places include Luneta Par...

It was a fair Tuesday morning and the "travelling mood" was on. I was with my batchmates in PGH and we were excited to visit our community exposure sites in Cavite, Philippines. It was a 2-4hour ride from Metro Manila depending on the traffic situation. After a long and fun travel, we arrived in a simple and culturally preserved province where the people are happy and accommodating. One of the Municipal Halls in Cavite. The architectural design depicts the spanish era's influences to the Philippines. A magnificent church altar. People remained their faith and live in a christian way of living. (St. Gregory Church) Part of the chruch that houses the Priests and other church staff. Tapsilog. An all time Filipino food. There are a lot of affodable restaurants around the province. Walk through the streets and discover every delicious food!  Our first complete group picture. Batch 1 of PGH Department of Family and Community Medicine Pre-Residents...