Around Intramuros in Two Nights and A Day

A couple of weeks ago, I took an unexpected trip to Manila to run an errand. I didn't expect it to be anything but a business trip. I had planned to stay in my hotel and just go to the mall to eat after my day was done. This is exactly what happened...at least, on my first day there :)

my very comfy bed and accommodations at Tune Hotel, Ermita

With a very pretty Banana Leaf staff

Roti Canai paired with Condensed Milk, and Ripe Mango shake

the happy remains of my PadThai :)

Lucky for me, my random postings on Facebook alerted some of my friends in Manila. Invitations for dates quickly poured in (I'm exaggerating a little bit, hehe)! Anyhow, before I knew it, my evenings were booked...and this is how the rest of my trip went ;)

After work, a couple of friends from college met with me at Casa Manila, in Intramuros

Started a stroll from the fountain area of Plaza San Luis, at dusk

Took a souvenir shot with a uniformed Guardia Civil at the Casa entrance

Had a bit of an evening walk by the Palacio Del Gobernador 
which was just by the Manila Cathedral 

We intended to go to Rizal Park and watch the dancing fountain lights, but it had started to drizzle so we decided to be safe and take shelter in the nearby mall.

Late night dinner at Cafe Breton in Robinson's Ermita

Famed for their crepes, I ordered a somewhat tame one:
The Dracula  (LOL!)
It's got garlic, tomato, and cheese.

 After dining, since the night was still young at 10PM, Manila Standard Time (hehe, I made that up!), my friends and I decided to catch the last full showing of the movie....wait for it,wait for it! ....KIMIDORA 2!!! haha...


Eventhough I seldom watch movies nowadays for the sole reason of exceedingly unreasonable cinema prices (P180 per head!), this comedy sequel was worth it. We had a blast laughing our hearts out and groaning at the over-the-top scenes, where I always expect smart Filipino comedians/comediennes to excel at.


Coming out from the cinema, the mall stores were all closed. But the ground level activities caught our attention and quite entertained us for a while. Preparations for a car exhibit were being done for a Father's Day event.

I have always wondered how those cars get into the mall for display. Now, I know :)

I got a favorite.
A red flaming pick-up with a jacuzzi tub must be someone's dream come true :)

The following evening was one of a kind. I met with another set of friends, this time, from high school, and we went to a Madz concert in San Agustin Church. 


This would sound ordinary to some, but to me, this was, like, ARRRRRGGGGGHHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS moment. Why? Because I have been secretly wanting to get inside this church and museum since I last visited it and it was closed. AND to watch the famed Philippine Madrigal Singers, whose concerts I always seem to miss when they're on tour in the provinces? I say, it's FATE. Fate or maybe, JUST a small MIRACLE :)

The Madz in their trademark semi-circle formation 
at San Agustin Church, June 15, 2012 (7PM)

trying out one of the seats and being "one of the Madz" after the concert :) 

The reason why San Agustin is a landmark: It is Philippines' oldest church

with my high school classmates:
 Fr. Robert
(who made my visit to this church much, much richer 
with  his very knowledgeable comments)
and Tenor Ervin 
(who made this dream possible by giving us complimentary tickets
 to one of his performances with Madz) 

At the Museum, I sat by the humongous church bell 
that was taken down after an earthquake damaged the belfry in  1881
 and the tower it was attached to collapsed in 1927. 

Having a playful moment with Archangel Raphael,
who is said to have the happiest disposition among archangels
(I didn't know this before, so maybe HE was having a playful moment with ME? haha)

exiting from the Museum's entryway, hehe
(entrance is at P100, I think)

concert-goers waiting for the singers to come out after the concert at the Museum 's lobby

headed to Harbor Square for (yet another) late dinner in Iceberg's
and shared an icy dessert though it was raining  due to typhoon "Butchoy"

our Starbucks sweet treat: Green Tea and Berry Cheesecake
while catching up on the latest and not-so-latest dish
on whatever  topics that come to mind

It was beyond late when we had to end the night because Starbucks had to close at 2:30AM. Both my friends had full-day events ahead of them, so we zipped back to my hotel where they dropped me off. I had some packing to do, but just didn't bother and left everything up for the next day. 


Woke up at 10AM on Saturday (my last day) and realized I had to check out before 11AM or be charged another day by the hotel. I also realized I had missed calls and a missed date at 8AM!! It was by a hair's breadth that I was at the hotel's reception counter at 10:55 AM - showered, dressed, combed, packed, checked-out - decent and ready for another date!...well, the one I missed  :) 

It was time for lunch so a lunch-date was set in White Knight Hotel, a hotel and restaurant right in the heart and center of Intramuros. They had excellent food, if a bit salty for my taste. Wow, excellent but salty? haha...

With my "Accountancy" classmates
We have since moved on to other careers and fields.

 Outside the hotel restaurant, a tour was offered to us. Having hours still to spend before my flight, I was the only one willing to take a rather interesting tour. So, I geared up, signed the waiver, and surrendered my credit card :D

NOT getting a foot massage :( haha

all padded up, but not yet in complete uniform :)

Charlie tutoring me on how to handle this newest toy
which, by the way, costs P175,000 if I remember correctly

Me, gleefully going around outside the hotel premises...
trying to stop was the hardest to learn!

This looks really easy, and they tell you that it is, but when I stepped on it the first time, I had serious doubts that I would ever learn how to ride this in under 30 minutes. But, really, you get the hang of it as you go along...and it really is easy! :)

At the original site of Ateneo de Manila University before it was burned to the ground in 1932.
Presently, the Department of Tourism's Clamshell (at my left, not shown) stands on this site,
 where tourism exhibits and events take place.

with my tour guides

This tour also marked the end of my trip. What a blessing it was, to be able to experience new things in an old city...but what was most delightful was how I was able to see my old friends and spend new and such wonderful moments with them.

Someone once called me "lucky"...but I, at once, corrected her. 

No, I wasn't lucky...I was blessed.

Would like to go around Intramuros, too? 
Go on an EChariots Tour. 
It's fun and worth it. :)