Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City

Sunday is usually church day and time to laze around either in your own room or anywhere else where you can just roam around without thinking of work or other matters. But March 5, 2017 was a Sunday that was both educational, art appreciation day and an awakening one for me. I was treated to my eyes' delight. Thank you to Edgar Madamba for bringing me to Pinto Art Museum located in Antipolo City. The owner, Dr. Joven Cuanang, is a neurologist and an art afficionado/collector who thought of making a museum out of his collections.

The two-hectare property consists of several Mediterranean-type buildings which house galleries of paintings and artworks of different media. Pinto Art Museum is not only a haven for artists, it is also a tourist attraction of sorts. With the many people who visited the place both local and international tourists, this art sanctuary is definitely a must-see and should be part of a tourism package.

Artworks of different forms can be seen in the whole complex. From the classic paintings to the digital art forms to installations and even artistic graffitis are displayed for everyone's appreciation. It cannot be considered an overload of artistic works because everything in the museum is worth seeing. It is a soothing venue of artists' expressions. It is simply a heaven of artistic proportions.

Walking from one gallery to another has a feeling of going through a labyrinth which keeps one surprised as what the next area offers. Despite the expansive galleries and the stairs that you would walk through, there was not a feeling of tiredness as the artworks were so interesting and invigorating.

Since the area is so big, the owner decided to bring in Cafe Rizal for the needs of visitors who get hungry while going around. It has three restaurant in all the levels of Pinto Art Museum.

The edifices inside the complex are also worth appreciating. Buildings which are inspired from architectural structures the can be seen in the Mediterranean, the Carribean as well as local ones were built to serve as galleries of the artworks. They, themselves, are visual delights.

Pinto Art Museum is where the respected masters and the new millennium geniuses converge and unite. They share one common cause - to bring art to the people.

It is surprising to note that people from all ages were in the art venue on a Sunday. It is one place that has crossed the boundaries of ages. Young and old were there so admire art at its best. Locals as well as foreign visitors mingled and appreciated what Pinto Art Museum has to offer. The P200 entrance fee is all worth it.

Pili, the Capital of Camarines Sur

Pili, Camarines Sur...the town where the seat of government of the province is located. Aside from Naga City, Pili is the next important place in the Metro Naga area.

The provincial capitol is located in the said town. Literally, the seat of government can be found there aside from various public offices of national importance. The Camarines Sur Convention Center is also there. Conventions, special events and other big activities are being held in the venue. Aside from the edifice, the convention center boasts of wide grounds for other different festivities such as the annual Kaogma festival and the like.

The world-reknowned Camsur Watersports Center (CWC) is situated in Pili. Log cabins, a man-made lagoon and their other facilities can be utilized by sports-minded people. Tourists from all over the world flock to CWC for their leisure get-away. There is also the Lago del Rey resort with very good amenities to the delight of guests.

The Naga Airport is also in Pili. Though only small aircrafts can land in the said airport, it is convenient for tourists to go to important areas in the province through this gateway. Besides, Pili can boast of good roads that are breezy for travelers to pass through.

Education institutions abound the first class municipality - a proof how the people of Pili and the people of Camarines Sur give importance to education. No wonder the town has produced a number of its people who have carved names not only for their town and province but in the national front as well.

A must-visit in the town is the St. Raphael the Archangel Church which is the main catholic church that binds the people of Pili. Its yearly Cimarrones Festival is another activity worth witnessing.

Of course, just like any town in the country, Pili is fast becoming an economic hub in the Metro Naga. With the establishment of different businesses, it can contribute to the development of the metropolitan area as well as the province of Camarines Sur. Development is not bad as long as it benefits the people and the community is surely getting its share from income derived from the businesses.

Despite the beckoning of development, the people of Pili, in particular and Camarines Sur, in general know how to take care of their environment. They have a sense of classy aesthetics that are appreciated by the locals as well as tourists. Thanks to their ever-supportive municipal and provincial officials.

When deciding which part of Camarines Sur to visit, choose Pili. It's not only a convenient stop going to Naga City and other municipalities in the province but one will appreciate the provincial setting with rich greeneries that abound. By the way, Pili is where you can see the majestic Mount Isarog.

Special thanks to the owners of some of the photos used in this blog.

Verona: Setting of Romeo and Juliet

Verona in Italy is the setting of Shakespearean play "Romeo and Juliet." Romance is evident in the city.

Entering Verona taking the train, one can feel how romantic the city is. Flowers, plants, parks, statues, etc are scattered everywhere. First time tourists like me can feel it in the air.

Roman architecture is prevalent in the city. Thank goodness for ordinances and laws that protect structures from being renovated for modernization. A good old Roman coliseum is at the center of Verona. It is a popular venue for events that are staged in the city. Other structures of Roman type are still standing and of use.

The street leading to the statue and house of Juliet is lined with typical Italian buildings and stores that cater to the many tourists that visit Verona. The street are made from cobblestones which are typical in Italy.

It is said that you have to touch the breast of Juliet's statue so that whatever wish you may have regarding love, it will come true. At one side where the statue is located, love padlocks upon love padlocks can be seen hoping that those who locked their padlocks will stay in love forever.

Nearby is a mercato and a great number of restaurants to cater to those who have gone hungry from visiting the place where Romeo and Juliet met. Tourists are abundant and shopping stores are there for shoppers' delight.

If you are fond of authentic Italian architecture, Verona is a city to visit. I was astounded by the beautiful structures that I saw. Very Italian!

My visit to Verona may have been short but with all the things that I saw in the city, it's worth another train ride to explore it more. Special thanks goes to Ms. Cecil Silva for taking me and Mama Renee Salud to Verona.