The Tower is Still Leaning in Pisa

Pisa in Italy is best known for its leaning tower said to have been standing since the time even before Galileo Galilee was born. It is located in the Tuscany region on the western part of the country. Its long history dates back to years before Christ was born.

Of course, its main attraction is the Leaning Tower of Pisa which is one of the main tourist attractions in the Piazza Dei Miracolli. Surprisingly, most of the tourists who visit the place are Asians. There are other nationalities among the crowd but Asians were the bulk of the visitors (maybe just on the day we were there).

Inside the piazza, there is the huge Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte and a vast garden where tourists rest and take pictures of the famous leaning tower.

But the city of Pisa is not all about its tourist spots. There are lush greenery in the other part of the city. It is also where the Arno River is located. It is the city's main tributary that leads to the Luguiran Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea).

The other portions of Pisa are typical of any other city in Italy. The architecture, the ambience, the environment and the people make you feel that you are in an Italian set-up full of stories and history.

When visiting Italy, going to Pisa is a must. If only to see if the tower is still leaning. Yes, it still is and it was worth the visit.

Thanks to Ms. Delia Gabatin for this trip. Special acknowledgement also goes to Ms. Laarni Silva.

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Tacloban City

Tacloban City is a first class highly urbanized city located in the province of Leyte in Region 8. It serves as the regional center of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas. It is the busiest port in the Waray-speaking region.

Just like any other city in the Philippines, Tacloban City is a hotbed of the catholic faith. Being one of the places where the Spaniards first set foot, the people are fiercely religious.

The city has been reeling from development. Despite the changes in administration, Tacloban City was on its road to greater heights when one fateful day in November 2012 changed everything including its landscape.

Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated not only the city but most of the Region 8 as well. Many died and those who were left behind were rendered homeless. The national leaders that time had the gall to politicize the catastrophe instead of going to the grassroots and help the victims.

Thanks to well-meaning organizations and the new dispensation, the people of Tacloban City are back on their feet again. Although Yolanda is a nightmare that cannot be easily be forgotten, the Waray spirit brought out the best of everyone.

After several years and from the help of individuals, corporations and other nations, Tacloban City is, once again, bustling with business and commerce. The resiliency of its people have been tried and tested and tried and tested anew. Tacloban City is back in business.

Aside from San Juanico Bridge, other places to visit are the Sto. Nino Shrine built during the Marcos administration and the Tacloban City Astrodome where concerts and other big events are held. It should be noted that the astrodome served as an evacuation center during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Hotels have started to be built again for tourism purposes.

The Daniel Z. Romualdez airport is, once again, bustling with flights to and from Manila and Cebu via Philippine Airlilnes, Cebu Pacific Air and Air Asia. It has been renovated to accommodate more passengers coming to the city and the whole region.

Despite of the devastation wrought by the natural calamity, Tacloban City has its arms wide open to those who wish to visit the city. It has risen, fell and risen again and is willing to show the world that it is a city that will continue the path of development come what may.

Bratislava at Slovakia's Frontline

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia or Slovak Republic. The country was once part of the Hungarian empire and was also in twin with Czech Republic when both were known then as the nation of Czechoslovakia.

Since after the Velvet Revolution in 1992, Bratislava has been assigned as the capital city in 1993. Since then, it has been striving to have a persona of its own. Progress can be seen in the city as mused to us by our host.

One place to visit in the city is the Bratislava Castle which is a very important historical monument. It is located near the banks of the Danube River which also traverses the countries of Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.

Bratislava is a city which can considered a place of contrasts. At one side, you will see old structures that are architectural delights. On another side, modern buildings have also been constructed.

The atmosphere in the city is typically European. Restaurants as well as other edifices are usually what you see not only in the region where the country is at. The people of Slovakia also know how to take care of their buildings especially those with historical value.

Despite the seeming modernity, Bratislava has maintained that charm that only Slovakians has. If one gets to the region in Europe, a side trip to Bratislava would be worth the trip.

Visit Bratislava, Slovakia's bet for the frontline. Thank you to Mrs. Angelita Santos and family for this trip.

Quezon City...My Home

Quezon City, once the capital of the Philippines, is the biggest city in Metro Manila. It has been my home for the past so many years. I have never lived in another part of the metropolis but just in Quezon City.

It has a homey atmosphere which makes it a popular residential area in Metro Manila. Villages and subdivisions are everywhere.

Quezon City is where some of the country's top schools and university are situated. Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, Miriam College and other educational institutions are located in the city educational belt.

Important medical institutions are also in Quezon City such as the Philippine Heart Center, the Lung Center, the National Kidney Center, St. Luke's Medical Center, the Quezon City Medical Center, delos Santos Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, etc.

Shopping centers such as SM, Trinoma and Eastwood are major places to visit for those who go for recreation.

Hotels are starting to mushroom in this busy city. For years, it was just second fiddle to surrounding cities which have hosted different tourists in their own hotels. Recent years have seen the construction of four and five star tourist enclaves.

Quezon City was purported to be the city of stars because it is where the major television networks are located. GMA 7, ABS-CBN, PTV 4 and TV 5 have their offices and studios in the city.

Major places are also in Quezon City. The Quezon Memorial Circle stands tall at the center of the city. Araneta Coliseum, where major events have been held, are in the city.

There is a lot of things to talk about Quezon City but one thing is for sure. Everyone is welcome in Quezon City - a city which I call my home.