A Fort, a Mall, a Synagogue, a Cemetary, and a Gay Pony in Manila

Who knew Manila was so lovely?  Well, folks in the Philippines, I suppose – but I didn’t.  Despite the humidity, I was amazed by the things we saw. 

First was Fort Santiago, which was breathtaking.  The place has a particularly morbid past, including the underwater prison cells, and most notably that it was the final cell of patriot José Rizal – the Filipino polymath, nationalist, and the hero/martyr of the Spanish occupation of the Philippines – who was put to death by a firing squad.  Rizal’s final requests were asking for his blindfold to be removed (which was granted) and to be allowed to face the firing squad (which was denied – although he turned at the last minute and looked right at his killers).  Rizal is credited with saying “To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past.”  Deep, huh?

Anyhoo, its dark history aside, Fort Santiago was beautiful.  In addition to some interesting contemporary art and some fantastic landscaping, Jake and I even saw a gay pony (seriously – with it's sun-bleached blonde mane held-up in a jaunty floof, it looked like what you’d get if a horse and a lhasa apso entered into a union that God never intended). 

Then, there was the Mall of Asia.  The third largest mall, in this part of the world, it was akin to walking through the biggest food court on Earth.  There were at least a dozen coffee joints (including a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and a Seattle’s Best Coffee), a Spam-Jam™ kiosk (for real!), and a booth selling “Pizza Cones” (which, as you might have surmised, is a pizza crust shaped into something approximating an ice cream cone, with the toppings “scooped” inside and on top). 

We also visited Temple Beth Yaacov, the country’s only Jewish synagogue (which is located down the street from the Saudi Arabian Embassy).  This part of Metropolitan Manila is known as Makati, and consists of the country’s Financial District.  Makati is a rather posh area, and is also home to the Manila Polo Club, as well as the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial which is stoic, serene, and splendid. 

Today, we’re at Sea, en route to Shanghai (which, if you read yesterday’s post, you know is not going to be a particularly exciting port for Jacob and me…).  More later, dear readers!