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Excursions For a Half Day Las Pinas: This small village, 20km (12 miles) from the city centre, still retains much of its original character, despite actually lying within Metro Manila. Las Pinas is a relief from the metropolis and among the attractions is the famous bamboo organ at San Jose Church, with a unique sound, open Monday-Friday 0800-2400, with P10 admission. Every year, in the second week of February, the Organ Festival brings top international organists here. There is also the Sarao Jeepney Factory (tel: (02) 828 1716), where Manila’s signature vehicles are assembled using methods as individual as the jeepneys themselves, open Monday-Saturday 0900-1600, with free entrance. Buses headed to Cavite from Baclaran or via Saulog or St Anthony from outside Intramuros stop at Las Pinas, as do Zapote jeepneys (journey time – 30 minutes). Calamba: A small town, situated southeast of Manila on the Laguna de Bay, Calamba has some attractive and relaxing hot springs and bathing places, as well as the Enchanted Kingdom theme park. However, most visitors come for the Rizal Shrine. A colonial-era house where the Philippines’ ubiquitous national hero was born and which has been converted into a museum full of his relics, Rizal Shrine is open Tuesday-Sunday 0800-1200 and 1300-1700 and admission is free. The BLTB bus from Manila to Santa Cruz, stops at the Calamba terminal for the Rizal Shrine (journey time – 45 minutes). For a Whole Day Hidden Valley: The tropical forest resort of Hidden Valley (tel: (02) 797 1270), located five kilometres (three miles) from Alaminos, offers hot springs, jungle walks and natural swimming pools. Well-heeled locals and ex-pats enjoy this lush haven from Manila’s sprawl and don’t seem to mind the hefty price tag of P1550 for a day trip including buffet – more for overnight stays. Approximately 70km (44 miles) north of Manila, transport to Alaminos is on BLTB, JAM Transit or Tritran bus from Pasay City (journey time – 90 minutes). Corregidor: The last fallback point for the US forces resisting Japanese invasion in World War II, Corregidor island (website: www.corregidorphilippines.com) was General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters until March 1942, when he withdrew to Australia and delivered his celebrated ‘I shall return’ speech. He left his successor and thousands of other American and Philippine servicemen to surrender, facing captivity and death at the hands of the occupiers. MacArthur returned in January 1945, directing a devastating assault. The entire island – situated 48km (30 miles) west of Manila, just off the southern tip of Bataan Peninsula – has now been turned into a memorial and museum by the Corregidor Foundation (tel: (02) 525 3420 or tel/fax (02) 523 5605), and wartime fortifications litter the landscape. At its centre is the Pacific War Memorial, and other landmarks include the Malinta Tunnel underground hospital, General MacArthur’s Headquarters, the Spanish lighthouse and the artillery batteries. Sun Cruises (tel: (02) 831 8140) offers an inclusive package for P1700 (journey time – one hour). |
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