Philippine Travel Notes

After all the news, the craze and the fanfare about their return to Balangiga, after a little more than a century, by the Americans, I went to see these 3 bells, uncrowded! Now what? Hahaha, I don't know! They are bells, like many other old, historic or historical bells you see everywhere on earth. You and I knew, that upon return, they were not to be kept (again) in a box and forgotten for another century. They were/are to be used again or displayed forever . So, why was everyone (except for Balangiganons) so crazy about being there during the actual return/arrival of the bells? Because Duterte was there? Wheh! Para saan? I'm saying what I said above because... days ago, many friends, family, subscribers, colleagues kept asking where I was, why I was not there to see the bells, and so on. One said "lumipad pa kami galing Cavite, nakita naman namin, but we were not able to take photos w/ the bells, andaming tao, you could have guided us kung andito ka "....

Almost a year ago since I last passed by this town ( story here ), and I can say it is getting better. This time I was with colleagues on an 'ocular' of various aid/development actions at public places in the southern part of Samar. We rested at their plaza, so I took pics! For those still not familiar, Balangiga is pronounced "ba-lang-hee-ga". Viewed from inside the church... we can see that it's starting to have a roof... That bright area by the altar is the remaining roofless portion, and work is in progress. Viewed from outside, it seems nothing much has happened to this church, right? That would be thanks to the quality materials that our forebears used in the past. Especially those bell towers, looks like they won't crumble to just any super typhoon! The "Balangiga Encounter Monument", not affected, no roofs to blow for Yolanda! This historical event has so many names, depending on who is speaking. For many years it has been called the ...