A President’s Home

ByMaria

IMG_1952

My last vacation to the Philippines gave me chance to take a lot of pictures. This picture is the house that belongs to our late President Ramon Magsaysay. It is now a historic house in Castillejos, Zambales. As you may observed, the architecture is based on Spanish design. The windows were made of capiz shells, typical at that time. The terrace is sorrounded with balusters made of turned wood. It seems humble enough for a President’s standard but it is stately and it makes me feel proud of my heritage especially I came from the same province.

Incidentally, Castillejos is also well known for jicama or singkamas as we call it. Every summer, there will be plenty of vendors of this thirst-quencher root. Every bus or car that stops at the town will be swarm by vendors of jicamas which is really good because they are not only cheap but also crunchy and sweet.

Similar Posts

  • Roast Pig/Lechon

    ByMaria

    We attended a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party last Saturday at Ewa Beach and the focus of attention is this wonderful, succulent, crunchy roast pig or lechon. Lechon is from the Spanish word “leche” which means milk. Piglets or suckling pigs are normally used for roasting back then. But I have actually seen on Travel Channel…

  • Lichens

    ByMaria

    I was walking towards the bus stop when I came across a tree full of lichens. It attracted my attention because of the yellow color. I usually see lichens that are grayish or white like most fungus are. I learned that lichens are not parasites. They do not consumed the plants or tree that they…

  • Pow Wow

    ByMaria

    This weekend was Pow Wow weekend for my family. My husband is fourth native American Indian from the Cherokee Tribe and that makes my son eighth part native American Indian. We decided to make it a tradition to attend Pow Wow celebration every year which they always hold at the Thomas Square Park. I enjoy…

  • Garden Cat

    ByMaria

    Once in a while I have uninvited guests in my garden. This gate crasher looks like he really feels at home. I don’t mind. He chases some mice that might be eating my crops so he’s a a little helper actually. And he looks cute too.

  • Rock Crab

    ByMaria

    I was standing by the sea wall at Hickam and I watched some fishes swimming, yellow tangs mostly and then I saw this lonely crab on top of a big rock. I like to eat crabs so I wish this one is big enough to eat. Wishful thinking!

  • Bird’s Nest

    ByMaria

    I was surprised one day to see a bird’s nest fall from the mango tree. I was sweeping the fallen leaves of the mango tree which by the way did not give many fruits this year. The tree was pruned last spring and then new leaves sprouted and the old leaves fell one by one…