Saan Ito?

Saan Ito? "Saan ito?" describes a place, maybe local or foreign, by giving information about it for knowledge building, awareness, tourism or simply relaxation.

Viewers may learn the background, habitation, circumstances, events, and people living in the place.

18/12/2025

Saan Ito?: The Victor Statue at Bridgetowne Central Parkeserye

The Earliest Building on Ayala AvenueMonterey ApartmentsMakati, Metro-Manila, PhilippinesThe first buildings on Ayala Av...
17/12/2025

The Earliest Building on Ayala Avenue
Monterey Apartments
Makati, Metro-Manila,
Philippines

The first buildings on Ayala Avenue in Makati date back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, during the early development of the Makati Central Business District when the Ayalas transformed what was once the runway of Nielson Airport into a major commercial artery.

The first structure on Ayala Avenue was the Monterey Apartments, a residential and mixed-use building, constructed in 1956.

Designed by Leandro V. Locsin, a young architect who later became a Philippine National Artist for Architecture.

The Monterey Apartments was demolished sometime in 1988 to make way for newer developments. It fell victim to the wrecking ball as taller residential towers replaced many of the early low-rise buildings along Ayala Avenue.

DM Consunji (DMCI) recalled being present at the Monterey Apartments’ demolition and referred to the building as something his firm had built earlier.

The lot was reused for the Pacific Plaza project (DMCI) and was awarded the Pacific Plaza contract in 1988. It was completed in the early 1990s.

None of the original Monterey Apartments structure today remains standing.

The First Modern Fire Station in the PhilippinesSan Nicolas Fire Station296 San Fernando St. corner Madrid St.,San Nicol...
16/12/2025

The First Modern Fire Station in the Philippines
San Nicolas Fire Station
296 San Fernando St. corner Madrid St.,
San Nicolas, Manila

Before the American period, firefighting in the Philippines was generally unorganized under Spanish rule, often involving street sweepers and volunteer efforts without formal fire stations.

In August 1901, firefighting services became institutionalized with the creation of the Manila Fire Department, which led to opening fire stations like San Nicolas.

So, while there were informal firefighting efforts earlier, the San Nicolas Fire Station in 1903 is widely regarded historically as the first formal fire station in the Philippines.

The San Nicolas Fire Station was completed on July 25, 1903 during the early American colonial period.

It was and the first constructed entirely by Americans under Manila Fire Department chief Capt. Hugh Bonner.

The building still stands and is functional as part of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Manila.

It underwent restoration and repainting in 2013 to preserve its original design, with original features like interior layouts and the fireman’s pole kept intact.

A small firefighting museum exhibit featuring old equipment, photos, and uniforms was added in 2025 at the station

The First Monument to Honor José RizalJusto Lukban Street and J.P. Rizal Street in Daet, Camarines Norte, PhilippinesCon...
09/12/2025

The First Monument to Honor José Rizal
Justo Lukban Street and J.P. Rizal Street in Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines

Considered the oldest monument dedicated to José Rizal in the Philippines and in the world.

The monument’s construction began on December 30, 1898, exactly two years after Rizal’s ex*****on. This was in compliance with a decree by Emilio Aguinaldo, then president of the Revolutionary Government to observe the said date as a holiday in the “Free Philippines.”

It was completed in February 1899, making it older by roughly 13–14 years than the more famous monument in Luneta, Manila, which was inaugurated in 1912.

The monument was funded by voluntary contributions from the people of Camarines Norte and nearby Bicol provinces, showing how local Filipinos honored Rizal soon after his martyrdom.

The monument is made of stone and mortar. It is a three-tiered stone pylon composed of a square base (podium), a middle tier forming a triangular prism, and a top tier that tapers to a point a triangular pyramid.

The base or podium bears inscriptions of titles and publication years of Rizal’s works such as: Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.

The monument was declared a historical landmark in 1961 by what was then the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

On July 9, 2008, it was proclaimed a national monument through a formal resolution by the NHCP (formerly the National Historical Institute).

Teachers' CampLeonard Wood RoadBaguio City, PhilippinesTeachers’ Camp was officially established on April 6, 1908 under ...
06/12/2025

Teachers' Camp
Leonard Wood Road
Baguio City, Philippines

Teachers’ Camp was officially established on April 6, 1908 under the American colonial government. It is originally meant as a vacation and training retreat for teachers stationed across the Philippines.

In 1912 permanent buildings were constructed such as cottages, halls to replace original tents.

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) temporarily used in 1936-1941 part of Teachers’ Camp when their original site was unavailable. During that time, the “General Luna Hall” was built.

During the World War II in 1942-1945, under Japanese occupation, the camp was used as a hospital by Japanese forces. The entire area was damaged by war.

After the war, Teachers Camp was repaired and reopened in 1947. PMA eventually moved out by 1950.

Under Proclamation 290, the Teachers’ Camp Reservation in 1988 was formally defined and placed under the administration of the then DECS, now DepEd.

Today, the Teachers’ Camp is more than a single building. Over its more than 100-year history it grew into a full campus.

Because of this mix, Teachers’ Camp serves multiple purposes: official training/conference center, transient lodging for tourists, and as a heritage area.

Because of this rich history, from American teachers to wartime hospital to training center, Teachers’ Camp is considered one of Baguio’s heritage landmarks.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)Terminal 1Pasay City, PhilippinesNAIA Terminal 1 was conceived in the late 1970...
04/12/2025

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)Terminal 1
Pasay City, Philippines

NAIA Terminal 1 was conceived in the late 1970s to replace the old Manila International Airport terminal, which was no longer sufficient for growing air traffic.

The terminal’s design was created by the US architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK). Construction began in 1978.

It officially opened on December 15, 1981, during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

On August 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated at the airport.

Following the 1986 EDSA Revolution, the airport was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in 1987 in his honor.

Through the 1990s and early 2000s, Terminal 1 became heavily congested because it was handling far more passengers than its intended capacity.

T1 was originally designed for 4.5 million passengers per year, but at certain points handled over 8 million.

Overcrowding led to NAIA being listed several times among the “world’s worst airports.”

A major rehabilitation of Terminal 1 was initiated under the Aquino administration to modernize the structure.

The rehabilitation was completed in 2015, significantly improving appearance and function.

Additional modernization plans continue as part of the NAIA rehabilitation and upgrade programs aiming to increase capacity and improve service quality.

Minalungao National ParkGeneral Tinio(Papaya), Nueva EcijaPhilippinesMinalungao is a protected area in the municipality ...
02/12/2025

Minalungao National Park
General Tinio(Papaya), Nueva Ecija
Philippines

Minalungao is a protected area in the municipality of General Tinio, province of Nueva Ecija. Roughly 116 km north of Metro Manila.

It spans about 2,018 hectares and was declared a national park via Republic Act 5100 on June 17, 1967.

The name “Minalungao” reportedly comes from “mina” and “lungao”, meaning “mine of caves.” While there are no known gold mines, the name highlights the area’s notable caves and karst geology.

Located near the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain range, is a small tourist area known as Minalungao in the town of Papaya, officially named the Municipality of General Tinio.

The entire area is called Minalungao National Park, it features the colorful emerald waters of the Peñaranda River.

For visitors, Minalungao offers a variety of outdoor activities like swimming or bathing in the clear river waters.

There are Bamboo-raft rides or small boat/raft cruises along the river, letting you drift between those majestic cliffs.

Exciting cliff-jumping/cliff-diving in designated zones for the adventurous can be experienced.

For trekking and hiking, there’s a “1,000-step” trail leading up to a hilltop cross, offering panoramic views of the park.

Visitors can explore caves and caverns inside the limestone formations. They can likewise enjoy picnics and relax by the river, a good natural respite for those coming from a city.

Because of this mix water, rock, forest, and adventure, Minalungao has often been described as one of the region’s most beautiful “hidden-paradise” style destinations.

Minalungao National Park is a popular tourist spot. It is a three to four hour drive from Manila and is a cheap destination for a summer getaway.

Diplomat HotelDominican Hill, MiradorBaguio City, PhilippinesThe Diplomat Hotel is built atop Dominican Hill, Baguio Cit...
29/11/2025

Diplomat Hotel
Dominican Hill, Mirador
Baguio City, Philippines

The Diplomat Hotel is built atop Dominican Hill, Baguio City. It was originally called Dominican Hill and Retreat House because it was built to serve as a vacation home for the Dominican Order. Construction began in 1913 and the Dominican Hill and Retreat House was inaugurated in 1915.

It functioned as a school for many years before being converted into a government hotel. According to Baguio City history, when the Japanese occupied Baguio, many Filipinos, including soldiers, priests, and nuns, were killed and beheaded in the said hotel.

After World War II, the hotel was run by Antonio Agapito "Tony" Agpaoa, a Baguio-based entrepreneur and faith healer famous for psychic surgery. Agpaoa suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage in the 1980s.

He died in 1987 from complications. Since his death, the hotel has ceased operations and been abandoned.

Now, the hotel is one of the tourist attractions in Baguio City.

Jaime Cardinal Sin Monument, Park and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy RosaryNew Washington, Aklan, Panay Island,...
27/11/2025

Jaime Cardinal Sin Monument, Park and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
New Washington, Aklan, Panay Island, Philippines

Jaime Cardinal Sin (1928-2005) oversaw the Archdiocese of Manila for nearly 30 years.

Cardinal Sin was a strong advocate of democracy, human rights, and peaceful protest.

He was a central figure in two major non-violent political revolutions in the Philippines. It is remembered that the famous Catholic leader led both the 1986 and 2001 EDSA Revolutions.

New Washington is known for being the hometown of Jaime Cardinal Sin.

In recognition to his contribution to the church and country, a memorial was placed in New Washington.

The Jaime Cardinal Sin Monument and Park was built opposite the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. They are one of the beautiful places to visit in the town center.

The unveiling and blessing of the Cardinal Sin monument was held on August 31, 2007.

The statue was made in two months and was brought to the city by barge in the first week of August 2007.

For the people of New Washington, the monument is a symbol of how much Cardinal Sin is loved by his countrymen.

University of San CarlosCebu City, PhilippinesThe University of San Carlos is a private, Catholic, research, co-educatio...
26/11/2025

University of San Carlos
Cebu City, Philippines

The University of San Carlos is a private, Catholic, research, co-educational basic and higher education institution administered by the Philippine Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word missionaries in Cebu City, Philippines, since 1935.

It offers basic education (Montessori academy, grade school, junior high school and senior high school) and higher education (undergraduate and graduate studies).

Originally founded in 1595 as the Colegio de San Ildefonso, it was closed with the expulsion of Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines in 1768.

The College opened in 1783 as the Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos until the college was separated from the seminary in 1924. Colegio de San Carlos became a university on July 1, 1948.

The university was certified to the International Standards Organization 9001:2015 Quality Management System for Institutional and Student Support Services from April 2022 to March 2025 by the British Standards Institution (BSI) International.

USC celebrated the 75th anniversary of the university's charter on July 1, 2023.

Ex*****on Site ofJapanese General Masaharu HommaLos Baños, Laguna,PhilippinesGeneral Masaharu Homma was a senior Japanes...
24/11/2025

Ex*****on Site of
Japanese General Masaharu Homma
Los Baños, Laguna,
Philippines

General Masaharu Homma was a senior Japanese officer of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. He is best known as the commanding general of the Japanese 14th Army, which invaded the Philippines in 1941–1942.

He oversaw the campaign that ended with the Fall of Bataan in April 1942 and Corregidor in May 1942, respectively.

Although Homma did not personally plan or directly supervise the Bataan Death March, it occurred under his overall command.

After the war, Homma was held responsible as the commanding general under the principle of command responsibility.

Homma was arrested by U.S. forces in Japan in September 1945 and brought to the Philippines for trial.

On February 11, 1946, Homma was convicted of all counts and sentenced "to be shot to death with musketry", which is considered to be more honorable than a sentence of death by hanging.

General Masaharu Homma was executed by an American firing squad on April 3, 1946, near the former internment camp at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He was buried anonymously in an unmarked grave.

General Masaharu Homma ex*****on shrine in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines is not a government-built national memorial but rather a more informal shrine. The memorial was initiated by Japan’s embassy.

Guinness Record for the Largest Banga Dance, Tabuk, Kalinga, PhilippinesOne of the interpretive dances created during th...
23/11/2025

Guinness Record for the Largest Banga Dance, Tabuk, Kalinga, Philippines

One of the interpretive dances created during the Kayaw days is the "Banga" (Claypot) dance.

Kalinga women used to carry clay pots on their heads while carrying water and this eventually became a dance.

This dance is performed with Kalinga women showing off their agility by balancing clay pots on their heads while walking through rice fields and mountain passes.

The largest Banga dance was made up of 4,681 participants and was achieved by the Kalinga Province in Tabuk on 15 February 2023.

Dressed in g-strings or loincloths, 3,440 men played their gongs, while 4,681 women in wrap skirts danced "banga" on their heads as part of the celebration called, "Tawag ng isang libang gong, sayaw ng isang libang kaldero," at the Kalinga Sports Complex.

The numbers were enough for the Kalinga province to break two Guinness World Records for the largest gong group and the largest clay pot dance performed during the twin celebrations of the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Kalinga and Bodong Festivals.

Kazuyoshi Kirimura, official adjudicator of Guinness World Records, announced to the province that it had made a clean sweep of the Record.

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