Visit Philippines 2015 Australia – New Zealand 12-15 August 2015
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As of 15 July 2015, 5:00pm VISIT PHILIPPINES 2015 AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND 12-15 AUGUST 2015 Day 1: Arrival in Manila 12 August 2015, Welcome reception at airport by Department of Tourism/Tourism Promotions Wednesday Board Transfer to hotel Check-in at hotel Overnight stay at hotel Day 2: Breakfast at hotel 13 August 2015, Thursday Guided Tour of Malacañang Museum The Presidential Museum and Library is the primary office within the Office of the President responsible for preserving, managing, and promoting the history and heritage of the Philippine Presidency, and particularly of Malacañan Palace as its official seat. It is the principal historical and artistic repository in support of the institution of the Presidency and for the benefit of the Republic and the Filipino people. It exercises primary curatorial, conservation, preservation, custodial, and advisory responsibilities over structures, and facilitates the conduct of tours of designated areas within the Palace. It was created in 2004 with the implementation of Executive Order No. 366, issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which merged the Presidential Museum and the Malacañang Library into one office as the Malacañang Museum. The collections of both offices were integrated and housed in Kalayaan Hall, while others were placed in off-site storage facilities. Lunch at Illustrado Restaurant with Cultural Show Manila City Tour Take a step back in time as you discover the “Charms of Old Manila”. The tour starts with a visit to historic Rizal Park, where the remains of our country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, lie within the cornerstone of Rizal Monument. Tour heads on to the old walled city of Intramuros built during the Spanish colonial period. The first stop is Fort Santiago which served as headquarters of the military might of the Spanish, American and Japanese colonizers until its destruction in 1945. Tour then proceeds past the San Agustin Church, the oldest structure in the country which dates back to 1571. The next stop is Casa Manila, a reconstructed 19th century mansion replete with 16th to 19th century furniture and furnishings. The last stop to visit is Baluarte De San Diego, located along the walls of Intramuros, Manila, it was designed and built by Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeno from 1586 to 1587 and it is one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros. Courtesy Call on Hon. Albert F. del Rosario Secretary of Foreign Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs Return to hotel Welcome Dinner Overnight stay at hotel Day 3: Breakfast at hotel 14 August 2015, Proceed to Taal Heritage Tour with lunch Friday Visit to Basilica San Martin de Tours Identified as the largest Catholic church in Asia, Basilica of St. Martin de Tours stands 96 meters tall and 45 meters wide on a plateau in the heart of the town called Taal. First built by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in what is now known as San Nicolas, which was historically a part of Balangon. It was destroyed when the volcano erupted in 1754. It was rebuilt at the present site in 1755, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1849. Reputed to be the largest Catholic church in the Far East, construction of the present church was started in 1856, according to the plans of Lucina Oliver, an architect. It was inaugurated in 1885. The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, and it took a century for the church to achieve its present form. The façade resembles that of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Its tabernacle is made of silver, the only one of its kind in the Philippines. Visit to Casaysay Area Our Lady of Caysasay was the title given to Our Blessed Virgin Mary taken from the name of the Casaysay bird that flew around the image when it was found on the branch of a tree in the woods of Taal in the 1700s. Visit to Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark Located on Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal. The birthplace of Marcela N. Agoncillo, the maker of the first official Filipino Flag during the Philippine revolution against the Spanish Authorities. The different flags of the revolution are also prominently displayed. Visit to Leon Apacible Historical Landmark Also located at Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal Town. An ancestral house of Leon Apacible with family collection of relics and memorabilia. Showcases Taal’s glorious past, relics of the turn-of- the-century life, a 400 year old galinera, an 18th century chandelier, gilded mirrors, diggings and artifacts. Lunch at local restaurant After lunch proceed to Balisong, Embroidery and Panutsa Making Balisong The world-renowned Balisong fan knife, also known as “Batangas knife”, is expertly hand- crafted and use wood, bone or animal horn as gilt. Other bladed materials such as bolos and knives of various shapes and sizes are produced by blacksmiths from Barangays Balisong and Pandayan. Hand Emodery Taal is known for, Burdang Taal , its fine hand-embroidered Barong materials, pillow cases, bed covers, table cloths and napkins. The finest burdang Taal are found in workshops and stores at Barangay Niogan and at the public market. The most popular embroidered materials are for making the barong tagalog and saya , the country's traditional costumes for men and women respectively. There is a wide choice of materials from the expensive semi-transparent Piñamade from pineapple fibers, jusi made from silk, gusot mayaman from ramie, cotton and synthetic fibers. Panutsa Taal is known for food products and sweets unique to the town. The panutsa, a peanut brittle candy is manufactured at Barangay Seiran. It is mainly made from sugar cane and when cooked, it is shaped like a bowl or mangkok in Tagalog.. It comes in different sizes, most commonly in the size of an 8 inch plate. Return to Manila in the afternoon Dinner at Ayala Museum Overnight stay at Hotel Day 4: Breakfast at hotel 15 August 2015, Check-out Saturday END OF TOUR INCLUSIONS: Ø One-way airport transfers with meet and greet assistance by Rajah Tours Coordinators Ø (3) Nights stay at Nobu Hotel City of Dreams (5* Hotel) Ø Meals as stated in the itinerary Ø Tours as stated in the itinerary Ø Private air-conditioned vehicle service throughout the duration of tour Ø Services of an English-speaking and DOT accredited guide throughout the duration of tour EXCLUSIONS: Ø Meals not specified above Ø Personal expense throughout the stay .