Serafin Arviola Jr.- SAJ

22/08/2023

22/08/2023

23/05/2023

From Ivan Henares FB Post

The fire that consumed the historic Manila Central Post Office Building was indeed a national tragedy. Aside from the destruction of a National Cultural Treasure, also lost were decades of Philippine philatelic history including postage stamps, original stamp artworks dating back to the post war period, and archival documents. We must rebuild the historic building. I push for the following proposals:
1. Give full support to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) as it rebuilds; fund the construction of a new and modern PhilPost HQ in one of its properties and a new Manila Central Post Office in another location;
2. Investigate the fire, potentially in relation to existing and current bids for the building;
3. Purchase and transfer of the ownership of the building to government cultural agencies such as the National Museum;
4. Commence emergency shoring to protect the walls of the historic building from collapse;
5. Immediately allot funds for a conservation management plan, structural integrity studies, and its complete reconstruction led by the National Museum for potential use of government cultural agencies as a modern arts and culture hub and center for creative industries and the offices of a future Department of Culture;
6. Establish the Philippine Museum of Philatelic History in one part of the building and start collecting or loaning from collectors remaining documents and artifacts related to Philippine philatelic history;
7. Revive the Manila Civic Center Masterplan (see Paulo Alcazaren proposal) [1] that could include the Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila Metropolitan Theater, Manila City Hall, National Museum Complex, Rizal Park, Arroceros Park, the banks of the Pasig River, and other historic structures contained within; and
8. Consider removal of flyovers to restore the public park from the Manila Post Office to Mehan Gardens [2].
[1] https://www.facebook.com/iskomoren......
[2] https://www.facebook.com/paulo.alcaza...

19/05/2023

Balabac is a far flung municipality located at the southernmost tip of Palawan. It is largely inhabited by a cultural group called Molbog who speak of their own language but are also fluent in Tagalog. The islands of Balabac have recently gotten into everyone’s travel bucket list but only a few could make it primarily due to its geographical location. It is nearer to Sabah, Malaysia than in Puerto Princesa City and is not as accessible as any other tourist destinations in the province like Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa City. This could also be observed with the goods that can be bought in Poblacion as these are more on Malaysian products than local ones. The expense that it would mean is another factor. Since it is far and the points of interests are also at a distance from one another, the means of transportation would cost a lot, too. Regardless, a lot would still brave and endure the trip and experience the marvelous Balabac.
https://thequeensescape.com/your-ulti...

09/05/2023

Ultimate Guide to Nami Island Tours from Seoul for 2023

It started with a drama series.

Like most of us, I learned about Nami Island when it was used as a setting for Winter Sonata, a Korean drama that became a phenomenal hit in many Asian countries, adding more fuel to the already unstoppable Korean wave that took the world by storm. But injecting another Korean dose to global pop culture wasn’t the only thing this romantic flick has done. It has also sparked interest in Nami Island as a major tourist destination, with the number of tourists skyrocketing from 270,000 in 2001 to over 650,000 in 2002 to over 3 million in 2014.

But what is Nami Island really? Other than its lanes of metasequoia and ginkgo trees, what else awaits in this cinematic piece of paradise?

Although part of Chuncheon’s territory, Nami Island or Namiseom is most easily accessible from a wharf in Gapyeong County, its main gateway and jump-off point.

Before it became most famous as a Winter Sonata filming location, it is best known as the final resting place of General Nami, a controversial historical figure in the Joseon Dynasty. He rose to fame in the mid-1400s when he led a victorious campaign to crush a massive rebellion. At age 25, he was honored by King Sejo, who gave him a top position in the government. But when King Sejo died, his successor falsely accused him of being a traitor, which led to his and his family’s ex*****on. It wasn’t until almost 400 years later that he was exonerated.

Nami Island covers an area of 430,000 square meters. This half-moon-shaped island in the middle of the Han River was an almost barren patch of land with only a handful of chestnut trees. But when retired Bank of Korea governor Minn Byeong-do purchased the island in 1965, he reforested and transformed the island into the resort town that it is today. Over the past decades, it has hosted many events promoting art, culture, and environment-related causes.

Because of its proximity to Seoul, Nami Island easily became a popular day tour destination.
From the: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/.../nami-island-travel.../

09/05/2023

El Nido Island Hopping Tour (Part 2) Matinlok Shrine and Nat Nat Beach 2023

Matinloc Shrine is an abandoned site hidden at the foot of towering karst cliffs on the western coast of Matinloc Island. This shrine formally known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc was built in 1982. It has since been neglected and run down, but visitors are still allowed to visit the area.

While some people may find this place a spiritual oasis, most of the victors come here for the beautiful panoramic view that the place has to offer.

Nat Nat Beach is another scenic beach in Cadlao Island which boasts soft white sand and calm turquoise waters

It’s sheltered by sheer limestone cliffs and is isolated that you can only access it by boat. This gives to the beach a certain rawness which adds to its appeal.

The reason why you should visit Nat Nat Beach is that is not commercialized and few tourists make this destination one of their stops, meaning you may have the entire beach just for yourself.
To reach the viewpoint you have to climb a small limestone hill located close to the shrine. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy the stunning view of Tapiutan Island, which lies opposite Matinloc.

03/05/2023

COMPLETE BALABAC ISLAND TOUR / BALABAC PALAWAN (DRONE SHOT)

Join me as I arrive in Balabac Philippines for the first time. Balabac Island is the southernmost island of the Palawan province, and therefore the westernmost undisputed island in the Philippines, only about 50 kilometers (31 mi) north of Sabah, Malaysia, across the Balabac Strait.

Administratively, the island forms the main part of the municipality of Balabac and is divided into 14 barangays (the other six barangays of the municipality are on other nearby islands):
Balabac Island is home to various endemic species. It is the home of birds like the grey imperial pigeon (Ducula pickeringii), Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), blue-headed racket-tail (Prioniturus platenae), and the Palawan hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei). The Philippine mouse deer, a subspecies of the greater mouse deer (Tragulus napu) can only be found on this island.

The Molbogs, a Muslim ethnolinguistic group, are concentrated on this island. Their livelihood includes farming, fishing, and barter trading with the nearby Mapun and Sabah market centers.

I traveled from Puerto Princessa to Balabac by van before heading to 3 beautiful islands in Palawan, Philippines. We visited Patawan Island, Tangkahan Island and Onuk Island. We slept on remote Sicsican islands with the softest white sand & the clearest blue water we've ever seen in the Philippines and the world.

02/05/2023

2023 UN APPLICATION DEADLINE IS EXTENDED until 7 May 2023.

📣 Are you a or an that drives positive change and contributes to the achievement of the ? 🎉

✍️ Apply for 2023 UN by 🗓️ 7 May: https://sdgactionawards.org/apply/