A Bit of Controversial Filipino History to Get Us Started ...

Part of our orientation week included a few days away from school. One of these days was oriented around a tour of Intramuros, the old central part of Manila from which the church ruled their colony and the modern city of Manila emanates. Carlos Celdran, a somewhat controversial but, also,  by the reactions of the Filipinos in the group, beloved fellow, led the tour with a rather revisionist history of Manila supported with some quite solid evidence. It is the rainy season here so that was a physical element that came into play. That section of Manila, which happens to be where the US embassy is situated, is a swamp - the confluence of the Pasig River and Manila Bay. So every so often, most recently, last year, the embassy has massive flooding - which I find interesting on so many levels. I played golf the other day with some fellows from the embassy and they had some interesting things to say about this rather challenging situation.

Here follow a number of pictures from the above described venture. Alicia was otherwise occupied so was not in attendance.

 Rainy season in the tropics ...

 Carlos working the crowd. I have not googled him but I am sure he would show up.

 The girls actually sat at every lecture/performance point, listened and asked follow up questions ....

 Jose Rizal's jail cell from which he was led to his execution. To many, he is considered the father of an independent Filipines - but of course Carlos had something to say about that ...

Ada rockin a pose in the Intramuros gardens.