A Pope in Manila

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Other than a visit of a US President, no official visit gets Manila, and the country as whole, all abuzz than a visit here of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the person we all know as the pope. Something that should be a no-brainer given the country’s predominantly Catholic population.

For Filipino Catholics, a papal visit is seen as an honor that the pope has taken time to visit them here, being a bastion of Catholicism in Asia and a chance for them to receive his blessings to them and to the country.

On January 15 this year, Manila will be graced by such visit with the arrival of the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, a papal visit that would last for five days. As the city is in high anticipation for this event, (high enough to be on the point of ridiculousness as far as some aspects are concerned) let the Urban Roamer bring you this edition of the Guide as we look back at the past papal visits in the country, particularly in the city.

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Visit Bohol 2015 at Glorietta

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I’ve been to Bohol almost 4 years ago, and it was an unforgettable experience having been able to visit the province’s many places of interest that show the diversity it offers. I have very fond memories of Bohol, and I’m sure others who were fortunate to visit the place would agree as well. Thus it was unfortunate to have learned then how Bohol suffered from that strong earthquake in 2013 which took about 200 lives, destroyed some of its infrastructure and heritage structures,  and heavily damaged other structures as well.

In the midst of limited resources, rehabilitation and reconstruction work goes on in Bohol. For the meantime, the province is eager to show that it can rise from calamities and is enticing visitors to come and visit not only to see the beauty of Bohol but also to revitalize tourism in the province which would be of help to the local economy as well.

It was these goals in mind that the Bohol Provincial Government launched the program “Visit Bohol 2015” recently with a 3-day Bohol Travel Expo at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati last January 9-11.

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Remembering Susan Calo-Medina

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In the realm of Philippine travel journalism, Susan Calo-Medina is an institution, so to speak.

(courtesy of Behance)

Long before the influx of travel programs and channels, travel magazines, and those countless travel websites and blogs like this one, she was one of those pioneering spirits who went out of her way to visit almost every point in the Philippines and show to us the rich sights and sounds the country has to offer. And for a generation or so of Filipinos who grew up watching her on Travel Time or on Tipong Pinoy with Wency Cornejo, Susan served as a gateway for us to discover and be inspired by the country’s beauty and diversity for the first time.

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Nazareno Blues and Other News

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Today, there are no classes and city government work in the City of Manila as it celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene, an event the Urban Roamer has written about in the past.

This year though has been an interesting one not much because of the event but due to the sidelights which have gotten a bit more attention.

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