In 1968, Antonio Villegas (then Mayor of Manila), commissioned Carlos "Botong" Francisco to paint the history of Manila for Manila City Hall. The series of large scale paintings was called Kasaysayan ng Maynila (History of Manila). The paintings deteriorated over time and no attempt was made to preserve these historical canvases until 2013 when Mayor Amado Lim sent them to the National Museum for extensive restoration. Four years later, in 2017, Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and the Manila City Council signed an agreement with the National Museum to leave the paintings at the museum so they may reach a larger audience in exchange for museum grade reproductions to replace the originals. Kasaysayan ng Maynila was later renamed Filipino Struggles in History and is now on display at the Senate Hall of the National Museum . Carlos "Botong" Francisco died in March 1969, a few months after completing the paintings. He is one of the first Filipino modernists and
This Hop On, Hop Off tour bus was all bedecked in flowers to honor International Women’s Day. We should celebrate Women’s Day everyday, don’t you think? Incidentally, the Hop On Hop Off tour bus is a great way to see any city. The ticket is usually good for 24 hours and you can hop on again the next day and see the places you missed the previous day. It is also a solo traveler’s best and sometimes only choice when booking any other sightseeing tour and the tour operator expects or requires a booking for a minimum of two persons. These flower vendors don’t need a kiosk to sell their colorful bouquets. And they can go around town with their haul behind their backs to reach more customers. Hoàn Kiem Lake or Sword Lake is wrapped in legend involving a king, a giant turtle and a sword. Today it is an area of calm in this bustling city. Life along the railroad tracks is as normal as can be with laundry hanging from the balconies, gossiping neighbors in front of their houses, tourists drinki