Pasyal at Pahinga

  It was just a few days after National Heroes' Day when we went up to Mt. Samat to visit the "Dambana ng Kagitingan", a memorial shrine and museum dedicated to honoring and remembering the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought the Japanese imperial army in World War II.   My husband remembered visiting the site decades before and he wanted to show it to us. We were traveling to Las Casas de Filipinas de Acuzar and along the way, we saw the signs to Mt. Samat. It's an iconic landmark, a towering white cross atop a mountain.  My husband remembers driving all the way up to the top of the mountain and taking the elevator inside the structure to reach a viewing gallery on the arms cross - but it was not something we could experience for ourselves. First, due to threats of erosion, the road leading up to the top was not accessible by car, and second - the elevator was no longer available to the public because the cross is already an old building. So ...

  For Lauan's 5th birthday, my sister booked us for a weekend staycation at Sheraton Manila located in Resorts World in Pasay.  Prior to the pandemic, we frequented the area because it's near my parents' house, but we hadn't been going there because of the coronavirus lockdown. I was curious to see Resorts World again.  As soon as we checked in and got out of the elevator on our floor, Lauan went over to the large picture windows that offered a great view of the airport.  We took a few minutes to watch airplanes landing and queuing up to take off. Now that Lauan turned 5, we could get him vaccinated at last, and we may just be able to board an airplane to travel again sometime soon.  But for now, staycations are an easy alternative. My sister booked a loft bedroom - I didn't even know they had those! The room is located on the 3rd floor where the pool, gym, spa, and kids' club are - so it's quite convenient.  Upon opening the door, there's a spacious bat...