The Thrilling Star City

Star City is an amusement park located  beside the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It is the off shoot of  the annual Christmas Trade Fair held by Philippine Center for International Trade and Exhibit (PhilCite). In the 90s, the fair evolved into an amusement park which was named Star City. The amusement park was the first to introduce various types of rides and attractions in the Philippines. The first floor is consists of small stores selling the usual items usually sold "tiangges". 

It may not be comparable to Walt Disney or Universal Studios but Star City is one of the best amusement park in Philippines. They are famous for adventure and thrilling rides; among which are the double-deck carousel, 360-degree-loop roller coaster (the Zyklon Loop), water log ride (the Jungle Splash). Another famous ride is the “Surf dance”, the first and only of its kind in the Philippines - a gondola ride that is about the height of a five-storey building. The 44-seat ride swings upwards, downwards, and sideways. It is also home to the Giant Star Ferris wheel which has 32 air-conditioned gondolas, each capable to seat up to six people and the 3rd tallest in the country which stands at 60 meters (197 ft) tall. From the top view, one can see a 360 degree view of the Manila Bay and Pasay City. Last but not the least is the Snow World which is the largest ice entertainment area in the country that  features ice carvings, snow play area and the longest ice slide (camera and video recording equipment is prohibited inside the Snow World).

It is advisable to buy a "Ride All You Can" ticket  which is truly a value for money, wherein you have the chance to try every ride. However, if you want to visit Snow World different terms may apply (pictures were taken 2 years ago during our Valentines date).

How to Get There:

1. From Buendia LRT you can ride a jeep bound to MOA, tell the driver to drop you off in Star City which is walking distance from Buendia Hi-Way. 

(Because this blog is not a paid advertisement for Star City, the author decided not to display an image displaying their company name)

The Walled City of Intramuros

Located on the northwest of Intramuros, also known as the walled city. Fort Santiago overlooks the Manila Bay and is situated beside the mouth of Pasig River, it was built to protect the Spanish settlement from invaders coming from the sea.

It was originally the site of Rajah Sulayman’s settlement prior to Spanish occupation and rule. He was the last ruler, of the now Metro Manila area, before the Spanish regime.

Fort Santiago was used by the Spanish as their base of power. It housed the Military and Spanish officials and also served as a formidable prison with infamous dungeons. Over the centuries many Filipinos were imprisoned, tortured and left to drown in the Fort's notorious dungeons, which were beneath the high tide level.

It was also in Fort Santiago where Jose Rizal penned his final poem "Mi Ultimo Adios, My Ultimate Goodbye" when he was imprisoned months before his execution in 1896. Rizal's final footsteps were embedded in the ground to represent his final walk from his prison cell to the location of his actual execution.

Majority of  Fort Santiago was destroyed during World War 2 and restoration process was administered by Philippine National Parks Development Committee.

 

 

 

 

How to Get There:

1.) From LRT Buendia ride a jeepney bound to Quiapo (w/ Luneta) on the signboard

2.) Tell the driver to drop you off in Intramuros, you can then just walk towards Fort Santiago or you can ride a pedicab.