The first temple we visited in Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Khun, more widely known as the White Temple. The present form of Wat Rong Khun is the work of Chalermchai Kositpipat, a national artist from Chiang Rai who began rebuilding the temple in 1997. By the end of the 20th century, the original structure was in poor condition and lacked funds for restoration.
Author: amojamoja
Researcher by choice
Wanderer by chance.
Mae Kachan Hot Spring
The Mae Kachan Hot Spring is characterized by natural geothermal pools where underground heat raises water temperatures to around 90 °C, hot enough to boil eggs. Small roadside stores line the area, offering baskets of eggs specifically for this purpose, allowing visitors to lower them into the bubbling pools and watch steam rise as they cook. The steady heat, mineral scent, and constant movement of the water create a vivid introduction to the natural forces that shape northern Thailand.
Alegria Mercados
Located within Alegria Lifestyle Residences, Alegria Mercados Food and Lifestyle Market has gradually become a familiar weekend stop for residents of Loma de Gato and nearby parts of Marilao. Set inside a residential subdivision, the market opens its doors every Friday through Sunday from around 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, inviting families, friends, and neighbors to gather for good food and easy company.
“Tanglawas”
At the center of the plaza, the iconic Oblation statue was illuminated by Tanglawas, the 2025 lantern installation by visual artist and UP College of Fine Arts Dean Toym Imao. The work drew attention to the pool at the Oblation Plaza, where figures of people in boats appeared to glide across the water. The title, a portmanteau of tanglaw (light) and lawas (body or gathering in Bisaya), points to the idea of light as something carried by people, not just displayed.
Zoobic Safari
Spanning 25 hectares of tropical forest within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zoobic Safari offers far more than a conventional zoo or theme park, it delivers an immersive forest adventure where visitors come face-to-face with some of the world’s most fascinating animals. Because of the park’s wide and spread-out layout, going around Zoobic Safari requires the use of our own vehicle
National Shrine and Parish of St. John Paul II
Along the provincial highway in Barangay Culis, Municipality of Hermosa, Bataan stands the National Shrine and Parish of Saint John Paul II, a sacred landmark of memory, mercy, and migration. The church was elevated from a diocesan shrine to a national shrine on January 29, 2023.
First Philippine Visit of St. Carlo Acutis’ Relic
We visited the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Hermosa, Bataan as it was one of the stopovers of the pericardium heart relic of Saint Carlo Acutis during its first visit to the Philippines. The relic arrived in the country on November 27, marking the start of an 18-day pilgrimage that would bring this first-class relic to more than 30 churches in 16 dioceses across Luzon.
Immaculate Conception and the Philippines
The devotion to the Immaculate Conception has been deeply woven into the fabric of Filipino Catholic life for centuries. It is a title that does not simply belong to theological discourse, but to the nation’s heart, history, and identity. Every December 8, the entire country pauses to honor Mary as the Immaculate Conception. She is the Patroness of the Philippines.
Disenyo Pandi
Disenyo Pandi is known today as a reliable destination for barongs, gowns, and formal wear in Pandi, Bulacan, operating under the Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BBMPC). Since its establishment in 2002, the cooperative has focused on improving the quality of life of its members by supporting local designers and providing access to quality, affordable materials. In January 2025, Disenyo Pandi marked its 7th anniversary as a Wedding Depot, reflecting its steady growth and continued relevance in the local fashion industry.
Flavors of Iloilo City
Experiencing the specialties of these districts, Batchoy in La Paz, Pancit Molo in Molo, and biscocho from Jaro, made me appreciate how Iloilo City expresses itself through food. Every district has its own story, its own flavor, and its own pride. And together, they create a tapestry of tastes that makes Iloilo unforgettable.
Molo Mansion: Caught Between Preservation and Commercialization
The Yusay Consing Ancestral House, originally known as the Lacson Yusay Ancestral House and now popularly called the Molo Mansion, rises with quiet grace at the heart of Iloilo’s historic district. This neoclassical art deco heritage house stands as one of the finest architectural treasures in the region. Built in 1926 by Doña Petra Lacson, a respected matron of the Lacson clan, together with her husband Estanislao Yulo Yusay, a prominent lawyer and judge from Molo, the mansion embodied the social stature and refined taste of the family who lived within its walls. The couple raised ten children in the mansion, filling it with life, music, family gatherings, and the everyday rhythms of an elite household in early twentieth century Iloilo.
Molo Plaza
Between the Molo Church and the Molo Mansion lies the Molo Plaza. Built in the 1920s as the center of the then-municipality of Molo, the plaza reflects the district’s long-standing reputation as the “Athens of the Philippines”, a title earned through its deep association with influential Filipino intellectuals, Ilustrados, and political leaders. Throughout history, Molo has been home to many of the country’s chief justices, senators, governors, generals, congressmen, and cabinet officials, solidifying its status as a cradle of leadership and thought.
Amoj In Wanderland 