Travel Philippines: What's your secret, Northern NCR?

There are things that we don't know yet in our home country. Am I right? And I know you'll be surprised on what you're going to learn.

Wanna know now?

Together, let's reveal the secrets.

Source: cagesideseats.com

MANILA

On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered to an estimated 4-5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
The Rizal monument is facing Manila Bay.
The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino invention. It was coined by R. Mcculloch-Dick, a scottish-born journalist working for the Manila Times in the early 1900's, after discovering it was the most common name in blotters.
San Agustin Church claims the title of being the oldest church not only in Manila but in the entire Philippines.
In 1578, the oldest hospital which is the San Lazaro Hospital was built.
The Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila which is popularly known as the Plaza Lawton was named after Major General Henry W. Lawton.
University of Sto. Tomas is the oldest existing university of the world. It was established in 1611. Being the oldest, it is older than any University in the United States - Columbia University (1754), Princeton University (1746), Yale University (1701) and older than the oldest university in the U.S.A, Harvard University (1636)
Home of a distinctively designed bridge which was (re)built about a 100 years ago by the same company and designer who built and designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.

CALOOCAN

Formally called "Aromahan" or "Libis Espina". "Libis" is a Spanish word which means "lowland" in English. Because of its innermost location, it was called "Kasulok-sulokan" by the early folks, which probably evolved into what is now Caloocan.
There are total of 23 figures in the famous Bonifacio Monument along Monumento Circle. It includes the figures of the three martyrs (Gomez, Burgos and Zamora) and General Emilio Jacinto.
Bonifacio monument was deigned by a noted Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino.

MALABON

Malabon City is from the words "May labong" or bamboo shoot.
The primarily attraction is Malabon Zoo and Aquarium. A well kept and unique conservatory of both endemic and exotic animals.
Pandaka pygmaea or commonly known as dwarf goby measures 1.2 centimeter or less than half of an inch, the tiniest known vertebrate. American Ichthymologist Albert Herre first discovered it in Malabon River in 1925.

NAVOTAS

Navotas means "nayon ng butas". The navotas river is a hole etched by the Manila bay in olden times.
On Jan. 16, 1906, Naotas became an independent municipality from Malabon with the enactment of the Philippine Commission Act No. 1442.
Considered to be the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines."

VALENZUELA

Valenzuela City (Polo bulacan) was named after Dr. Pio Valenzuela of the Katipunan who was born there.
MBC or Maysan Barangay Complex in Valezuela is the largest barangay hall in the Philippines. Standing on a 936 square meter, the three storey hall is worth 27 million pesos.
Aside from the office, it also offers day care and action enter, livelihood training rooms, senior citizens' office and multi-purpose hall-cum-gymnasium.

QUEZON CITY

Quezon City is the second biggest city in the Philippines.
It was declared as the capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976.
The height of the vertical pylons on Manuel L. Quezon's catafalque along the Ellipitical road is based on his age when he died. According to Architect Federico Ilustre, it was 66 meters in height.
The "Big Dome" is the largest indoor facility in Southeast Asia is located here.
Ali Mall in Cubao was named after the great boxer Mohammed Ali who was the previous world heavy weight champion who went here.
"Thrilla in Manila" was one the greatest boxing events.

MARIKINA

Known as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines"
Marikina City set a new world record last 2002 for creating the biggest pair of shoes (5.5m long shoe that even 30 people can fit in) breaking the 3 previous record of 3.12m shoe from Turkey.
Used to be the training ground of some of the best athletes the country has ever produced.
Famous for its Puto with cheese on top. It has a kutsinta like texture and color.

SAN JUAN

The town derived its name from the patron saint San Juan de Bautista (Saint John the Baptist),
Youngest and second smallest city
Four Philppine presidents have resided in this city. They are Diosdado Macapagal Sr.(1961-1985), Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986), Joseph Estrada (1998-2001) and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010).
Metro Manila's most prominent retail center is the Greenhills Shopping Center (GSC). It is dubbed as a shopping mecca because of its indoor bazaar, numerous shops and five shopping malls interconnected within the complex.

MANDALUYONG

The heart of the "Golden Triangle" (Manila, Makati and Quezon City). One of the leading business and industrial centers in the country.
The "New Tiger" of Metro Manila.
Legends says that the city wan named after the romance of a tribal couple, Manda and Luyong.
Mandaluyong is a busting city with vibrant economic activities and among many other city accomplishments.

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