117th Philippine Independence Day

Hi everyone....yeah, it's been a long time since my last blog post and actually this post was happened almost one month ago.

Through the sponsorship of Fareastone Telecom in Taiwan, this 117th Philippine Independence Day celebration was a successful. And by this time they make it more colorful and meaningful. With the theme Masskara Festival, one of the most prestigious festival in the Philippines and was originated in Bacolod.

Masskara Festival was the main contest event in this celebration.

ABOUT MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Masskara Festival was born during the period of crisis in Bacolod, Philippines. Many people in Bacolod much relied with sugar cane product but due to the American introduction of sugar substitute and the sugar cane price became low. And during that year there was a tragedy including prominent families from Bacolods.  From the City of Smiles,the local government and civic groups decided to hold a festival of smiles to cheer up the Bacolodians from the gloomy atmosphere.

In additional there are Pinoy celebrity guests including Mr. Sam Milby and Birdy, she gain popularity after the Superstar singing contest here in Taiwan. and now she's releasing her solo album "I'm BIRDY".

This was happened last July 17, 2015 in TIME SQUARE No. 161, Sec. 1 Zhongshan Rd. Banqiao District, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Though it's a little bit sunny in the morning till noon,, we enjoyed a lot but too the bad, in the afternoon the rain was crazy..so we decided to go home with the my companions.

Filipino Community in Hualien Taiwan delegates.

I'm Proud to Be PINOY!!!

For more information about the history of Masskara Festival (Philippines) pls. visit this website Wikipedia.org and also PHILIPPINE TOURISM


Photo Credit : EEC Taiwan

FUN-tastic Hualien Farglory Ocean Park

Hualien Farglory Ocean Park is a 51 hectare Taiwan's first water theme park focusing on marine ecology.

View from the top while riding into a cable.

The only theme park that combines with the nature park and to a Victorian- style resort hotel. One of the strongest draw of the park is its  sea mammal performances which many of the visitors really wants to see.

Dolphin Show

So cute.... 

During our tour we fetch the time for the dolphin show and it was really amazing. Actually we went there in the holiday season which is Chinese New Year. Expected that there are many excursionist during this season. It was enjoyable and it was worth your visit especially if you came from far places. And we enjoyed much because the weather is really great.

Me on "The Crystal Castle Theater"

After lunch we went to " The Crystal Castle Theater " to watch the theatrical show. Take some pictures at the castle then we went to underground water park which mainly focusing on rides with the theme of sea creatures.

Main Attractions of Hualien Farglory Ocean Park :

• Dolphin and sea lion shows - can get up close with these sea mammals.
• Fly Across the Ocean - by getting a cable ride you can get a chance to look to the entire park and you can enjoy the waves of ocean which just very near to the park.
• Pirate of El Dorado - extreme rides.
• Aquarium - can see the different species of sea creatures like fishes, live corals, sharks,and many more.

Sorry for the poor camera lens...

My friends Chah & Sel

Aquarium...

Location : 
NO. 189, Fude, Yanliao Village, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, Taiwan

Direction for Transportation :
Nat'l Hwy 5 → Exit at the Su-ao Interchange → Prov. Hwy 9 → Prov. Hwy 11

Air:

From Taipei International Airport fly to Hualien on TransAsia Airways.
From Kaohsiung International Airport fly to Hualien on Mandarin Airlines.
Hualien Airport

Train:
Take a train to Hualien Railway Station, continue by Hualien Bus (torward Jingpu & Taitung) to Hualien Farglory Ocean Park.

Entrance fee for adults: 890 Taiwan Dollar(there are age bracket for paying the entrance fee)

Info Credit: taiwan.net.tw

2014 Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival

"Life is limited,while Arts never fails."_ LIN CHUNG HUI

 2014 Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival begin on October 1, 2014 until December 24, 2014 featuring the arts from the master Lin Chung Hui.

His works are really amazing. It was a great pieces of arts.

Here are some of his works.

Memory of Son

Rest

Must look near...

For those who want to visit and see the curving from the master, the show was located at Hualien County Stone Sculptural Museum.

There are also some works that are displayed by different artists.

Here are some of the pictures that I took.

Location: #8 Wenfu St., Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan

Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Note: When visiting there is entrance fee. For those regular visitors must pay 20 TWD

Loudong Tourists Night Market in Taiwan

Have you ever been to a night market?Well, for those who visited Taiwan, I'm sure they won't missed going to a night market because it is a popular place or just a normal place where we can taste the authentic food of Taiwan.

Loudong Tourists Night Market is located Loudong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. It is said to be the most busiest and crowded night market in Taiwan. Since i visited some of the night markets in other county and been there twice i can say that it was true that this night market was really a crowded one. Loudong Tourists Night Market offers local snacks and fashionable shops.

Some what kind of exotic food...

Grilled Squid meat in barbecue sauce....

Grilled squid *_*

Takoyaki: balls with octopus meat and coleslaw inside top with wasabi and butter

There are many mouth watering food that you can choose on... If you have the chance to visit Taiwan don't miss this place.

How to get there?
By TRAIN
>>It is a walking distance South West of the Loudong Station of Taiwan Railway Administration(TRA).

By BUS
>>Get GouGuang Bus or Capital Bus from Taipei to Loudong.

Pine Garden | Taiwan Top 100 Historic Charms

Pine Garden is just not just a beautiful garden but it is also a historical garden.

About PINE GARDEN
The "Pine Garden" was built between 1943 and 1944, used to be the office of the Naval Administration. The site neighboring "Broadcasting Bureau" built in May 1, 1944, current site of "Broadcasting Corporation of China" [BCC], Hualien Station and the "coastal Broadcasting Station"(Long Distance Telecommunications Bureau), were recognized as significant features on Meilun Mountains, along with the dense pine woods.

The Pine Garden was recreational retreat for ranking military officials during the Japanese rule. It was said that the site is where the Japanese air fighters were bestowed with Heavenly Emperor wine on the eve of their suicide missions. The Japanese suicidal air fighters were stationed beside South Airport or Peipu Airport, ready for their suicide assignments. South airport is close to Kuanghua Industrial Zone and Pulp Mill today.

In the later stages of WWII, the Japanese government took this site as a key military command center. This was because it was in the estuary of Meilun Creek, overlooking the entire Meilun Creek estuary, Hualien Harbor and the Pacific. While at the site, they could easily dominate the boats on the sea and airplanes landing and taking off at South Airport.

This site was taken over by the Republic of China government in the wake end of WWII, under the charge of the Headquarters of the Army in 1947. Subsequently, it w2as the vacation resort of the American Armed Forces until the United States quit. It was taken over the National Property Bureau in 1977 and was put under the management by the Vocational Advisory Commission for Retired Servicemen once considered selling the site for hotel construction but failed because of a protest from the local community people. On July 13, 2000, the Hualien County Government officially classified it a "Special Historic Attraction Zone". On december 20, 2001, it was officially recognized as one of "Taiwan Top 100 Historic Charms"

Historic Architecture Name: PINE GARDEN
Classification : Building
Location No.26, Shuiyan Rd., Hualien City
Bulletin Date: September 23,2002

Reasons to be designated:
The PINE GARDEN, due to its special role as former military command center, and the fact that the complex is situated in such a unique and scenic environment, with spacious grounds, pine trees and an ocean view, PINE GARDEN deserves to br preserved.

Guide Unit: Council for Cultural Affairs
Taiwan: Hualien County Government
Manufacture Unit: Hualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau
Ownership Unit: Veterans Affairs Commission, Executive Yuan, R.O.C.

           

              

Visit Information

Opening Hours: 9:00 - 18:00 (Monday- Sunday: last Admission 17:30)
Closed: Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month(except public holidays)
Tel.: 03-8356510
Address: No. 65, Songyuan St., Hualien City, Hualien County 970,Taiwan

Ticket Information

Admission      Price           For Visitors

Full               50NT            General Visitors
Discount     25NT            1. Children above 6 yrs. old under 12 yrs. old
                                          2. Citizens above 65 yrs. old
                                          3. Students with valid student ID
                                          4. Volunteers with Honorable Cards for Voluntary                                                                                              Service
Free              -0-                1. Citizens of Hualien County
                                          2. Children under 6 yrs. old
                                          3. Physically or mentally disabled persons & their one                                                                                   guardian or necessary companion.
                                          4. Group visitors tour guides with Certification issued by                                                                Bureau of Tourism, Ministry of Communications

*Note that discount tickets or free admission requires a valid ID.

Rules to be followed when visiting.

>> At the whole area

•  No Smoking
• No betel nut - means no eating of betel nut because mostly old people in Taiwan esp. the indigenous people eat betel nut or they call it as pinlang.
• No Vehicle Entry 
• No running & clamour
• Keep steps on the plank road, Not in the Grass

>> Inside Exhibition Room

• No Photography
• No Food and Beverages
• No Pets
• Pls. do not touch the artworks
• Pls. switch your mobile to silent/ vibrate mode

For commercial Filming & Photography, Please contact the Administration Office in advance.

                   

Photo Credit: Hualien Tourist Service Network

   

As for me, I just experienced the overlooked view from the site. And I took some pictures outside the building because it was not yet opened when I went there. I just passed by there early in the morning. And hope guys this information will help you if you include this in your bucket list in visiting Hualien County, Taiwan, R.O.C.

I have to visit again this area to give you more detailed information..

Credit Info. :

Love to Travel? South Korea? It's Your Chance....

For those who love travelling, here are your chances. The annual events are now on their way. Join this contest and you might be the lucky winner.

>>Fall In Love with Korea

In this events, there are three (3) main categories:

• Video Contest ( Korea, My Love )- You just have to express how much do you like and love Korea and upload it on Youtube.
• Photo Contest ( what I love Korea ) - Take a photos of what you love about Korea.
• Webtoon ( Crush On Korea ) - Create a 1 to 4 cuts of a webtoon about your thoughts, experience or impression about Korea.

Click here to join Fall In Love with Korea events and please visit the Korea.net Official website for more Information about this events.

Hualien Summer Festival 2014 Free Concert and Live in MTV Taiwan

Yahooo... I'm just so so alive and enthusiastic because we experienced  more than 1 week free concert with Taiwan famous male and female artists only here in Hualien as they were celebrating their yearly summer festival.

On the first day of this said concert, we just listened a few songs and we got home early. But it was also a good experienced we got a new friend and he was a reporter for Taiwan newspaper. He took a picture of us and he featured us on his article saying that there are also friendly Filipino who joined their Festival here Hualien. (Proud to be a Filipino)

On the second day Yen- J is a big hit for us,haha...you know, we are also a girl (me and my friend Rizzel). He was good in playing instrument  especially the piano and guitar, and well every girls easily falls for the man who loves playing this kind of instruments. And of course he was good looking guy especially in person.

There are many artists who came and sing their hit songs but we observed that Amei was the most influential to them as we do also. When she went to the stage and started to sing, the people are getting high and more energetic until her last song. Well, she's really a good singer. She's rocking the stage... She's rockin' so good...

A-Mei (Chinese: 阿妹; pinyin: Ā Mèi) (stylized as "a MEI" since 2014), also known by her Chinese name Zhang Hui-mei (traditional Chinese: 張惠妹; simplified Chinese: 张惠妹; pinyin: Zhāng Huìmèi), is an aboriginal Taiwanese pop singer and occasional songwriter. She is also known by her birth name Kulilay Amit (traditional Chinese: 古歷來·阿蜜特; simplified Chinese: 古历来·阿蜜特). She was born in the rugged mountains of eastern Taiwan (mainly at Taitung) and is the third youngest of nine siblings. A-mei made her debut in the world of music in 1996, achieving rapid commercial success. She has been called a diva of the Mandarin pop music scene and the "Pride of Taiwan".[citation needed] She has won numerous music awards and is extremely popular within Mandarin-speaking world. And she's one of the judges in the famous singing contest VOICE China.

Here are the food stall where you can buy  if your hungry and there are also games if you like to have more fun with your friends. It's just besides the concert area.

Together with my friend Rizzel, we almost got the perfect attendance for this free concert,,anyway it's free,right?LOL!!! We enjoyed and having so much fun because we do a lot things that we have same thing in common.

We met Malwinka a foreign exchange student here in Hualien and she was from Poland.

Me and my friend Rizzel.

Anyway thanks to our employers for being so kind to us because they let us watched the concert. And supposedly I want to post this while the concert is still on going but i don't have much time. Sorry about that guys.... maybe next time i will try my best so that you will be informed and can watch it live.

Credit Info: Amei Wikipedia.