Old Manila Walks with Ivan Man Dy

It all started with an e-mail from Ivan Man Dy (Yup, the dude who ate fish balls with Anthony Bourdain of No Boundaries)inviting me to an afternoon of Presidential treats. Ivan is the man behind Old Manila Walks and he is relaunching the tour 'Power, Palace and a SHOT of Beer! - a walking tour around Manila's historical places. So after several returns of emails with Ivan and exchanges of texts with travel-bud Dong Ho, I hopped on a bus one early Saturday morning from Cabanatuan and headed straight to Manila to join the Walk.

The meeting place was in Legarda Mansion (La Cocina de Tita Moning)where I have met fellow Travel Bloggers Ferdz, Oggie, Nina, Eric and Dong Ho. There were also some Balikbayans and foreigners who will join us in the tour. Ivan came and gave few introductions. According to Ivan, the tour involve "leisurely stroll around the patrician district of San Miguel, making our way as we get intimate and admire the hollowed halls and the newly restored rooms of the Malacanang Palace Museum! In between, we'll rest our weary feet over a fine-dine merienda at the lovely 1930's Legarda Mansion a stone throws away from the Palace."

So off to the Palace we go.

After the usual security checks by the PSG where our camera are marked and our bags searched, we headed to the Malacanan Palace. It was in front of the Palace where Ivan started a historical journey about the story of the place from the time the Philippines was under foreign rule. Complete with cards and props, he articulately explained bits and pieces about Philippine history. It was at that time when we were informed that the President was inside the palace and that there is a very great chance that we will be able to see and meet her.

And we did meet her face to face. For a good minute at least. Too bad, we are not allowed to take her pictures. But nevertheless, meeting her was such a good experience and we are one in saying that no matter how you dislike her, you cannot help but act properly in her presence because in that lone minute alone, everyone was smiling.

This is the second time that I have been to the Palace. I remembered to have participated in Lakbay-Aral Tours when I was in Elementary School before but I really have no recollection of the place. But this time around, I have been given the chance to see the Palace up-close and walk in every room satiated with so much art from paintings to sculptures, from elegant furniture to crafty fixtures.

As we walk from room to room, Ivan made sure that he brought us not only to the sights but the stories behind the sites as well. His storytelling is done in a very unconventional way bringing all of us back to the old Manila in an interesting albeit animated way. He mixes facts and chizmiz for which I really could not disclose the latter 'coz we might get in trouble for being hearsay's lol.

My favorite place in the Malacanan Palace is The Hall where the rosters, profiles and statues of all the Philippine presidents are located from Emilio Aguinaldo to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. There were also enclosed collections of mementos and articles that you can directly associate with each president. Surprisingly, there is a space amongst the Lines of President designated for Imelda Romualdez Marcos but don't expect to see her famous shoes there because those were transferred to a separate museum in Marikina.

The tour around Malacanan Palace will take you approximately two hours (definitely more if you have your camera). As explained by Ivan, Malacanan refers to the Palace while Malacanang refers to the whole complex that included the Malacanan. For security reasons, some portions of the complex are off-limits to visitors.

The "Old Manila Walks" is determined to walk and talk about one thing: the history, the culture and the heritage plus everything over, under, outside, inside the City of Manila. Ivan believes that the best way to explore Manila is by foot so they have taken this experience one step further! Old Manila Walks operates on a simple principle: to have you experience the best of historic Manila - one step at a time. It's a lure to an urban adventure, a cultural loop or just a plain simple exercise for your body and soul. There are several line-ups of "Walking Tours" that included the 'Power, Palace and a SHOT of Beer! tour which I have participated.

To join Ivan and his Walking Tours please check out the Old Manila Walk Website or Ivan Man Dy's blog.

Thanks Ivan!!!