M35: Tinikling Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows the Philippine dance Tinikling. The tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines and considered as one of the oldest dances in the country, originating in Leyte in the Visayas. The tinikling involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance.

M35: Tinikling Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Tinikling - a favorite in the Visayan islands. It depicts the movement of the tikling birds walking between grass stems or hopping among branches. Skill is demonstrated in dancing between clicking bamboo poles.

(By the FILIPINESCAS: Philippine Life, Legend and Love in Dance.)

The dance is a reference to tikling, a bird with long legs and neck. The birds are considered as the worst enemy of the Waray farmers because prey on the ripening rice grains. To prevent this, the farmers would place some bitik, traps made of bamboo, to catch the birds. The birds, however, would still manage to escape from the traps. The tinikling dance imitates the movements of the tikling birds escaping from the bamboo traps set by the farmers.

RELATED ENTRY:
El Baile Tinikling Postcard

SOURCES:
Tinikling: The Philippine National Dance
Tinikling WikiPilipinas Entry

M33: Flower Clock Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Rado Flower Clock in Luneta Park, Manila. An online blog mentioned that Geneva's flower clock located between the Mont Blanc Bridge and the Jardin Anglais in the center of Geneva inspired former First Lady Imelda Marcos to put up this flower clock.

Now the clock is not functioning, with its hands removed. Too expensive to maintain, they said.

M33: Flower Clock Postcard

In the background is the famous Hilton Hotel, now the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

SOURCES:
[CR Switzerland] Journal Entry – Day 03
Geneva's Flower Clock

M32: Luneta Lagoon Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Central Lagoon located, of course, in the middle of the Luneta Park, Manila. The lagoon has dancing fountains (as seen in the postcard) that can soar up to 80 feet high. Around the lagoon is the Gallery of Heroes or Heroes Promenade with busts of national heroes such as Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini, and Sultan Kudarat.

M32: Luneta Lagoon Postcard

You will see in the background the Rizal Monument and the Quirino Grandstand, named after President Elpidio Quirino.

RELATED ENTRY:
M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

SOURCE:
LUNETA : A destination, not a landmark

M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, Manila. The bronze and granite Rizal Monument in Luneta was designed by Richard Kissling of Zurich, Switzerland, the second placer in the international art competition held between 1905 and 1907 for the monument design. His entry is entitled “Motto Stella” (Guiding Star) . The monument was unveiled on 30 December 1913, Rizal's 17th death anniversary.

M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

Description: 12.7 m bronze and unpolished granite sculpture and obelisk. On one side of the Rizal Monument is a marble plaque marking the exact spot where the hero met his death by firing squad and on the other side is one of his poems. The central bronze figure is of Dr Rizal. The bronze figures around the sculpture were cast in Switzerland. Dr Rizal's remains are buried within the monument.

SOURCES:
Rizal Park Wikipedia Entry
Rizal Monument

M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the lagoon of the Chinese Garden located beside the Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila. The garden is said to have Chinese pavilion, moats, bridges, stone lanterns, and arches or gates designed like the ones found in Chinatown.

M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

I read online that the garden was donated by the Taiwan-based Nationalist regime of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek in the post-WWII era and built to promote friendship and tolerance between China & the Philippines.

Admission fee is Php5.00.