The postcard shows the Bulusan Lake in Sorgoson (dubbed as the "Switzerland of the Orient"). Lake Bulusan lies at the heart of Bulusan Volcano National Park. This lake has a circumference of 2,006 meters and has a maximum capacity of water content of 3,472 cubic meters. Its geological age is estimated at 374 years old.
The lake is oftenly mistaken as the Bulusan Volcano’s main crater. It is in fact a body of emerald green water surrounded by a densed gathering of trees and lush tropical plants. There are no streams or rivers that visibly flow into the lake. The major source of water is considered to be seepage from underground water surrounding the lake.
M1064: Bulusan Lake Postcard
The back of the postcard reads:
Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon - Fine scenery with its mild temperature climate, abounding in tropical trees and plants that makes it primeval virgin forest surrounding the cool lake. Altitude, 1800 ft above sea level, no inlet and no outlet.
Bulusan Lake has an interesting legend. It is said that a village once stood where Bulusan Lake is currently located. The legend suggests that a pagan chieftain once managed the land, and one day when he did not honor a promise he made to set his slaves free, waters came from the skies and flooded everything creating the lake. His slaves that were working in the fields survived the floods and are believed to have been the founders of the city of Bulusan.
SOURCES:
Bulusan Lake WikiPilipinas Entry
Lake Bulusan Wikipedia Entry
Bulusan Lake Profile
The postcard shows the monument Arch of the Centuries in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) at Manila. The Arch stands 15 meters away from the University's main entrance along España Boulevard. The side of the arch facing the campus was the main doorway to the university building before it was destroyed by World War II. The stones of that doorway were transferred and reassembled piece by piece in its present site. The side with its Grecian design facing España Street is a reconstruction of the doorway as it originally looked.
M1062: University of Santo Tomas Postcard
The Arch contains Doric columns, but is Baroque in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos." On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero José Rizal, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President Manuel L. Quezon. Both Rizal and Quezon were UST graduates. On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.
All incoming students (freshmen and transferees), as parts of their initiation rites into the University, are required to pass through under the Arch. This is known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk.
RELATED ENTRY:
University of Santo Tomas Postcards
SOURCES:
Arch of the Centuries Wikipedia Entry
UST Homepage: Arch of the Centuries
The postcard shows the famous tree house in Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga City. This tree house has all the amenities of a small hotel room and can be rented.
M1059: Tree House Postcard
Construction of the Pasonanca Park began in 1912 by General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, and completed during the administration of the Honorable Frank W. Carpenter.
Pasonanca Park, a popular site for youth citizenship training and Boy Scout and Girl Scout jamborees, has three swimming pools, one for children, a second for professional swimmers, and a third looks like a natural swimming hole. The third pool is the oldest of the three, having been constructed during the time of Gov. Carpenter and Parksman Hanley in 1916-1917.
SOURCE:
Pasonanca Park Wikipedia Entry
The postcard shows the World Health Organization (WHO) building in Ermita, Manila. No online information found about the building (construction, etc.). It might have been built in the 50s since WHO was established in the Philippines in 1951.
M1056: World Health Organization Building Postcard
The postcard shows the old Escoda Hall and the three swimming pools of the Balara Filters Park or Balara Park in Diliman, Quezon City. The Balara Park was originally built from 1949 to 1959 and first opened to the public in 1953. The Balara Park has six main amenities namely the Children's Park, the Pedro Tobias Park, the Escoda Hall, the Windmill Park, the picnic grove and the swimming pools. However, the most notable of these are the Escoda Hall and the swimming pools.
M1055: Balara Park Postcard
The Escoda Hall, a white and red pavilion dominating the swimming pool complex, has a large symmetrical Southeast Asian motif roof, designed by the Mañosa Brothers; however the original tile-like asbestos roofing (as seen in the postcard) was replaced by corrugated steel roofing. There are three large swimming pools next to the Escoda Hall. The biggest of the three is the T-shaped adult pool with the top end of the letter "T" facing the hall. On either side of the adult pool are two rectangular children's pools.
Other vintage structures and statuary that can be found in the park are an Italian Style Chapel; the Orosa Hall, an open ornamental summerhouse; "Bernadine", a white statue of a nude water bearer on the fountain in the rotunda; the Worker's Monument commemorating the NAWASA employees who died in the construction of the filters; the Lion Head, a gaping maw for the filters' backwash water; a replica of the Carriedo Fountain of Sta. Cruz, Manila; A. Giddeon Playground; Baby Terrace named after First Daughter Zenaida Quezon; a 3,000 sq. m. elevated picnic ground with a 200 m. circumference oval; the Anonas Amphitheater.
SOURCE:
Balara: Revived Icon of the 50s
Quezon City Tourist Attractions
M1064: Bulusan Lake Postcard
