On my third day in Resorts World Manila (RWM), we checked out early from Remington Hotel and shifted to Maxims Hotel.
I could not wait to move into the suite at Maxims. Once I have checked in, I spend over an hour lazing around in the room, busking in the comfort of the cosy sheets and exquisite bathroom.
As there’s free Wi-Fi, I promptly set up my workstation and replied a few work emails while chatting with my wife online.
I intended to take a short nap initially, but I got so carried away exploring and enjoying the suite that it was already lunch time by the time I wanted to lie down to sleep.
![The beautiful bedroom - it's a pity I am staying here alone The beautiful bedroom - it's a pity I am staying here alone](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6701805813_82a7b6cb26_z.jpg)
![Bedside cabinet with a iPod holder, the switches to all the lights in the room Bedside cabinet with a iPod holder, the switches to all the lights in the room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701788355_d37a16f90c_z.jpg)
![Dining area Dining area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6701794289_0f2e15dd15_z.jpg)
![Wardrobe with iron, ironing board, safe box, bathrobes, basically everything one needs Wardrobe with iron, ironing board, safe box, bathrobes, basically everything one needs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6701784353_4d8cc5ae0d_z.jpg)
![The majestic bathroom The majestic bathroom](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6701775087_a27f7e5924_z.jpg)
![Full set of toiletries Full set of toiletries](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6701795171_799c84ef7a_z.jpg)
![Work table Work table](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701780981_9b97500110_z.jpg)
![I promptly set up the my workstation, excited with the free Internet access I promptly set up the my workstation, excited with the free Internet access](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6701796205_89f0e48250_z.jpg)
![View from my room View from my room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6701775543_7cf85a7fea_z.jpg)
Lunch was an international buffet hosted at the Genting Club. It was a casual affair with everyone busy mingling and getting to know each other.
As we will be headed out for the rest of the day, I did not ate much for lunch as I wanted to save some stomach space to try some regular pinoy food.
![Small starters Small starters](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6701794577_8851037ebd_z.jpg)
![Lemon fish on skewer Lemon fish on skewer](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6701792293_3b8e1cc98c_z.jpg)
![Chicken dish Chicken dish](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6701783743_2198b85d91_z.jpg)
![Assorted vegetable Assorted vegetable](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701801359_94b3d025e9_z.jpg)
![My lunch My lunch](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6701816037_dc9a047868_z.jpg)
After lunch, we set off on a city tour for sight-seeing in the earlier part of the day and shopping in the evening.
Our first stop was at the historic Rizal Park, where the remains of the country’s national hero, Dr José Rizal lies within the cornerstone of Rizal Monument. Considered one of the largest park in Southeast Asia, it has an area of 58 hectares which runs from Taft Avenue up to the walls of Manila Bay.
Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.
Rizal Park has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. The execution of pacifist Dr José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 as well as the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution deposing the dictator.
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896, Bagumbayan), was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.
As a political figure, José Rizal was a proponent of achieving Philippine self-government peacefully through institutional reform rather than through violent revolution, although he would support “violent means” as a last resort. Rizal believed that the only justification for national liberation and self-government is the restoration of the dignity of the people, saying “Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?” (I love this quote) The general consensus among Rizal scholars is that his execution by the Spanish helped to bring about the Philippine Revolution.
![Rizal Monument Rizal Monument](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6701812549_e57426f5bd_z.jpg)
![Another picture Another picture](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701789683_8abd05b28c_z.jpg)
![Rows of flags Rows of flags](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6701777287_75452f2ae5_z.jpg)
![Me in front of the Rizal Monument Me in front of the Rizal Monument](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6701776707_b9d592f8e4_z.jpg)
![Guards on duty Guards on duty](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6701773653_d27356f7de_z.jpg)
Next, we visited San Agustin Church, a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed in 1607, it is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines. It is also the oldest structure in the Philippines as no other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.
There were two consecutive wedding taking place when we arrived and we got to soak into the atmosphere. We then did a quick tour of a museum housing religious and secular art, located within the church premises.
![San Agustin Church San Agustin Church](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701773291_3510ef697f_z.jpg)
![The connected adjacent museum The connected adjacent museum](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6701778835_f74ed1b160_z.jpg)
![Guard at an opposite photo studio Guard at an opposite photo studio](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6701797775_bc1ea15c2b_z.jpg)
![The church was adorned with flying confetti when we arrived The church was adorned with flying confetti when we arrived](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6701786865_c545d33ca1_z.jpg)
![The first couple The first couple](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701785071_30cb6cb008_z.jpg)
![As one couple leaves, another bride arrives As one couple leaves, another bride arrives](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6701787837_3a34f2cfcb_z.jpg)
![The wedding in process The wedding in process](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6701807751_d55ec61542_z.jpg)
![The radiant bride slowly making her way in The radiant bride slowly making her way in](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6701799671_de6486ce0e_z.jpg)
![Bride walking towards the centre of the church Bride walking towards the centre of the church](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6701786069_6f524acfed_z.jpg)
![A holy female figurine on the left A holy female figurine on the left](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6701779837_d306d95ff4_z.jpg)
![A holy male figure on the right A holy male figure on the right](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6701787201_0736fd007d_z.jpg)
![Oil painting outside the museum Oil painting outside the museum](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6701804745_2ed7f29326_z.jpg)
![Large antique bell at the museum entrance Large antique bell at the museum entrance](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6701809349_5a2723cbd1_z.jpg)
![Miniature model of the church compound Miniature model of the church compound](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6701812311_3378ec7a42_z.jpg)
![Tombstones Tombstones](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701810253_bb15ce5508_z.jpg)
![One of the exhibition rooms One of the exhibition rooms](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6701807399_68f250a0a6_z.jpg)
![Rows of religious artifacts Rows of religious artifacts](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6701808403_1bfc39a065_z.jpg)
![Crucifix artifacts Crucifix artifacts](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6701808125_7bdcc8a4ce_z.jpg)
![Another exhibition room Another exhibition room](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701790185_5dd08d9f73_z.jpg)
![Large paintings like this line the wall of the museum Large paintings like this line the wall of the museum](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6701778165_caa149f591_z.jpg)
![Large religious artifacts along the corridor Large religious artifacts along the corridor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6701792579_77365c70d9_z.jpg)
![God and Jesus on a cross God and Jesus on a cross](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6701774805_215d841ecc_z.jpg)
![Baby angels Baby angels](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6701790791_b170b15d2d_z.jpg)
![Baby Jesus Baby Jesus](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6701796533_1fdbec09fd_z.jpg)
![Black Christ Black Christ](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6701798095_6e2ceb1773_z.jpg)
![Walking down the corridor Walking down the corridor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6701797221_3ac3d62b87_z.jpg)
![Patterned grilles Patterned grilles](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6701778513_85abb6993a_z.jpg)
![Wedding congregation Wedding congregation](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6701792733_6bb11f0513_z.jpg)
![Priest addressing everyone Priest addressing everyone](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6701773943_dfacd2cab7_z.jpg)
![Large arch-shaped windows Large arch-shaped windows](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6701780095_091991b1c5_z.jpg)
![Church courtyard Church courtyard](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6701799115_004b06f16f_z.jpg)
![Antique ceiling lamp Antique ceiling lamp](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701775833_5b85b9c45b_z.jpg)
![The second floor The second floor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6701800329_3dc54a5c63_z.jpg)
![Tinted arch-shaped windows Tinted arch-shaped windows](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6701788077_8dd4e9ffa0_z.jpg)
![Level 2 corridor Level 2 corridor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6701799941_279c38077a_z.jpg)
After the church, we visited Fort Santiago, which served as the headquarters of the Spanish, American and Japanese colonisers during more troubled time.
The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. Several lives were lost in its prisons during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II. José Rizal was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. The Rizal Shrine museum displays memorabilia of the hero in their collection and the fort features, embedded onto the ground in bronze, his footsteps representing his final walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution.
![Antique Cannon Antique Cannon](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6701784173_9a2ddf1d99_z.jpg)
![Horse carriages for hire Horse carriages for hire](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701780495_ba53d41e20_z.jpg)
![Fort Santiago entrance Fort Santiago entrance](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6701785691_fe1aafda36_z.jpg)
![Dr Jose Rizal Dr Jose Rizal](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6701795621_b7a7813531_z.jpg)
![Close-up of the statue Close-up of the statue](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701781929_76bbbac13a_z.jpg)
![Dr Jose Rizal's apartment Dr Jose Rizal's apartment](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6701782297_d61a2b39c7_z.jpg)
![Preserved ruined area Preserved ruined area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6701788763_d24cb6aaa6_z.jpg)
![Antique metal gates Antique metal gates](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6701777115_e17f27ac2c_z.jpg)
![Helpful Alvin Helpful Alvin](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701806127_f5ec6ba08a_z.jpg)
![Forever alone Forever alone](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6701773009_f25090c519_z.jpg)
![Local kids taking a photo Local kids taking a photo](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701801089_18eb789026_z.jpg)
![At the highest point of the fort At the highest point of the fort](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701805479_5648995499_z.jpg)
![Uniformed guards at the fort Uniformed guards at the fort](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701787493_8c1aa5388a_z.jpg)
![Vandalised wall Vandalised wall](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6701809879_6361702dd5_z.jpg)
![Underground bunkers Underground bunkers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6701779209_4cac75a84a_z.jpg)
![Dungeon where the Japanese tortured people Dungeon where the Japanese tortured people](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6701781411_e07229751e_z.jpg)
![View from the upper floor View from the upper floor](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6701800673_edf591ff47_z.jpg)
For shopping in the evening, we headed to SM Mall of Asia, owned and developed by SM Prime Holdings, the largest mall developer and owner in the Philippines.
SM Mall of Asia is the 2nd largest mall in the Philippines after SM City North EDSA, 3rd largest shopping mall in Asia and the 4th largest shopping mall in the world. It has a land area of 42 hectares and has a gross floor area of an approximate 390,193 m² and 407,101 m² of total area.
There was no way one could finish explore the whole mall in a single day, not to mention within the span of a few hours.
Hence I had to shop strategically, making a mental checklist of stuff I wanted to buy while walking briskly to cover as much of the mall as possible to get an overview.
In this way, I managed to get all the stuff I needed and was very happy with my purchases. I also managed to try some pinoy food at the food court, though they were not really palatable with my taste buds.
![Drop-off point Drop-off point](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6701795817_a556f132b1_z.jpg)
![SM Mall of Asia SM Mall of Asia](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6701797445_e7727dc28a_z.jpg)
![Shopping time Shopping time](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701776117_3c66897c76_z.jpg)
![Jollibee fast food restaurant Jollibee fast food restaurant](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6701802313_49ece14f43_z.jpg)
![Mall interior Mall interior](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6701774229_ebc5fb59e3_z.jpg)
![Singing and dancing to entertain shoppers Singing and dancing to entertain shoppers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6701782683_64a912d7a2_z.jpg)
![Taking photo with a shopper Taking photo with a shopper](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6701777799_50492258bc_z.jpg)
![The mall is humongous The mall is humongous](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6701794019_249bb4a050_z.jpg)
![Indoor ice-skating rink Indoor ice-skating rink](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701776409_c768275e24_z.jpg)
![The foodcourt The foodcourt](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701779521_ea6a4e853a_z.jpg)
![A pinoy food stall A pinoy food stall](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6701810611_b17c65b92d_z.jpg)
![Pizza stall Pizza stall](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6701774579_52c3659dfb_z.jpg)
![More food stalls More food stalls](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6701803241_36930ddf46_z.jpg)
![I ordered my food from this stall I ordered my food from this stall](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701798765_6e2bedf9e1_z.jpg)
![Trying out some local food Trying out some local food](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6701815739_6b6d74bf94_z.jpg)
![Cebu roast pork Cebu roast pork](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6701806429_2fb3944467_z.jpg)
![Assorted pinoy food Assorted pinoy food](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6701817013_beef296b2a_z.jpg)
![This tastes better than it looks - it's some sort of gluey sweet curry vegetable This tastes better than it looks - it's some sort of gluey sweet curry vegetable](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6701817353_cc42d84266_z.jpg)
![Fried pork parts nibblers Fried pork parts nibblers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701819477_f904ba5646_z.jpg)
![Assorted roast nuts Assorted roast nuts](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701815225_14900e76a1_z.jpg)
![Kids' play area Kids' play area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6701793365_fbbd1aab62_z.jpg)
![Me getting a drill to the head at the Children's area Me getting a drill to the head at the Children's area](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6701777489_ec6dd50f6a_z.jpg)
![Catherine buying Krispy Kreme donuts Catherine buying Krispy Kreme donuts](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701791597_e1b6bec9fa_z.jpg)
![Hermit crabs in colourful painted shells Hermit crabs in colourful painted shells](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6701817803_cab6554b3c_z.jpg)
![Lots of design to choose from Lots of design to choose from](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6701813865_56a113f0eb_z.jpg)
![Larger hermit crabs Larger hermit crabs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6701815483_807df0a514_z.jpg)
![Bought some pinoy souvenirs Bought some pinoy souvenirs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701799415_9a72638c3c_z.jpg)
![A vest for Asher and two pair of pants for myself A vest for Asher and two pair of pants for myself](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6701808611_4ecbf39b33_z.jpg)
Since this was our last night in the Philippines, the Singapore group had our dinner together at Manila Bay, bonding over fresh seafood, al fresco entertainment and beer.
The dinner was a perfect ending to a great trip at Resorts World Manila.
![SM Mall of Asia by night - it's so huge I cannot get the whole building in a single shot SM Mall of Asia by night - it's so huge I cannot get the whole building in a single shot](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6701814239_a03d6ace43_z.jpg)
![SM Mall of Asia on the left and Manila Bay on the right SM Mall of Asia on the left and Manila Bay on the right](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6701813541_bd3bb88db7_z.jpg)
![Bumper cars Bumper cars](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6701818571_96f65891b9_z.jpg)
![Kiddie rides Kiddie rides](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6701816417_7faa2c0c90_z.jpg)
![Rows and rows of restaurants by the bay Rows and rows of restaurants by the bay](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6701818887_1b9aae65d2_z.jpg)
![Pirate statue outside one of the restaurants Pirate statue outside one of the restaurants](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6701812873_e55f6d312e_z.jpg)
![We ate at this restaurant We ate at this restaurant](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6701819091_ab4f70cb59_z.jpg)
![Singapore team group picture Singapore team group picture](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6701791875_aa5a112331_z.jpg)
![Tucking in for dinner Tucking in for dinner](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6701793707_fa08141bb5_z.jpg)
![Chilli crabs Chilli crabs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6701772673_249b02f3ff_z.jpg)
![Butter crabs Butter crabs](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6701789133_b06209417f_z.jpg)
![Soy chicken Soy chicken](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6701803553_b3d9f649cf_z.jpg)
![Cheese mussels Cheese mussels](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701807049_556b5a1881_z.jpg)
![Broccoli Broccoli](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6701810899_1f68d5a7f0_z.jpg)
![Grilled prawns Grilled prawns](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6701811465_db5db1b92f_z.jpg)
![Grilled sotong Grilled sotong](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6701811211_078f12b2b0_z.jpg)
![Steamed fish Steamed fish](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6701811751_53199c830a_z.jpg)
![Fried chicken Fried chicken](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6701812031_8784f86673_z.jpg)
When we got back to our hotel suites in Maxims, I took a relaxing dip in the bathtub with the bath salt provided.
I had a really good sleep that night. We will all be flying home the next day and I really wish I had a few more days to laze around and do nothing, lapping in the comfort of the Maxims Suite.
Stay tuned to my last post on Resorts World Manila tomorrow. 🙂