If time were only tangible rooms I could easily come in and out of, I would definitely visit my childhood years time and time again. Growing up in the Philippines left no room for dull moments. On any given sunny Saturday afternoon, my friends and I would usually lie on our backs and make shapes out of clouds on a a grassy vacant lot, where clusters of wild, tiny red flowers bloomed. During rainy days, we would play in the rain; looked for water flowing through small rocks, imagining it as a mini-"ilog" or river and outlined suns on the ground, coaxing Helios to come out of its hiding. And those flimsy shacks built on whatever leaf, branches, and boxes we could put our hands on, those outdoor games played with sticks, stones and garters, and those rusty bikes pedaled into and through the fields - who, but Scrooge, can forget them? So though, I chose to permanently settle overseas, Philippines, my childhood home, will always, always have a piece of my heart. Despite the yes, yes, yes - abject poverty, rampant government corruption and creative modus operandi's, I daresay, Philippines or commonly known as Pinas, not only holds some of Asia's pure, unadulterated natural wonders but bears the most dauntless souls I have ever met and seen. So here's a look back on some of the visits Ralph and I had for the past five years. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
MANILA
Whenever someone refers to Manila, there's this popular Overseas Filipino Workers song always humming in my head, "Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila..." And given the popular local and tourist spots: Rizal Park, Intramuros, Roxas Boulevard Baywalk, Malacanang Palace, malls and more malls, etc. etc, what I remember the most is the everyday life in passing as I sat inside a Tamaraw FX taxi stuck in the middle of early morning traffic. Children, teens, women - young or old, spend their time if not begging, selling cheap snacks or goods, commonly sampaguita garlands, on any consumer-filled street to fend off for themselves and their families. If the U.S. is the melting pot of nationalities, Manila is the boiling pot of ironies, where its flaws heighten its zest and piquancy. It is where the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor exist. Audi's, BMW's and the Benz' roam the busy streets, while those in makeshift crutches rule the under and overpasses. Most people speak English and yet, there are those who remain illiterate. And despite the severe lack of food, almost ALL kinds of foods and restaurants thrive in Manila, from street foods sold in carts by local vendors, to the occasional gourmet prepared by visiting Michelin-starred chefs.
MANILA
Whenever someone refers to Manila, there's this popular Overseas Filipino Workers song always humming in my head, "Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila..." And given the popular local and tourist spots: Rizal Park, Intramuros, Roxas Boulevard Baywalk, Malacanang Palace, malls and more malls, etc. etc, what I remember the most is the everyday life in passing as I sat inside a Tamaraw FX taxi stuck in the middle of early morning traffic. Children, teens, women - young or old, spend their time if not begging, selling cheap snacks or goods, commonly sampaguita garlands, on any consumer-filled street to fend off for themselves and their families. If the U.S. is the melting pot of nationalities, Manila is the boiling pot of ironies, where its flaws heighten its zest and piquancy. It is where the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor exist. Audi's, BMW's and the Benz' roam the busy streets, while those in makeshift crutches rule the under and overpasses. Most people speak English and yet, there are those who remain illiterate. And despite the severe lack of food, almost ALL kinds of foods and restaurants thrive in Manila, from street foods sold in carts by local vendors, to the occasional gourmet prepared by visiting Michelin-starred chefs.
Crazy Irony. (L) Squatters area in Manila. (R) One of the thousand malls in the same city.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Wondering about theft? It's here. Worried about pickpocketing? Oh yes, they're here. Looking like any caucasian or even sounding like one, comes as a blessing and a curse. Those fitting this stereotype are either targeted by thieves and nodding sycophants, or welcomed by the warmest, most hospitable people. Just the nature of the beast. But Manila is one thing for sure; It is never boring - day in or out. It is for the vigilant yet adventurous. Simply taking a jeepney or jaywalking along the streets of Edsa poses a thrill in itself. Okay, perhaps, jaywalking in Edsa is a little too extreme, unless of course, you're a DC undercover cape crusader. So, opt for walking the under/overpasses instead, that too, can be quite interesting. A Travel Tip: If or when visiting, the safest bet is to take a friend who knows the culture and the place. Getting around then will be a cinch but traffic of course, is inevitable.
For now, here's a video of the song Manila originally sung by the Filipino band, Hotdogs in the 70's courtesy of Youtube. Here comes Homesickness, oh dear.
♫♪ Miss you like hell, Manila ♫♪
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