City of Manila

The Birthplace of La Liga Filipina

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This should have been published last month, during the anniversary of the founding of La Liga Filipina. But it’s history and national heroes’ month anyway so it’s still to get this out online today.

Today, the whole stretch of Ilaya Street from Plaza Amado V. Hernadez to the intersection at Juan Luna Street is a scene of urban madness. For one, the street is not passable to vehicular traffic with all the stalls occupying the road itself. Walking along this stretch of road is also a…challenge, to say the least, as you navigate through the walkways that have become narrow because of those stalls while trying to be mindful of not losing the stuff that you have at that moment.

It’s such a shame because Ilaya is a notable street not only for its commercial activity but also its historical significance. After all, it is along Ilaya Street where Jose Rizal founded his short-lived civic organization called La Liga Filipina (The Philippine League) on July 3, 1893.

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The National Museum of Natural History…Finally

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We have waited years for this. Finally, that time has come! The Urban Roamer refers here to the National Museum of Natural History, which has finally opened its doors to the public last May 18. And judging from the queue of people who line up to visit, the newly-opened building of the National Museum has been received quite well, despite the fact that not all sections of the building itself are not open yet.

The opening marks the culmination of a three-year project to convert the American-era structure into a modern museum that Filipinos can be proud of. Is it worth the hype though? We shall see…

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At the heart of Tondo

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What is there to say about Tondo? On second thought, maybe it’s a question that should not be asked in the first place.

The thing about Tondo is that, to say the least, it is a place that evokes strong perceptions and sentiments. For one, there is the image of urban squalor and decay that has afflicted Manila and the metropolis in general. Then there is the atmosphere of “toughness” that has been the source of negative perceptions (thanks in part to its history as a den of crime and gangsters especially during the 1950s-60s), as well as positive ones (the “Tondo pride” as some may consider it).

Admit it, this is what we usually think of Tondo (image courtesy of ABS-CBN News)

Being someone who has largely known Tondo through various media, and having only briefly set foot in the area just once or twice before, Tondo was a place that merited a bit more of that urban roaming. However, at the back of my mind, there is that feeling of uncertainty and the instinct to be more cautious than usual.

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