random writings

wishing for a comprehensive jeepney transit map for Metro Manila

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where we deviate from the usual topics here in this blog today to raise this interesting idea I’ve stumbled upon recently.

Every one of us knows how much commuting and the struggles (in the literal sense) behind it has been very much a part of the city and the people who have lived and/or visited it.

Here in the Philippines, the commuting experience would not be complete without having experienced the excitement/discomfort of riding the fabled passenger jeepney.

Having evolved from what was supposed to have been a temporary solution to Manila’s post-WWII transport woes, (since many of the old tranvia lines were destroyed by then) the jeepney has now been dubbed as the country’s “king of the road” as jeepneys of all kinds and sizes have plied the city’s already choked up thoroughfares.

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spending an alternative Valentine’s affair: Chinese Lunar New Year

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Just when you thought Valentine’s weekend (which by itself is somewhat a rare occurence) would find yourself limited to being caught in crowds of couples flocking into the metropolis’ usual romantic haunts, and/or if you yourself do not feel like spending Valentine’s either, it was nice to get an alternative occasion to celebrate: the Lunar New Year which our fellow Filipino-Chinese brethren celebrated that same weekend.

What better way to celebrate it than to pay a visit to the place which is the heart and soul of the Filipino-Chinese community: the Manila Chinatown.

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a little Christmas Day post

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Like this giant Christmas tree at the Araneta Center (the biggest in the country as they claim) may this Yuletide season be filled with the brightness of hope and joy in each and every one of you, in spite of the tragedies and sorrows that came our way. Maligayang Pasko sa inyo!

after the storm: a time to help and celebrate

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It’s been almost 2 weeks now since the metropolis was hit hard by a calamity of such magnitude rarely experienced in this part of the country. And while things today here are running almost back to normal, (almost being the operative word here) it is clear that the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy has left such a deep impact that may have changed the landscape of Metro Manila.

Now people are raising the issue of safety in many parts of the metro in the face of a calamity of such scope as that of Ondoy. It is expected now that prices of properties on or near the areas most affected by Ondoy’s floods will go down (especially in parts of Marikina, Pasig, and Taguig) as some people there are now considering moving out to live in condominiums or elevated properties in the city or in the suburbs.

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