Roamer's Roundup Archives - Page 10 of 27

Postscripts From The Earthquake Drill

July 31, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

Last July 30, the entire Metro Manila participated in a simultaneous activity called the Metro Manila Shake Drill, an earthquake drill organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in coordination with various risk reduction and rescue teams. The aim of this activity was to promote awareness on the possibility of a deadly earthquake with the presence of the West Valley Fault in the eastern part of the metropolis as well to educate the people on what to do if and when this earthquake strikes.

drill at the area of SM Megamall (courtesy of the Inquirer)

students doing the techniques in case of an earthquake during the drill (courtesy of Metro Manila Today)

Many establishments, groups, as well as the general public, participated in this activity as they practiced the techniques on what to do when an earthquake hits and witnessed the various simulations like accidents and injuries that would arise from an earthquake, to give an idea on what to do when these incidents occur.

TRO on Torre de Manila (In Time for Rizal’s Birthday)

June 19, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

Today happens to be the birthday of the Philippines’ National Hero, Jose Rizal. It feels so apt to talk about the development that happened a few days ago which seemed to be intentionally done as a birthday gift of sorts to Rizal.

image courtesy of AFP/Jay Directo via GMA News Online

I’m talking about the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against our favorite developer DMCI to stop the construction activity going on at the “national photobomber,” the 46-storey Terror, este Torre de Manila.

The Met and the Long Road to Rebirth

June 17, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

It has been a long while since I written something about the Metropolitan Theater, about five years to be exact since the last update. Time does fly so quickly and so many things have happened since then. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said for the Met as it remained in a dormant state throughout this time, with the earlier promise of what was supposed to be a start of a reviving this storied structure was stalled for some reason.

However, the Met figured in the news recently as its ownership passed hands from its previous owner, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to the new owner, none other than the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for P270 million, a deal that was done last June 10. It was move by the NCCA in its bid to finally kickstart the rehabilitation of this historic structure.

Line 2 East Extension…Finally!

June 10, 2015 by The Urban Roamer

After about 5-6 years of waiting thanks to the slow pace that has been going on at the Department of Transportation and Communication, (thank you Sec. Mar Roxas and Jun (P)Abaya!) the Urban Roamer is happy to report that finally work is now commencing on the Line 2 East Extension…for real.

groundbreaking ceremony of the Line 2 East Extension (photo courtesy of CNN Philippines via Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/608102034211020800)

photo courtesy of the Antipolo City Government Facebook page

Yesterday, June 9, marked the groundbreaking of the said project which would involve extending the present line of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) ending at Santolan to about 4.2 kilometers east in rail length and two additional stations: Emerald Station in Pasig near Robinsons Metro East Mall and Sta. Lucia Mall and Masinag Station in Antipolo. For those who are based on the eastern part of Metro Manila and of Rizal, such as myself, this is a big deal and a project we have long been anticipating to happen.